Yes, we can, as Christians and non, discuss anything. Even multiplicity. The definition of multiplicity is: the number of times a root of an equation or zero of a function occurs when there is more than one root or zero <the multiplicity of x = 2 for the equation (x − 2)3 = 0 is 3> or the quality or state of being multiple or various. Now don't you feel enlightened?! I'll stick with the second definition. Being multiple. How does it apply. You don't have to have multiple personalities in order to, "as Paul put it, we need to become all things to all people." We are challenged to be in prayer at all times bring our requests to the God who answers prayers. Praying without ceasing and continually bring those we love before the Lord is practicing multiplicity. Giving to the poor and taking care of the orphan and the widow is practicing multiplicity as we balance all the need we have around us.
There is a negative side of multiplicity as well. I know of a denomination that practices legalistic multiplicity. They require their members to be baptized by immersion (not a bad thing) every time they move and change churches. One's church in the denomination isn't good enough for the next church of the same denomination. Multiplicity comes to churches in the form of control, manipulation and even secrecy. Some denominations actually monthly check the pay checks of their members so that they know the member is tithing 10% of their earnings. Yet other church groups pray repeatedly the same prayer over and over and over when Scripture tells us and them to not use vain repetition (multiplicity) to approach the throne of God. Negative multiplicity in our religious groups is NOT from God. Positive multiplicity in our religious groups is almost always from God. The multiplicity of laws in the Old Testament were overcome and fulfilled with the single act of Jesus on the Cross. When we come to the Cross to let Jesus into our lives we don't have to go through our life day by day and confess an endless list of sins of omission and commission. We need to lay our sins (all) on the altar and let them go.
Multiplicity is also found in some of our daily living. Having a routine can be good unless we need to vary from that routine and find ourselves unable to do so. Being so inflexible in one of the areas of our lives almost always indicates that this would be true about other areas of our lives also. Multiplicity in this example generates rigid and unyielding choices for ourselves and those around us. Allowing the Holy Spirit to not only direct our lives but to have the freedom to use us as he will is allowing the multiplicity of the Gospel to permeate our world. This multiplicity is found in the freedom to be ready at a moments notice to change direction because God is balancing a lot of plates in our lives. Not only being all things to all people but always being ready to give an account (testimony) for the hope that we have in us with Christ Jesus.
I hope I cleared that up.
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