Tag Archives: symbolic communication

We Struggle with Prophecy

Posted on January 10, 2026 by ehurst

I once knew a public school teacher who was fond of using the expression: “You better get on board or you’ll be left behind at the station!” Most of his students knew it meant he was angry, but they confessed … Continue reading →

Posted in prophecy | Tagged Bible translation, hebrew culture, Hebrew language, hebrew literature, jesus parables, prophecy, propositional truth, symbolic communication | Comments Off

Not Flying Saucers

Posted on November 29, 2025 by ehurst

Ref: Naked Bible 112: Ezekiel 1 & Ezekiel 1 PDF I assure you that this really does require the companion PDF from Heiser. This is an academic study on the imagery of the Ancient Near East (ANE) in general and … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged antiquities, archeology, babylonian exile, covenant, dreams and visions, Hebrew epistemology, prophecy, Prophet Ezekiel, symbolic communication, Temple, Three Rebellions | Comments Off

Head-games Are Reality

Posted on May 22, 2025 by ehurst

A basic principle of Christian Mysticism: This world is a lie. It is not ultimate reality, but a simulation of sorts. This is a laboratory in which the truth of God’s justice is proved in how people react under certain … Continue reading →

Posted in teaching | Tagged christian mysticism, game theory, head games, jesus parables, moral truth, otherworldly, Sigma Frame, symbolic communication, YouTube | 1 Comment

Teachings of Jesus — Matthew 16:13-28

Posted on June 9, 2018 by ehurst

The underlying theme that ties this whole passage together is getting a proper image of Jesus inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s too easy to forget this all takes place in the context of Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) culture. A … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged ANE, feudalism, heart-led, jesus parables, kingdom of heaven, symbolic communication | Comments Off

Mysticism Needs No Defense

Posted on June 3, 2018 by ehurst

Mysticism is the only way you can hear God. Symbolism — also referred to as parable, or parabolic language — is the language of conviction, faith, and of the heart. That’s how God designed it. We refer to “the world” … Continue reading →

Posted in religion | Tagged Biblical Law, christian mysticism, faith, mainstream christianity, parables, symbolic communication | Comments Off

Job 27

Posted on February 15, 2014 by ehurst

We could wish for better translations of Job into English. The underlying sarcasm and wit are not easily translated across the centuries, miles and cultural distance. Having been pushed relentlessly by the idiotic arguments of his erstwhile friends, having bounced … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged ANE, culture, Job, spirituality, symbolic communication | Comments Off

Flavors of Reason

Posted on May 11, 2013 by ehurst

Western reasoning gets in the way of everything, even in ways we don’t realize. We can be smart enough to recognize when something needs only concrete logic. If you drop a rock on your foot, it will hurt; if you … Continue reading →

Posted in prophecy | Tagged abstract logic, deductive logic, intellect, mysticism, peace, philosophy, scripture, symbolic communication, symbolic logic | Comments Off