Ariana Jumper: Van der Leeuw and the similarities between word and image 12/4/09

In Van der Leeuw’s schema, word, image, and building represent God the son and redemption (Van der Leeuw, 2006, p. 328). Van der Leeuw begins his discussion at the center of his schema with image. Here also begins the Christian theology with the redemption of the people by Jesus and the theology of the arts because God sent Jesus as a representation of himself, or his image. Image is the representation of the form, which “is the central principle in both art and theology” (Van der Leeuw, 2006, p. 329). God, the form, represented himself through his son, Jesus, The painter attempts to represent the form. This form is not what is seen to they eye, but the reality behind what is seen; the spiritual world that exists within and behind the world that we perceive (Van der Leeuw, 2006, p. 330). Through this representation of the form, the reality behind the world may be revealed. Word is closer to creation, but still part of redemption in Van der Leeuw’s schema. Word connects to creation because it helps to form images with sound. Word comes from God and is returned to him through praise (Van der Leeuw, 2006, p. 330).

I believe that the image and the word are quite similar. While the image is the image of God and the word is the praise of God, both represent God the son and redemption. The image of God on earth was his son, Jesus. God not only sent his son to show his likeness, but also to redeem humankind from their sins. The painter creates images to redeem the minds of his viewers. The image is the likeness of the world. Through this image, the real form, or the reality behind the world can be seen. When the observer sees this reality, he has been redeemed. The word can create images. The creation of these images ties the word to redemption. Not only can the word create images, but the power of the objects imagined may be evoked by the vocalization of the word itself. Hearing scripture may be enough to evoke the redeeming power of God and lead us to a life in the true reality.