Lesson 4 | Support by distinct statement
Two ways to answer a "why?" question
Ground vs. Purpose
There is an important distinction that needs to be made between two relationships in this subcategory. When someone asks why something is so, there are two ways their question can be answered. One way is to look back to a cause (i.e. ground); the other is to look forward to a purpose. Both answer the why? question, but do so in very different ways. John 9:1-3 illustrates this well. Upon seeing a man born blind, the disciples ask for a cause to his blindness. But Jesus answers with a purpose.
Consider an explanation of this dynamic in this sermon by John Piper. I have included the two most relevant portions of this sermon below, but feel free to watch the whole thing if you would like.