Six months ago today, in the deep frozen days of February, my book You are a Tree: and other metaphors to nourish life, thought, and prayer made its way into the world. Bundled to the hilt against the icy licks of rain, I wandered around the Scottish town where I live to take pictures of my favourite trees. I remember thinking it was almost a shame to release a book with a beautiful flowering tree on its cover in the depths of winter. It is still not warm in Scotland (sigh), but the trees are now resplendent in their verdant summer leaves, a reminder of the beautiful gift of each season of the year, and, indeed, of life. A topic I did write about, after all!
To mark the day, I’m delighted to share the final episode in my series on You are a tree. I spoke with someone whose thinking on metaphor I deeply admire: the Reverend Canon Professor Trevor Hart. Trevor serves as the Rector of St Andrews Episcopal Church in Saint Andrews Scotland. (A church locals affectionately refer to as “St Andrews, St Andrews”). He formerly held the prestigious position of the Professor of Divinity at the University of St Andrews (1995-2013) where he founded the Institute of Theology, Imagination, and the Arts (ITIA) with Jeremy Begbie and was its first director until 2013. For reference, I completed my PhD at ITIA in 2021. Trevor is married to Rachel. They have three adult children and a border terrier called Grizzle. I often see Trevor walking Grizzle around town.
Our conversation was so rich and enjoyable that I decided to split the episode into two parts. In this first half, we discuss what metaphor is, how it pertains not only to those more inventive uses of language in poetry and theology, but to our most basic attempts to make sense of the world. Metaphor pervades our speech and thought so deeply that it is impossible to speak about metaphor without reaching for other metaphors. We spoke about how metaphor testifies to the relational nature of reality, by drawing connections between things. We discussed the difference between a “bad” metaphor that illuminates nothing new, and a good metaphor which is fitting and awakens in us a sense of recognition. We even discussed how at the frontiers of science (another metaphor), scientists reach for metaphors like waves and fields of light to describe life at its most fundamental.
“Metaphor is teaching an old word new tricks”
Nelson Goodman
Next week’s conversation delves more deeply into the theological dimensions of metaphor: revelation, analogy, and perhaps most importantly, the reasons that God as Father or parent is a foundational metaphor for Christian theology, establishing the filial faithfulness of God to creation. I so enjoyed my conversation with Trevor, and I know you all will listening in too.
My only disappointment: I’m still waiting for the sign he said he’d pilfer for me…
Trevor brings a scholarly depth and extensive reading to this conversation— and most conversations! Listeners wishing to learn more would be wise to read more of Trevor’s work and some of the books and authors he mentioned. Particularly, I’d recommend Trevor’s book Between the Image and the Word and the chapter “Imagination” in In Him Was Life: the Person and Work of Christ. One might also like to read Metaphors We Live by George Layoff and Mark Johnson. I’ll attach more book references next week in our theological engagements with metaphor.
You you can also explore Trevor’s personal website to learn more about his current and past research and writing projects…
If you enjoyed this conversation,, catch up on the other episodes in the series:
People are (not) Trees with Malcolm Guite
Wisdom is (not) Light with Lydia Schumacher
Safety is (not) a Fortress with Henry Jamison
Love is (not) a Disease with Christopher Tin
Sadness is (not) Heavy with David Zahl
Change is (not) Birth with Jennifer Banks
Life is (not) a Journey with Alison Milbank
And, order your copy of You are a Tree!
I will temporarily renew my offer to give a free month of paid subscription to this Substack if you order a copy of You are a Tree. To obtain this, just reply to this email or send me an email at thejoynessthebrave@gmail.com with a screen shot of your receipt. It needs to be a recent purchase—August 1st or after.
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