Is the cross symbol a good symbol for Christianity?
I don't know the history behind it...
I recently bought a stainless steel necklace with a cross as a pendant. I wear it all the time when I go out. But my mom asked me why I chose it considering how I'm not a Catholic.
And then it got me thinking... Is the cross symbol mainly a Catholic symbol? Or does it encompass all of Christianity? Is it even a good symbol?
Thank you.
The cross is ubiquitous in Christianity in many forms as the predominant symbol of our faith, whether a plain cross, a crucifix, or some other variation.
St. Paul writes, "We preach Christ crucified" (1 Corinthians 1:23).
The cross in the ancient Roman world was an instrument and symbol of fear and terror, it represented Roman imperial power. It was used chiefly in the frontier provinces--Roman citizens were not subject to death by crucifixion--where the populace was still not entirely under Roman control. In Galilee and Judea the Romans frequently had to deal with a Jewish population that was "unruly" (in their mind) and there were several small to large rebellions that took place which resulted in Rome crucifying many people. Crucifixion was a public spectacle, intended to be a slow and painful death. People would be able to walk by and see the crucified as they were dying or their corpses allowed to hang naked in shame. The symbol was powerful: Rome was in charge, Caesar was lord and king, don't mess with Rome because Rome will always come out the victor.
This is where Christ's death on the cross matters, because we believe that Jesus who suffered an unjust and humiliating death on the cross by His death and resurrection triumphed over death, triumphed over the grave, subverting an instrument of terror and fear and violence into the instrument of life, redemption, and reconciliation with God.
When Paul says "We preach Christ crucified" he goes on, "a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles"; it was a stumbling block for the Jews because a crucified Messiah was a cursed Messiah--a Jewish audience found it unthinkable that the Messiah could die such a horrific end, and foolishness to the Gentiles--to Greeks and Romans--for whom it was pure foolishness to preach that a man put to death by the cross could, in fact, be Lord and King and the One whom all things are made subject to.
It is precisely the cross that is the powerful symbol of Christian faith and hope: what was intended to be the symbol of death, terror, and oppression was subverted and made the means and symbol of life, salvation, and freedom.
It is precisely the brutal ugliness of the cross that makes the cross meaningful. Of course the cross is ugly, that's why Christ makes it beautiful. Of course the cross is tragic, that is why Christ has made it worth celebrating.
It is on the cross that Christ made a public spectacle of the powers and principalities of this world. It is on the cross that Christ has died the death of every man that, in and by Him, we have life in and with God and the hope that even as Christ was raised from the dead so shall we be raised up at His coming again.
Do not be of doubt about whether the cross is the symbol of our faith, or whether the cross should be honored and celebrated: it should be celebrated and honored with boldness. For we are the fools who preach the cross of Jesus Christ upon whom the whole world was made crucified, that upon rising from the dead there would be life and hope and freedom proclaimed to every living creature. What was crushed is whole, what was broken is healed, what was dead is a live. Jesus Christ, not Caesar, is Lord.
-CryptoLutheran
