|
APPENDIX I-- MEANING AND METAPHOR-- When we wish to express or communicate the presence of some reality that is not perceptible to the senses, we use symbols. For example, knowledge is not a perceptible reality, whereas the sun is. Typically we say knowledge is light, but in reality light is merely being used as a symbol and is not what is literally meant. However, the fact that light is just a symbol does not mean that what it symbolizes does not exist. (167:1) There are many examples of the use of symbolism in the Bible. In some instances, however, it is not always apparent that symbols are being used, while a symbolic meaning may not always preclude a possible literal meaning as well. For example, according to the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus yielded up His spirit on the cross 'the earth quaked' (Matt. 27:51), but there are no known accounts from this period, other than Matthew's, which record such a phenomenon. In fact, none of the other accounts of the Gospel mention it. This does not mean that it did not happen, but it does at least suggest the strong possibility that Matthew is using the phrase 'the earth quaked' as a symbol or metaphor intended to suggest the force of the crucifixion on human affairs. (167:2) Matthew's account of the Resurrection provides another example of the same symbolism. Again, in all the accounts of Jesus' resurrection, only Matthew records an earthquake. However, the account does not indicate that the earthquake served any purpose. It did not cause the stone blocking Jesus' tomb to move; rather, the angel 'came and rolled back the stone' (Matt. 28:2). It was not the cause of the guards' fear, for they 'shook for fear of him [i.e. the angel]' (Matt. 28:4). The earthquake appears to have only symbolic significance. This significance can be understood as the impact that the Resurrection - which is symbolic of the establishment of the Church - had on history. The raising up of the church after th crucifixion was an act which struck down the authority of Judaic institutions and eventually overturned the religion and much of the barbarism of the Roman Empire.
(167:3)
|