I. Life Questions

“I’ve got a lot of questions,” says Jayber Crow, a character in Wendell Berry’s novel of the same name. Jayber is recalling his seminary days and a visit to his professor of New Testament Greek, Old Dr. Ardwire. The professor replies, “Perhaps you would like to say what they are?”

The inquisitive student runs down the list. He fears his teacher will be like the other professors and discourage his questions. Dr. Ardwire listens thoughtfully for some time and then says, “You have been given questions to which you cannot be given answers. You will have to live them out – perhaps a little at a time.”

“And how long is that going to take?” asks Jayber.

“I don’t know. As long as you live perhaps.”

“That could take a long time,” Jayber replies.

“I will tell you a further my…