It's about the PICTURE

Nathan and I were captivated by Ray VanderLaan's teachings. We listened to him describe the fundamental difference between Eastern and Western worldviews. It blew our minds to imagine that we have been completely blind to the Eastern way of perceiving scripture. Personally, it made me feel like I could no longer be certain about my own ideas when reading the Bible - which was both a terrifying and liberating feeling.

Among other things, RVL talked about the value of a picture over a definition. A picture speaks to experience, to intimately knowing. A definition is all rational knowledge, all intellect - which can be completely divorced from experience.

(Its worth noting that my brother Fritz listened to RVL's teachings, and he was wide-eyed in response. "He's talking about Orthodoxy!" Interesting.)

Why use icons? I'm sure there are many reasons/purposes for the use of icons, both in depicting people from the Bible as well as saints throughout history. But I can think of at least one reason that speaks to me -

A picture is transcendent in many ways. A story, much more than a definition, paints a picture that invites us in to an experience. Language is always shifting, and definitions can be shaped by translation, cultural interpretation, cultural understanding. Definitions require a rational and intellectual discernment - a logical interpretation. But a picture provides us a window into something that bypasses definition, and therefore brings us right to the feet of the experience.

RVL helps us see that the stories of the Bible are not about dissecting definition or creating diagrams, but about seeing and participating in the experience of the reality of God on earth. I now see that icons do the same thing.