Phil On .. 

Being Succinct
I returned from a celebration of 100 years of Chemistry being taught and researched at the University of Leicester. Somewhat depressingly, the department was only 55 years old when I started my undergraduate studies back in 1980!
What I recall from learning chemistry was the depth we went into when exploring a given topic .. Editor’s Note: Apologies if you are not a scientist and/or are totally bamboozled by the following example .. such as the unique arrangement of electrons in different energy shells around a nucleus for each element in the periodic table. The extent to which the outermost shell was lacking electrons dictates whether it is energetically favourable to lose or gain electrons in reactions with other elements. This in turn defined the compounds each element preferred to form. Whilst knowing things in depth can bring rewards (eg progress in science), there can be an elegance and power in summarising in a few sentences or even words.

Many people prefer a K.I.S.S. or a ‘Keep It Simple See!’ strategy. As someone who struggles to understand the attraction of golf, but enjoys hiking, I particularly like the definition of golf attributed to Mark Twain, ‘Golf is a good walk ruined!’
To give another example, I have been blessed with being able to visit a number of far-away countries. I truly believe that, having been exposed to new cuisine / architecture / history / ways of life, you always leave a piece of your heart in a country as you leave it. This means you feel a warmth to the people of that country even if you don’t necessarily agree with all they do. This, in turn, imbues feelings of compassion and a desire to help (eg donate money) when that country faces a disaster. Again, Mark Twain elegantly defined travel as ‘ .. the fatal enemy of prejudice.’

So, if someone asked you to describe Christianity, could you apply the K.I.S.S. strategy? For me, there is no better summary than Hebrews Chapter 4, verses 12-16 copied out below with permission from the church website bible, ‘You Bible’.
The passage starts by reminding us there is nothing we can hide from God. Since we are all sinners, this is not a comfortable place to be. Because the sword of God can pierce to any point in our body, there is the hope that the word of God can help us truly see (and be sorry for) our faults. The question then is, what can we do about it? The second half of the passage alludes to Jesus who, having lived a human life with all the temptations that brings, takes great pity in us. By dying on the cross, Jesus eliminates our sins giving us an undeserved confidence to approach the perfection of heaven. Simple!

Hebrews 4:12-16
¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Jesus the Great High Priest
¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.