Three Theories of Religious Language

Authors

Truman G. Madsen

Keywords

Liturgical language

Abstract

Religious philosophy is often concerned with religious language and its meaning. In this article, the sentence "God sent His Son" is analyzed according to three theories of religious meaning: neo-positivism, neo-symbolism, and neo-Thomism. Each analysis focuses on the term God, the content of "sent His Son," and the translatability and verifiability of the expression. Although the three theories differ, their application to this sentence reveals four points of agreement, or theses. The author examines each thesis in turn and shows that each thesis is steeped in complexity and paradox. The author uses this exercise to question the ultimate value of the three theories of religious meaning.

Recommended Citation

Madsen, Truman G. (1960) "Three Theories of Religious Language," BYU Studies Quarterly: Vol. 2: Iss. 2, Article 8.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol2/iss2/8