 |  How to recognize and ride the winds of the spirit
Fall 2001
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Serious Symbolism
October 1, 2001
The shallowness of Protestant rituals in modernity was the result of not taking them as seriously as possible. The need for a richer, deeper, more spiritual ritual in postmodernity will push Christians to regard each symbol with the utmost seriousness. To do this, we may need to move our rituals out from under the intense light of reason—which tries to analyze their contents—and treat them as artistic and poetic expressions that are meant to awaken the spirit and in [Evelyn] Underhill's words, "evoke the mysterious." Sometimes we need to allow our rational mind to be transcended by the presence of the holy.
Postmodern Christians already are revisiting the discarded sacraments, and we have much to gain by looking again for the sacred, worshipful aspects of marriage, repentance, and confirmation as a rite of passage. The nonrational element of rituals and ceremonies appeal to the postmodern soul. In rituals, doing is attached to believing—the Word of God is made tangible, and the inner work of God's Spirit is make visible. None of these things requires rational analysis and exposition for postmoderns who are able to enjoy the spiritual value of a ritual as an experience of grace.
Masterpieces to download and display.
The Internet site, The Text This Week (www.textweek.com), categorizes great religious paintings by subject matter and by season (Advent, Christmas, etc.) and provides links to the images. Some can be projected or printed. The user must check copyright information. Text Week also offers commentary on the week's lectionary readings and a concordance of preachable movie scenes submitted by visitors to the site.
New Communion symbols
Instead of wafers and cups of juice, use grapes and a variety of colors ...
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