modifying symbols

Posted by Paul | Filed under uncategorised

Another quote from Art & Soul:

We have the dilemma of using a symbol system that was not made for our worldview… I think the thing we’re waiting for is a genius to come forth who can make a new symbol system… or more properly, as symbol systems don’t come overnight, a group of people to modify the symbol systems of our day, so that we can use them for our Christian message without a disadvantage.

Francis Schaeffer

This brings all sorts of things up in my mind. For a start, it bounces interestingly off the posts from a couple of weeks ago (on Engaging Unbelief, etc.) I find the start interesting, but perhaps questionable (questions to follow below!) But I get happier as he refines the comments at the end.

Random thoughts/questions:

Is hoping for a symbol system made for our worldview the right start? Is it even practical? What would a symbol system ‘made for our worldview’ even look like? Perhaps it’s better to think of our worldview being expressed through whatever symbols are available. Maybe that give space for new things we didn’t even know were there to be expressed. If we have something ‘made for our worldview’ it may only let us say things we already know.

It’s really the ‘waiting for a genius’ idea that I have most issue with. (Admittedly he backs off and takes a position that seems far more valid.) Surely art in a Christian view has to be a community activity. And forming symbols can’t just be left to one ‘genius’. This seems to give into the Romantic view of artist as lone hero type view. And again, would producing a new system of symbols get us anywhere? Would it connect with anyone. You are likely to end up with a group of people (or an individual genius!) who can only talk amongst themselves.

It’s when he alters this to ‘a group of people’ who are ‘modifying the symbol systems of our day’ that I think he is on a better track. And now we are getting back to the ‘Engaging Unbelief’-type view: Entering another’s story and retelling. Or subverting the symbols. And there is a useful hint of community, which is surely the way this has to be done. Especially in a post-modern world.

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Permalink | September 23rd, 2005

5 Responses to “modifying symbols”

  1. Mark Says:
    Mark September 24th, 2005 at 11:42 am

    This really is good insightful stuff, bro. I am impressed!!

  2. jonnyjpg Says:
    jonnyjpg September 25th, 2005 at 8:56 am

    i like this thinking.
    although ‘worldview” – is problematic – ‘worldviews’ might be better – i’m sure we all hold a lot of worldviews in tension – plus different ‘tribes’ and cultures in our society may not all have the same ‘worldview’… i digress
    but the case still stands – there are symbols which are indigenous to the cultures we inhabit.
    i love the idea of remixing and reinterpreting our stroies and symbols. especially as remixing is one of the aesthetics of our time both musically and visually. which makes me think these are timely words.

  3. Paul Says:
    Paul September 25th, 2005 at 2:19 pm

    You’re right, ‘worldview’ isn’t a good start. Reminds me of a criticism of one Christian thinker (probably Schaeffer) that he implied there was such a thing as ‘a Christian worldview’ rather than ‘Christian worldviews’.

  4. kim Says:
    kim October 1st, 2005 at 4:50 pm

    I feel I’m entering a debate that has already statrted, and so I might be saying something that has already been said. I might even be saying something that has already been said and rejected. but (here goes!)don’t we already have a symbol system at our disposal, i.e. th bible? And why should it be difficult to modify this symbol system to our time when that is precisely what we do every day, walking out with God into the places we go to do the things we do?

  5. Paul Says:
    Paul October 26th, 2005 at 9:48 pm

    I think it’s more about communicating what we have to others — so its working with their symbols and modifying those in order to tell the story, rather than starting from what we have already.

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