From My Perspective - - -

The 21st Century has begun in a fascinating way. One truth with which most can identify is that we live in a very complex and complicated world. Events unfold at such an accelerated pace and rate that one finds it difficult to be current in all things. We are well beyond what some liked to refer to as the K.I.S.S. principle, namely, Keep It Simple Stupid. As a matter of fact, the way that “simplicity” is usually defined is by contrast with that which is not simple. When Rene Descartes (1596-1650), a French Philosopher and Mathematician set out to give perspective on simplicity, he did so with his “Ontological (or a priori) Argument” as he sought to give understanding about God.

One who tried to summarize the basic argument of Descartes summed it up in the following way: “Descartes often compares the ontological argument to a geometric demonstration, arguing that necessary existence cannot be excluded from idea of God anymore than the fact that its angles equal two right angles, for example, can be excluded from the idea of a triangle. The analogy underscores once again the argument's supreme simplicity. God's existence is purported to be as obvious and self-evident as the most basic mathematical truth. It also attempts to show how the ‘logic’ of the demonstration is rooted in our ordinary reasoning practices.” Simple? You have to be the judge of whether or not this is the best approach to an eternal matter of great importance.

Another summary statement regarding the approach of Descartes is: “Descartes' ontological (or a priori) argument is both one of the most fascinating and poorly understood aspects of his philosophy. Fascination with the argument stems from the effort to prove God's existence from simple but powerful premises. Existence is derived immediately from the clear and distinct idea of a supremely perfect being. Ironically, the simplicity of the argument has also produced several misreadings, exacerbated in part by Descartes' failure to formulate a single version.”

The attempt of Wikipedia to give some parameters for simplicity states: “Simplicity which means to be simple. It usually relates to the burden which a thing puts on someone trying to explain or understand it. Something which is easy to understand or explain is simple, in contrast to something complicated...The concept of simplicity has been related to truth in the field of epistemology. According to Occam's Razor, all other things being equal, the simplest theory is the most likely to be true. In the context of human lifestyle, simplicity can denote freedom from hardship, effort or confusion. Specifically, it can refer to a simple living lifestyle…”

In part, the complexity issue arises because of an inability to utilize faith in and embrace of basic premises: (1) There is a God; (2) This God is all-powerful; all-knowledgeable; everywhere present at the same time; and unchanging – in other words, He is unlimited in terms of time and space and functions whenever and wherever He pleases to accomplish His divine will and plan; (3) This God has also spoken in a) His revelation – the Holy Scriptures and b) His Son. A simple summary (if one employs faith) is given in Hebrews 1:1-4 (NLT), “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets - now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it. The Son reflects God's own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly. He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command. After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven.”One of the most “simple” and clearly stated books in the Bible is First John. One such example is I John 5:11-12, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” This truth can only be embraced and implemented by faith. Faith is the only pathway to receive the benefit of these words, namely, eternal life. Believe and Receive! Consider these things with me!