catching the Masked Man

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I wrote this little parable tonight in response to an apologist friend on Facebook arguing that Jesus and God are numerically one, and that the Father and God are numerically one, although Jesus and the Father are not numerically one. First I replied in Philosophy-nerd fashion, that things identical to the same thing must thereby be identical to one another. But I realized that this truth, while self-evident, is too abstract for many to easily grasp, and is too easily dismissed with “there you go again with your tricky Philosophy!” So I thought a story might be better.

Sheriff Sam had been after the Masked Man, some anonymous fellow who had robbed several banks in the county. Finally, after a lot of work, he thought he’d solved his case. Pushing each chained prisoner by the neck, he entered into the courtroom. He told the judge, “I’ve caught the Masked Man. Our banks will now be safe.”

The judge said, “Which one is he?”

“Judge,” said the Sheriff, the Masked Man is this feller here, Foul Phil.”

“I see,” said the judge. “And who is this other gentlemen?”

The Sheriff pushed forward the other man. “This man here is Rotten Randy.”

“Why have you brought him here?” asked the judge.

“He’s the Masked Man too.”

“Oh,” mused the judge, “there are two masked bank robbers?”

“No, your honor. We are quite certain that just one man has by himself robbed all of these banks.”

“And which man are you talking about?” The judge leaned forward.

“This man, your honor… and this man.”

“Sheriff Sam, don’t fool around. I can see that these are two men.”

“Yes, your honor.”

“So, they can’t both be the one Masked Man.”

“Your honor, if I may, each of these men is sneaky, bold, five foot three, shoots straight, and looks dashing in a black mask – just like the Masked Man.”

“Be that as it may,” replied the judge – at most one of them can be the Masked Man, if indeed there is one such man.”