God’s Word is a book full of imagery. Certainly there is much imagery in the biblical poetry, and the “apocalyptic” writings provide powerful imagery. Biblical parables utilize the literary technique of “parallel” imagery, and Jesus primarily employs parables as His teaching technique. Throughout God’s Word, particularly in the OT, imagery is constantly being presented. The narratives describe people, places, and things with all sorts of imagery. Also, the descriptions of various characters and the graphic destinies of people, tribes, and nations form images in our mind. Even the names of people depict an imagery by their meaning. And it is the purpose and meaning of that imagery that I am challenging. What is God’s purpose for these images? What is the primary information being conveyed by the images created by the words of scripture? What wisdom is God trying to impart in us? What does He want us to understand?
According to the fetus scenario, the biblical images that depict events as occurring in this world should be logically perceived as symbolically depicting images of our future spiritual world. Alternatively, according to the wise men of religion, the exact same biblical images should be naturally perceived in a literal historical manner. So, one perspective perceives the words in scripture as symbolic images depicting a spiritual world, and the other perspective perceives the exact same words as literal images depicting this temporal world. Can we logically decide which perspective correctly perceives the intended meaning of the words?
Perhaps you should consider the popular optical illusion where one drawing appears to depict an image of either a young or an old woman. Notably, just like the words of scripture, the exact same lines and markings create the potential perception of two dramatically different images. What influences which image is perceived? Is it a matter of your eyes, where you need to make an adjustment to the line of sight, much like the illusion where you must somehow force your eyes to adjust their primary focus to perceive a second image? Yet, if not your eyes, then is it a matter of your brain, where your brain’s line of thinking must make an adjustment in its perspective? I suspect some can easily switch perspectives and alternate between images, while others struggle to change their perspective. Presumably, young people are more likely to perceive the image as a young woman, whereas older people are more likely to perceive the image as an old woman. Subtly, even though two dramatically different images are both always present, your brain’s primary line of thinking determines which image you perceive.
Also, if you were told in advance that the image depicts either an old woman who is facing one way or a young woman who is facing a different way, then would you not be more likely to perceive only the one image that you were told to perceive? However, let’s assume that the artist does intend to convey one particular image, but that he does not provide any obvious indications as to which one. So, how can you determine which image the artist intended you to perceive if he does not provide an explicit indication? In others words, does a logical thought process exist such that you could reasonably discern which one of the two images is more likely the artist’s intent? How would you determine which is the intended image?
Which image is intended?
For instance, assume that the overwhelming majority of people perceive the image as depicting a young woman, so could you claim with high certainty that the artist intended that image, such that you could tell a person who perceives the image as depicting an old woman that he is wrong? Presumably, the young woman is easier to perceive, and she’s prettier than the alternative; so, is popular opinion sufficient to conclude that the artist had intended to depict a young woman? If not, what should be considered such that we can discern his intent?
Perhaps aspects of the image itself might infer which image is the artist’s intent. For instance, perhaps upon closer inspection the perspective that perceives a young woman has areas that appear inconsistent or out of place. Perhaps the area depicting her ear appears to be more like an eye, or her bonnet appears inconsistent or confusing in some manner. Conversely, when the image of an old woman is closely inspected, perhaps all the particular areas within the image appear consistent without confusion. Assuming those results, would it not be logical to assume that the artist intended to convey the image of an old woman since a closer inspection revealed no inconsistencies and did not result in any confusion?
Ultimately, my argument is that scripture depicts two totally different overall images, and that we should employ the same logical thinking to discern which perspective is God’s intent. However, do you agree that we can closely inspect God’s Word to logically determine which perspective results in both a clear and consistent understanding of the biblical images, and which perspective results in mostly ambiguity and confusion?
Perceptions of areas within overall image
What happens if two people, each using a different perspective, were asked to describe any particular area within the image? Can you recognize how they would likely perceive two totally different perceptions or understandings? Whereas one person might perceive a particular area as depicting a nose, the other person might perceive the same area as depicting a cheek. So, are both perceptions correct, or is the correct perception only known if you first discern the artist’s overall intended image? Therefore, for two people to agree on the intended perception of any particular area within an image, they must first agree on the artist’s intent. Because, once the overall image is known, then the correct perception of every smaller area is effectively pre-determined, and it would be incorrect to selectively use the “alternative” perception of an image. Critically, I cannot over emphasize the significance of this reality, where two people each perceiving different overall contexts can rarely, if ever, agree on the perception of a smaller image.
Arguably, everyone has already created their own “alternative” understanding of the biblical images, and it will be hard to overcome your firm understanding. So, imagine what happens to the people who had always perceived the overall image as a young woman when they learn that the artist had intended to depict an old woman. Their previous understanding for every area within the image would likely be overthrown. Certainly, the sudden realization that all preconceived understandings of scripture are incorrect should profoundly impact any person, however the magnitude of that impact would obviously depend on how much that person allowed that misunderstanding to influence the core beliefs of their biblical worldview.
Which image did God intend?
Arguably, scripture should be perceived primarily as a parable from God symbolically depicting images of your future life, yet the wisdom of man has pre-determined that God’s Word is to be perceived primarily as the recording of historical events of this world. However, based on the logical process as discussed, and by employing only the sixty-six books of scripture, we will survey multiple biblical images to determine which perspective results in many inconsistencies and a confusing message, and which perspective results in a consistent and clear message.
Notably, when I speak of inconsistencies and confusion, I am speaking of perceptions of images that create inconsistencies and confusion compared to the expected “consistent” nature of God and His message. Logically, we should expect that the way God treats people should be perceived as being consistent, and His message should always be perceived as being consistent. As such, any image that is perceived otherwise is an apparent inconsistency that must be clearly resolved.
Importantly, I am not saying that God cannot be discriminate in His actions; however, when He does act differently, then the correct perspective must be able to clearly explain how and why He acted differently. Because, when approaching scripture with God’s intended perspective, arguably every smaller image should be able to be perceived clearly and fit consistently within the overall image. And, for me, the greatest joy is being able to more easily read God’s Word without any confusion or inconsistency, and to have all of the images neatly build upon themselves in a way that stokes my imagination.