Symbols Change and Rise—A
Calculus: A Process of Reasoning—The Use, of Numerical Symbolism in the
Bible—The Prophetic Achievement—The Divine System in the
Bible—The New Approach
SYMBOLS ARE NATURAL
It is a strange fact that if one talks to the average
individual about symbols, he is apt to conclude that one is referring to
something that is far removed from daily experience; he believes that symbolism
is a subject considered only by the highly educated or the religionist. He does
not realize that he himself is using symbols every minute of his life. A symbol
is, in fact, simply something that is used to represent something else. The
very words we speak are symbols. Our alphabet is wholly a matter of signs or
symbols. If one goes into a shop to make a purchase, one has to represent or
symbolize what one needs by means of words; moreover, one has to use the symbol
called money in order to buy it. Mathematics, music, engineering, architecture,
all employ symbols, such as numbers, notes, blueprints, and scale models, in
order to be universally understood.
No vast subject can be considered intelligently
without the use of symbols. This is particularly true with regard to the nature
of the Infinite, whom men call God. Perhaps no subject has been symbolized in
so many different ways as that of God's true nature. It must be evident to
anyone who thinks for a moment that the infinite One could not be understood or
defined as a whole, for infinity could never be included in anything, but must
include all within itself. Consequently, the only way that the Infinite can
ever be thought about and defined is through manifold symbols. — Webster
defines "symbol," in part, as follows:
1. a sign by which one knows or infers a thing.
2. That which stands for or suggests something else by
reason of relationship, association,esp., a visible sign of something
invisible, as an idea, a quality...
The Oxford Dictionary defines "symbol" as....
2. Something that stands for, represents, or denotes
something else ...esp. a material object representing or taken to represent
something immaterial or abstract.
3. A written character or mark used to represent
something; a letter, figure, or sign conventionally standing fur some object,
process, etc.
It must therefore be obvious that it is impossible to
approach any great subject without the use of symbols.
During the ages symbols of every kind have become
increasingly definite and intelligent and more in accord with the demands of
advancing human thought. As we now live in the scientific era, there should be
no hesitation whatever about considering the possibility of symbolizing the
real nature of God scientifically as well as through sentiment.
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