Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture (1): Skylar Minick

 Chapter 1:

        Turner describes Liminality as the state and process of mid-transition in a rite of passage. It is said that this liminal state has few or none of the attributes of the past or coming state. To be honest this kind of reminds me of this old show called the Twilight Zone. The show is from about the 1960's I believe and every episode is different but they all end the same, the main character or many characters end up in what they call the Twilight zone where the character(s) are in a state in between knowing what is real from knowing what is fake it even says in the show "It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone." Turner also says that liminality is not only transition but also potentiality, which can apply to almost anything. Turner also talks about a locality aspect of liminality, for example the Christians seemed to generate their own liminality by making pilgrimages some distance away from their localized religious lives, making the pilgrimage their liminality from their homes and their faith. Perhaps this was done because miracles are said to happen on pilgrimages and faith strengthens. The pilgrims seem to be searching for the transformative effect form their end goal Turner talks about but in reality they find so much more along the way. Along their route pilgrims find liberation from social structure, inward movement of the heart, freedom from all kinds of sin and structure, cures and miracles, and so much more. And these pilgrimages shows the individuals deep faith, participation and loyalty to their religion . They are rewarded for this, especially with communitas. Whether they are a prototypical pilgrims, archaic pilgrims, medieval pilgrims, or modern pilgrims, they all encounter the benefits including heightened respect and moral standing along with their own development. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rob Baron Outside Reading #2

Pilgrimages in the Bible (New Testament) In the new testament part of the bible, there is a common theme that is in multiple parts of different books. The book of Mathew talks about how salvation is found for a limited time only before Jesus Christ returns. This time is said to be at a totally unexpected time and is called the last judgment. John, 1 Corinthians, and James all back this up by saying prepare themselves for God’s verdict on how they lived. People are supposed to think of themselves as pilgrims and temporary residents as their true home is in heaven. It is said that their life is a pilgrimage with the final destination of heaven.
Read more

Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture (2): Skylar Minick

 Chapter 6:          At the beginning of this chapter Turner talks about the resurgence of Marian pilgrimages and images. Especially in the nineteenth century there was such an abundance of art focusing on Mary and her baby Jesus. I am currently taking an art history class as well and Mary and her child was a major major theme in art around those time periods, People were fascinated with her purity and obviously the holiness of her son. This was such an important event because it seemed to provide a link between humanity and the divinity of the holy God. Every other divine creature is invisible, not to be seen, heard or even have a proven  existence which obviously creates problems because it is impossible to know when or if one's prayer has been heard, making communication to the sacred very difficult. This must explain why pilgrimages begin when there is signs or "evidence" of a supernatural quality or being. The church of El...
Read more

Rob Baron Outside Reading #3

Israelites leaving Egypt   One of the great journeys that were told in the bible was the story of Israelites leaving Egypt. The reason for them leaving was because they were enslaved and Moses lead them out. Throughout the journey, God was in their presence as he parted the red sea and many other things. When they reach Mount Sinai God speaks to Moses and made a deal with the Jews.
Read more