I see allot of debate about symbols and their relation to the Christian walk in the forums. From comments about the cross, to a debate about the pentagram...
The symbols of the cross, the 6-pointed star (aka Star of David), the 5-pointed star (pentacle), the wheel, and so many others are symbols found in cultures that existed before even Abraham's time. All of these symbols mentioned above have at one time or another been major symbols in Judaism, and in Christianity. Some of them have been twisted in the last 100 years to mean something that is counter to Christ... But even so, they were used over and again before Christianity hit the scene.
People have some pretty strong opinions about symbols and what should and should not be displayed by a Christian. I can understand, but I have to wonder if we as Christians are giving to much authority to symbols and how they relate to being moral or not.
I have a case-in-point...
ICHTHYS aka the Jesus Fish
Everyone knows of the fish. We see it plastered on bumpers and Bible covers quite often... We all understand that it is something Christians wear and means Jesus somehow....
If you walk up to someone who has this symbol emblazoned on their property or person, most will give you an explanation that seems to line up with a general understanding of the symbol... I have heard people equate it with Jesus providing food for the multitudes, I have heard people explain that we are fishers of men, or "fish" and "Jesus" are spelled the same in Greek... Once in a great while I might hear the actual historical explanation or the literal acronym (Jesus-Christ-God-Son-Savior), but in all reality, the history doesn't really matter, it is about how an individual relates.
Before the Christians had the fish, Nineveh (You know, where Jonah went?) had Dagon, and his symbol was at times... You guessed it, the fish (well, grain too, another symbol used by Christians, just not a popular)...
The way the ICHTHYS is drawn is not exclusive to Christians (with the exception of when the eye is drawn as a cross). Certain pagan religions have used this outline to represent genetalia of a goddess. The drawing of the fish as a symbol of fertility goddesses outdate Christianity...
Does the idea that a false gods have used this symbol first diminish the meaning we have given it today? Does the ICHTHYS now represent something different to you, or can you still associate the ideas you have attached to it above the prior meanings?
SO...
Do you think symbols expressing complex ideology have a place in Christianity?
Do you know the long history of the symbols you adopt?
What symbols have meaning for you?
The symbols of the cross, the 6-pointed star (aka Star of David), the 5-pointed star (pentacle), the wheel, and so many others are symbols found in cultures that existed before even Abraham's time. All of these symbols mentioned above have at one time or another been major symbols in Judaism, and in Christianity. Some of them have been twisted in the last 100 years to mean something that is counter to Christ... But even so, they were used over and again before Christianity hit the scene.
People have some pretty strong opinions about symbols and what should and should not be displayed by a Christian. I can understand, but I have to wonder if we as Christians are giving to much authority to symbols and how they relate to being moral or not.
I have a case-in-point...
ICHTHYS aka the Jesus Fish
Everyone knows of the fish. We see it plastered on bumpers and Bible covers quite often... We all understand that it is something Christians wear and means Jesus somehow....
If you walk up to someone who has this symbol emblazoned on their property or person, most will give you an explanation that seems to line up with a general understanding of the symbol... I have heard people equate it with Jesus providing food for the multitudes, I have heard people explain that we are fishers of men, or "fish" and "Jesus" are spelled the same in Greek... Once in a great while I might hear the actual historical explanation or the literal acronym (Jesus-Christ-God-Son-Savior), but in all reality, the history doesn't really matter, it is about how an individual relates.
Before the Christians had the fish, Nineveh (You know, where Jonah went?) had Dagon, and his symbol was at times... You guessed it, the fish (well, grain too, another symbol used by Christians, just not a popular)...
The way the ICHTHYS is drawn is not exclusive to Christians (with the exception of when the eye is drawn as a cross). Certain pagan religions have used this outline to represent genetalia of a goddess. The drawing of the fish as a symbol of fertility goddesses outdate Christianity...
Does the idea that a false gods have used this symbol first diminish the meaning we have given it today? Does the ICHTHYS now represent something different to you, or can you still associate the ideas you have attached to it above the prior meanings?
SO...
Do you think symbols expressing complex ideology have a place in Christianity?
Do you know the long history of the symbols you adopt?
What symbols have meaning for you?