cross necklaces image worship?

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Shilo

Shilo

Senior Member
#1
Aug 31, 2011
1,980
103
63
#1
I received a cross necklace in the mail I did not send for it or anything. I looked the cross up on the net and it is from ancient Egypt and has been used by Celtic People for 3000 years. It is from what I found a symbol of Baal. A Christian organization sent this cross to me. I am not going to keep it any more but what about the other cross necklaces are they image worship? I find it comforting to drive by a cross at a church. The cross it the sign of God that he has overcome the enemy.

Ex 20:4-5 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them.

Lev 26:1 Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it.

Exodus 34:17 "Do not make cast idols.

Leviticus 19:4 "'Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves. I am the LORD your God

Deuteronomy 4:15 You saw no form of any kind the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully,

Deuteronomy 4:16 so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman,

Dt 27:15 cursed is the man who carves an image or cast an idol a thing detestable to the lord

 
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Geometar

Geometar

Banned
#2
Nov 22, 2012
626
2
0
#2
1 Corinthians 1:18

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
 
M

MaggieMye

Guest
#3
#3
There are MANY crosses on necklace and also wall hangings that are pagan in nature. Hos 4:6, right? Many of the Celtic crosses, if researched, are found to be of pagan origin and they are attempts to MIX Christianity with other, occultic, religions. Buyer beware....KNOW what you are buying and the origin of the design and what it Truly stands for.

Maggie
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#4
#4
The bible says not to make an image to worship. Does wearing a cross automatically mean i'm worshiping an idol? Of course not, thats just silly thinking.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#5
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
3,670
113
#5
Regardless of their origin the current meaning is what matters and most associate the cross with the Christian faith of all stripes and err umm the bling bling thing.
Anyhow try a crucifix in your protestant Church and watch instant legalism sprout out of a 'church of liberty' ...umm maybe not, it would cause stumbling galore.
I know, I know they would say that is making an image of God or 'we don't know what Jesus looked like'
You don't? You have Him plastered all over your Sunday School curriculum.
Yes the message of the cross still offends both in word and in picture form.
 
S

StephenH

Guest
#6
#6
I don't believe it is image worship. For me, personally, it makes me remember what Christ did for us. I do believe that many people wear crosses because they believe it is the 'cool' thing to do, when in reality they aren't saved and don't realize the significance of the cross.
 
1

1still_waters

Guest
#7
#7
Let's slow down and read what it actually says.

SLOOOOOOW...

DOOOOWNNN


and read..........

Exodus 20

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. KJV

Let's get real, real, real literal here, as we slow down and read what it says. What does it say?

It doesn't simply say not to make an image in the likeness of God. That's what people hear when they don't slow down and read.

Again, what does it say?

It says don't make an image or likeness of ANYTHING that is in heaven above, or Earth beneath, or in the water under the Earth.

If we're going to get literal here, and I mean literal, we can't have images or likenesses of ANYTHING that's in heaven, on the Earth or in the seas.

The LITERAL definition of ANYTHING means God and non-God stuff.

Are humans on this Earth?
YES!
Are pictures of humans images?
YES!
Does having an image of a human that's on this Earth violate the commandment that says not to have an image or likeness of things in heaven, or Earth or in the sea?


See how dicey this gets?

We may have to get rid of all paintings, all sculptures and the like, if we truly interpret this scripture "literally".

On the other hand, what is this verse really getting at?
Is it a verse against having paintings of rabbits, seeing rabbits are on the earth?
Of course not!

It's a command against worshipping stuff made by the hands of man.

So is a cross ok?

I think so.

If you disagree because i'm not taking it "literally" then I'm going to suggest you get rid of any paintings, pictures and the like that you have.Because that would truly be a "literal" application.
 
Jon4TheCross

Jon4TheCross

Senior Member
#8
Oct 19, 2012
1,864
7
38
#8
We should not assume that we know the reason why any specific person has a picture of a cross, wears a cross, has a tattoo of a cross, etc.

1Sa_16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

We must not be quick to judge according to assumptions and beliefs of why a person is doing what they are doing, or saying what they are saying. Why? That is such an important question, and most of the time only God knows.

We must love, and talking to someone about why they are doing what they are doing is acceptable, and then uniting in an agreement of why WE are going to do what WE are going to do together.
 
G

Graybeard

Guest
#9
#9
I have a friend who wears a silver cross on a silver chain around his neck, just last night we had an argument about a preacher who had a gold earring in his one ear, he was asking why would the preacher dude be wearing an earring and I said probably the same reason for him(my friend) wearing his chain and cross. He said no as the cross was a gift from someone and he wears it for comfort and it makes him "feel" closer to God.

I don't have a problem with people wearing a cross, but when it becomes as my friend explained to me...that I feel can be idolatry...could I be wrong?
 
Jon4TheCross

Jon4TheCross

Senior Member
#10
Oct 19, 2012
1,864
7
38
#10
Graybeard said:
I have a friend who wears a silver cross on a silver chain around his neck, just last night we had an argument about a preacher who had a gold earring in his one ear, he was asking why would the preacher dude be wearing an earring and I said probably the same reason for him(my friend) wearing his chain and cross. He said no as the cross was a gift from someone and he wears it for comfort and it makes him "feel" closer to God.

I don't have a problem with people wearing a cross, but when it becomes as my friend explained to me...that I feel can be idolatry...could I be wrong?
Click to expand...
You could be wrong, and you could be right concerning this specific person. Idolatry is also serving things above God, like persuing luxuries while the least of these my brethren are suffering at a level which can be prevented.

Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

If idolatry is the subject, maybe we should consider talking about covetousness as well. We all know there is a level of suffering in this world in many specific persons which can be eased, prevented, or annihilated in certain specific persons. Most choose to ignore the suffering of many in order to suffer less themselves. Covetousness is a huge problem, a temporary one, but we can do much to fight it if we fight it together.
 
K

kenisyes

Guest
#11
#11
The oldest authentic Christian cross in the world, the freshest holy water or blessed oil, even a consecrated Eucharistic host won't repel a demon. The authority of the believer will.

The more sensitive among us, are frequently asked by God, to either take the curse off of things we own, or just to throw them away. You are clothed in Christ's image; whatever else you wear is no offense, unless to you or your brother who is looking at it and judging you in his weak faith.
 
R

Rock022

Banned
#12
Dec 5, 2012
885
5
0
#12
Remember majority of the people did not know how to read, and today still a large part of the population can not read either. The religions we have in america today came from the other side of the world. The culture that came from Italy, france, spain, they would use their sculpture and painting skills to express stories of the bible. People would be walking around and see a sculpture of a mother with a baby both with halos around their head and people were reminded of the blessed virgin Mary and Lord Jesus Christ. the same would go for any object like a cross with Jesus Christ in it, and so much more. Those religions that came from the northern areas where more vocal in their stories by singing, many songs have that immediate impact on a person as a sculpture does. They hear the song and remember the bible stories.

Having images, objects or songs can remind us of what we are supposed to do. Praise God. Next time you walk around and see a religious icon, instead of putting on your judgment hat, ask your self. What is the story? and praise God.
 
P

Powemm

Guest
#13
#13
I receive crosses from
Patients and friends... Do I worship it ? No... Do I cherish the love in people's hearts who give them and does it remind me of what all Jesus is doing in me ... Sure does... I hope those reminders never leave ....as times are growing shorter and shorter to extinguish such reminders out .... gods word that we read is in a book is the binding of the book Wich is hand made by man then become an idol of worship? No we cherish the love he left for us.. His love letters to us ....
in Christ ... We know he has come off the cross and walking around in the world .. ... Revealing to all of us who He is in and through us ...
God is good all the time and all the time God is good ...
Peace and freedom in Christ
Chelle
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#14
Nov 24, 2012
30,742
3,670
113
#14
whatever images comes through the eyegate must be processed into words which are processed into meaningful thoughts whereas a preached word (rhema) is immediately processed into thoughts via the eargate. This extra 'processing' step only adds to the greater risk of interpretive error. In other words I'll receive a more accurate account of the Gospel through the preached /taught word than having a cross or crucifix put in front. of me.
 
zone

zone

Senior Member
#15
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
164
63
#15
1still_waters said:
Let's slow down and read what it actually says.

SLOOOOOOW...

DOOOOWNNN


and read..........

Exodus 20

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. KJV

Let's get real, real, real literal here, as we slow down and read what it says. What does it say?

It doesn't simply say not to make an image in the likeness of God. That's what people hear when they don't slow down and read.

Again, what does it say?

It says don't make an image or likeness of ANYTHING that is in heaven above, or Earth beneath, or in the water under the Earth.

If we're going to get literal here, and I mean literal, we can't have images or likenesses of ANYTHING that's in heaven, on the Earth or in the seas.

The LITERAL definition of ANYTHING means God and non-God stuff.

Are humans on this Earth?
YES!
Are pictures of humans images?
YES!
Does having an image of a human that's on this Earth violate the commandment that says not to have an image or likeness of things in heaven, or Earth or in the sea?


See how dicey this gets?

We may have to get rid of all paintings, all sculptures and the like, if we truly interpret this scripture "literally".

On the other hand, what is this verse really getting at?
Is it a verse against having paintings of rabbits, seeing rabbits are on the earth?
Of course not!

It's a command against worshipping stuff made by the hands of man.

So is a cross ok?

I think so.

If you disagree because i'm not taking it "literally" then I'm going to suggest you get rid of any paintings, pictures and the like that you have.Because that would truly be a "literal" application.
Click to expand...


Still NEVER lets me take stuff literal.
TSK.
 
pickles

pickles

Senior Member
#16
Apr 20, 2009
14,479
182
63
#16
As long as one does not woship the cross image or any image, its all ok.
I wear a cross not for me, but as a statement, a witness to Jesus.
Often one seeing the cross worn, has brought the questions, that open the door to giving answers, the oppertunity to witness. :)
No different than how I dress, live and treat others, all is witness. :)

God bless
pickles
 
zone

zone

Senior Member
#17
Jun 13, 2010
27,214
164
63
#17
pickles said:
As long as one does not woship the cross image or any image, its all ok.
I wear a cross not for me, but as a statement, a witness to Jesus.
Often one seeing the cross worn, has brought the questions, that open the door to giving answers, the oppertunity to witness. :)
No different than how I dress, live and treat others, all is witness. :)

God bless
pickles
Click to expand...
amen pickles.
that little silver cross has opened up discussion about our faith; and has identified me to other believers i would not otherwise have known were my family:)...they say hello because of it at times.
there are more of us than meets the eye in this busy world.
zone
 
K

kenisyes

Guest
#18
#18
zone said:


Still NEVER lets me take stuff literal.
TSK.
Click to expand...
Sorry I missed this when he wrote it. The Hebrew means a graven image to be used as an idol. It does not refer to a painting of your mother. Or to coins, or the cherubim on the ark, or Sumerian cylinder seals, used for identification. The issue is in the intention.
 
Shilo

Shilo

Senior Member
#19
Aug 31, 2011
1,980
103
63
#19
Well I woke up today thinking of Pope Gregory II. He fought very hard to keep images in the church. His fight paved the way for the church to get temporal powers. The “ struggle over images” in the church has been going on and most likely will continue. Emperor Leo III felt there should not be images in the church and was having them destroyed in one of the periods of Iconoclasm. He used the old Testament about not having images for his reasons to destroy the images. The Pope did not agree and the struggle over images in the church at that time began.
 
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