In philosophy, Occam’s razor (also spelled Ockham’s razor or Ocham’s razor; Latin: novacula Occami) is the problem-solving principle that recommends searching for explanations constructed with the smallest possible set of elements. It is also known as the principle of parsimony or the law of parsimony (Latin: lex parsimoniae). Attributed to William of Ockham, a 14th-century English philosopher and theologian, it is frequently cited as Entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem, which translates as “Entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity”
(Wikipedia)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
I have always believed that any kind of theology, that is, a way of understanding God, must be the simplest, most basic thing in the world. After all, God wants his creation to be drawn to him and to know him. God would not make it a difficult and onerous thing to know and relate to him.
So, in my search for knowing God over the years, I have essentially used Occam’s razor to understand his message. The way to understand God must transcend complicated philosophies and bewildering theology.
God sent his son, Jesus, to show us the “way to live”. Hence, the followers of Jesus were known early on as followers of The Way. The way of God, the way Jesus showed, is that to live a life pleasing to God, one must love his/her neighbor. In that way, they love God.
Too simple? Maybe, but for me, the simpler the better.
Prayer: Lord, help us to love one another as a pleasing honor to you, Amen
