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Symbolic Acts – Discussion Starters — 3 Comments

  1. We believe in a God that we cannot hear, see, taste, touch, or smell. There is no measuring tape, telescope, ultrasound device, infrared spectrometer, gamma ray detector, or gravity inteferometer that can determine the physical characteristics of God. That does not mean that there is no God. It simply means that our devices don't work when it comes to God.

    Seeing so much of our experience is based on our senses, or on the measuring devices that are really only an extension of our senses, it comes as no surprise that a lot of what we know about God comes in the form of symbolism.

    We often use symbols to explain concepts that are difficult to express otherwise. For example, we use the Greek letter pi to represent the circumference/diameter ratio of a circle because we cannot represent it exactly in our number systems. The number exists but our expression of it fails so we represent it with a symbol. (Every mathematician knows exactly what I mean)

    God is a big idea! And our language fails miserably in expressing God. The Bible writers resort to using symbols and metaphors to describe God and God's will for us. Some of these symbols are physical objects, others are activities such as feasts and ceremonies. Many of them have become cultural icons, and sometimes it is difficult for us to separate the representation and the iconic status. It is important in any study of symbolism to understand the big idea behind the symbol and its limitation. Sometimes we become so engrossed in the symbolism that we forget the big idea. For example Foot-washing at communion is an example of humility, but living humility is much more important that an action in a church service 4 times a year. There is no point in doing foot washing without living humility. We call that hypocrisy!

    If a symbol draws us to the big idea it is still relevant. If it replaces the big idea, it has become an idol.

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  2. God uses symbol so we can understand but i want to comment on the lady that says it is because someone is having sin in him that is why the prayers are not been answered. To me she is not totally wrong afterall the bible say when we have iniquity ibour heart he will not hear us and if we have faith so small as a mustard seed we will move mountains. So does that mean that there are times our faith does not matter to God. it does matters to God but we need to know when to surrender to his absolute will. just as Jesus did when he asked let this cup pass over me but not my will but thine

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