Inadequate Words

An extract from The Word of Life by Thomas Oden (p275)

The titles ascribed to Christ are not used because they adequately designate his reality, but because they point inadequately to him by the only means available – words:

Having no other words to use, we use what we have.

Thou art called the Word, and Thou art above the Word;
Thou art above the Light, yet art named Light;
Thou art called Fire not as preceptible to sense, but because Thou purgest light and worthless matter;
A Sword, because Thou severest the worse from the better;
A Fan because Thou purgest the threshing-floor, and blowest away all that is light and windy, and layest up in the garner above all that is weighty and full;
An Axe, becaue Thou cuttest down the worthless fig-tree, after long patience…;
The Door, because Thou bringest in;
The Way, because we go straight;
The Sheep; because Thou art the Sacrifice;
The High Priest; because Thou offerest the Body;
The Son, because Thou art of the Father

(Gregory Nazianzen)