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Christian Symbolism
The definition and the meaning of Symbols or Icon in early religious art forms. A Catholic sign or icon, such as the
Heart Christian Symbol, is an object, character, figure, or color used to
represent abstract ideas or concepts - a picture that
represents an idea. A religious icon, such as the Heart Christian Symbol, is
an image or symbolic representation with sacred
significance.
The Definition and Meaning of the Heart as
a Catholic Christian Symbol
Catholic Christian symbolism in art provides a clear graphic illustration which
represents people or items of religious significance. What is the definition and the meaning of the
Heart? According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not
only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of
human life. The process of salvation begins in the heart by
the believing reception of the testimony of God, while the
rejection of that testimony hardens the heart (Ps. 95:8;
Prov. 28:14; 2 Chr. 36:13). "Hardness of heart evidences
itself by light views of sin; partial acknowledgment and
confession of it; pride and conceit; ingratitude; unconcern
about the word and ordinances of God; inattention to divine
providences; stifling convictions of conscience; shunning
reproof; presumption, and general ignorance of divine
things."
Reference to the Heart Christian Symbol in
the Bible
The Easton Bible Dictionary
provides the following definition, meaning and emblem for
the Heart Christian Symbol in the Bible.
"Heart" and "soul" are often used
interchangeably (Deut. 6:5; 26:16; comp. Matt. 22:37; Mark
12:30, 33), but this is not generally the case.
The heart is the "home of the personal life," and hence a
man is designated, according to his heart, wise (1 Kings
3:12, etc.), pure (Ps. 24:4; Matt. 5:8, etc.), upright and
righteous (Gen. 20:5, 6; Ps. 11:2; 78:72), pious and good
(Luke 8:15), etc. In these and such passages the word "soul"
could not be substituted for "heart."
The heart is also the seat of the conscience (Rom. 2:15). It
is naturally wicked (Gen. 8:21), and hence it contaminates
the whole life and character (Matt. 12:34; 15:18; comp.
Eccl. 8:11; Ps. 73:7). Hence the heart must be changed,
regenerated (Ezek. 36:26; 11:19; Ps. 51:10-14), before a man
can willingly obey God.
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