Day Two: Signs, Symbols...Sacraments

Christianity is a religion of signs and symbols. God is Transcendent and the thoughts and ideas we have about God are simply too limited in scope to really understand God. In fact, anything that humans create in order to describe God is utterly incomplete. Christianity believes that God give us signs that point to His transcendent Truth. But before we can talk about Sacraments, as this what these particular signs are, students need to have a good working knowledge of what sign and symbols are.

The second daily objective for the day two is: “Students will be able to define what sign and symbol are in relationship to the thing that it represents”

Starting with basic vocabulary, as theology is essentially based on being able to communicate clearly with precise words, I give them the following concepts.

•       Signs are literal representations of something else. Signs inform the audience of that to which it refers.

•       For example, a “sign” above a grocery store aisle informs you of what you can find in that aisle.

•       Symbols are metaphorical representations of something else. Symbols require interpretation and usually point the audience to a more abstract idea or thing.

•       For example, on a highway exit ramp pictorial images can symbolize what kind of stores or services are at that exit.

Symbols are more complicated than signs and sometimes symbols.

•       In general, “sign” and “symbol” are used interchangeably.

•       Technically, signs are literal descriptions of that which it represents. They represent things that are easily understood.

•       Symbols, on the other hand, are metaphorical descriptions of things that are more complex and difficult to explain with simple signs.

I displays the two images next to each other and explains that if someone wants to communicate “mystery” or ideas or things that are beyond human comprehension, then symbols are more appropriate. However, there will be a difference between symbols that humans use to represent other material Truths and symbols that God uses or creates to represent more Transcendent Truths.

•       Christianity uses symbols to represent or to point to complex things or Truths. (This is how I word it at the beginning of the semester; we still haven’t developed the best vocabulary for discussing this).

•       Symbols must be used because the Truths about God cannot be understood on a literal level.

To be more precise, Catholic Christianity uses Sacraments to point us toward God,. Symbols, strictly speaking, point to more complex ideas or concepts but still those ideas or concepts are inert and are within the imagination of the human intellect. Sacraments, on the other had, as I describe mush later in the course, are efficacious and both symbolize a Truth beyond human imagination and are a Truth beyond human imagination. It is highly complex and my students need a bit more vocabulary before we can dive deeply into this. But we can practice.

After I have presented this concept of symbolic representation, I assign students to make a symbol representing themselves. They will do this in twenty minutes. I remind them:

•       You are more than what can be described literally. You need symbols to represent who you are.

•       Take twenty minutes to create a symbol that might help other people know more about who you are.

•       Look at the example that the teacher gives you and make sure you follow the directions.

When students are done, they turn their symbols in to the teacher. Essentially, I do this exercise so students gain a deeper and more tactile and visual understanding of symbolic representation. I also use their symbols to decorate the room. When students believe they “own” a classroom, they are more inclined to feel a sense of welcoming. The worst thing a teacher can do in a classroom, of any kind, is to make it oppressive and intimidating. The limits the capacity for the classroom to let down any guards they have and inhibits the cultivation of Love. I have to be honest, I do not do many projects with students any more, but when I do, I make sure the entire class can see work they have created.