Why Crosses and Crucifixes?

[farouk]

@Wynona Yes the ICHTHUS fish symbol was apparently often used by early Christians who would write it in the dust with their staffs; and if they met someone they would see if the other person recognized it. Kind of a password, I suppose.

 

[Cassandra]

I posted it, because I thought the purpose of Christ's pain on the Cross was getting clouded by the ouch thing. I found it distasteful. I'm sorry. I still do.

 

[Lambano]

Personally, I prefer the Icathus (Fish symbol).

@Wynona Yes the ICHTHUS fish symbol was apparently often used by early Christians who would write it in the dust with their staffs; and if they met someone they would see if the other person recognized it. Kind of a password, I suppose.

From Wikipedia:

ἸΧΘΥΣ (IKhThUS), or also ἸΧΘΥϹ with a lunate sigma, is an acronym or acrostic[9] for "Ἰησοῦς Χρῑστός Θεοῦ Υἱός Σωτήρ", Iēsoûs Khrīstós, Theoû Huiós, Sōtḗr; contemporary Koine, which translates into English as 'Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior'.

• Iota (i), Iēsoûs (Ἰησοῦς), "Jesus"
• Chi (ch), Khrīstós (Χρῑστός), "anointed"
• Theta (th), Theoû (Θεοῦ), "of God", the genitive singular of Θεóς, Theós, "God"
• Upsilon (y or u), (h)uiós[10] (Yἱός), "Son"
• Sigma (s), sōtḗr (Σωτήρ), "Savior"

 

[farouk]

I posted it, because I thought the purpose of Christ's pain on the Cross was getting clouded by the ouch thing. I found it distasteful. I'm sorry. I still do.

@Cassandra It's all about receiving by faith the meaning His sufferings at the Cross; Isaiah 53 is so moving; and Peter could speak of 'the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow'.

 

[farouk]

From Wikipedia:

ἸΧΘΥΣ (IKhThUS), or also ἸΧΘΥϹ with a lunate sigma, is an acronym or acrostic[9] for "Ἰησοῦς Χρῑστός Θεοῦ Υἱός Σωτήρ", Iēsoûs Khrīstós, Theoû Huiós, Sōtḗr; contemporary Koine, which translates into English as 'Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior'.

• Iota (i), Iēsoûs (Ἰησοῦς), "Jesus"
• Chi (ch), Khrīstós (Χρῑστός), "anointed"
• Theta (th), Theoû (Θεοῦ), "of God", the genitive singular of Θεóς, Theós, "God"
• Upsilon (y or u), (h)uiós[10] (Yἱός), "Son"
• Sigma (s), sōtḗr (Σωτήρ), "Savior"

@Lambano Thanks; and I guess also, since writing the fish symbol in the dust with one's staff was an early practice, having a small fish symbol on one's foot as a tattoo functions essentially in a similar way, right? (for those motivated to use it as such).

 

[Cassandra]

@Cassandra It's all about receiving by faith the meaning His sufferings at the Cross; Isaiah 53 is so moving; and Peter could speak of 'the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow'.

That's what I think too. The separation from His Father was almost unbearable for Him.

 

[farouk]

That's what I think too. The separation from His Father was almost unbearable for Him.

@Cassandra The "It is finished" (John 19.30) is unfathomable...

 

[Lambano]

@Lambano Thanks; and I guess also, since writing the fish symbol in the dust with one's staff was an early practice, having a small fish symbol on one's foot as a tattoo functions essentially in a similar way, right? (for those motivated to use it as such).

Works for me. My wife has butterfly tattoos, symbolizing resurrection.

 

[farouk]

Works for me. My wife has butterfly tattoos, symbolizing resurrection.

@Lambano So more than one, then? Yes, they can be an effective talking point, if the person is motivated to use the tattoos as a witness tool.

 

[farouk]

.... I appreciate the thought and effort put into the topic.

@Wynona So how do you think the thread is going so far...?

 

[Wynona]

I posted it, because I thought the purpose of Christ's pain on the Cross was getting clouded by the ouch thing. I found it distasteful. I'm sorry. I still do.

If it works better, I can edit the post that says that.

I didn't mean anything bad but it's not worth it if it truly bothers you.

 

[Wynona]

@Wynona So how do you think the thread is going so far...?

Truthfully, better than I expected.

 

[Enoch111]

Those with no understanding seem to enjoy the thought of actually watching Jesus's crucifixion.

Well let's not forget that it was God the Father who was primarily watching His Son on the cross. Not for the sake of enjoying His sufferings, but for the sake of seeing that the penalty for the sins of the world was paid it full. At the same time God the Father hid the sufferings of Christ from mortal men -- particularly His enemies -- by bringing supernatural darkness upon the earth from noon to 3:00 p.m. But God could see clearly through that darkness into the very soul of Christ. It is God who planned and pre-determined the crucifixion. And therefore it is central to the Gospel.

 

[farouk]

Beautiful! My late brother in Christ would've agreed with you whole-heartedly! One of his favorite Bible verses which he quoted often was Galatians 5:20:

"...the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

@Lambano Great verse there in Galatians; I think it was Luther's favorite Epistle. Such a short Bible book with so much in it...

 

[Desire Of All Nations]

Whether you like it or not, the cross stands for Christianity. It is not to be used as a talisman or a charm or an idol, but it is an indirect statement of the Gospel. Paul said that he preached Christ, and Him crucified. So if there is a massive cross behind every pulpit, it should remind every person that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And to /do so He was made SIN for us (He who knew no sin).

The cross does not stand for biblical Christianity. There is no record of any Christian in the Bible using a pagan symbol to symbolize Christianity, nor did God ever ask or command anybody to utilize such a symbol for His religion. The adoration of crucifixes didn't become a thing until Catholicism absorbed pagan traditions and whitewash them as Christian.

I've said it concerning pagan holidays, and i'll say it when it comes to this: man has zero authority to determine what is holy or what God is supposed accept as Christian. Christians are supposed to treat everything God has already deemed to be holy as holy, and nothing in the Bible talks about crucifixes being treated as holy. It was something that killed Christ, and the Bible portrays it as an instrument by which He was humiliated and put to shame. There is nothing holy about crucifixes whatsoever, and the 1st century Christians would be rather appalled at how modern "Christianity" venerates them so much when they were staples in the Tammuz cult.

It only goes to show how ironic that is that adherents of Orthodox Christianity accuse people who don't subscribe to their doctrines as cult members when they're the ones subscribing to all of the beliefs and traditions of pagan cults.

The strange thing though is that many genuine Christians do not comprehend what really happened at the cross. We may never comprehend it fully, but there is enough Scripture to show us that an enormous price was paid at the cross during those three dark hours.

There isn't a single adherent of Orthodox Christianity that really comprehends Christ's sacrifice or the enormous risk the Word took in becoming a human being. If they did, they would understand what the Bible really teaches about the role Christ's sacrifice plays in the Christian life.

@Wynona

susieq — LiveJournal
susieq.livejournal.com

That isn't Christian either. It's a symbol of the Philistine god Dagon.

 

[Enoch111]

The cross does not stand for biblical Christianity.

I said that the cross stands for Christianity. Not "biblical Christianity" but Christianity as distinct from all other religions. No matter where you go in this world, non-Christians who see the cross identify it with Christianity.

At the same time, Paul uses "cross" and "crucified" as applying to Christians. Now that is biblical Christianity. And it was Christ who first applied "cross" to Christians.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (Mt 10:38; Mk 8:34; 10:21; Lk 9:23; 14:27)

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor 1:17,18)

 

[Heart2Soul]

Think about it. We make a tradition out of crosses and crucifixes. We do it to show honor.


But does Jesus want to constantly be reminded of the most traumatic time of his life?

I mean, a cross was a Roman execution device. Maybe Jesus sees it and thinks, "Ouch."

Sometimes I think we think of Jesus as a symbol rather than relating to Him as a person.

Maybe He'd prefer Veggitales to the Passion of the Christ.

Personally, I prefer the Icathus (Fish symbol).

I find it interesting that Jesus says to take up our cross daily and follow Him...
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
— Luke 9:23 (KJV)
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”
— Luke 14:27 (KJV)
“And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”
— Matthew 10:38 (KJV)

Now this is obviously not a physical cross...but what does Jesus mean by take up our cross daily?

 

[Enoch111]

Now this is obviously not a physical cross...but what does Jesus mean by take up our cross daily?

It means crucifying or mortifying "the flesh" daily and obeying Christ -- following Christ. While "the flesh" -- or the power of the sin nature -- was destroyed on the cross of Christ, we are to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive unto God. Which means that temptations should have no impact on Christians (like water off a duck's back). Paul says "Sin SHALL NOT have dominion over you". That needs to become a reality.

 

[MatthewG]

The cross is the symbol of love for God and love for mankind.

Without the cross, there is no love for God or love for mankind.

Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ in what he had done. He didn’t just stay there. They took him down. Buried him, and rolled a stone over the tomb. Three days later. The stone was moved over and the Lord Jesus Christ had been resurrected.

As heart2soul mentioned we too take up our own cross.

Dying daily to self, and become crucified with the Lord, being buried also with him, and raising again to new spiritual life.

Glory to God.

 

[quietthinker]

The cross is the symbol of love for God and love for mankind.

Without the cross, there is no love for God or love for mankind.

Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ in what he had done. He didn’t just stay there. They took him down. Buried him, and rolled a stone over the tomb. Three days later. The stone was moved over and the Lord Jesus Christ had been resurrected.

As heart2soul mentioned we too take up our own cross.

Dying daily to self, and become crucified with the Lord, being buried also with him, and raising again to new spiritual life.

Glory to God.

The Hebrews made an idol out of the bronze snake Moses fashioned in the desert.
The religious Jews get about with 'boxes' tired to their foreheads with scripture in them and little plastic scrolls nailed to their doorposts.

I will refrain from telling you what muslims do or what Hindus do in the same vane or even what an avid football fan displays in their enthusiasm.

All these things enable hiding from the reality of what is going on.

....and herein is my signature in red appropriate:
'What men want is a method of forgetting God that shall pass as a method of remembering him'