Jonathan Edwards maintained a private notebook in the 18th century, which he named “Images of Divine Things.” He documented a straightforward yet profound conviction: the world is not silent. Creation is structured with significance that supports Scripture. Holiness is communicated through light. Majesty is whispered by storms. Mortality is preached by falling leaves. Signs pointing beyond the visible universe are abundant.
Edwards did not originate this concept. In order to stimulate spiritual awareness, emblem books of the past combined imagery, epigrams, and meditation. However, Edwards perceived something even more profound: that reality is unto itself an emblem book composed by God.
I expect by very ridicule and contempt to be called a man of a very fruitful brain and copious fancy, but they are welcome to it. I am not ashamed to own that I believe that the whole universe, heaven and earth, air and seas, and the divine constitution and history of the holy Scriptures, be full of images of divine things, as full as a language is of words; and that the multitude of those things that I have mentioned are but a very small part of what is really intended to be signified and typified by these things: but that there is room for persons to be learning more and more of this language and seeing more of that which is declared in it to the end of the world without discovering all.1
We believe that vision is deserving of restoration.
We are returning to symbolism, beauty, and contemplation in a distracted era that is characterized by arguments, slogans, and commotion. We encourage curiosity rather than confrontation by means of thoughtfully crafted emblem art, which is incorporated into coffee mugs, hoodies, tee shirts, and stickers. Subtle QR codes are also included. A doorway is represented by each emblem. Upon scanning the image, an emblem is drawn along with a brief text meditation and audio narration: a symbol, reflection, and invitation.
This is not commerce that is being presented as faith. It is not a tract concealed within technology. It is the resurgence of a historic Christian understanding that the heart is awakened before it is persuaded, and that truth is frequently initially perceived as beauty.
The world remains an emblem.
Is it possible for us to perceive it?
- WJE 11:152. ↩︎