Religious language: Paul Tillich and John Randall

What is symbolic language?

The use of picture, metaphor, and other common forms of symbol to express ideas in a non-cognitive way.

According to Tillich, why does religious language have a profound effect upon humans?

Because it is symbolic in nature.

In what ways does religious language communicate religious experiences, according to Tillich?

Through metaphors and symbols.

Why are signs different to symbols, according to Tillich?

They do not participate in what they symbolise.

Why are signs and symbols similar, according to Tillich?

They both point to something beyond themselves.

According to Tillich, how is the cross a symbol for Christians?

It reminds Christians of the sacrifice they believe Jesus to have made on the cross for them; it also reminds them of their beliefs about God and his plan for the salvation of human beings.

There are two things that Tillich says symbols 'open up'. What are they?

They open up levels of reality that otherwise are closed to us.

They also open up the levels and dimensions of the soul that correspond to those levels of reality

How does Tillich argue that symbolic language operates in the same way as a piece of art or music might?

They can have a deep and profound effect upon us that we can only explain in a limited way, and the explanation would only really be understood by someone else who has seen that same work of art. Also, symbols, like works of art, can open up new levels of reality for us and offer a new perspective on life.

For Tillich, what is the purpose of religious language?

To evoke the nature of God.

Why is religious language non-cognitive, yet meaningful for Tillich?

It evokes the nature of God, rather than making statements of fact. We come to knowledge of God through symbols.

With what does Randall says religious symbols belong?

They belong with social and artistic symbols.

Name two of the four things Randall says religious language does.

1.they arouse the emotions and stir people to actions;

2.they stimulate cooperative action and thus bind a community together through a common response to its symbols.

3.they communicate qualities of experience that cannot be expressed by the literal use of language.

4.they both evoke and serve to foster and clarify the human experience of an aspect of the world that can be called the "order of splendour" or the Divine.

Overall, what does Randall say religious symbols do?

They enable us to see and feel the religious dimension of our world better