Metaphors
6 Aug 2007
(This blog post was originally published November 2004)
Some more thoughts on metaphors.
They can act as windows, mirrors, picture.
Window: To see into and experience another world, new thoughts, ideas, paradigms.
Mirror: We find ourselves revealed in them, our location, place, self awareness, revelation, reflection, unmasking.
Picture: a painting, an impression, seeing something with the eyes of someone else, who made the image metahpor.
How much of scripture is image and metaphor. What happens when we apply this to reading the bible, learning, telling our stories?
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Comment by Stephen
9.47 am on 6 Aug 2007
I like Stanley Grenz’ discussion about metaphorical language in his book “The Social God and the Relational Self”.
He says,
“The acknowledgment that theological language is metaphorical alters our understanding of the task of the theologian. Rather than a scientist who discovers truths about God waiting to be discerned, the theologian is a poet who crafts meaningful pictures about our world and our relationship to the transcendent.”
I like the idea of people thinking about their faith being “word-painters”.
Comment by Helen
12.03 pm on 7 Aug 2007
Apologies in advance if these thoughts are a bit rambling…I’m still recovering from jetlag (just got back from Italy)
Some people who don’t believe the Bible say God is a metaphor. When I first heard that it scared me but it doesn’t anymore.
I’m not sure how much of the Bible is a metaphor. I’m sure that it’s a mistake to overlook the genre, approaching it like, say, a science textbook or a manual on doctrine. I like the Jewish approach – that this book is full of important stories (and other types of writings); it’s a gift to be respectfully, yet creatively discussed; in doing so we can learn important things. That’s my sense about the Jewish approach, anyway. I like it because it’s open; it doesn’t force the Bible to be something it’s not; it values what creative discussion can produce.
Jesus said, when two or three are gathered together in my name I am there…what happens with two or three that can’t happen with one? Conversation. I think the church has historically undervalued the creative learning process which can happen when two or three are gathered together and talk in an open way; I like that the emerging church has restored value to this. I would like to see emerging Christians with the freedom Jewish people have to discuss Bible stories. I’m not sure they’re all there yet; however, what would I know? My experience with emerging Christians is limited.
In reality I think metaphor and symbolism is always with us and it’s best to be aware that such things can drive us in unexpectedly powerful ways. Word pictures – metaphors – are very powerful tools of communication because of what they have the power to evoke in us. Jesus evidently realized this. I think he was often going for ‘effect’ as much as content. So to understand how he communicated we need to think about the context of his hearers as well as the content of what he said.
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