In response to my post finding faith where I said this, “Did you know that Mormon’s don’t wear crosses? Their church buildings aren’t adorned with the symbol of the cross anywhere. They think that it’s a grim reminder of Christ’s suffering, and so they like to shift their perspecitve to His resurrection, so atop their church buildings they have a pointed staff if you will, to symbolize His resurrection.”
Jez made an interesting comment.
jez said, “you think when jesus comes back he’s gonna want to see another cross? when you guys stop wearing crosses, then perhaps he might show up again.
Now this is really interesting, and I dare say if it was only that simple. Are you basing this on Scripture jez? Are you referring to the use or adornment of the cross as idoltry or…? I’m interested in your opinion and what you base it on, and although I may disagree, I would still like to hear it so that I can understand more clearly your views.
For me, the cross represents the One who had no sin and died there, willingly, for me, on my behalf (and the worlds). The cross shows the ugliness of sin, and the cost of it. The cross is offensive, and the cross is real. It fills my heart daily with the recognition of my ownership through Christ’s attonement. I am bought and paid for. I wear mine proudly, even while the community where I live looks down on me for wearing it, because they see it as a pegan symbol. …the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. 1 Cor. 1:18 But that’s just me… how about any readers who stop by…
What are your views of the cross and it’s use as display or adornment?
5 comments
Comments feed for this article
May 27, 2004 at 9:34 am
jez
it’s not scriptual, it’s just based on imagining how the human jesus who had died unpleasantly on a cross would react to his followers wearing crosses and hammering them to the top of their churches. you know, you wouldn’t approach jackie onassis wearing a rifle pendant and expect her to be pleased that you’re keeping the memory of old jfk alive.
i think catholics tend to display the cross with jesus still nailed up on it. that’s kind-of morbid. i don’t know, the passage of time has completely altered the meaning of the cross, but if you think yourself into the historical context, it’s a bit like wearing a little electric chair around your neck.
so if jesus is anything like me, i guess he’d prefer his followers to wear fishes.
[[note: credit to amazing comedian bill hicks, who came up with the idea for the original comment]]
May 27, 2004 at 10:10 am
Lesa
I guess I can put my education to good use!
The cross began as a relic around the first or second century. The religions of that time were so physical–meaning that they had representations, things they could see, that they used for their faith (i.e. statues, etc). Christianity worships a risen Lord, who cannot be seen; so, in order to bridge the gap, so to speak, between the pagan religions and Christianity, the church began to collect “relics” such as the bones of martyrs, symbols, things like the “shroud of Christ” etc, so that the people would feel like they had some kind of physical connection to their God.
In contemporary society, the cross has become less meaningful to most–because it is everywhere. Back then, it was rare to be able to see the relics, so it was a sacred experience.
I think that if the cross reminds you constantly of your Lord’s sacrifice, then by all means wear it…but if it is worn for other purposes, or for none at all, I think it should be reconsidered. The cross is a sacred reminder of what Jesus did, and it should be revered–but NOT worshipped as the early Christians tended to do. Just a little history for ya!
May 27, 2004 at 12:09 pm
Monica
I see what you’re saying jez… for a believer though, I think because the cross is ugly, aweful, greusome, and an vivid picture of the torture that Jesus suffered, it’s in all of those things that change it into the most lovely and undescribably beautiful thing . I know that probably sounds extreme, and maybe I’m not speaking for all believers, but to me, when I meditate on the cross, I’m left totally surrendered to Him.
And Lesa, thanks for filling in the historical background! You smarty pants : )! You made a valid point that the cross has lost some of it’s meaning in many places in society, and the display or wearing of it should be more than just a personal form of expression.
One time, while waitressing at the local pub while I was in college, someone saw my cross, pointed to it and asked me, “What does that mean to you? Is it a piece of jewelry or something else?”… I was speechless for a small moment, but my response was breathless and without even thinking I said, “It means everything…”. Now that I look back, I think my reply wasn’t as descriptive as I would have given had I been more prepared, but I remember the guy nodding and turning up of one corner of his mouth a smirk in a way to say that I had given the right response.
May 27, 2004 at 4:36 pm
Reid
Too many times people look at the cross and they say….ok The absolute worst thing that happened on it is that Jesus got nailed to it and died on it.. Rarely is it ever mentioned about how he took the FULL WRATH of GOD or how God turned his back on his beloved son.
And its not like Jesus is not wanting to come back because he is reminded of how horrible the cross was… Jesus is not Human like that where he says woah that was a bad memory. I just dont see that. Its not like he is haunted by the Cross, he took it on and he defeated death, he was triumphant… why would he be haunted by it?
Jesus will not come back until every nation has heard and has had a chance to believe and the cross is a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice of love.
May 28, 2004 at 6:25 am
Boo
Here’s an interesting story … IMO.
One evening, a friend (born-again Christian) of ours from the church (conservative evangelical Baptist) we use to attend, was visiting with us. We had known him in the church for 8 yrs. & my husband worked with him on the job.
Without warning, the man began to tell us a story about how he had judged my husband years ago, because he wore a cross.
He judged him to be a pagan, because he judged him to be “Catholic.” Now the cross was not a crucifix with Christ on it, but, it had some filigree on it, that he had mistaken for a carving of Christ.
You see, during that time we attended that church, it was preached that Catholics were pagans. Wearing a crucifix was deemed a sin because it kept Christ on the cross. (Not to leave it at that, but, all persons outside “that” church were deemed pagan. That’s another story.)
He told hubby that he was ashamed of his judgment, apologized & asked hubby’s forgiveness. That over the years he had realized that judging people just because they wear a cross is wrong & that he had no right to do so & he was here to repent of his actions because he said, my judgment of you kept me from loving you unconditionally. I made an assumption that God was not real in your life & couldn’t possibly work through you. Rather then share the love of Christ, he had pre-judged him & closed the door to future relationship.
All because of a cross.