This morning I watched a 7th grade math teacher instruct her students how to solve a ratio/proportion problem using an algorithm. At the end of the lesson, after the students were gone, I mentioned that there is a much easier way to solve the problem. She laughed and agreed. She explained that the algorithm was for students who didn’t know what they were doing. It is a menu. Do a logical step-by-step process and one will get the correct answer. However, she said, “Some of the students look at the problem and know how to solve it without the algorithm. I give them credit for that.” Good for her.
Through the years I have sat through some very complicated, complex presentations on righteousness by faith, sanctification and justification, predestination, free will, etc. My conclusion is these presentations are akin to algorithms. They are explanations for people who just don’t get it. Or perhaps it’s the presenter that doesn’t really get it. And just what is “it?” “It” is the simplicity of the Gospel. Jesus created us and took responsibility for us when we failed. His righteous life, death and resurrection makes it possible for us to be adopted into the family and receive eternal life. We are no longer under an obligation to the law but instead are obligated by love to be as much like our Savior as we can. The only real mystery here is why He loves us so much to do this for us.
No algorithm needed. Perhaps there is another mystery and that is how come something so simple can sometimes sound so complicated? Perhaps the fault is in the old saying, “If something sounds too good to be true. It is.” But “it” is true!
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 28, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org