The election campaign has underlined how bad politicians are at answering questions. It seems impossible to get a straight answer for a straight question.
I can understand that politicians, especially those who are presently serving in His Majesty’s Opposition, might not want to reveal all the cards up their sleeves, nor to prematurely tie themselves to spending commitments.
There seem to be a variety of strategies for not answering a question:
1. Evasion. This strategy all but ignores the original question and provides an answer that has nothing to do with the question.
2. Diversion. This does address the question, but only indirectly, thus leaving the original question unanswered.
3. Subversion. This strategy uses the question to give a prepared mini speech or list of slick slogans that also leave the question unanswered.
I have written before concerning how in the Acts of the Apostles many of the sermons and speeches arise out of questions posed by what the apostles had said and done. We see this in the very first speech in Acts at Pentecost:
“Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’ Some however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’” (Acts 2:12–13)
Peter addresses the second (implied) question first, by explaining that it is too early in the morning to be drunk! He then addresses the first question concerning meaning with a brilliant exposition of Pentecost as a fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy about the Spirit being poured out on all flesh.
It is also worth noting that Peter’s Pentecost sermon is interrupted by a question from the crowd that is disturbed by the realisation that they have crucified the Messiah:
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)
There are three things that are worth noticing about Peter’s answer.
1. It is clear in its command: “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 2:38)
2. It is clear in its promise: “And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
This promise brings with it all the promises of acceptance, presence, and power that the apostles had experienced and the assurance that the Spirit of Truth who had guided Peter to preach this sermon would guide them too into all truth.
3. It is clear about the range of the promise: “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.”(Acts 2:39)
Peter plainly states that this is not a one-off single location invitation but one that is open to all people in every place and time.
Preachers sometimes need to bend over backwards to assure people that God’s blessing of salvation has their name on it.
Finally, (4.) it is clear about the how much the preacher wants his hearers to respond to what is being said:
“With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” (Acts 2:40)
Photo by Emily Morter on Unsplash
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