Personal Review of the Cross
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Running head: PERSONAL REVIEW OF THE CROSS
PersonalReview of the Cross
PersonalReview of the Cross
Thebiblical doctrine about ‘The Cross’ causes confusion due tovaried interpretations among world religions and denominations. Thereis a section of world population that argues against the reality ofthe cross, whereas another unit exaggerates the significance of “TheCross” to suit personal conviction. In this regard, there does notexist a common understanding among Christians on this subject. Tocomprehend the relevance of ‘The Cross’, it would be important torespond to several questions, for example, whether people obtaingreat happiness or what was the appearance of the crucifix? It is theutmost manifestation of Jesus thus, it is imperative to highlightits correlation to Christian beliefs and activities. At this point, Iwill scrutinize the underlying facts of the cross by looking at itsrelevance to Christian teachings.
DoPeople Obtain Great Joy?
Thesign is the chief feature of Jesus, which separates Him from allorganisms in earth. As a Christian symbol, the cross is treasured andheld in high regard by people internationally. It is, “Theprincipal symbol of the Christian religion.” Although the sign is apredominant element in Christianity, I understand there is a group ofChristians that do not recognize it as figure. Does the Bible supportthe notion held that Jesus perished on the crucifix that we refer toas the cross today? Does venerating the symbol mean we are performingPagan performances or is it a representation beyond man’sunderstanding?
TheReal Truth (2017) posits that the Greek translation of the sign is“stau·ros.” In this regard, it means a straight pole. However,it does not refer to two parts of wood positioned across one anotherat any direction. The Greek or New Testament wordings do not speak of“two pieces of timber.” Numerous texts including the Bible denoteit as a weapon utilized in Jesus’s execution and eventual death(Acts 5:30 10:39 13:29 Galatians 3:13 1 Peter 2:24) Thus, itobviously refers to “lumber,” “stick,” “club,” or “tree.”
Whatwas the Form of the Cross?
Onecan consider the execution of Jesus as a ritual, but it is importantto note why his tormentor used a cross. The Romans used numerousforms of crucifixion, particularly actual trees, crossbars, uprightpoles, and several poles (Murray, 2017). However, numerous texts inthe Bible support the idea that Jesus was killed on a cross. First,the persecutors ordered Jesus to carry his cross (John 19:17 Matt27:32). It is imperative to point out that a full cross would havebeen too heavy for him to carry thus, he probably carried thepatibulum. The Romans did not have the custom of executing people onmodest erect poles, which shows that the crucifixion of Jesus did notoccur in a pole. Moreover, in this method they would have lifted himup. The spikes on his wrists help to discard the notion of the simpleupright pole.
Pauldeclares: “Christ purchased us, releasing us from the curse of theLaw by becoming a curse instead of us, because it is written:‘Accursed’ is every man hung upon a stake” (Galatians 3:13). Iunderstand that Paul meant that it was not proper to crucify Jesus ona pole, as it would have made him “a curse.” In this regard, mycomprehension is that Jesus was executed on a cross with a propercross-plank. Although it is difficult to construe the exact form ofthe crucifix, it is significant to note that a rood with a patibulumwas the ideal tool.
TheMisguided Perception Regarding the Cross
TheBible and related texts do not have any evidence that people used thesymbol in worshiping for the first 300 years after his death. It wasnot a mainstream element in Christian iconography since peoplethought it portrayed a horrible and painful approach of publicexecution. Before the advent of Christianity, numerous civilizationused it for both religious and ornamental significance. The cross’widespread acceptance started in the 14thcentury. Emperor Constantine adopted Christian and promoted thesymbol as an element of Christianity. Although people perceive hismotives differently, for instance, some says that he embraced it toappease Christians while others opine that it was the cross thatallowed him to become a Christian (Longenecker,2015).Longenecker(2015) asserts that he had a vision in which he saw a crucifix andthe words, “Conquer by this sign,” which inspired him to convert.According to The Real Truth (2017), it is paganin origin. Moreover, its use in both Christian and pre-civilizationcultures shows that it has religious and worldly elements.
Roleof the Cross as a Perpetual Reminder
Sinceit has pagan aspects, why do people promote it? I see the cross as anadoption of paganism customs and traditions, which means it does nothave anything to do with the true principles of Christians.Ostensibly, Constantine embraced and supported its use in themainstream Christianity to allow pagans convert. Murray (2017) positsthat pagans had used the sign, so the emperor thought that by makingit a Christian symbol, they would willingly convert. However, theBible denounces any devoutness to Pagan representation. This meansthat one should worship God in truth and spirit (John 4:23). To me,people should not hold the cross as a significant aspect of God’steachings or instructions, but they should heed to His true element,the Bible.
TheAccurate Discernment
Today,it is a representation of the atonement and brings to mind the lovethat God showed to the humanity. Thus, it signifies Jesus’accomplishment over iniquity and death, as Christians believe thatthrough demise and rebirth, he conquered death. I do not understandwhy people use the tool of death and torment to represent the love ofGod for the humanity. Today, people make numerous crosses and embedin them pictures of Jesus, but they forget that the true devotion toGod is not through symbols but through faith and belief. SomeChristians have adopted the sign as their true devotion to God, butgiven the greed that accompany their beliefs, it is imperative tonote that the cross should not hold a high place in religion. It is acreation of syncretism, the bonding of approaches of worship andpagan cultures with the true adoration of God. Jesus condemns anylink to paganism, which shows that the symbol is not a correctrepresentation of one’s faith in God.
MyThoughts on the Cross
Numeroustexts assert that it is not a Christian representation since it hasits roots in pagan cultures. People say that it is still applicablein Christian faith for numerous reasons. First, it signifies thedeath of Jesus. Furthermore, they use it worship God. The perceptionmaybe right, but it fails to consider that God does not see peoplefor what they use to worship. It is the heart of an individual thatmatters. By using the cross, people constantly remind themselves ofthe undying love of Jesus. However, they should not glorify in apagan representation, but instead praise what the death of Jesusattained by worshiping God. Paul writes, But God forbid that I shouldglory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the worldhas been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).Furthermore, people do not use it today to worship pagan deities, butto illustrate their devotion to God. This means that it is what wemake of it in our impartial opinion. This means that instead of usinga piece of wood to show our love for God, we should forsake all falsereligions, pagan symbols, and rituals.
Conclusion
Theknowledge of the cross is crucial for a better Christian life. It iscritical to understand the argument behind different lines of thoughtand beliefs to have the comprehensive knowledge. The reasoning behindevery argument tends to produce succinct conviction on what peoplebelieve. However, the real understanding can be found from thebiblical teachings, which provides the major point of reference. Thewrong focus provides the pagan interpretation, which serves for thebenefit of individual contentment and belief. The bible offers aclear picture of the appearance and significance of the cross, whichrepresents the right focus any Christian should adopt.
References
Longenecker,B. W. (2015). Thecross before Constantine: The early life of a Christian symbol.Augsburg Fortress Publishers.
Murray,A. (2017). Thecross of Christ.Gideon House Books.
TheReal Truth (2017). Should you wear a “Christian” cross? TheReal Truth.Retrieved 2 April 2017 fromhttps://realtruth.org/articles/110408-001-religion.html
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