P. Tillich

• what did he say symbolic language does?

  it is able to express the ultimate because it transcends the capacity of any finite reality to express it directly.
• what did he say symbolic language demonstrates God as?

  God as "being itself", the "ultimate concern" and "the ground of being"
• god talk is symbolic and cannot be translated into literal assertion.
• what did he say religious language communicated?

  Religious language communicates religious experience through symbols and points beyond the mere words towards the ultimate reality. It goes beyond the external world and into the internal reality - it takes us to 'Being itself'
• • symbolic language opens a new level of reality
  • symbol= transcends facts 'unlocks dimensions and elements of out soul' and is understandable to humans
• what was powerful about symbols?

  they could direct ways of thinking changes through time. It helps us to express the meaning of God for human life in community with others. It conveys deeper meaning in comparison to a sign.
• what is the first characteristic of a symbol?

  they point beyond themselves to something else.
• what is the second characteristics of symbols?

  it participates in that which it points
• what is the third characteristics of symbols?

  it opens up levels of reality which otherwise are closed for us.
• what is the fourth characteristics of symbols?

  it unlocks dimensions and elements of our soul which correspond to the dimensions and elements of reality. it opens up hidden depths of our own being. there are within us dimensions of which we cannot become aware except through symbols, as melodies and rhythms in music
• what is the fifth characteristics of symbols?

  cannot be produced intentionally. they grow out of the individual or collective unconscious and cannot function without being accepted by the unconscious dimensions of our being.
• what is the sixth characteristic?

  a consequence of the fact that symbols cannot be invented.
• how is the cross a symbol?

  identify Jesus' death and participates in it by expressing:

  salvation from sin

  sacrifice and atonement

  victory over death

  defeat over Satan

  God's love for the world

  Christian hope for eternal life