Matter is a Literary Device

I was talking with a friend explaining the purpose of Creation, and it occurred to me that matter might be like a literary device.

There are several types that leaped to mind. Firstly, it’s a metaphor. The stars are a metaphor for wonder. The sun is a metaphor for glory. They all symbolize and teach some truth which is deeper than themselves.

Matter becomes allegory. Jesus uses this material literary device extensively in the parables. The field becomes the world; the mustard seed becomes the Kingdom of Heaven.

Because of the Resurrection (I’m thinking of NT Wright’s description of it; you can find it on Veritas.org), the trees and hills will themselves be remade into something greater than trees and hills. The material world foreshadows the one to come.