Cauriensia (Dec 2023)

Significance of Water in the Life and Death of the Christian Man: History of Swimming and Water Rescue

  • Sergio López-García,
  • Brais Ruibal Ruibal-Lista,
  • Raquel Mª Guevara-Ingelmo,
  • Inmaculada Martín-Villar,
  • Pelayo Diez-Fernández

DOI
https://doi.org/10.17398/2340-4256.18.235
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18

Abstract

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Water is an essential symbol of life "Without water, life would not exist", an antithesis is found when it can also take away your life, drowning. Every life lost has a countless value, a famous author portrayed this significance quoting "I believe that the life of a man is superior to all the riches that fortune can provide". Man, and water have had a relationship since the beginning of their existence being noted for its value and importance in Christianity. In the Old Testament with Isaiah (I 40.3-5) he mentioned water as a symbol of God's Spirit and allegory to his work (Mt 3.13-17). With Jesus Christ, water for people from Israel, was known to be as a sign of ablution. Its significance in the Christian faith is through baptism, with which the preaching of Jesus begins. Baptism comes from the Greek "baptisma" (immersion-act of immersing). The failure to submerge, with the etymological origin of baptism, is the accident called drowning.

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