Pierce Taylor Hibbs | Westminster Theological Seminary (original) (raw)
Articles by Pierce Taylor Hibbs
Because special revelation re-calibrates our understanding not merely of spiritual matters but of... more Because special revelation re-calibrates our understanding not merely of spiritual matters but of natural and physical matters as well, we should strive to develop a " revelational approach to metaphor, " that is, an approach to metaphor that shows how language is ultimately rooted in God himself and thus communicates far more than we often imagine. Even the common under-standings we have of words with regard to physicality (e.g., " life, " " light ") must be shaped by the truth that ultimate life and light are found in relationship with the Word of the Father (John 1:1), in the power of the Spirit. This article develops a revelational theory of metaphor in dialogue with another common theory of metaphor: tension theory. It ends by offering implications for our use and understanding of everyday language. The article affirms throughout that we must understand all of language, metaphors included, through the special revelation of God.
In this article, the author examines the joint topics of language and the Trinity as a meeting pl... more In this article, the author examines the joint topics of language and the Trinity as a meeting place for the global church.
We should have a " linguistic ontology, " that is, our ontology should be based on God's speech a... more We should have a " linguistic ontology, " that is, our ontology should be based on God's speech as that which created, sustains, and governs all of reality. A linguistic ontology draws our attention to the covenantal and personal nature of reality and contrasts with long-held Aristotelian categories of " substance " and " accidents. " A linguistic ontology will help us to be more faithful to the biblical witness in understanding the world in which we live, a world that has been structured and is sustained according to God's purposes revealed to us in Scripture.
Because words reflect the world of a person, Christian teachers of English are called to consider... more Because words reflect the world of a person, Christian teachers of English are called to consider how the linguistic terminology they use intersects with their Christian values. In this article, I present theological issues with the phrase " learner autonomy " (LA). Drawing largely on the work of Kenneth L. Pike, I discuss an alternative to LA that I believe more clearly reflects a Christian teacher's theological commitments.
Introduction C.S. Lewis was right—we all need literary windows onto the world, and we need to lea... more Introduction C.S. Lewis was right—we all need literary windows onto the world, and we need to leave the doors of our minds open. 1 Trapped in a windowless room by ourselves, we fall into the slough of solipsism and fail to see the world aright. This is one of the implications of our being made in the image of the Trinity. " When God created us, he intended our minds to be open rooms in which the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit dwell " (Poythress, Inerrancy 134). Words construct the hallways that link minds to each other. We are led to commune with the Trinity and access a piece of the mind of God by reading his words in Scripture, for God is always present with his words. In a similar way, we commune with human authors—entering the rooms of their mind—since they are always present with their words. 2 Here we meet a joint truth. We are meant for communion, and it seems that written language holds pride of place in bringing this about. Traveling to other rooms (i.e., the minds of others) by walking the hallways of words is thus inherent in human nature, 3 so we should not be surprised to find that literature serves as an integral and complementary perspective on theology. 4 Literature deepens our understanding of theology—the study of God and his world— by offering fresh perspectives on established truths. A case in point is Tolkien's Silmarillion and the theological concept of autonomy. Any theologian bold enough to brave the text of Tolkien's mythology will emerge not just with a greater appreciation for the cosmo-logical and epic history that stands behind Middle-earth, but with a deeper understanding of the nature of sin as the deadly desideratum for self-government and the attendant thirst for tyranny. For theologians, meddling in the mind of Melkor, the chief antagonist of Tolkien's masterpiece, can shed new light on the long denounced theological blunder of autonomy. In the following pages, I hope to show why Melkor's behavior in The Silmaril-lion encapsulates autonomy and is in clear contrast to the self-communing behavior of the Trinitarian God of Scripture. To show this, we will also need to briefly discuss the concept of perichoresis and the nature of reality as linguistic and relational, the latter of which has strong ties to Tolkien's own high view of language.
In this article, the author draws on Kenneth Pike's language theory to explore the Trinitarian ro... more In this article, the author draws on Kenneth Pike's language theory to explore the Trinitarian roots of human perception.
In this article, the author meditates on John's Gospel to respond to the passing of a childhood f... more In this article, the author meditates on John's Gospel to respond to the passing of a childhood friend. The two questions addressed are (1) why do we often crumble in the presence of death? (2) What can we do to sure up our faith in this context? The author points to the power of Spirit-led remembrance as a comfort to Christians trying to confront the darkness of death and dying.
In this brief article the author relates the concepts of death, dogma, and discourse through a re... more In this brief article the author relates the concepts of death, dogma, and discourse through a reflection on his own experience with his father's death.
This article works toward a " theology of writing " in order to inform and encourage Christian wr... more This article works toward a " theology of writing " in order to inform and encourage Christian writers, helping them to consider not just what they write but why they write, and in whose image they write. The author lays a theological foundation for language and writing in the Trinity, then applies this to human writing. The aim is to show that writing is a Trinitarian, image-bearing craft by which we mark the world with our presence. W e have a theology for almost everything: science, language, sociology, mathematics—the list goes on. 1 In light of the prevalence and ease of publishing on the web, which has given many pastors and theology students a voice in the broader Christian community, it seems apropos to work out a theology of writing as well. We should, in other words, be conscious of what we are doing when we write and how the craft of writing fits into our biblical worldview. In this article, I hope to address these questions and suggest some of the contours of a theology of writing. We can start by noting that the call for a theology of writing comes not simply from a lacuna. 2 Just because we perceive a theological gap does not mean it should be filled. We can have a theology of writing, just as we can have a theology of almost anything. But must we have one? What is it about the craft of writing that demands a theology? The answer seems to lie in a single word: faith.
In this article, the author shows how language is deeply Trinitarian and can be traced back to th... more In this article, the author shows how language is deeply Trinitarian and can be traced back to the doctrine of perichoresis. There are no gaps between the divine persons of the Trinity, and as creatures made in God's image, we use language to close the gaps among ourselves and to close the gap between us and God. One day, we will be one with the Trinity and with each other, perfectly imaging the gapless God.
In this brief essay, the author argues that the ultimate purpose for human language is interperso... more In this brief essay, the author argues that the ultimate purpose for human language is interpersonal communion, and this is rooted in the self-communing Trinity.
In this article, the author discusses how our identity in Christ is meant to determine what we do... more In this article, the author discusses how our identity in Christ is meant to determine what we do. In this sense, the common mantra "you are what you do" should be reversed for Christians. Our actions are based on our identity in Christ, not the other way around.
In this article, the author discusses how God's speech, namely his speaking of reality into exist... more In this article, the author discusses how God's speech, namely his speaking of reality into existence, can be profoundly comforting to those who struggle with anxiety.
In this article, the author moves from the biblical foundations for using words to the practical ... more In this article, the author moves from the biblical foundations for using words to the practical tools writers can use to help their words work effectively.
In the first part of this article, the author sets out to lay a biblical foundation for our use o... more In the first part of this article, the author sets out to lay a biblical foundation for our use of words to counsel others.
This is Part 2 of an article that explores how Kenneth L. Pike arrived at a Trinitarian understan... more This is Part 2 of an article that explores how Kenneth L. Pike arrived at a Trinitarian understanding of language, due to the influences of personalism and Scripture.
In this article, the author examines the "trinitarian" language theory of Kenneth L. Pike and pre... more In this article, the author examines the "trinitarian" language theory of Kenneth L. Pike and presents an argument for why Pike's language theory took the shape that it did.
Because special revelation re-calibrates our understanding not merely of spiritual matters but of... more Because special revelation re-calibrates our understanding not merely of spiritual matters but of natural and physical matters as well, we should strive to develop a " revelational approach to metaphor, " that is, an approach to metaphor that shows how language is ultimately rooted in God himself and thus communicates far more than we often imagine. Even the common under-standings we have of words with regard to physicality (e.g., " life, " " light ") must be shaped by the truth that ultimate life and light are found in relationship with the Word of the Father (John 1:1), in the power of the Spirit. This article develops a revelational theory of metaphor in dialogue with another common theory of metaphor: tension theory. It ends by offering implications for our use and understanding of everyday language. The article affirms throughout that we must understand all of language, metaphors included, through the special revelation of God.
In this article, the author examines the joint topics of language and the Trinity as a meeting pl... more In this article, the author examines the joint topics of language and the Trinity as a meeting place for the global church.
We should have a " linguistic ontology, " that is, our ontology should be based on God's speech a... more We should have a " linguistic ontology, " that is, our ontology should be based on God's speech as that which created, sustains, and governs all of reality. A linguistic ontology draws our attention to the covenantal and personal nature of reality and contrasts with long-held Aristotelian categories of " substance " and " accidents. " A linguistic ontology will help us to be more faithful to the biblical witness in understanding the world in which we live, a world that has been structured and is sustained according to God's purposes revealed to us in Scripture.
Because words reflect the world of a person, Christian teachers of English are called to consider... more Because words reflect the world of a person, Christian teachers of English are called to consider how the linguistic terminology they use intersects with their Christian values. In this article, I present theological issues with the phrase " learner autonomy " (LA). Drawing largely on the work of Kenneth L. Pike, I discuss an alternative to LA that I believe more clearly reflects a Christian teacher's theological commitments.
Introduction C.S. Lewis was right—we all need literary windows onto the world, and we need to lea... more Introduction C.S. Lewis was right—we all need literary windows onto the world, and we need to leave the doors of our minds open. 1 Trapped in a windowless room by ourselves, we fall into the slough of solipsism and fail to see the world aright. This is one of the implications of our being made in the image of the Trinity. " When God created us, he intended our minds to be open rooms in which the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit dwell " (Poythress, Inerrancy 134). Words construct the hallways that link minds to each other. We are led to commune with the Trinity and access a piece of the mind of God by reading his words in Scripture, for God is always present with his words. In a similar way, we commune with human authors—entering the rooms of their mind—since they are always present with their words. 2 Here we meet a joint truth. We are meant for communion, and it seems that written language holds pride of place in bringing this about. Traveling to other rooms (i.e., the minds of others) by walking the hallways of words is thus inherent in human nature, 3 so we should not be surprised to find that literature serves as an integral and complementary perspective on theology. 4 Literature deepens our understanding of theology—the study of God and his world— by offering fresh perspectives on established truths. A case in point is Tolkien's Silmarillion and the theological concept of autonomy. Any theologian bold enough to brave the text of Tolkien's mythology will emerge not just with a greater appreciation for the cosmo-logical and epic history that stands behind Middle-earth, but with a deeper understanding of the nature of sin as the deadly desideratum for self-government and the attendant thirst for tyranny. For theologians, meddling in the mind of Melkor, the chief antagonist of Tolkien's masterpiece, can shed new light on the long denounced theological blunder of autonomy. In the following pages, I hope to show why Melkor's behavior in The Silmaril-lion encapsulates autonomy and is in clear contrast to the self-communing behavior of the Trinitarian God of Scripture. To show this, we will also need to briefly discuss the concept of perichoresis and the nature of reality as linguistic and relational, the latter of which has strong ties to Tolkien's own high view of language.
In this article, the author draws on Kenneth Pike's language theory to explore the Trinitarian ro... more In this article, the author draws on Kenneth Pike's language theory to explore the Trinitarian roots of human perception.
In this article, the author meditates on John's Gospel to respond to the passing of a childhood f... more In this article, the author meditates on John's Gospel to respond to the passing of a childhood friend. The two questions addressed are (1) why do we often crumble in the presence of death? (2) What can we do to sure up our faith in this context? The author points to the power of Spirit-led remembrance as a comfort to Christians trying to confront the darkness of death and dying.
In this brief article the author relates the concepts of death, dogma, and discourse through a re... more In this brief article the author relates the concepts of death, dogma, and discourse through a reflection on his own experience with his father's death.
This article works toward a " theology of writing " in order to inform and encourage Christian wr... more This article works toward a " theology of writing " in order to inform and encourage Christian writers, helping them to consider not just what they write but why they write, and in whose image they write. The author lays a theological foundation for language and writing in the Trinity, then applies this to human writing. The aim is to show that writing is a Trinitarian, image-bearing craft by which we mark the world with our presence. W e have a theology for almost everything: science, language, sociology, mathematics—the list goes on. 1 In light of the prevalence and ease of publishing on the web, which has given many pastors and theology students a voice in the broader Christian community, it seems apropos to work out a theology of writing as well. We should, in other words, be conscious of what we are doing when we write and how the craft of writing fits into our biblical worldview. In this article, I hope to address these questions and suggest some of the contours of a theology of writing. We can start by noting that the call for a theology of writing comes not simply from a lacuna. 2 Just because we perceive a theological gap does not mean it should be filled. We can have a theology of writing, just as we can have a theology of almost anything. But must we have one? What is it about the craft of writing that demands a theology? The answer seems to lie in a single word: faith.
In this article, the author shows how language is deeply Trinitarian and can be traced back to th... more In this article, the author shows how language is deeply Trinitarian and can be traced back to the doctrine of perichoresis. There are no gaps between the divine persons of the Trinity, and as creatures made in God's image, we use language to close the gaps among ourselves and to close the gap between us and God. One day, we will be one with the Trinity and with each other, perfectly imaging the gapless God.
In this brief essay, the author argues that the ultimate purpose for human language is interperso... more In this brief essay, the author argues that the ultimate purpose for human language is interpersonal communion, and this is rooted in the self-communing Trinity.
In this article, the author discusses how our identity in Christ is meant to determine what we do... more In this article, the author discusses how our identity in Christ is meant to determine what we do. In this sense, the common mantra "you are what you do" should be reversed for Christians. Our actions are based on our identity in Christ, not the other way around.
In this article, the author discusses how God's speech, namely his speaking of reality into exist... more In this article, the author discusses how God's speech, namely his speaking of reality into existence, can be profoundly comforting to those who struggle with anxiety.
In this article, the author moves from the biblical foundations for using words to the practical ... more In this article, the author moves from the biblical foundations for using words to the practical tools writers can use to help their words work effectively.
In the first part of this article, the author sets out to lay a biblical foundation for our use o... more In the first part of this article, the author sets out to lay a biblical foundation for our use of words to counsel others.
This is Part 2 of an article that explores how Kenneth L. Pike arrived at a Trinitarian understan... more This is Part 2 of an article that explores how Kenneth L. Pike arrived at a Trinitarian understanding of language, due to the influences of personalism and Scripture.
In this article, the author examines the "trinitarian" language theory of Kenneth L. Pike and pre... more In this article, the author examines the "trinitarian" language theory of Kenneth L. Pike and presents an argument for why Pike's language theory took the shape that it did.
This is a short essay encouraging theologians to begin their thinking with the speech of God, i.e... more This is a short essay encouraging theologians to begin their thinking with the speech of God, i.e., Scripture.
The author reflects on the profound implications of the second person of the Trinity being the Tr... more The author reflects on the profound implications of the second person of the Trinity being the Truth.
The author offers a caution for our criticism of trinitarian analogies, since what is of the worl... more The author offers a caution for our criticism of trinitarian analogies, since what is of the world can never adequately describe or define what is outside of it.
In this essay, the author suggests that beauty is always embodied, and this can be traced back to... more In this essay, the author suggests that beauty is always embodied, and this can be traced back to the second Person of the Trinity as the embodied Word of the Father.
In this short essay, the author suggests where Christianity may be headed in broader academia. Th... more In this short essay, the author suggests where Christianity may be headed in broader academia. The Christian faith may end up not being rejected by the secular academy, but being sterilized as an idea, and the latter is far more lethal.
In this short essay, the author explores the limitations of "literal" and "metaphorical" language... more In this short essay, the author explores the limitations of "literal" and "metaphorical" language, using God as our Father (Gal 4:4-7) as a test case. If we are not careful, it seems that the literal/metaphorical categories can encourage us to treat language as devoid of mystery.