Interest in Symbology-

Thanks to the Dan Brown novels (DaVinci Code, Angels and Demons) – Robert Langdon, an obscure religion scholar who specializes in symbology becomes a hero (Especially when played by Tom Hanks)

Though the books are incredibly unrealistic in their action sequences, and a little too quick to piece art, science, or illuminati legend into a well-fitting puzzle of conspiracy theory, they do a good job of allowing for the presence of mystery in the realm of relationships – both human and divine. Nowadays, there seems to be a little too much certainty in most religious fervor for my taste. But as the cycles of history have always shown: in our human limitations, it is impossible for us to grasp the fullness of God. Truth be told, we have always relied on metaphor and symbol, human words and pictures of God to try to get a glimpse of the divine – and as the apostle Paul said of himself, we can only see through a glass – darkly.

And yet, those symbols frequently bear divine truth. They reveal something about our knowledge of God or our knowledge of ourselves – the two things Calvin held to be the only categories of knowledge we would ever really need. But then again, those two categories are fundamentally inexhaustible. So today – I hope we can have a little fun and maybe learn a little together by doing some geometric theology.

Points - Husband – Wife – Child (Other triads)

"Generating Closeness"

Murray Bowen "The theory states that the triangle, a three-person emotional configuration, is the molecule or the basic building block of any emotional system, whether it is in the family or any other group. The triangle is the smallest stable relationship system. A two-person system may be stable as long as it is calm, but when anxiety increases, it immediately involves the most vulnerable other person to become a triangle. When tension in the triangle is too great for the threesome, it involves others to become a series of interlocking triangles.

www.fairlawnwest.org (from a UCC Sermon) "…all relationships are inherently unstable to some degree, and all relationships have some anxiety in them, especially anxiety about being able to be yourself and about intimacy or being connected in any close relationship. We humans triangle to avoid direct communication and to decrease and manage our anxiety. When change, either welcomed or un-welcomed, is happening in our lives, our anxiety rises and we tend to triangulate during such a time. And it may not even be about the direct situation that is causing our present anxiety."

The degree to which one is able to maintain self and maintain close relationships – that equals maturity of an emotional/spiritual sort.

Triangling behaviors –

Gilbert – Parent is the best "coach" or leader in an organization

In the Trinity – different "functions" (Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer)

Does the same principle hold true that we need a 3 person God to help us manage our anxiety? (Sometimes we need our Father, our Mother, our Sibling/Friend)

Relationship to us/with us

Some of this may be about "us" – a projection of what we need to feel safe and secure, or did God know we needed this interpretation thereby sending Jesus (Chicken and Egg question)

God is big enough to allow for such varied interpretations – though we tend toward making small "g" gods out of our favorites

Draw a bull’s-eye

Inner Circle – those closest to you – births, deaths

Next Ring – close friends, other family

Next Ring – regular contacts (work, church, school)

Next Ring – acquaintances (doctors, dentist, check out clerk – know them)

Next Ring – strangers/outsiders

Imagine God as the inner ring – Trinity at the center – deeply connected to each other,

not one thing known that doesn’t affect the others; in The Shack, all three persons of the Trinity had the nail marks of the cross

That intimacy is able to surround the whole human enterprise, creation, people, concepts, everything

Triquetra/ Trefoil - Combinations of triangles/circles (Trinity, Eternity & Oneness)

CROSS

Vertical and Horizontal (Love God, Love your neighbor)

Celtic Cross – Cross and a circle

Many other Christian symbols – fish for your car (why the fish?), anchor cross on today’s paraments, scalloped shell used in baptism… Perhaps Dan Brown will do a novel about Presbyterian Confessional Banners someday – but I doubt it. Symbols are teaching devices, ways of remembering. By showing us a part, they help lead us a little closer to the whole. Artistic renditions – especially ones that are better than mine – help us in the ongoing process of interpretation – telling the story of our lives and expressing how the mysterious God is actively involved in our lives.