Rational Dreaming
Awkward Questions About Jesus
My apologies, but the video has been removed from YouTube for copyright reasons. That’s a pity, because it’s a fun clip and advertises the show very well, but the BBC has engaged a private company to enforce its copyright. So be it.
At almost 300,000 views and counting (as of April 14th, 2010) this clip appears to be the most popular Outnumbered clip on YouTube. Perhaps that’s because of the slightly provocative title I gave it, or maybe just because it’s downright hilarious.
It is interesting that of the two Outnumbered clips I posted, this one has caused far more debate over the validity of religion. I guess that’s because of Ben’s rather forthright questioning of the vicar. Even though most of the questions are rather silly, I think the fact that you very rarely see these type of confrontational questions asked of the clergy, it can appear to be a little shocking to some people which, judging from some of the comments I have seen, appears to be the case.
Some have also taken offence to “using children” in this manner, but I think they are way off the mark. It’s the use of children that gives the scene authenticity, given that there are likely very few children who haven’t asked some awkward questions about religion or Christianity at one time or another.
Of all the questions in the clip, I think the one that Karen asks is the most interesting—why couldn’t Jesus find another way to tell people to be “a bit better otherwise something bad’s going to happen” (like writing to them). As I have discussed elsewhere on this blog, one of the major problems with the fundamentalist’s take on the Doctrine of Salvation is the sheer randomness of any one person’s chances of both hearing about Jesus and his death on the cross and not being told that it’s nonsense and just a story made up by people of a different religion.
For example, if you were a Muslim who had been been living in down town Mecca all your life before the advent of shortwave radio, there is not a hope in hell (pun intended) that you have had a chance of hearing the “Good News” of Jesus Christ, and yet you are supposedly “without excuse” when you die completely ignorant of the existence of the New Testament.
5 Responses to Awkward Questions About Jesus
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This video is hilarious. I agree that the authenticity of the scene is determined by the children, and the nature of their questions. In a sense, most people who come to religions such as Christianity with questions can sound just like these children, they would simply be too embarrassed to voice their opinions and questions out loud in a public forum.
On the questioning of the validity of Jesus’ death as a means of salvation, i would say this: Karen’s question is ironic, not descriptive or prescriptive of reality. It is ironic because the question, “Couldn’t he find another way, like writing to somebody to tell them to be a bit better otherwise somethin’ bad’s gonna happen?” actually defines the Old Testament laws and commands that God gave to His people. He actually commanded holy action from them (i.e. “be a bit better”), along with a proclamation of judgment if they failed to do so (i.e. “somethin’ bad’s gonna happen”), and also a promise of hope, peace, blessing, reward, and His continued presence dwelling with them. Sadly, no human was capable of keeping this “writing” that God had given them, so a true way to salvation had to be made.
This is where, as the vicar briefly attempts to explain, Jesus steps in. The rationale behind the sacrifice of Jesus is that, being God, he could perfetly fulfill the law and be righteous where other humans could not; also, being human, he could die, paying the penalty of death which all humans owe to God for their unholiness, and thus as a perfect and complete sacrifice he could gain salvation for men. Furthermore, as He was perfect and not deserving of the death all men have earned, He was raised from death by the power of God the Father, to reign forever over His Kingdom-which is those who believe.
Mankind needs a savior because without one our eternity rests in separation from God, which is torment. Nearness to God is the alternative of what we call “hell”, this nearness, or dwelling with God (heaven) is eternal blessing, the goal of salvation.
The reason we would endure eternal torment and separation from God without a savior is that we cannot meet God’s holy standard of perfection. This is because man has, since the beginning, failed to obey God, and no man is actually inherently “good enough” to meet the standard of God and thus earn salvation. A man who could be equal to God in holiness and thereby deserve salvation of his own merit would not need God because he would, in fact, be as good as God, and would be God himself.
Thus, messed up human beings need to have God provide means of salvation designed in perfection by Him, and worked out for our benefit through him, because only He is perfect enough to satisfy the eternal requirements of His perfection. Jesus was and is God, and man, and thus was good enough, out of his perfection, to merit salvation. His eternal reward is His true life, which he imparts to those who believe, who will thus live forever with Him (eternal blessing = heaven, the goal of salvation).
To your point on the idea that there are some who could not go to heaven because they have not heard the Gospel message clearly presented, I have this to say: God does not claim within the Scriptures, Old or New Testament, that those who never hear a perfect presentation of what they must believe to be saved will necessarily perish forever. God, who created all life, human and otherwise, is sovereign forever over human lives. His sovereignty is His divine control, guidance, and determination that He alone, as God, can have. He is sovereign, and thus can perfectly determine those who enter into eternal separation or eternal nearness to Himself. He does not need humans such as you and I deciding who will and will not go to heaven based upon our understanding of his plan. Who are you to say that the Muslim who grows up in Mecca will never hear or be given opportunity to believe the Gospel? And even if you are right, who are you to tell God that such an unfortunate one will definitely be sent to Hell simply because of earthly circumstances outside of his control? God is greater than that, and if He desires that man’s salvation, He will have it, regardless of what you or I or someone else teaches.
That is the beauty of what these kids point out here in this video. God is amazing, and is far beyond human reasoning or comprehension. He is certainly, as the vicar pointed out, beyond human explanation, other than what He has revealed of Himself in creation and in the Holy Scriptures (what we call the Bible). These are God’s testimonies of himself to mankind. Of them we are given freedom to speak about God, creation, salvation, sin, morality, and eternity.
Romans 1:19-20 says “what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 also says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
I loved this video clip! I loved the children. I’ve been a Sunday school teacher all my adult life (teaching pre-school through high school) and these are exactly the questions that are on children’s minds. I would love to go to lunch with these two….what would it take? I’d swim across the pond to take them to lunch! They are delightful, thoughtful, candid, and I would be so challenged by them! Thanks for making the video and posting for all to see. Well done!
This little vignette demonstrates how inventive the child mind can be. They have no false modesty and can say what they like with striking honesty. Art Linkletter capitalized on this fact and made a fortune because he realized the wisdom that came out of tiny mouths.
I have not heard of your show, but I hope it makes it to America. Congratulations. Perhaps there will be a Season DVD? I took the liberty of posting this video on my blog with credit to you.
I wrote the previous comment under the impression that you were the producer of Outnumbered. I have since learned of my error and was surprised that this engaging program had escaped my notice all these years.
Wow, i’m glad my friend pointed to me this page that made me found this video.
This is indeed awkard. But I really like Karen’s question. – I feel it kinda shows the intelligent side of her.
@DonnaT (#2):
What other questions that are not in the video that you encountered which are not found in the video. It would be great to hear from a Sunday school teacher
Mark Derulo
Wichita, KS