Visual Theology: Communicating Truth in a Visual Age

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the concept of visual theology, a powerful tool that combines words and images to convey theological truths. We live in an age saturated with images, yet the church often lags in utilizing visual means to communicate the gospel effectively. Visual theology is not about creating fine art but about crafting functional art that serves to teach and edify. This approach can be particularly impactful for younger generations who are adept at engaging with visual content.

We began by acknowledging that every believer is called to be a theologian. This means we are all responsible for knowing, understanding, and teaching the truths about God, His character, and His creation. Unfortunately, many Christians today lack a deep understanding of theology, which leaves them vulnerable to false teachings. This ignorance is not just a personal shortcoming but a communal one, as it affects the church's ability to stand firm in sound doctrine.

The tabernacle in the Old Testament serves as a prime example of visual theology. It was a place where every element had a deeper meaning, teaching the Israelites about God's holiness, His separateness from sin, and His desire to dwell among His people. This visual representation of divine truths was not accompanied by verbal explanations but was meant to be pondered and understood through engagement and reflection.

However, we must be cautious in our use of images. God explicitly forbade the creation of images to represent Him because any such image would inevitably misrepresent His infinite and transcendent nature. Images can capture aspects of truth but can also lead us astray if they attempt to depict the divine. Therefore, our visual theology must respect these limitations, focusing on what can be truthfully represented.

As we move forward, let's embrace the opportunity to use visual tools to teach theology. We should encourage young people to develop skills in visual communication, ensuring they are grounded in sound doctrine. By doing so, we can create functional art that transcends language barriers and effectively communicates the gospel to a visual generation.

Key Takeaways:

- The Call to Be Theologians: Every Christian is called to be a theologian, responsible for knowing and teaching the truths about God. This is not just an academic pursuit but a joyous privilege that deepens our relationship with God and strengthens our faith community. [02:20]

- The Power of Visual Theology: Visual theology combines words and images to convey theological truths effectively. It is not about creating fine art but functional art that serves to teach and edify, especially in a visually driven culture. [01:37]

- Lessons from the Tabernacle: The tabernacle was a profound example of visual theology, where every element had a deeper meaning, teaching the Israelites about God's holiness and His desire to dwell among His people. This approach invites reflection and engagement. [15:03]

- The Limitations of Images: While images can convey aspects of truth, they can also mislead if they attempt to depict the divine. God transcends images, and any attempt to represent Him visually will inevitably fall short and misrepresent His nature. [24:03]

- Embracing Visual Tools: We have unprecedented access to visual tools that can transcend language barriers and communicate the gospel effectively. By grounding ourselves in sound doctrine, we can create visual theology that teaches truth and reaches a global audience. [26:51]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:19] - Introduction to Visual Theology
- [01:08] - The Power of Images
- [02:20] - The Call to Be Theologians
- [03:20] - Using Visual Theology Well
- [04:03] - We Are All Theologians
- [05:14] - Theological Ignorance Today
- [06:21] - The Importance of Sound Doctrine
- [07:40] - The Joy of Learning Theology
- [09:07] - The Dangers of Poor Theology
- [10:55] - The Reformed Tradition's Strength
- [12:34] - Learning and Teaching Theology
- [14:13] - The Opportunity for Visual Teaching
- [15:03] - Lessons from the Tabernacle
- [20:26] - Guarding Against Poor Visual Theology
- [24:03] - The Limitations of Images
- [26:51] - Embracing Visual Tools

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Visual Theology

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 19:1-2 - "It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. And there he found some disciples, and he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' And they said, 'No. We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.'"
2. 2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does the sermon suggest about the role of images in communicating theological truths? [01:37]
2. How does the sermon describe the tabernacle as an example of visual theology? [15:03]
3. According to the sermon, why is it important for every Christian to be a theologian? [02:20]
4. What are the limitations of using images to represent God, as discussed in the sermon? [24:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the example of the tabernacle illustrate the concept of visual theology, and what lessons can be drawn from it for today's church? [15:03]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that theological ignorance can impact the church community? [06:21]
3. How does the sermon propose we balance the use of visual tools with the need to maintain sound doctrine? [26:51]
4. What are the potential dangers of misrepresenting God through images, and how can we avoid them? [24:03]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own understanding of theology. How can you deepen your knowledge and become a more effective theologian in your community? [02:20]
2. Consider the visual tools you use in your daily life. How can you incorporate these tools to communicate theological truths effectively? [26:51]
3. Think about a time when you encountered a visual representation of a biblical concept. How did it impact your understanding, and what can you learn from that experience?
4. How can you encourage younger generations to engage with theology through visual means while ensuring they remain grounded in sound doctrine? [26:51]
5. Identify a specific theological truth you find challenging to understand. What steps can you take to explore this truth more deeply, perhaps through visual aids or other resources?
6. Reflect on the sermon’s discussion about the limitations of images. How can you ensure that your use of images in teaching or personal study respects these limitations? [24:03]
7. How can you create or support the creation of functional art that communicates the gospel effectively in your community? [26:51]

Devotional

Day 1: The Joyful Duty of Every Believer

Every Christian is called to be a theologian, a person who seeks to know and understand the truths about God, His character, and His creation. This calling is not reserved for scholars or clergy but is a joyous privilege for all believers. Engaging in theology deepens our relationship with God and strengthens our faith community. Unfortunately, many Christians today lack a deep understanding of theology, leaving them vulnerable to false teachings. This ignorance is not just a personal shortcoming but a communal one, affecting the church's ability to stand firm in sound doctrine. Embracing our role as theologians allows us to grow in faith and contribute to the spiritual health of our community. [02:20]

"For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him." (Ephesians 1:15-17, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively pursue a deeper understanding of God this week, and how might this pursuit impact your relationship with others in your faith community?


Day 2: The Impact of Visual Theology

Visual theology is a powerful tool that combines words and images to convey theological truths effectively. In a culture driven by visual content, this approach is not about creating fine art but functional art that serves to teach and edify. Visual theology can be particularly impactful for younger generations who are adept at engaging with visual content. By using visual tools, we can communicate the gospel in ways that transcend language barriers and reach a global audience. This method invites reflection and engagement, allowing individuals to ponder and understand divine truths through visual means. [01:37]

"And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.'" (Habakkuk 2:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate visual elements into your personal study or teaching of theology to enhance understanding and engagement with the gospel?


Day 3: Learning from the Tabernacle

The tabernacle in the Old Testament serves as a profound example of visual theology. Every element of the tabernacle had a deeper meaning, teaching the Israelites about God's holiness, His separateness from sin, and His desire to dwell among His people. This visual representation of divine truths was not accompanied by verbal explanations but was meant to be pondered and understood through engagement and reflection. The tabernacle invites us to consider how physical spaces and objects can communicate spiritual truths and draw us closer to God. [15:03]

"Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." (Exodus 40:34-35, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a physical space or object in your life that reminds you of God's presence. How can you use this as a tool for deeper reflection and engagement with God?


Day 4: Respecting the Limitations of Images

While images can convey aspects of truth, they can also mislead if they attempt to depict the divine. God explicitly forbade the creation of images to represent Him because any such image would inevitably misrepresent His infinite and transcendent nature. Therefore, our visual theology must respect these limitations, focusing on what can be truthfully represented. By acknowledging the limitations of images, we can avoid the pitfalls of idolatry and ensure that our visual representations honor God's true nature. [24:03]

"Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." (Deuteronomy 4:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Consider the images and symbols you use in your spiritual life. Are there any that might misrepresent God's nature, and how can you adjust your use of visual elements to honor His transcendence?


Day 5: Embracing Visual Tools for the Gospel

We have unprecedented access to visual tools that can transcend language barriers and communicate the gospel effectively. By grounding ourselves in sound doctrine, we can create visual theology that teaches truth and reaches a global audience. Encouraging young people to develop skills in visual communication ensures that they are equipped to share the gospel in a visually driven culture. This approach not only enhances our ability to teach and edify but also invites a broader audience to engage with the truths of the gospel. [26:51]

"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods." (1 Chronicles 16:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use your unique skills and resources to create or support visual tools that communicate the gospel to a diverse and global audience?

Quotes


We need to be first, theologians. Each one of us needs to accept our calling from God to be a theologian. We need to know theology. We need to commit our lives to growing in our understanding of theology. And then once we know what we believe, once we're well-grounded in it, then we can accept, or consider this idea of using images, using visualizations to help teach it. [00:02:28]

God calls each one of us to know what is true about Him. Each one of us is responsible before God to learn what's true about God, what's true about God's character and actions, what's true about the world that He made, what's true about the people that He made, how it's all going to wind up, what's the future of all that God has made? [00:04:23]

We tell people, Christianity it's not a religion, it's a relationship. Right? People hear that all the time, and, OK, it's true. Christianity is a relationship. We don't need to downplay that. We don't have to, it is. But what a joyous thing that when we put our faith in Christ we're adopted into the family of God. Right? [00:07:59]

Theology, doctrine exists and we need to learn it and to teach it. And the beauty of the Reformed tradition is that it's a tradition that knows its theology, and it values learning that theology and teaching it again. Right? The Reformed tradition is a tradition of catechisms and confessions and systematic theologies. [00:11:05]

We need to know what we believe. We need to know why we believe these things. We need to know how to live on the basis of that and we need to know how to share it with others. That's theology, and we are all theologians. So you and I as individuals, we need to go to the Word of God, we need to learn what it teaches. [00:12:28]

There is so much visual teaching going on outside the church. I think this is an opportunity we as Christians may be missing. If you go online you can find channel after channel on YouTube that presents truth in intriguing, visual ways. You can go and find whole sights full of infographics that present truth in compelling ways, and as Christians we've done very, very little in this realm. [00:14:19]

Imagine that someone gave you this challenge, OK? I want you to invent or create a place of worship that will communicate truth about God, but without words. People ought to be able to go into this place of worship and see what is true about God. That's the tabernacle, right? God created this very place. [00:15:03]

God's place, God's place of worship is right there in the middle of His people. As you approach the tabernacle you see that it's walled off, right, curtains all the way around forming a wall. So you know, yes God is in the center of His people, but I can't just casually approach God. I can't just go marching into His presence. [00:16:15]

So as we think of visual theology this is exactly the kind of thing we're talking about. There weren't labels on everything explaining it. There was no priest there preaching a sermon about these things. God's people were to see it and to ponder it and to know, to learn from His visual theology, this tabernacle. [00:18:37]

Why did God not want to be visibly represented? Because any image of God will lie. It will represent a part of the truth, but it will misrepresent other parts of the truth. There's no image of God that can only ever tell what is true. And that's because God transcends images. God is so different. [00:24:03]

We cannot portray God, because God means to be known through words not through pictures, not through images, not through statues. So we do visual theology well when we realize our limitations, when we visualize what is true about God, true about His world, true about the things He made, true about the things he's declared to be true. [00:26:00]

One of the beautiful things about images is that they can transcend language. They can be used by Christians around the world. There's a great opportunity before us. So let's first be theologians who value the truth and who know the truth and hold fast to the truth. Now, let's use these tools. [00:26:51]

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Transcript
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