William Lane Craig was talking about physics on one of his podcasts and trying to explain some complex detail of science. At one point I expected him to say “It is too complicated to explain.” He didn’t. He went and attempted to make it clear. I don’t remember the point buy I do remember wondering, “Is it possible that something is not too complicated to understand but too complicated to explain?” I am more at home with theology than physics or philosophy so I apply it to concepts I deal with every day.
Have you ever tried to explain the trinity? I have. I have a deep satisfaction with understanding it even though I am continually getting new insights. The problem is explaining it. I constantly have a comment of one of my professors run through my mind, “Gentlemen, if you ever think you understand the trinity you have probably drifted into heresy.”
Think about the things that are so hard to explain. At school I tell my eighth graders that I had a lot of fun changing diapers. I tell them that it is different when the child is yours. They don’t believe me. They don’t understand. I have had fathers who understand but noone without the experience even has a clue.
This does not mean we turn off our brains. It does not mean we abandon thinking or reason. It does not mean we stop changing diapers. It means that we have been out and experienced enough to lose the arrogance of thinking our understanding is the measure of truth.
Just because you can’t explain something doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
homo unius libri
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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.