A Latin term literally meaning "the cutting away of the infinite".
And you'll find it in your logic textbook. Sherlock Holmes defines it well when he says: "when you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth". It's a means of attaining answers to the problems of our life and world that aren't immediately evident. God has the answers and yes, Jesus is the answer. But I'm talking about referencing (or "acknowledging" see Proverbs 3:5-6) God in all our ways. Holmes speaks of such concrete terms as "impossibility" and its younger, doubt-filled brother, "improbability". I would like to qualify them for this context. If you believe and know that God is real, many of the inherent impossibilities of life are removed. Jesus says that "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). And when you see God as not only possible (probable) but also real--i.e. you see and know Him--then you can understand how Jesus can say what He did and have it make sense within the confines of our dimensions. But stay within His word when you seek to apply that rule to your life. If you need a miracle from God but you think it impossible, then God will reward you accordingly. However, when we know that God is real and, tantamount to that, He loves us, then the impossibilities of life become possible. Things like salvation and prophecy and healing. Sure, to some Christians, these things might seem improbable. Impossible, too, to non-believers, yet who are we to tie God's hands with our unbelief? When the impossibilities are removed, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
This can also be a double-edged sword. The New Testament letter to the Hebrews (5:14) refers to our senses being "exercised to discern good and evil". Accepting Jesus is almost like half the battle. "Be[ing] sober and vigilant" (1 Peter 5:8) is now part of our responsibility as there are now forces working against us and our involvement in God's plan and Kingdom. Staying humble by acknowledging God in all our ways, as Solomon put it, is the only effective means of knowing that we're not applying the labels of doubt and impossibility to the things in our life and realm--from God--that we should be responding to with trust, belief and faith. And love.
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he (and she) that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
"Wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matthew 14:31)
It's elementary
