Part III: Spiritual and General Questions · 33

Simplicity

Faith Q&A › Many Years with People's Questions › Part III

The question

What is to be understood by 'simplicity' in Christianity.

The answer

Simplicity is, not being complicated, and in Christianity it also means, not being naive.

The Christian can be simple, i.e. straightforward and modest in character, and yet wise at the same time. Christian simplicity is a wise simplicity. Christian wisdom is an uncomplicated wisdom, by which I mean, uninvolved, not abstruse like some philosophies. This is why the Lord said: "be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. " (Matt. 10:16).

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Thrice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory

Thrice-Blessed Pope Shenouda III of Blessed Memory, Many Years with People's Questions, Part III: Spiritual and General Questions. Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate. Translated by Mrs. Glynis Younan, London. Revised by Mrs. Wedad Abbas. Second edition. Revised COEPA 1997. ISBN 977-00-2738-3.