The Meaning of Tongues of Fire | Jonathan Pageau

Summary

The video script explores the symbolic meaning behind the scrolls of the apostles, the icons of Pentecost, and the head coverings mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11. It delves into a sixth-century Byzantine manuscript featuring Mary speaking among the apostles, with imagery suggesting a connection between the earthly and heavenly realms. The discussion centers on the 'tongues of fire' as a metaphor for the apostles' ability to spread the Gospel in various languages, embodying the glory of God and the testimony of Jesus. The script also touches on the active and passive aspects of this divine fire, symbolizing the capacity to bless and the resulting spiritual manifestations in the world, such as liturgies and the commemoration of saints. The relationship between the veil and the higher spiritual concepts is briefly mentioned but not elaborated upon.

Takeaways

• 📜 The relationship between the scrolls of the apostles, the icons of Pentecost, and the head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11 is discussed in the context of a sixth-century Byzantine manuscript.
• 🔥 The tongues of fire on the apostles' heads symbolize the multiplicative power of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to speak in all languages and spread the Gospel globally.
• 🌐 The image of Mary speaking between the apostles, with a veil paralleling the dome of heaven, suggests a celestial connection and a divine transmission of knowledge.
• 🌟 The glorified cosmos under the apostle in common depictions represents the gathering of their words into a single garment, signifying unity and the collective testimony of Jesus.
• 🌈 The visual representation of the tongues of fire is important as it symbolizes the divine fire coming from heaven and spreading through the apostles to the ends of the world.
• 📖 The active part of the Gospel's spread is represented by the fire, while the passive or manifested part is seen in the world's reception and embodiment of the teachings.
• 🎭 The iconography of Christ with a blessing hand and a book in the other hand illustrates the dual nature of divine capacity to affect the world and the resulting impact through writings, liturgies, and art.
• 🌐 The multiplicity of traditions, languages, and cultural expressions of faith are seen as concrete realizations of the Gospel's spread, akin to the fire's manifestation in various forms.
• 🧕 The discussion does not find a direct relationship between the veil in the icon of Pentecost and the head coverings mentioned in 1 Corinthians, suggesting different symbolic meanings.
• 👏 The speaker acknowledges the complexity of these topics, indicating that further exploration and discussion are needed to fully understand the nuances of these religious symbols and their meanings.

Q & A

What is the relationship between the scrolls of the apostles, the icons of Pentecost, and the head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11 as discussed in the script?

The script suggests that the relationship is centered around the concept of glory and multiplication. The scrolls represent the apostles' teachings, the icons of Pentecost symbolize the descent of the Holy Spirit, and the head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11 are associated with the manifestation of spiritual truths.

How does the image of Mary speaking between the apostles in a sixth-century Byzantine manuscript relate to the discussion?

The image of Mary speaking between the apostles with a veil paralleling the dome of heaven is used to illustrate the idea of divine communication and the connection between the earthly and heavenly realms, which is a theme that resonates with the discussion of the apostles' roles and the Holy Spirit's influence.

What do the tongues of fire on the apostles' heads in the icons of Pentecost represent?

The tongues of fire represent the divine gift of speaking in multiple languages, allowing the apostles to spread the Gospel to all peoples. This is a visual representation of the 'tongue of multiplication' that enabled them to communicate the message of Jesus Christ effectively across different cultures.

How does the concept of 'multiplication' relate to the apostles' mission as discussed in the script?

The concept of 'multiplication' refers to the apostles' ability to spread the Gospel message to different parts of the world, effectively multiplying the reach of their teachings. This is symbolized by the tongues of fire, indicating the power and the divine mandate to spread the word of God.

What is the significance of the 'glorified cosmos' under the apostle in the script's description of common depictions?

The 'glorified cosmos' under the apostle symbolizes the unity of the apostles' teachings with the divine order of the universe. It represents the idea that their words and actions are in harmony with the cosmos and are part of a larger divine plan.

How does the script interpret the act of the apostles gathering their words in a single garment?

The act of gathering their words in a single garment symbolizes the unity and collective nature of the apostles' teachings. It suggests that their messages, though diverse, are part of a single, coherent divine narrative.

What is the difference between the 'active part' and the 'passive part' or 'manifested part' as discussed in the script in relation to the icons of Pentecost?

The 'active part' refers to the apostles' initial reception of the Holy Spirit and their capacity to spread the Gospel. The 'passive part' or 'manifested part' refers to the results of their actions, such as the liturgies, translations of the Bible, and the commemoration of saints, which are the concrete realizations of the Gospel's spread.

Why is the representation of the tongues of fire in the icons of Pentecost considered important?

The representation of the tongues of fire is important because it visually communicates the divine origin of the apostles' mission and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. It symbolizes the empowerment of the apostles to spread the Gospel effectively to all nations.

What is the script's stance on the relationship between the veil in the icon of Pentecost and the head coverings mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11?

The script suggests that there is no direct relationship between the veil in the icon of Pentecost and the head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11. The veil in the icon is more symbolic of a container or a boundary, rather than a direct reference to the spiritual or cultural practices discussed in the biblical text.

How does the script connect the idea of the 'lower veil' and 'higher veil' with the 'lower waters' and 'higher waters'?

The script implies a parallel between the 'lower veil' and 'higher veil' with the 'lower waters' and 'higher waters' as a way to discuss the interconnection between earthly and heavenly realms. This connection is not elaborated upon in detail but suggests a broader theme of divine presence and influence in both the spiritual and physical worlds.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Pentecost and the Apostles' Icons

The paragraph discusses the relationship between the scrolls of the apostles, the icons of Pentecost, and the head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11. It mentions a sixth-century Byzantine manuscript where Mary is depicted speaking between the apostles, with their veils paralleling the dome of heaven. The tongues of fire on the apostles' heads symbolize the glory of God and their testimony of Jesus, representing a 'tongue of multiplication' that enabled them to spread the gospel in all languages. The paragraph also explores the visual representation of the fire coming down from heaven and spreading through the apostles, as well as the active and passive parts of this spiritual manifestation, including liturgies, translations, and commemorations of saints. The speaker concludes by distinguishing the icon's representation of the veil as a container rather than a higher veil, suggesting a relationship between lower and higher veils akin to the relationship between lower and higher waters.

Keywords

💡Scrolls of the Apostles

The 'Scrolls of the Apostles' refer to the written records or teachings attributed to the apostles of Jesus Christ. In the context of the video, these scrolls are part of the early Christian tradition and are symbolic of the apostles' teachings and the spread of the Christian faith. The video discusses their relationship with other religious symbols and practices, such as the icons of Pentecost and the head coverings mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11.

💡Icons of Pentecost

The 'Icons of Pentecost' are visual representations or depictions of the event of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, as described in the New Testament. The video script mentions an icon where Mary is shown speaking between the apostles, with a veil that parallels the dome of heaven, symbolizing the divine communication and the spread of the Christian message to the world.

💡Head Coverings in 1 Corinthians 11

The reference to 'Head Coverings in 1 Corinthians 11' pertains to a passage in the New Testament where the Apostle Paul discusses the practice of women wearing head coverings during worship as a sign of submission and respect. The video script seems to draw a connection between this practice and the broader themes of divine communication and the role of women in the early Christian church.

💡Tongues of Fire

In the video, 'Tongues of Fire' symbolize the Holy Spirit's descent upon the apostles during Pentecost, as described in the New Testament. The speaker suggests that these could represent the 'glory of God' and the apostles' testimony of Jesus, as well as the multiplicative effect of their ability to speak in various languages to spread the Gospel.

💡Multiplication

The concept of 'Multiplication' in the video is used to describe the spreading of the Christian message across different languages and cultures, as symbolized by the 'Tongues of Fire'. It refers to the ability of the apostles to communicate the Gospel in a way that is understandable to all peoples, thus multiplying the reach and impact of their teachings.

💡Glory of God

The 'Glory of God' is a theological term that refers to the radiance, majesty, and divine presence of God. In the video, the 'Tongues of Fire' are suggested to represent this glory, signifying the divine empowerment of the apostles to spread the Gospel and the manifestation of God's presence in their mission.

💡Translating the Bible

The video mentions the translation of the Bible into different languages as an example of the 'multiplication' of the Gospel message. This process is seen as a concrete realization of the apostles' mission to spread the word of God to all nations, making the teachings accessible to a diverse range of cultures and peoples.

💡Commemoration of Saints

The 'Commemoration of Saints' is a practice in the Christian tradition where the lives and deeds of holy individuals are remembered and celebrated. In the video, this is mentioned as part of the 'multiplicative' effect of the apostles' work, where the memory of their teachings and the lives of those who followed in their footsteps contribute to the richness of the Christian faith.

💡Logos

In the video, 'Logos' is used in a Christian context to refer to the divine word or reason, often associated with Jesus Christ as the Word of God. The speaker discusses the idea of the 'Logos' filling the world, which relates to the mission of the apostles to spread the Gospel and the teachings of Christ to all corners of the earth.

💡Veil

The 'Veil' in the video is discussed in two contexts: the veil in the icon of Pentecost, which is likened to a container, and the head coverings mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11. The former is seen as a symbol of the divine communication and the latter as a symbol of submission and respect within the early Christian community.

Highlights

The relationship between the scrolls of the apostles, the icons of Pentecost, and the head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11 is discussed.

A sixth-century Byzantine manuscript depicts Mary speaking between the apostles with a veil, symbolizing the dome of heaven.

The glorified cosmos is often shown under the apostle, gathering their words in a single garment.

The tongues of fire on the apostles' heads represent the glory of God and their testimony of Jesus, the glory of man.

The tongues of fire symbolize the ability to speak in all languages, a 'tongue of multiplication' for spreading the gospel.

The visual representation of the tongues of fire in icons is important as it depicts the fire coming down from heaven.

The active part of the Pentecost icon is the fire, representing the capacity to spread the word and manifest the Logos.

The passive or manifested part of the Pentecost icon is the cosmos itself, as it reaches its fullness.

The specific traditions and embodiments of the gospel are the results of the active part, such as liturgies and translations.

The icon of Christ is used as an analogy, with the blessing representing the active capacity and the book representing the result.

The relationship between the veil in the icon of Pentecost is likened to a container, rather than the higher veil.

The lower veil and the higher veil in the icon of Pentecost are compared to the relationship between lower and higher waters.

The speaker acknowledges the complexity of discussing these topics and refers to other instances where they've addressed similar themes.

The applause and music indicate the end of the discussion and the appreciation of the audience.

Transcripts

okay so curacao and curiouser asks is

there a relationship between the scrolls

of the apostles and the icons of

pentecost

and the head coverings in one

corinthians 11.

in a manuscript of the gospels from the

sixth century byzantine there's an image

of mary speaking between the apostles

with their veil paralleling the dome of

heaven above them

standing on rough a translucent sapphire

earth

in more common depictions today i see

the glorified cosmos under the apostle

gathering their words in a single

garment

could the tongues of fire on their heads

represent the glory of god and their

testimony of jesus the glory of man

um

so

it has to do it does to a certain extent

you could say have to do with glory it

has to do with multiplication that's

what it has to do and so you can

understand that the the tongues of fire

we we want to represent them

they receive tongues of fire that is

when they spoke

they spoke in all the languages they

received a a tongue of multiplication

a tongue of multiplication which can

which can move out into the world and

express the gospel in a way that is

understandable to all peoples in the

entire world and so that is what

ultimately the idea of uh

the idea of the tongues of fire

represent what they are that's just what

they are that's what tongues of fire are

and so whether or not it manifested

itself as some kind of vision of

something above their heads like it

doesn't seem to say that uh

in in scripture but uh but it's okay

it's great to represent it that way i

think it's important because it it

really is a visual representation of

this this fire which comes down from

heaven right so it's like you can see it

in the icon you have this fire it's like

this fire coming down from heaven and

spreading through the apostles uh out

until the ends of the world

uh and so there's a subtle version of

that which is the actual

fire the actual

capacity to

spread the word and manifest the logos

and fill the world with logos and then

there's the doing of it and the results

of it which are the specific traditions

or specific embodiments

of that happening so it's like

it's it's the actual liturgies in in

slavonic or the bible translated in

different languages or the saints you

know the the the commemoration of the

saints of all these different lands of

all these this multiplicity

kind of having a concrete uh realization

right so you so you have the active part

so think about it exactly like i

explained the icon of christ so you have

christ's blessing with his right hand

and then he's holding a book in his left

hand the blessing is the capacity to

affect the world directly at the

capacity to to to to to bless to curse

to to heal to do all these things and

then the book is the result of that in

the world

through

all the all the memories of that all the

the the writings all the liturgy all the

art all you know

the the remembering of your name in the

book of life all of these things are the

result of the active part so think of

the icon of pentecost that way right so

you have the active part with the fire

and then you have the passive part or

the receptive part or the manifested

part in the cosmos itself in the world

as it reaches

its fullness

um i hope that makes sense man this

stuff is hard to to talk about because

it's uh

yeah

so that makes sense but i don't see a

relationship between the veil i'm afraid

not there's a the the veil that is uh

the way that's represented the icon of

pentecost is is more like uh

it's kind of like a container right it's

it's this it's this cloth which holds

uh rather than

the idea of of the higher veil you could

say there's a relationship between the

lower veil and the higher veil just like

there's a relationship between the lower

waters and the higher waters but uh that

is

is uh that is not what i'm not going to

go into that here you can find other

places where i've talked about that

[Applause]

[Music]

you