If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.
This quote is attributed to Albert Einstein, although he, like Yogi Berra, are often attributed quotes they probably never uttered.
The point remains valid no matter who said it first.
I wish the Apostle Paul had heard this thought.
I love Mark’s gospel and James’ letter. They are so direct. They make a point and move on.
Luke’s gospel is similar.
But Paul felt a need to keep explaining. And therefore Luther, Calvin, and Wesley all read Paul’s letter to the Romans and came up with different versions of systematic theology.
My point…Jesus didn’t tell us to argue arcane points of theology. He told us to love God and to love our neighbor. Luke told three stories that explain who the neighbor is. Hint—not only those from your tribe who agree with you.
I have an eighteen-hundred page book (actually two volumes) that’s an in-depth scholarly look at Paul that I’ve studied. It’s a fantastic intellectual exercise.
But that doesn’t make me a better follower of Jesus. Helping the next person I meet is a start.
Faith Venture 
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