Early 2023 Newsletter
January thru Ash Wednesday 2023
William of Occam (1285-1349), known as Doctor Invincibilis, was a Franciscan theologian and philosopher who is probably remembered most for his famous principle (Occam’s Razor) of economic logic: “Entities (meaning assumptions used to explain phenomena) should not be multiplied beyond what is needed.” This proclamation remains an admonition to all thinkers that TRUTH is best when simply stated. Occam insisted that verbiage should be shaved away until the simplest TRUTH stands free and is clear. He recognized that language is metaphor for truth and not a chemical process by which truth is taken out. Truly, the simplest explanation is usually the correct one. Robert Fulghum
In John 18:38 we find the scene of Jesus standing before Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor who was in charge of Judea from A.D. 26-36. Pilate was not a dumb man. He knew that the religious leaders hated Jesus, and that he did not want to act as their executioner. I think Pilate was curious about Jesus and His life. Pilate made multiple attempts to deal with Jesus to no avail. After much frustration, Pilate finally turned to Jesus and asked Him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Now, was Pilate asking this question as a Roman governor due to his perhaps instruction to find out if Jesus was setting up a rebellion to Roman rule? The Jews were using the word king to mean their religious leader or the Messiah. Israel was a captive nation and under the direct authority of the Roman Empire. A rival “king” might have threatened Rome; a Messiah could have been a purely religious leader.
But Pilate asked Jesus a straightforward question and Jesus answered clearly and simply. Jesus made it clear that His Kingdom is not of this world. Explaining again simply to Pilate that His Kingdom is not earthly. In this exchange it was clear that Pilate recognized the truth but chose to reject it. Failing to heed the truth when we know is a tragedy. Pilate thought all truth was relative and whatever the majority of people agree that it was. This thinking helped them to advance their own personal power and political agenda.
John 14:6, for our reference and our information basically takes the form of Occam’s Razor in its simplicity and power for our time and for all time. Jesus told His disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Jesus says He is the only way to God the Father. People argue it is too narrow, too tough. Jesus’ words could not be simpler and broader for the whole world to embrace. This is not confusing theology. Instead of worrying about how confusing this has become in the 21st Century world, we should embrace this truth and simply say, “Thank you, Almighty God, for giving me a sure way to get to You.
In Christ,
Pastor Dan