Ive looked it up but i dont see what it really means. Im all the time hearing people say, the scripture is not literally speaking but its symbolic. So what does symbolic mean?
What does symbolic mean?
by Spirit Axal 9 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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Frannie Banannie
I really think Revelation was intended to be metaphorical. Revelation was written in signs, meaning that it wasn't to be taken literally. Sign has the meaning in some cases that symbol has:
sign [sin]
n (plural signs)
1. thing representing something else: something that indicates or expresses the existence of something else not immediately apparent
a sign of wealth
2. something conveying idea: an action or gesture used to convey an idea, information, a wish, or a command
His kick under the table was a sign that we should leave.
3. advertising notice: a publicly displayed structure carrying lettering or designs intended to advertise a business or product, e.g. a painted board or neon lights
4. information notice: a publicly displayed notice or board bearing directions, instructions, or warnings
a highway sign
5. indication: something that indicates the presence of something or somebody
no sign of life
6. trace left by animal: a trace of a wild animal, e.g. the droppings, scent, or footprints
7. omen: something interpreted as being an omen
8. astrology division of zodiac: any one of the 12 equal parts into which the zodiac is divided, each represented by a symbol
9. medicine evidence of disease: an indication of the presence of a disease or disorder, especially one observed by a doctor but not apparent to the patient
Fever is a sign of an infection.
10. mathematics logic symbol used in math or logic: a symbol indicating an operation or relation in mathematics or logic
the plus sign
11. music musical notation symbol: a symbol used in musical notation
12. communication Same as sign languageIf you think about it in terms of sports, think about the mascots of the teams or the teams' names. The bulls, for instance. The bull represents fierceness, tenacity, stubbornness. This symbol or sign tells you that the Bulls are a fierce, tenacious and stubborn opponent on the field. Or at least that's what they want their opposing team to think of them.
If you look at the 11th item in the list of definitions for "sign" you'll see that it gives the example of a musical note representing an actual sound. A symbol of a sound.
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Spirit Axal
So can Lust be symbolic also?? heeeeheeee :p
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Frannie Banannie
Can lust be symbolic? I suppose. If I see someone "in lust" I usually visualize a very large condom on their cranium, worn as a cap.
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Spirit Axal
Thankyou Frannie banannie
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Spirit Axal
Lol Frannie!
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LtCmd.Lore
According to JWs, symbolic can be easily defined as: "We don't like the ramifications of that, so we'll ignore it and say it's only there for emphasis."
LtCmd.Lore
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AuldSoul
In JW dogma, "symbolic" is a euphemism for "It clearly means whatever we say it means. Unless we change our minds later; then it will clearly mean something else entirely."
I hope that clears it up for you.
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LtCmd.Lore
In JW dogma, "symbolic" is a euphemism for "It clearly means whatever we say it means. Unless we change our minds later; then it will clearly mean something else entirely."
I hope that clears it up for you.
We should write a JW dictionary AuldSoul...
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Narkissos
Abyssal question.
If "symbolic" means "means" every meaning is symbolic.
What we usually call symbolic is a question of degree -- direct or indirect reference to an "object," as in the "literal" or "figurative" meanings of "heart" for instance.
But if we think either/or the line is arbitrary... for instance, where does the symbolical (or figurative, or metaphorical) stops in the following list:
God's lips
God's mouth
God's voice
God's word
God's will
The perceived symbolism is inversely proportional to the level of abstraction. We understand "God's lips" as a symbol of something else, not "God's will".