One of the children, in most families, has been (self) designated the “asker of questions.” When everyone else in the family is satisfied with the knowledge they have and the level of questions they have received, that child will persist. He or she will ask difficult, uncomfortable questions. Parents will struggle to answer such questions, or simply will not know the answers and will give up. Usually, in lively classroom situations, there are one or two “askers of questions” too. Jeremy Armstrong is an “asker of questions.”
Armstrong has written a book, Impolite Questions for a Generous God, (Columbia, South Carolina, 2018.) It is aptly named. He has packed the book with impolite questions that serve as a trailhead for a quest for answers. Many words come to my mind when I think of the journey on which Armstrong leads his readers: Raw, unfiltered, edgy, surprising, insightful and thought provoking. The trails that Armstrong takes in search of his answers are not well marked. Readers aren’t sure where he is headed, but Armstrong builds a bonhomie trust with his readers. They follow knowing their destination will be worth the journey.
The excursion on which Armstrong leads his readers is filled with observations on art, film, literature and music—especially music. I must confess, being a member of an older generation, some of the terminology and references to films and music groups were foreign to me. This, however, did not take away from the excitement and joy of asking impolite questions and seeking answers.
Coming to the end of the book, I realized that I had more questions than I started out with. The answers, which had been uncovered, were not holy grails of truth, but rather destinations that invited more thought and investigation. I was also surprised to discover that the Holy Spirit had been at work. I had changed—grown and matured (just a little) in my walk of faith and life as a disciple of Jesus.
I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.