Symbols

• Who argues religious language is symbolic?

  Paul Tillich
• What is a symbol in religious language?

  We use words to stand for other things, it may allow us to describe God positively while avoiding problems of making God seem too small
• What did Tillich say about symbols?

  All religious language is symbolic

  Symbols and metaphors ‘open up levels of reality that were otherwise closed to us’
• What is the difference between sign and a symbol?

  Sign - Directly represents something specific. Symbol - Represents something more abstract or complex
• How does Tillich agree with Aquinas?

  Believes using literal language to describe God conveys a false impression of God’s nature
• What does Tillich understand God to be?

  ‘Being-itself’ - does doesn’t just exist, he is existence
• What does John Hick say?

  Tillich overemphasises the artistic nature of the religious symbol
• What is a negative of symbols?

  Cultural differences