1. DIL check
1. Complete all the tasks in the booklet up to page 10 Summary of analogy 2. Write a one page revision summary of ‘Religious language as non- cognitive and analogical’ - Include an explanation of Analogy of Being – why can we make a comparison between God and humanity. 3. Write an essay plan for – Explain the concept of religious language as an analogy. 20 marks 4. Complete the Christianity Theme 1 knowledge test

2. 4 D Religious language as non-cognitive and symbolic:
Functions of symbols (John Randall); God as that which concerns us ultimately (Paul Tillich).
Challenges including whether a symbol is adequate or gives the right insights. A consideration of how these two views (Randall/Tillich) can be used to help understand religious teachings

3. 1. What are signs and symbols? – Discuss a definition
Symbols “A pattern or object which points to an invisible metaphysical reality..” Or…they identify by: Pointing to a concept they are conveying Symbols may be pictorial, abstract, signs or metaphors Signs are arbitrary representations e.g.

4. Question 2
Using the next three slides Identify the 3 religious symbols and explain what they mean or stand for

8. Complete the rest of task 8
Use these pictures to help you explain the symbolism of a national flag

9. The purpose of symbols in religion
Read the points below and turn them into a introductory paragraph to the essay ‘Explain the view that religious language is symbolic’ They are a non- cognitive way of using language to refer to religious figures etc. A view of religious language that argues that its function is not to inform or contain factual information. It’s a way of describing God, (who may or may not be reality) They allow for the sharing of a concepts relevant to particular faiths i.e. baptism The concept of Christian baptism uses water-to convey the belief that it cleanses from original sin-this is symbolic
Complete tasks 9 and 10 on page 12

10. Randall and Tillich
Randall’s function of symbols Tillich’s ideas on ‘God as that which concerns us ultimately’ including his six key features of symbolic language

11. Randall
The function of symbols Emotions – increase emotions and strengthen commitment Bind – bring communities together Communicate – express ideas that are hard to put into words Clarify – make our experiences of the divine clearer Read page 13 and complete all the activities Add a paragraph on Randall to your essay on symbols

12. Tillich – God as that which concerns us ultimately Six key features of symbols:
(a) They point to something beyond themselves,
(b) They participate in that to which they point,
(c) They open up levels of reality which otherwise are closed to us, and
(d) They open up dimensions of the soul which correspond to those aspects of reality.
(e) Symbols are not planned but develop out of individual/collective unconscious
(f) Symbols ‘grow when the situation is right for them, and they die when the situation changes

13. Consolidate your understanding
plan

14. Tillich’s ideas on symbols
Point beyond ____________
___________ in that to which they point
Opens up new ______ of _____
Opens up parts of the _____
Developed ___ __________
Grow and then ________

15. Tillich’s ideas on symbols
Point beyond themselves
Participate in that to which they point
Opens up new levels of reality
Opens up parts of the soul
Developed not planned
Grow and then die
Add paragraphs to your ‘essay’ on Tillich – you must read pages 14 and 15

16. Symbols in Christian scripture-Symbolic interpretation of scripture
Scripture/Holy books can be interpreted symbolically, this means the words might actually mean something else, they represent a different truth. This symbolic interpretation of text/scripture is Liberal- because it is open to interpretation. Meaning- people read into it what they believe to be true.

17. 1 Symbolic text - Parables
The parable of the Good Samaritan They are very symbolic – and they are open to interpretation

18. 1 Activity : parables
1. How do you interpret Jesus’ message? 2. In what way the parable is symbolic?

19. 2 A symbolic view of creation
Some Christians see the creation account to be symbolically true – an aetiological myth They believe that scientific explanations (e.g. Big Bang) can enhance their view of creation and God. To support their symbolic viewpoint, they scrutinise inaccuracies and contradictions.

20. 3 Another example to use… miracles
Miracles can be interpreted symbolically – not literally true but showing something about God/Jesus Walking on the water Did Jesus walk on water, or was it due to a freak cold spell that created ice on the sea? Some scientists believe this is possible.

21. 3 The miracles of Jesus The raising of Lazarus from the dead
Did it really happen?
Could Lazarus have been buried alive?
Perhaps Jesus applied some kind of CPR?
Complete your essay on symbols with a parable of examples of religious language that can be seen as symbolic – parables, creation accounts and miracles

22. Challenges to symbols
Look at the list made of inherent problems of religious language made from the first lesson.
Which of these has Randall / Tillich apparently solved?
Which remain a problem?

23. Challenges to symbolic interpretation of RL
Specification content Challenges including whether a symbol is adequate or gives the right insights. A consideration of how these two views (Randall/Tillich) can be used to help understand religious teachings (strengths) Tasks Complete task 20 on page 17 Read the criticisms on pages For each criticism write a summary in your own words and an evaluation of its success Complete task 22 on page 20 Success Criteria Moving on from listing weaknesses to being able to evaluate them. This is a very important skill at A2

24. Write an essay plan for – Explain teleological argument for the existence of God
What would you include? What scholars? What examples? What order would you write it in?

25. Summary of symbolic language