The Coastline Paradox

There is this thing called the Coastline paradox and basically, if you choose a different unit of measurement, you're going to get a different answer for how long the Coastline is. So like, if you were to draw a straight line from one point on the coast to the next that was a mile long, you would get one answer, but if you were to use a yardstick and measure in straight lines from point to point, there would be a lot more nooks and crannies that the yardstick would be able to account for that the mile long line would ignore. And so the smaller and smaller of lines you draw, the longer and longer your measurement of the coast becomes. In the gospel, revelation comes line upon line. As we try to measure our understanding of the universe and our place in it and our relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters, we may have to use some very simplified and unsophisticated lines to draw out our map of the world and how we fit in it. But once we've come to terms with our first, crude measurements, then we are given a new line, a line that is a little more subtle, a little more nuanced. We can make deeper, more complex connections and describe the world and our place in it a little more accurately. And then we are given a smaller, deeper line of revelation, and can see the connections even more clearly. However clearly and detailed and accurate we believe our current understanding of God and His plan and our place in it is, we can always go deeper and get closer and understand more finely and with more and more details.