Literary Cartography (of sorts).
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
To Taste and to Touch, to Feel as Much . . .
Graham Ward explores the nature of touch in his recent book Christ and Culture. He sees how touch in Jesus's ministry is to create a bridge for the movement of his "power" (remember also "laying of hands"; esp. Joshua and Timothy). Whereas sound offers what is perhaps the most primal context for communication touch may offer the most immediate and intimate form of communication. Though there is perhaps more immediacy Ward also comments that there is less specificity. "Touch intimates, it does not speak." This should not be misunderstood. Though there may be less specificity the impact or force is often more pointed. This would certainly be the case with biblical healings. However, we can all think of situations in which a simple touch has moved us to cringe, shudder, or swoon (yes, I swoon). I would also argue that that touch is the most contextual of all senses. By this I mean that a touch could have scores of meanings and nuances given the context. The touch itself becomes the word set in the paragraph of the situation.
For many touch becomes the climax of being human. We are never so aware of the world around us and in turn of our existence as when we touch. It is the goal of lovers and fighters. It is the desperation in the self-harm of the depressed. It is the requirement of Thomas for belief.
I think this discuss should move into reflection on the idea of a resurrected body but I feel that these posts have been lacking in rigour and so I will them for now.
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