Ask Anything: A Pastoral Theology of Inquiry
In this book, author Richard Olson notes that Jesus often asked questions as a way to get people to better understand themselves, their world, and their relationship with God. Olsen examines the way Jesus used questions and how they affected the person involved. Each chapter starts with a common question followed by related questions from Jesus and a discussion of those questions. For example, the first chapter presents the common question "Where do I find meaning in life?" This is followed by questions Jesus asked that might be used to explore and find perspective related to this main question. The related questions Jesus asked are "What are you looking for?", "How many loaves do you have?", "Which was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?", "Why do you call me good?", "Are you able to drink the cup and be baptized with the baptism?", and "Do you know what I have done?". After listing the Scriptures sources for those questions the author follows with several scenarios and a discussion of how answering these questions ultimately answers the first one. Each chapter ends with questions for personal or group discussion. Appendix A contains a list of questions Jesus asked in the synoptic Gospels and appendix B contains questions from the Gospel of John. Ask Anything: A Pastoral Theology of Inquiry is a highly recommended read to anyone questioning life or their purpose in life