Had a question on 'Ask Pastor Gene'. They wanted to know if our logo was an upside-down cross, and if so...why? And if not, did it have any significance.
No. Our logo is not a backdrop for the new Marilyn Manson video. But it does have significance. It's a crossroads for crying out loud! You know, like where roads...cross? Gee whiz!
Is our logo offensive? Is it only offensive to religious people? I mean, that's possible, 'cause it's pretty easy to offend them.
I just keep thinking about this: With people actually dying and going to hell, does it really matter what our logo looks like? Who has time to think this stuff up?
Sound off, Roadies. Can't wait to hear what you think.
Ha ha ha ha ha Gene this is great! Dude we have the religious people talking about us! We are offending them by doing the works of Jesus! Or are we convicting them to get off their spiritual keisters and actually go where the people are! And so what if it is a backdrop for Marilynn Manson, big deal! Paul used pagan sayings of the day to preach the gospel, and he even stole the term gospel from the Romans! Take the scripture, " For everyone who call on the name of the Lord will be saved." Paul took that from the Romans because it was a popular saying amongst them to say, " For everyone that calls on the name of Ceaser will be saved." And I bet they have used that scripture many a times and didnt even know they were using a pagan saying! Those pagans! Ha ha dont let it get you down Bro, let it encourage you! Wash your hands of the whole deal and lets move on!
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And the first Roadie is heard from! AWESOME response Chris!! Way to go. I didn't know that about that passage of scripture! But I DID know this post would get some action! Shout it out, folks!
ReplyDeleteSo when you look at an ink splotch do you see something you can disagree with, or something agreeable? Is your mind 'filling in the blanks' with controversy, or connectivity? Assuming the worst in someone (who's doing the best) seems like a desperate attempt to stir something up. So is the concrete your mixing building a bridge or a wall?
ReplyDeleteI honestly wonder how much fortune cookie writers get payed.
The reversed cross, also known as the cross of St. Peter, has also been used as an emblem of Satanism, although more often used by Christian rockstars out ot make a dime or two than real satanic believers. Thats why they have the pentagram.
ReplyDeleteHistorically, it has been a symbol of humility, a symbol of Martyred St. Peter's refusal to be crucified in the manner of Christ, preferring to be hung upside down.
Today, the symbol of an upturned cross may symbolize an opposition to Christian dogma, a concept borrowed from Christian writers who mistook the emblem of Peter for an anti-Christian symbol- a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy!
I recognize that Roman Catholics associate the upside down cross with the apostle Peter's crucifixion in argument for apostolic succession which is then used to support the Roman Catholic distinctive of papal infallibility, a very late dogma. However, Protestants argue that the Church is founded upon Jesus Christ. But, for the sake of explanation let us visit Matthew 16:18-19 which reads,
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
I do not attend your church although it does sound like you have very wonderful ideals and conviction. I love the fact that you can debate subjects like this within your own church community and educate the people with laughter. Very cool!
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Acts 17:28, where Aratus, Phaenomena 5, is paraphrased.
Acts 26:14. The phrase "it hurts you to kick against the goad" is a Greek proverb (see Euripides, Bacchae, 794-795).
1 Corinthians 15:33, where Paul quotes Menander, Thais, Frg.218.
Titus 1:12, where Epimenides, De oraculis/peri Chresmon is quoted.
Conclusion:
(1) An Apostle of Christ was well read in non-Christian literature.
(2) At least four times, an Apostle of Christ included quotes from pagan writers in the New Testament
(3) Paul seemed to have no theological problem with quoting pagans, and the Holy Spirit must have concurred.
(4) We conclude then, that sometimes a pagan will say or write something that is useful, if not true, and that reading widely will not only not destroy your faith, but could enhance it.
Dude.
Wow! That's what I'm talking about. We got some SMART people weighing in...uh-huh, oh yeah!
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