[Greek] ζήτησις (zētēsis), [Latin] quaestio: debate, dispute, questioning, argument; Jn.3:25, Acts 25:20, 1Tim.1:4, 1Tim.6:4, 2Tim.2:23, Tit.3:9
Ukraine and Russia: a crisis about security concerns (and rights).
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means seeking, searching for, quest for something, examination, inquiry, and investigation. Herodotus’ The Histories 2.44 states “What I have discovered by inquiry plainly shows that Heracles is an ancient god. The Greek also worship Heracles as an immortal and Olympian. Plato’s Theaetetus 196d states “You seem not to remember that our whole talk from the beginning has been a search for knowledge, because we did not know what it is.” Plato’s Cratylus 406a states “Muses and music in general are named, apparently, from seeking, searching, and philosophy.”
New Testament: This term means dispute, investigation, controversy, argument, and debate. A dispute arose between John the Baptist’s disciples and Jesus (and His disciples) concerning the issue of ceremonial washings. This matter mostly likely concerned the differences between these two types of baptism. Festus, having arrested Paul, was at a loss to investigate this controversy. Festus eventually brought Paul before the Jewish leaders. The Christians are forewarned not to concern themselves with myths and genealogies. The false teachers have a morbid fascination for arguments and verbal disputes. One must avoid foolish debates and arguments.
Scripture:
“Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings.” Jn.3:25
This dispute mostly concerned the importance and effectiveness of each type of baptism. How does John’s baptism compare with Jesus’ and the disciples’ baptism?
“Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy, I asked if he (Paul) were willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these charges.” Acts 25:20
Since no one brought charges against Paul, the Roman authorities brought Paul to stand trial in Jerusalem.
“[False teachers] are conceited, understanding nothing, and have a morbid fascination for arguments and verbal disputes.” 1Tim.6:4
False teachers seek to cause division and to cause others to stray from the truth.
Alex: “For Final Jeopardy, the category is countries of the world.
Clue: An unrecognized breakaway state between Moldova and Ukraine. Russian troops have been mobilized there. The State Dept. has just issued a travel warning for U.S. citizens there.’
Ken: “What is Transnistria”
Alex: “Ken, you are correct. You are the winner for today’s round.”
Conclusion:
Question, questioning
In Greek Hellenism, this term essentially takes on a philosophical and intellectual sense. Raucous disputes or verbal arguments do not really appear in this time period.
I can only imagine there may have been heated debates or arguments about which baptism is more effective.
In our current age, we do still have some false teachers as it pertains to Christianity. However, perhaps the many unqualified and uneducated teachers may pose a more serious detriment to others.
We also need to be concerned about the influence of the new atheism led by such people as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. What is concerning is that Generation Z is becoming more and more atheistic.
We know are currently now having disputes about restrictions in Canada and disputes about security concerns in Ukraine and Russia. (I can continue on with more and more examples.)
These are surely valid concerns and issues. You get no argument from me!