IS THE CROSS PAGAN ?

[Hizikyah]

According to the original texts, it was likely a pole and not a "t" shape....

From my studying the history of "crucifixion", not saying it is 100% correct, because honestly it was hard to find "solid" info especially of accurate dates of different methods...

It started as being impaled on a sharp pole, then went to nailed to a pole, then to a "x" shape, then to a "t" shape....

 

[Word_Swordsman]

Yet again I've been looking through the books and internet. I focused on 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

The English "tree" is from Greek [FONT=&quot]ξύλον[/FONT][FONT=&quot] (xylon[/FONT]) which more closely identifies a structure more likened to a natural tree trunk with suitable branches, assembled by wooden staves. Straight poles were favored for burning people "at the stake", there being no intent to prolong misery. The emperor Nero in Rome favored the pole, upon which were tied Christians soaked in pitch to provide torch light along the main street leading to his palace for special events there. Had the Roman army chosen a pole they would have hung him on it by the neck, or made to be a human torch.

There's a lot of variation attributed to whichever band of Roman guards were involved in anything, the Italian band being used to carry out Jesus' crucifixion. It has often been assumed to copy Nero's method by some, but Nero applied the pole method about 64 AD when those soldiers were retiring to civilian life. The Jewish priests appeared to desire the most dreaded instrument that afforded the most agony, which would be the Roman's half tau stave cross complete with half seat. Much effort was spent to keep the convicted criminals alive as long as possible to allow the largest audience, then end the spectacle by hastening death by sword or spear to vital parts, followed by breaking leg bones to detect signs of remaining life. In Jesus' case they didn't break bones per prophecy fulfillment, finding Him well dead from the spear wound to His side.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

From my studying the history of "crucifixion", not saying it is 100% correct, because honestly it was hard to find "solid" info especially of accurate dates of different methods...

It started as being impaled on a sharp pole, then went to nailed to a pole, then to a "x" shape, then to a "t" shape....

There's only a single physical evidence of Roman crucifixion from the first century AD. Very interesting find from the 1970s.
Everything else I'm reading is somewhat built off textual descriptions, art, and speculation. This spike left in a man's heel and other injuries indicate the half tau cross usually used in depictions of Jesus on one.
A Tomb in Jerusalem Reveals the History of Crucifixion and Roman Crucifixion Methods – Biblical Archaeology Society

 

[Hizikyah]

There's only a single physical evidence of Roman crucifixion from the first century AD. Very interesting find from the 1970s.
Everything else I'm reading is somewhat built off textual descriptions, art, and speculation. This spike left in a man's heel and other injuries indicate the half tau cross usually used in depictions of Jesus on one.
A Tomb in Jerusalem Reveals the History of Crucifixion and Roman Crucifixion Methods – Biblical Archaeology Society

WOW ty for posting this! Im going to the link now!

 

[Gandalf]

Only if you worship the cross.

The cross is symbol of our redemption and was used as the letter Tav in the Hebrew alphabet.

 

[peacefulbeliever]

Is the cross pagan ?

View attachment 94682

Maybe the question should be - Can the "cross" become an idol to some? As in any object we place as something to be worshiped instead of God.

I don't know how the cross in and of itself could be "pagan".

 

[Cycel]

i thought this was a discussion

It may be that think about this issue makes some people uncomfortable, hence all of the comic responses.

 

[Cycel]

I don't know how the cross in and of itself could be "pagan".

See post #36 for an explanation.

 

[Timeline]

i thought this was a discussion

maybe many think it is a joke but you will be surprise how many persons think it is pagan and preach it is pagan

please dont think better of me

I have only read to Post #11 so I don't know what's going on in the following posts. So, here it goes:


pa·gan
ˈpāɡən/
noun
noun: pagan; plural noun: pagans

• 1.
  a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions.
  [TABLE="class: vk_tbl vk_gy"]
  [TR]
  [TD="class: lr_dct_nyms_ttl"]synonyms:[/TD]
  [TD]heathen, infidel, idolater, idolatress; archaicpaynim
  "pagans worshiped the sun"
  [/TD]
  [/TR]
  [/TABLE]
  • datedderogatory
    a non-Christian.
  • an adherent of neopaganism.
  
  
  
  

adjective
adjective: pagan

• 1.
  relating to pagans.
  "a pagan god"
  [TABLE="class: vk_tbl vk_gy"]
  [TR]
  [TD="class: lr_dct_nyms_ttl"]synonyms:[/TD]
  [TD]heathen, ungodly, irreligious, infidel, idolatrous "the pagan festival"
  [/TD]
  [/TR]
  [/TABLE]
  
  
  
  
  
  Crucifixion was a heathen way to torture and kill someone - Yes.
  
  And according to the Law, given to Moses, any man that hung on a tree was cursed. But, Jesus was no ordinary man and he overcame the Curse.
  
  I'm not sure if that is what you meant, but yes, crucifixion is pagan according to the Law given to Moses. Hanging someone on a tree was a very bad thing to do to someone (under the Law - come to think of it, it's still not nice).

 

[Timeline]

I'm sorry, Are we talking about art and jewelry...I would prefer an empty tomb, but that is a little more difficult to convey the intended message. The cross is more simple to do as far as art, jewelry, and other potential idols.

I have on a wedding ring (as far as jewelry goes). I believe my wife may have a cross or two (most likely drawings) up on the walls. She does have scripture up all over the house.

 

[Word_Swordsman]

By "pagan" many Christians apparently say a Christmas tree "is pagan", or of pagan origin. Many Christians use the tree as a symbol of the birth of Jesus to bring the New Covenant, eternal life to mankind. I've been in some homes of Christians that have literally pagan idols on display they didn't know were idols,purchased on world trips, considered items of "harmless art". Some removed them, others not, one man having a very large home filled with ancient treasures from the middle east from his years of developing oil fields there, owning gifts from the governments there.

The cross the Romans used was obviously a pagan instrument of death. But we Christians value that execution and death as precious, and choose to keep remembrance of that in various ways, by the Lord's Supper and items like crosses. Churches have large crosses on walls, people wear the cross jewelry, none of which is considered pagan by those not bowing to the pagan use. To us the cross is a symbol of the gift of God in Christ. I think it's a very good thing to keep what Jesus did for us in constant remembrance.

The cross was the "gate" between the enmity of the law and the law of life in Christ. What was meant as a victory for paganism was made a victory for God.