Display of "cross" symbol

UMP · Jul 30, 2007

My sister in law gave me a cross with some nice wording on it for a house warming gift to hang on my wall. I told her I don't like any symbols of Christ, pictures, crosses, angels, etc. I explained that Christ is off the cross at the right hand of God, off of His cross of humiliation and I don't want to stare at that symbol in my house.
Is my reasoning correct? Am I nutz?
What say ye?

cygnusx1 · Jul 30, 2007

UMP said:
My sister in law gave me a cross with some nice wording on it for a house warming gift to hang on my wall. I told her I don't like any symbols of Christ, pictures, crosses, angels, etc. I explained that Christ is off the cross at the right hand of God, off of His cross of humiliation and I don't want to stare at that symbol in my house.
Is my reasoning correct? Am I nutz?
What say ye?

mmmmmmm , i am not opposed to the sign of the cross or the fish , or a dove , just not very keen on some directions these symbols have been taken.

i think if it is done modestly then for me it's fine , others can make a bunch of rules , who am i to stop them.....

Elderone · Jul 30, 2007

UMP said:
My sister in law gave me a cross with some nice wording on it for a house warming gift to hang on my wall. I told her I don't like any symbols of Christ, pictures, crosses, angels, etc. I explained that Christ is off the cross at the right hand of God, off of His cross of humiliation and I don't want to stare at that symbol in my house.
Is my reasoning correct? Am I nutz?
What say ye?

I agree with you.........completely.

heymikey80 · Jul 30, 2007

UMP said:
My sister in law gave me a cross with some nice wording on it for a house warming gift to hang on my wall. I told her I don't like any symbols of Christ, pictures, crosses, angels, etc. I explained that Christ is off the cross at the right hand of God, off of His cross of humiliation and I don't want to stare at that symbol in my house.
Is my reasoning correct? Am I nutz?
What say ye?

I make a vast exception in the case of the Cross of Christ. Think about it: Paul said something like this at a time when a cross meant something similar to the electric chair:

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Gal 6:11-14

For me it's also a poignant reminder that the Mormons reject the display of the Cross because it's a shame and a picture of suffering.

Yet "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Cor 1:17-18

I think it's critical that we not make it some cheerleading rally point, no. We must become familiar with the depth of suffering the God of the Universe underwent for us. Otherwise it's just a happy symbol. And it could become trite if poorly treated.

But it's a symbol, and a symbol that deserves to be used -- when it can be used to remind us of the greatness of His humility, the vast redemption we've received through His suffering.

UMP · Jul 31, 2007

heymikey80 said:
I make a vast exception in the case of the Cross of Christ. Think about it: Paul said something like this at a time when a cross meant something similar to the electric chair:
See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Gal 6:11-14
For me it's also a poignant reminder that the Mormons reject the display of the Cross because it's a shame and a picture of suffering.

Yet "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Cor 1:17-18

I think it's critical that we not make it some cheerleading rally point, no. We must become familiar with the depth of suffering the God of the Universe underwent for us. Otherwise it's just a happy symbol. And it could become trite if poorly treated.

But it's a symbol, and a symbol that deserves to be used -- when it can be used to remind us of the greatness of His humility, the vast redemption we've received through His suffering.

I think part of the reason for my outlook is my Catholic parents who always had statues of Mary and assorted crosses. My mother would touch it and pray, etc. When I got older they gave me a gold cross with the body of "Christ" hanging on it. I would find myself touching it and talking to it, etc. I believe it is VERY easy for man (me) to start talking and praying to symbols.

John 4:
[24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

"We must, in the beginning of this section clarify a matter that has been a cause of deception and stumbling to many. When speaking of "the cross" we generally do not have reference to the material cross itself, but rather use this as a metonymy—i.e., a figure of speech where the name of one thing is used for that which is suggested by, or associated with it. Thus, by "cross" is meant the atoning work of Christ which was accomplished upon the cross. Had men always recognized that this is what is meant by the many references to the cross in the New Testament, there would never have arisen the disgusting and impious superstition of the wearing of material crosses, the bowing down to and praying to material crosses, and the taking of a material cross for a Christian symbol. Only rarely in the New Testament does this word have reference to a material cross; almost always it refers rather to the atoning work of Christ that was accomplished upon the cross of Calvary."

A.W. Pink

Thanks for all your answers! It made me do some study into the subject.
I believe I am satisfied with my reasoning.

edie19 · Jul 31, 2007

My pastor was just talking about what an affront the cross was to the people of Israel - it was something that wasn't even mentioned in conversation. That's one of the reasons why Christ's death on the cross was so offensive.

In my home we have no pictures of Jesus, no crosses or religious symbols. I used to wear a cross but had to take it off for one of my surgeries earlier this year and just never bothered to put it back on.

As a side note - my daughter-in-law is a member of the RCC (although I frequently point out to her that she is much more protestant in her beliefs than RCC). Anyhow, my grandson obviously attends church with his mother, but does come with me on occasion. I guess he just noticed this the last time he came to church with me - but as we were walking into the church Lukas commented that this couldn't be a church, there's no cross. My pastor overheard him and nicely (and correctly) pointed out that the church is the body of believers and that we don't need the symbols to prove we're a church.

Another side note - my sister converted from the Presbyterian church to the RCC about 10-12 years ago (her husband is Catholic and they're sending their daughter to Catholic schools - she thought it would be best if they were all members of the same church). Anyhow - she has all the pictures and statues and such in her house now. My daughter-in-law laughs about it - she says converts get much more into the statuary stuff than those who were born and raised Catholic.

edie

Imblessed · Jul 31, 2007

I"m not a big fan of crosses and symbols myself. I do have a wooden cross on the wall of my living room that my dad made; I think I have it more as a reminder of my dad and his love of woodworking than anything else!

Used properly, I think the display of the cross can be full of meaning, but it's 'out there' so often now, it's lost a lot of meaning to a lot of people--even christians, sadly enough.

So, no, I don't think you are crazy, especially given the past you described in your follow-up post!

Boxmaker · Jul 31, 2007

UMP said:
My sister in law gave me a cross with some nice wording on it for a house warming gift to hang on my wall. I told her I don't like any symbols of Christ, pictures, crosses, angels, etc. I explained that Christ is off the cross at the right hand of God, off of His cross of humiliation and I don't want to stare at that symbol in my house.
Is my reasoning correct? Am I nutz?
What say ye?

I'll go with nutz. She gave you a cross, an empty cross. A cross that Jesus is not on as a reminder of Christs sacrifice for and as a blessing for your home.

Beoga · Jul 31, 2007

This is an honest question that just came to my mind:
What about Christian books that have a picture of the cross on them? Are book covers related to this issue? I am thinking of the new cover for Owen's Death of Death.

ReformedChapin · Aug 1, 2007

The cross symbolizes the sacrefice that Christ made for us. I still think that for many genuine Christians the symbol stands. The problem is that for most contemporary people speciallly in hispanic cultures (which is mine) it's just another accessory which is meaningless.

UMP · Aug 1, 2007

Beoga said:
This is an honest question that just came to my mind:
What about Christian books that have a picture of the cross on them? Are book covers related to this issue? I am thinking of the new cover for Owen's Death of Death.

Interestingly enough I think Owen would agree with this quote from Pink:

"We must, in the beginning of this section clarify a matter that has been a cause of deception and stumbling to many. When speaking of "the cross" we generally do not have reference to the material cross itself, but rather use this as a metonymyi.e., a figure of speech where the name of one thing is used for that which is suggested by, or associated with it. Thus, by "cross" is meant the atoning work of Christ which was accomplished upon the cross. Had men always recognized that this is what is meant by the many references to the cross in the New Testament, there would never have arisen the disgusting and impious superstition of the wearing of material crosses, the bowing down to and praying to material crosses, and the taking of a material cross for a Christian symbol. Only rarely in the New Testament does this word have reference to a material cross; almost always it refers rather to the atoning work of Christ that was accomplished upon the cross of Calvary."

A.W. Pink

If you decide on something OTHER than a cross, you would definately be in the minority of "Christian" books, at least that much is certain.

heymikey80 · Aug 3, 2007

NewGuy101 said:
The cross symbolizes the sacrefice that Christ made for us. I still think that for many genuine Christians the symbol stands. The problem is that for most contemporary people speciallly in hispanic cultures (which is mine) it's just another accessory which is meaningless.

Yeah, I know the feeling. Catholic friends and relatives have made this problematic as well. It really does take something more. A Catholic friend of the family used to wear a four-inch wood cross. That was quite a recognizable difference and it certainly emphasized his conservatism to me.

Display of "cross" symbol

UMP

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cygnusx1

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