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Wikipedia Commons Songs of Innocence Plate 7 Echoing Green |
Two Kinds of Language
Literal and figurative!
"Proper language" and "poetry"
In
college I studied Science, majoring in Biology and Chemistry. Then I
spent a year in Medical School; later I worked for three years as a
research chemist.
In seminary I found that language was used very differently.
Science
used precise terms, each with one definite, exclusive meaning. In
contrast religion used metaphors - pointing toward the ineffable.
Among the characteristics of metaphors is that they often mean two (or more) things, sometimes directly opposite. Take fire
for example: in the Bible we read about both divine and demonic fire.
Another characteristic of metaphors is that they are in a sense
optional: among the many connotations of fire very different metaphors may serve the same purpose.
"Everyone shall be salted with fire".
When you read that, if you have any curiosity about what it might
mean, you begin to try to interpret it, that is, you cast about in your
mind other metaphors! that might serve to make the meaning clear.
Metaphors are allusive, suggestive; they imply rather than specify as scientific terms do.
In
the seminary I soon learned that to attempt to describe spiritual
values precisely was unrewarding, unless, that is, one lived with a
purely material consciousness. In that case it was the only recourse.
Our
culture has been deeply affected by scientific learning and influence.
People in general (unfortunately) have an almost purely materialistic
consciousness; few people are comfortable talking about spiritual
categories, often because they just don't have the mental equipment).
So
we have a materialistic culture: things that can be observed with the
senses, measured, weighed, evaluated in physical terms; these are what
people talk about almost exclusively.
This is unfortunately true
of religious discourse. So we talk about abortion, gay marriage, flag
burning, etc. etc. and never say a word about love or integrity or
honor, much less about purity, meekness, gentleness, and faithfulness.
THERE is NO NATURAL RELIGION, (E 2) "VII The desire of Man being Infinite the possession is Infinite
& himself Infinite
Conclusion, If it were not for the Poetic or Prophetic
character. the Philosophic & Experimental would soon be at the
ratio of all things & stand still, unable to do other than repeat
the same dull round over again
Application. He who sees the Infinite in all things sees
God. He who sees the Ratio only sees himself only.
Therefore God becomes as we are, that we may be as he is"
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