As we've discussed in class, the sky and heaven seem to be associated as the similar terms or used to describe both terms. However, thinking deeper into the idea of sky and heaven being the same, I've come across a question; Is heaven really in the sky?
It seems odd to think of heaven as this place above the clouds, the home of this all mighty power. Yet, it's referenced as just that. As if we can fly a plane above the clouds and find all of this immortal power.
On the other hand, it does paint this pretty picture for heaven, a place so calm and beautiful above the clouds. It is just a metaphor, but strange when taken literally.
I believe that the association between sky and heaven comes from the idea that everything in nature is determined by the actions in the sky. Sun and rain enable plants to grow, horrible storms injure people and destroy large amounts of land. I think in times when language was being refined into the separate sections that we have now, there was an understanding that the sky was the source of all these wonders and as such God must be in control of the sky.
ReplyDeleteThat does make sense, after all, no matter how well planned something might be, weather can still screw up everything. Another part of the heaven/sky connection is probably that for an incredibly long time, the sky was the only place humans could not explore (short of under the oceans, but they have their own stories). Part of being human seems to be the idea of wondering what exists beyond our reach, and the sky has been beyond us for so long that of course we would want to go there. And everyone, no matter where you are, can see the sky.
DeleteI would agree with Kaz. Not only do many early societies worship the natural elements, or study astrology extensively (in the mythical sense), but pointing to a frontier that cannot physically be explored (before the innovative tools which allowed us to do so) was probably a good place to imagine a realm in which greatness is concealed.
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