“In the same way, even though we are many individuals, Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other.” – Romans 12;4,5 (God’s Word Translation)
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“For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.” – 1 Cor 10:17 (American King James Version)

In the Genesis account, it is recorded that God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 1:26a (American King James Version) There is a line of thinking that says we are co-creators with God. I think it somewhat right, insofar as if we are made according to the design (i.e., “in His image”) or similitude (having the same qualities) then the ability to create is one of them. I think that idea is borne out in verse 28 where it’s indicated that “God blessed them” and ordered them to “be fruitful and multiply.” Note that it wasn’t a suggestion, it was a command – an order to act, to perform a certain thing, to behave in a certain manner or fashion.

Recently, I sent to you a note seeking your thoughts on an explanation of the spiritual significance of a stained glass window in an Episcopal church which I photographed here in town (Huntsville, AL) where I live. I made the photograph last year when I had returned for a visit. Interestingly, I have only read your blog entry afterwards. To many casual observers, the window is simply a nondescript (though beautifully colored and designed) handiwork.

I think it fascinating that in some regard we (you and I) seem to have (vis-à-vis, you through this blog entry, and I through my photo blog entry – and both unknown to each other) a mysterious connection of the search for meaning through symbolism.

On my photograph entitled “Quintuple & Triquetra – window (read the note!)” (http://www.flickr.com/photos/southernbreeze/3394138392/) I wrote the following: “The symbolism of these windows often escapes modern viewers, even many Christians.

[Translation: ignorant=pagan - From the Late Latin (ca. 1375) "paganus" in classical Latin meaning "rustic, villager, civilian" from a 'country district' (an area NOT populated with schools or learning institutions) - and whom is "fixed," or "fastened" (from the related "pangere") to their lifestyle - and therefore by extension, an uneducated and ignorant "country bumpkin." A person "fixed" or "fastened" to an ignorant or unlearned belief.]

“The window is comprised of five circles, each circle divided into four equal parts, with an equilateral, three pointed device superiorly to them all. Throughout the entire design, symmetry is evident, as are the numbers three, four and five.

“In context, in early Middle Eastern or Mediterranean cultures, hierarchical ordinance was assigned to the letters of the alphabet. “Hebrews did not develop the symbols to represent numbers until the postexilic period (after 539 B.C.).” Thus in Hebrew alef was one, bet was two, and tav was the last. In the Greek, alpha was one, beta was two, etc. and omega was the last. Numbers had significance associated with the nature of the Almighty, His nature, creation and of humanity, which were represented with the written language, rather than by abstract symbols.

“By extension, Christianity “adopted” much of the same symbolism. Three symbolized holiness, while five symbolized partial completion. Five and three is eight, symbolic of new beginnings. On the fourth day, God created “lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night.” Therefore, the number four symbolized thought of the Earth, and heaven as the throne of God.”"

In a great sense, I think that modernity has lost much of our historical understanding of symbolism. Or at least, it has changed significantly and departed drastically from that which our forebears had, and understood.

The good thing about it is, that God hasn’t changed. Though perhaps we have changed – as you suggest, “God has made us dynamic” – there is an aphorism that states “the more things change, the more they remain the same.”

Recently, a friend and his wife stopped by to visit briefly as they drove through the neighborhood. (The details, though fascinating, are unnecessary.) He noted that “things hadn’t changed,” to which I shared the adage above, noting a few obvious and significant changes and adding the reverse, which suggests that “since they remain the same, perhaps they truly have changed.”

Our search for significance through signification, inherently looks backwards – it remembers. God, on the other hand, looks forward.