Symbols come from our worldview, and thus often change when the major worldview of a culture changes. This is because our symbols create and reinforce what we believe to be true. Its the age old question, does art affect or reflect the culture....and it does both actually.
When symbolism changes, and the culture desires to recapture their lost glory or their lost values there is always a grass roots call to go "back to " whatever symbol they believe represents their cause. Look at the symbolism of flags. Southern Americans such as myself tend to protect the integrity of Confederate flags...because we see the importance of symbolism to a people.
However, it can go too far. Most of the symbols in our culture we ourselves have created. If we allow it, they can become idols for us. History is gone. It is important, it is our heritage. But we can't go back (and the idea of really lacing my corset to make an 18 in wasp waist is not on my agenda this week - I wear one because I like the look, not the squishing of my insides). We are actually supposed to progress, and sometimes we will outgrow our old symbols. When this happens it becomes really hard for us to completely understand an older symbol.
Our older symbols should be studied, however the reason isn't to keep ourselves slaves to them, but in order to make sure we have sure footing before moving forward. Only God's symbols are ageless, man's will change. The worldview determines where that change will lead. We have to move on, but we can't unless we understand from where we have come.
Practically how this occurs is this. We have a worldview which we must reconcile with scripture. If that worldview is worthy of it, what we create will be creations which reflect this as well. As we grow in our understanding of scripture, we will grow in worldview and our symbols will change. Periodically we go off track. When that happens, like a tree needs to be pruned, we must go back to the place where things were going as they should and start from there. The idea is not to stagnate there, but to start to grow in the right direction.
Our own manmade symbols also must always be recognised as just that. They are manmade and thus not worthy of the same respect as those which are created by God. Even the more mysterious symbols given by God...like grasshoppers, the sun, beasts, snakes or stars....
Thus scratched Lady Raven at
12:38 AM
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Name: Raven Shadowwinds From::Gaston, South Carolina, United States
I'm a 40ish mother of two; wanna-be historian, webdesigner, thinker of deep thoughts, and gothic princess. I am a perplexing and arcane person, creative writer, artist and photographer. I’m a voracious reader of anything Celtic, Norse, Confederate, Reformation, Renaissance, Medieval, World War two, political, philosophical or theological subject matter, as well as vampires, werewolves and other “darker” gothic themes. I’m an amateur historian, philosopher and theologian. I’m a confederate constitutional libertarian. I like antiquity goth, romanti-goth and period-goth styles mostly, though my hair has punk tendencies. In music I prefer celtic, renn, medieval, gregorian chant, ethereal darkwave, gothic rock, punk, melodic metal, medieval metal, hair bands, dark ambient, new age. I drink Coca-Cola, Chai Latte or British style tea.
Legalism is a sin, one cannot bind the conscience of another believer without direct scriptural compulsion to do so. Where there is no commandment or restriction there is liberty. Twisting scripture and
misinterpreting it to take away the liberty of a believer is legalism.
No culture can honestly claim to be Christian unless it has been ordered by and initiated by God. All cultures have been polluted by sin as all men are sinners. The Body of Christ should remember this...When attempting a conversation with a member of another culture...in that conversation, there will be two sinful cultures and two people who have a sin problem. This does not change whether the conversation is in deepest africa, or the goth club down the road.
**Warning** the below linked blog rolls contain sites which may not be acceptable or Christian. I have placed them here to increase traffic to my blog and possibly expose unbelievers to the truth. Click out at your own risk!!
