Lecture Notes: Symbolic Language in Religious Context

Introduction

• Topic: Symbolic language as a solution to problems of religious language.
• Contrast with Other Methods: Different from via positiva or via negativa.
  • These methods interpret religious language factually.
  • Symbolic language views language as participation in religious practice.

Key Concepts

• Paul Tillich's Proposal:
  • Language as Participation: Language about God is part of religious action.
  • Religious Symbols: Reference point is not factual but participatory.

Signs vs. Symbols

• Distinction by Paul Tillich:
  • Signs:
    • Point to something external.
    • Examples: Notification on phone, road signs.
    • Not part of what they point to.
    • Conventional and replaceable by expediency.
  • Symbols:
    • Participate in what they represent.
    • Examples: American flag (is America, not just a symbol for it).
    • Elicit emotional responses, not replaceable deliberately.
    • Grow and evolve over time according to custom.

Language as Signs

• Words as Signs:
  • Represent meanings (e.g., "desk" points to an object).
  • Conventional, can be changed.
  • Example of expediency: Traffic light color adjustment for colorblindness.

Symbols in Culture

• Evolution of Symbols:
  • Example: Napoleonic eagles once had great significance.
  • Symbols must evolve naturally within a culture.

Religious Language as Symbols

• Tillich's View on Religious Language:
  • Not like signs but symbolic.
  • Religious symbols represent ultimate reality beyond comprehension.
  • Participation in religious behavior (e.g., Bible, communion, cross).

Conclusion

• Religious Language and Ultimate Reality:
  • Language does not merely point to God; it participates in divine connection.
  • A means for humans to connect with the ultimate reality.