The sun, as a symbol of clarity and purity, holds significant theological implications within the Christian tradition. Its brilliance and unblemished light serve as a metaphor for the purity and holiness that the Church is called to embody. The sun's role in illuminating the earth parallels the Church's mission to reflect the light of Christ in a world often shrouded in spiritual darkness.

Biblical Symbolism of the Sun

Throughout Scripture, the sun is frequently used as a symbol of God's glory and righteousness. In Psalm 19:4-6 , the psalmist declares, "In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun, like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth." This passage highlights the sun's pervasive and life-giving presence, akin to the pervasive influence of God's truth and righteousness.

The Church's Call to Purity

The purity of the Church is a central theme in the New Testament, where believers are exhorted to live lives that reflect the holiness of God. Ephesians 5:25-27 speaks to this calling: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless." Here, the Church is depicted as a bride, purified and radiant, much like the sun in its clearness.

The Sun's Clearness as a Model for the Church

The sun's unchanging and clear light serves as a model for the Church's pursuit of purity. Just as the sun dispels darkness and reveals truth, the Church is called to be a beacon of light in the world, upholding the truth of the Gospel and living out the values of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 5:14-16 , Jesus instructs His followers, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Conclusion

The sun's clearness is a powerful metaphor for the purity and holiness to which the Church is called. As the sun illuminates the earth with its unblemished light, so too is the Church called to reflect the light of Christ, living in a manner that is holy and blameless. This calling is not only a reflection of God's character but also a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel in the lives of believers. Through the Church's purity, the world is invited to witness the glory of God and the hope found in Jesus Christ.Songs 6:10
Who is she that looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Doctrine of the Church.
... reign of Marcus Aurelius, treats of it with much clearness. ... us does not depend on
our proximity to the sun. ... our planet is most remote from its great luminary ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter v the doctrine of.htm

Hans Denck and the Inward Word
... that Christ has once for all made sun-clear, and ... he who appreciates this love, feels
its attraction, and ... the heart, and which increases in clearness and power ...
/.../chapter ii hans denck and.htm

The Lamp and the Bushel
... power to shine if it be severed from the sun than a ... name"that no longer do they mar
the clearness of your ... witness may be none who have not seen its power can ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the lamp and the bushel.htm

The Teacher Spirit
... by our firm grasp and growing clearness of understanding ... applies especially to this
generation, with its thoughts about ... western sky and say, 'The Sun is setting ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the teacher spirit.htm

On the Firmament.
... least spot of corruption, almost rivals the air in clearness. ... say that moisture cannot
be lessened by the sun. ... air within our ken, and deriving its name "heaven ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily iii on the firmament.htm

What Doest Thou Here?
... off the sapling, it starts back to its original uprightness ... do I grasp the aim of
life with clearness and decision ... shall the righteous flame as the sun in their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/what doest thou here.htm

Introductory Note to the Works of Origen.
... age of eighteen, a new sun was to ... and directed a bloody persecution against its
inhabitants, especially ... [His surname denotes the strength, clearness, and point ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/introductory note to the works.htm

The Historical Situation
... that they addressed an invocation to the sun at its ... Zealots in that they saw with
unwelcome clearness the futility ... of his own people as for its victories over ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i the historical situation.htm

Of Faith. The Definition of It. Its Peculiar Properties.
... The clearness of truth will itself furnish a sufficient refutation. ... from each other
than rays of light from the sun. ... us, and a full persuasion of its truth, it ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 of faith the.htm

Our Strong City
... called, is distinguished, not only by the clearness of his ... For nothing so robs
temptation of its power, so ... The whole sky grows his targe, With sun's self for ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/our strong city.htm

How could there be light on the first day of Creation if the sun was not created until the fourth day? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that the Shulammite had dark skin (Song of Solomon 1:6)? | GotQuestions.org

Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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