A while back in school I learned the six questions of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how. We were taught that good reporters wrote articles that answered each of these questions. That way, consumers of news would feel like they understood the events that the paper, magazine, or broadcast was describing.
I’ve also used these six as an outline for classes on sermon preparation. As they study the Bible and jot down their ideas, preachers can explore each question to make sure they’re providing their congregations “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
But until recently, I’d never seen the questions located within Scripture.
At church last Sunday, the guest speaker preached on the account of the fall of humanity into sin.
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” – Genesis 3:6-8
As I listened to the Scriptures and the message, I realized that God asked Adam and Eve some of the journalism questions.
“But the LORD God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ 10He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’ 11And he said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?’ 12The man said, ‘The woman you put here with me–she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.’ 13Then the LORD God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” – Genesis 3:9-13
God posed four questions to the frightened pair. Three of them borrowed from the journalism template: where, who, and what. And although the Lord didn’t use the word, you could make the argument that the remaining question dealt with the issue of how.
God investigated the incident the way a reporter would. He gathered the right information by asking relevant questions.
But did God need to ask? Wasn’t He aware of what Adam and Eve had done? After all, He’s God; He knows everything!
“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” – Psalm 147:5
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:13
It’s true that God knows everything; theologians say that God is omniscient. Why then, did He ask His questions? Like a journalist, the Lord explored the event and organized the details to tell a story.
Who would listen to God’s story? Who formed His audience?
Adam and Eve.
And you and me.
Adam and Eve sinned when they disobeyed God. The devil tempted them but they held the power of decision.
And so do we. Like our forebears, each of us has turned away from the Lord and pursued our own course. As the prophet Isaiah says,
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” – Isaiah 53:6
The first humans fell away from the Lord, and we follow their example. Adam and Eve suffered expulsion from the Garden of Eden, disturbed relationships, and eventually, physical death. Sin has a heavy price.
But who is “him?” Isaiah declared that someone has taken our transgressions and failures. The prophet didn’t know the identity of this willing substitute.
But we do.
The story of Adam and Eve is incomplete without Jesus. The Bible points us to Him.
In Christ we have forgiveness, in Him we have new life, in Jesus we enjoy the presence of God.
Yes, God told a story that explains why the world hurts. But this tale of the Master Journalist directs us to the good news of Jesus Christ. You will find your ultimate answers in Him.
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