Symbolic Language

Question 1

Paul Tillich view on language

Answer 1

Religious statements are not literally true
Needs to be understood symbolically
Difference between signs and symbols

Sign points to something
Symbol participates in to which it points

Question 2

3 strengths of symbolic

Answer 2

Preserves transcendence and mystery of God

Can communists in deep way that ordinary can not

Can change with time so remains relevant to changing cultural context

Have limited lifespan - swasktika was Hindus but then Nazi

Question 3

Weakness of Tillich and symbols

Answer 3

Not clear how it participates? If you burn a poppy would be seen as an insult but would it reduce importance of sacrifice

J.H.Randall accept symbolism but non cognitive and provide no info about God

If they can change, then ideas of God will change, meaning lost or misinterpreted

Question 4

Aquinas and analogy

Answer 4

Analogy of attribution - words we apply to humans are related to how God are applied to god due to casual application

Analogy of proper proportion - extent to which a being can be said to have certain properties is in proportion to type of being we are describing