ODB: Controversy Of The Cross
July 4, 2011
Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross.
READ: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25
The message of the cross is . . . the power of God. —1 Corinthians 1:18
A case before the US Supreme Court focused on whether a religious symbol, specifically a cross, should be allowed on public land. Mark Sherman, writing for the Associated Press, said that although the cross in question was erected in 1934 as a memorial to soldiers who died in World War I, one veteran’s group that opposed it called the cross “a powerful Christian symbol” and “not a symbol of any other religion.”
The cross has always been controversial. In the first century, the apostle Paul said that Christ had sent him “to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:17-18). As followers of Christ, we see the cross as more than a powerful Christian symbol. It is the evidence of God’s power to free us from the tyranny of our sin.
In a diverse and pluralistic society, the controversy over religious symbols will continue. Whether a cross can be displayed on public property will likely be determined by the courts. But displaying the power of the cross through our lives will be decided in our hearts.
— David C. McCasland
Source: Our Daily Bread
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I agree that the cross is important. It is a symbol that reminds us that God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, for our sins, and free us from the trap of sin – giving us eternal life.
But I believe that displaying the power of the cross, telling its meaning, and sharing how it affects or affected our life matters more than the symbol itself. Those things can bring more people to God and together we can all receive and celebrate God’s grace and mercy!
Hi Nonie, just a thought on a personal level. When Jesus wanted his disciples to carry their cross daily, we don’t recalled that they did it literally. Having said this, it will be wise not to be too insistent about public display of the physical cross. For the world looks at the speech and behavior while we go about professing our Christian faith. It is far more where we put our cross, on a public square or around our neck. You know where I am driving at, don’t you. Nonie, i hope you don’t mind addressing your name this way, definitely the cross is more than just a symbol to us who believe based on 1 Cor. 1:16-18 and we can be proud of it.
Hello Alex. I totally agree that it’s not just a symbol and that other factors matter too when its about Christian faith. I’m sorry but I’m just not good at expressing my feelings when it comes to writing it down like this. But I do understand and agree about your perspective.