----- Original Message -----
Sent: July 02, 2005 06:12
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Imageless
images
T. F. Torrance's concept of 'imageless
images' is basic to his epistemology, in particular, his concept of the
relation of language to being. In his book, Reality and
Evangelical Theology (InterVarsity, 1999) for example, he talks about the
way in which symbolic thinking leads to dualism (p. 27). That is, we use
symbols to construct in our minds 'imges' of reality which we draw out of
our experience and observation. He argues that this leads to epistemological
dualism. Torrance's own view is that the images we use (words/ symbols)
point beyond themselves to realities for which our 'images' are inadequate,
but necessary. He often used the illustration in class
that the relation between words and that which words represemnt cannot be
expressed in words! Also, the relation between that which a
picture seeks to represent if it is a 'picture of something' and the 'thing
itself' cannot be expressed by 'drawing another picture' (image). There is a
'zero point' he used to say in such an endeavor where we surrender our minds
to the reality of the thing itself that exists beyond the images we use to
represent it.
Well Lance, DavidM suggested I pay attention to this -
but I don't find it relevant to what we have been
discussing.
Torrance is addressing the natural and I am addressing
the spiritual. Mankind does not understand spiritual truth by way of
"images". God knowing how prone we are to idolatry has not left us an
imagine of Himself. Noone knows what Jesus looked like in the flesh and of
course there is no image of the Holy Spirit who is like the wind, we know
where he has been because we see the results. Tell me what is the
image of faith, love and/or justice?
Torrance argues that this is
exactly what the physicist must do when using images to
depict the invisible reality of sub atomic particles. "This involves
the disciple of thinking in such a way that, through highly refined symbolic
or formal structures, images are made to refer imagelessly to the realities
intended." (p. 63} "That is to say, all our theoretical
statements fall short of the reality they indicate and are constantly
revisable in the light of it." (p. 66).
Torrance is trying to merge natural with
spiritual just like Aquinas did when he tried to merge Aristotle with
scripture. God reveals Himself to us in his own way and it is by using
words - words given by prophets that He has chosen; words containing life
and light; words inspired by the Holy Spirit none of which makes any sense
to the carnal mind. We receive them by faith and when we are willing
to do this understanding comes from God.
Dead religion along with the occult
is what clings to images, symbols, and icons - judyt
