The Crucifix

Evangelicals have long been an advocate for the empty cross as a Christian symbol stressing the Resurrection, that Christ is no longer on the cross because God has raised him from the dead. Unfortunately, Evangelicals have completely lost the beautiful artistry of the crucifix and often find it a symbol not of Orthodox Christianity but of the Roman Catholic Church. Though the wounds of division still bleed, I have seen more hope recently of both sides, Catholic and Protestants, seeing one another as brothers rather than enemies in a world increasingly hostile of truly Biblical worldviews. As an Evangelical/Reformed/Protestant Christian I am urging Protestants to take a fresh look at the Crucifix, though Catholics may benefit as well.

The Crucifix may not be so much a symbol to remind us of Christ's death or even of what Christ did for us but rather a symbol to remind us of how we should live for Christ and for one another. It is a reminder that we must constantly die to ourselves so that Christ may live in us. It is a reminder that we should place other people's interest before our own. It is a reminder that life as a Christian is sacrifice and not the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.

The same can be said concerning our identity as heirs of Abraham, that all Christians are also included into the family of the Chosen Ones. This is not an exclusive club to horde blessings (sometimes we even think we earned the blessings through our personal righteousness...we cannot earn grace!) as we blame the heathens for their own distress. Rather Abraham and all who have become his heirs are to be a blessing to the nations. Not to look inward in arrogance but to look outward in mercy.

It is at the cross that we must learn it was love that drove Jesus to non-violent action, and that non-violent action overcame Hell and all its power for the sake of you and me.

They Know Not What They Do

Maybe the worst moment in church history was when the Pope around 1000 A.D. declared that the Crusades were just and heaven would be granted to all who fought and were killed during the wars. By justifying the Crusades, in one small declaration, the Church had bowed to the spirit of the age, that is the spirit of domination, and we still live under its shadow.

When Jesus died on the cross his words were "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." He did not use violence to overcome evil for violence is evil. Instead, he used love and forgiveness to conquer death. We are instructed to do likewise.

Stephen, the first Martyr of the church, proved to us that it can be done. When being stoned he ask for the Father to forgive the stone throwers. This act of nonviolence is the call of the church and has been since the Crucifixion.

Yet in the name of security, we wage war against terrorist and Christians seem to be okay with this. But we cannot overcome evil with evil. If we use violence to dethrone the god of violence, even if we win, the god of violence still rules...only now he rules in us.

Jesus and Stephen were not passive in their resistance to the authorities. Instead they were overcoming evil with good, understanding a larger picture was at stake. That larger picture was the truth that the men who pinned Jesus to the cross or who threw the stones at Stephen really were victims of a greater and more evil power that they unwittingly succumbed to. To destroy them would not destroy the power that ruled them but would be to submit to that same power.

By forgiving them they were not overcome by evil, and through the Resurrection of Christ they defeated those powers with good.

Presumption

There is a sense in which violence always involves idolatry. Follow the
blood of the innocents to the foot of the idols. For what and for whom
are human beings willing to kill? Even against the "guilty," violence
involves an idolatrous and preemptive exploit of the divine prerogative.
This is more than merely "God on our side." Whether it is in the death
penalty or war, the exercise of official violence generally presumes to
know or to execute (which is to say, usurp) the judgment of God who
alone holds the power of life and death.
--Bill Wylie-Kellerman as found in The Witness.