While serving in an AIDS ministry with a local church, during our weekly drive to a facility for people with AIDS, we often spent our commute discussing biblical topics and questions that might come up. On one occasion, a co-worker said that he had been using Got Questions for research, and told me I might enjoy answering questions there. I had never heard of the ministry, but I checked it out and sent in my testimony.
I got off to a shaky start however, as I love to study the Bible, and have no wish to argue just for the sake of arguing. Two days after receiving my third weekly question (3/16/11, 198840, I received a fourth, and it seemed frivolous to me (3/18/11, 199230). I answered it anyway (539 words) citing several scriptures.
I then got a follow-up question (199551) which was even sillier, and it came so shortly after the previous answer had been accepted, that I wondered if I was being tested. If it was legit, the promptness of the follow-up indicated that no thought was given to the original answer. I refused to accept it, and half expected to be fired. The text of my letter to Dolores is below!
After my anger subsided, I prayed about it, and realized my frustration was with the questioner, and not with Dolores. I thought about the frustration that she had to deal with, and the pressure to get answers out on time. I resolved never to throw questions back at the Got Questions staff, and if I get people who are playing games, I will try to deal with them directly, hopefully in a loving way. I also realized that few people will look up the references. It is easier to just ask another question.
I have continued to serve because I feel it is a great honor to share the good news of our Lord with others. And more selfishly, it helps me greatly as I often get questions that I have never thought about, and the research greatly aids my understanding in different areas.
And lastly, I am greatly honored to get to know people like yourself, who love the Lord and are willing to help where needed. I have great respect for the work that you do, but quite honestly, I thank God that I don’t have your job. But great is your reward in heaven! Thanks for being a blessing!
Your brother in Christ,
Bob
Dear Dolores,
Perhaps you can help me to understand something. I recently volunteered to answer one question a week after reading your doctrinal statement and the reader reviews for the “Got Questions” book on Amazon.com.
After one question, you asked me to take another concerning the atonement in the Torah. This I was very happy to do as the gospel is the power of salvation for the Jew first (Romans 1:16), and I believed the question to be very important.
But on 3/16/11 I received a question, and then another one on 3/18/11. I had to think and pray about whether to return the second question because it seemed like a frivolous question, and quite honestly, I felt like the author needed a kick in the butt rather than an answer. But after praying, I thought maybe he is a non-Christian that is really trying to understand. So, I tried to answer him as to make him think about what a Christian does.
Within hours of sending a response, I received another question concerning women preachers and head coverings. Not only are these issues addressed on your site, but the speed with which I received this question would indicate that the person did not look up my references or think about my answer.
If my answers are being reviewed by your staff, I don’t know how I could have received this “follow up” question so quickly. This makes me wonder if the question is legitimate or if I am being tested by your staff. In either case, I really have no time for nonsense. This is a no-win situation (Proverbs 26:4, 5). If I want to have silly conversations, I can go to a chat room somewhere. For this reason, I have no desire to answer this question. I am sorry.
Bob Gow
3/20/11
