Approaching the Divine: Signs and Symbols of the Christian Faith

Approaching the Divine is a handbook on signs and symbols in the Christian tradition written from a Mennonite perspective. It provides a window into the meaning behind liturgical practices and art forms developed by the church through the ages. It also explores the seasons of the church year and observances related to special “Holy Days” in the Christian tradition. Included is a section on more universal signs and tokens such as numbers and shapes and some “popular”expressions of faith. The last section draws on articles and sermons related to the subject of symbols and rituals in the Christian tradition. The book is based on a column entitled “Signs and Symbols” that appeared in the Mennonite Reporter and later Canadian Mennonite. That material has been expanded and updated for this book with an introduction to the meaning of symbols within the life of the church and a bibliography of sources and suggestions for further reading. The book is intended as a resource to help individuals and congregations explore the meaning of worship and its artistic expressions. It is written with the hope that it will inspire a greater appreciation for the richness of the Christian tradition and stimulate thinking.