If Jesus had come later and was beheaded via guillotine, would Christians have those hanging on the wall or over doors or on alters in churches? What if he was hanged? Would they be wearing nooses around their necks? If he was burned at the stake, would they pin matches to their lapels?
Why is the Christian faith usually, not always, symbolized by a death icon when it is the life after he rose that is to be the important part?
It's not that he died that gives humanity hope, it is that he rose from the dead and lived on. Why then are Christians fixated on his death and not his resurrection?
I know someone is going to tell me how it symbolizes his death for our sins... blah blah blah. Anyone can die. It takes more to rise from the dead. That is the miracle.
2007-10-16 02:41:25 · 15 answers · asked by willodrgn 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Betty.. this is hypothetical. You may need to use a little imagination here.
Thom... i know that... i said that in the question. I am saying that ...oh nevermind. You won't get it... you are not reading the question. I know John 3:16. But if that is what your are going to focus on, then why do you have to even worry about if he raised from the dead or not?
2007-10-16 02:49:16 · update #1
Thank you, Sean.
2007-10-16 02:52:27 · update #2
I want a ribbon that says "support our ribbons". Then I want a bracelet that says thanks for all of the fish. Humans love to try to convey complex ideas through simple symbols.
2007-10-16 02:45:56 · answer #1 · answered by Frank B 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The symbol of the fish was used to represent Christians as fishers of men. The Cross without a figure on it represents a risen Christ. It is a foreshadow and promise of what believers will do. 1st Corinthians 15:54-55, 1st Thessalonians 4:17-18...
Matthew Chapters 27 & 28 says a lot and there were others that rose with Christ. He came down from Heaven to be the Sacrifice for all time and all humans who accept Him. The Crucifixtion was a fulfillment of prophesy in the Old Testament as being the suffering Messiah that was not recognized by His people of the Book Isaiah 9:6. Christians Celebrate His Life, Death and Ressurection.
2007-10-16 10:01:36 · answer #2 · answered by ShadowCat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason that Christians use the cross as their symbol is because Jesus himself did. He used the cross as a symbol of commitment to him multiple times, telling his disciples to "take up their cross daily" and follow him (Matthew 16:24; Mark 10:21; Luke 9:23 for examples.). He also stated that anyone who does NOT take up the cross is not worthy of him (Matthew 10:38).
He also established other symbols of his death, including the bread and wine of communion, which they are to take regularly as a reminder of his death, not his resurrection.
Paul continues the emphasis on the cross, stating that his purpose was the preaching of the cross (1 Cor 1:18) and that it was in the cross that he gloried (Gal 6:14) among other things.
So the use of the cross as a symbol of Christianity and commitment to Christ is established within the New Testament and by Jesus himself.
It is not the ONLY symbol of the Christian faith. There are also symbols for the resurrection, the baptism, and most other important events in the life of Christ. So why single it out for criticism?
2007-10-16 09:56:47 · answer #3 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its not that he rose from the dead that is the Miracle....he is GOD, of course he could rise from the dead....the Miracle is the he cared enough about humanity to sacrifice his life to break the bonds of death that we all will suffer if it were not for him. And to answer the first part of your question, I'm sure someone would have come up with a symbol for Christians to remind them of his sacrafice (though I doubt I would wear a miniature guillotine on my necklace, but no symbol is necessary. Having faith is in the heart....there are too many people that have no faith but wear all kinds of symbols suggested the opposite.
2007-10-16 09:50:56 · answer #4 · answered by Sean J 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The crosses in my church are empty. We don't worship a dead savior, we worship a living God. The Crucifixion was the sacrifice, capable of any man, the resurrection was the miracle and the gift. Capable of only one, the Lord Jesus Christ to whom all glory is owed.
2007-10-16 09:52:15 · answer #5 · answered by fire_side_2003 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have a very good point... Jesus was not one bit enthusiastic about having to die on the cross!!! Very few Christians want to admit that...
Hebrews 5:7-8 (NIV) During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered
So you see he was was really scared to die. Good thing that Saint Paul came along later on and finished whatever Jesus still had to suffer in his flesh...
Colossians 1:24 (NIV) Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
And that is why God rewarded Saint Paul with the "stigmatta". He was the first Christian to get it. He was very proud to tell you about it!
Galatians 6:17 (NIV) Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
2007-10-16 09:59:27 · answer #6 · answered by Opus 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you do forget the importance of the cross.
the real purpose of the cross is to remembe that being a Christian means that the world will hate you, will persecute you, and will cause you pain and misery. it is a reminder that the world will cause you pain and death.
The importance of the cross as a symbol is to focus on the fact that being a chrisitian means the world will hate you.
2007-10-16 11:06:36 · answer #7 · answered by lundstroms2004 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are mistaken my dear. We were saved by His death, not His ressurection.
Yes, anyone can die, but would you die like that, especially if you didn't have to?
edit: we remember his death because we are responsible for it through our sin. By remembering this tremendous act of love we hope it will remind us of this love and not to sin anymore.
As far as the method, it is important Jesus died by crucifixion because he had to suffer, not just die. By doing so he made suffering a redemptive power.
2007-10-16 09:44:47 · answer #8 · answered by Thom 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The truth is we cannot wonder what if in life because it won't change what has already happened.You are right without the ressurection his death would be in vain.Let's not wonder why but be thankful that he did.
2007-10-16 09:54:36 · answer #9 · answered by sharen d 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You obviously see the point. That is one reason Jehovah's Witnesses do not wear (or put on display) a cross.
2007-10-16 10:02:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋