Mortals And Mystery : Metaphors Of Meaning For The Journey

I'm intrigued by Fred Beuchner's insight (Wishful Thinking):The word religion points to that area of human experience where one way or another we come upon Mystery as a summons to pilgrimage; where we sense beyond and beneath the realities of everyday a Reality no less real because it can only be hinted at in myths and rituals; where we glimpse a destination that we can never fully know until we reach it.Since the Reality that religion claims to deal with is beyond space and time, we cannot use normal space-and-time language (i.e. nouns and verbs) to describe it directly. We must fall back on the language of metaphor and resign ourselves to describing it at best indirectly.It is obvious that this is what we are doing when we say Jesus is the "Son of God," or the Lord is our "shepherd," or the Kingdom of God is "within you." It is not so obvious that this is what we are doing--but we are doing it no less--when we say, "God exists." This does not mean that God "exists" literally as you and I do--that is, exists now and not then, here and not there, and stands out of (ex + sistere) some prior reality. It is at best a crude metaphor.To say that God "does not exist" may be a better metaphor to suggest the nature of God's reality. But since it also is bound to be taken literally, it is better not to say it.~originally published in Wishful Thinking and later in Beyond WordsWords try, and fail, to describe reality. Webster's calls a metaphor the application of a word or phrase to an object or concept it does not literally denote, suggesting comparison to that object or concept, as in A Mighty Fortress is our God; or something used to represent something else, a symbol(Random House).The authors of the Hebrew Scriptures, Jesus himself and his apostles, use concrete objects to convey truth. For example, "wind" is a phenomenon we all experience. The Hebrew scriptures, and Jesus, use "wind" as an expression of the "Spirit of God", the action of God, often unpredictable (as the wind) yet a powerful force in nature, people and nations (Genesis 1:2; John 3:8).Over the years, I've prepared these Bible study lessons that trace major metaphors and images through the Old and New Testaments. Jesus calls them "figures of speech" (John 16:25) to help his followers connect with "God", the source of their life). These chapters/sessions are written for persons seeking meaning (direction, guidance) on how to see and know "God", on what "God" is up to and how God expects humans (not just religious people) to live their lives.This book will examine metaphors like "Garden" (People as God's Field for Fruit-bearing)Tree(s) - What is the "Tree of Life" and "Of the knowledge of good and evil"?The Snake (Serpent/Dragon) - the meaning of temptation by what is "good"Vineyard - A major motif in the Hebrew and Christian ScripturesBook - of record, of lifeDoor - what is the purpose of a "door"?Garb - the meaning of actions, clothingSky (Dome) - HeavenFire - "Hell"Stone(s) - Very unique metaphor of how the inanimate points to the animateIn many cases, I illustrate the text with hymns and tunes I've written over the years.Language. Learning. Living. Loving. Metaphors represent Reality. They point to what is essentially indescribable. So that we can live meaningful (purposeful, satisfying) lives.What are the possible meanings of these metaphors? How are we supposed to live in the light of this kind of language? Who are we? Who is "God"? What are relationships? What are the possible outcomes of learning, living, loving and laughter?

• | Author: John R. Kleinheksel Sr
• | Publisher: Independently Published
• | Publication Date: Oct 16, 2018
• | Number of Pages: 202 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback
• | ISBN-10: 1724070088
• | ISBN-13: 9781724070081