Do you wear a cross necklace?

[Living by Faith]

Do you wear a cross or other christian symbol ?
Why or why not?
Jeanne

 

[Wisdom Seeker]

I have one, and I used to like to wear it a lot. But I stopped wearing it because of a thread here...believe it or not...about not making graven images. I never worshiped the cross on my necklace...to me it was a declaration to anyone who saw it of my faith...and it made me feel good to express that outwardly...what can actually only really be seen inwardly.

What was said was not absolute...but it created enough doubt in my mind...to leave it out. (as my granmother used to say "When in doubt, leave it out") Just in case I could be wrong in wearing it...I just don't wear it anymore.

Laurenda

 

[Sherrie]

I do not wear hardly any Jewlry. I wear my watch, and use to wear my wedding ring, but just my watch and once in awhile some ring.

I am like Wisdom Seeker about it. It was not because of a thread tho, but the question of graven images has really bothered me; about that and the cross jewelry. and so I just avoid it. I am not going to tell someone else it is wrong tho, because I do not know.

I know that when people wear it, they are really thinking they love the Lord, and want to express it openly. But it may be a evil trick played on them. I really do not know.

Sherrie

 

[donnA]

I have a cross necklace,but I rarely wear it, only because the only jewlery I wear is earrings,a nd someimes my wedding ring(husband won't let me wear it all the time becasue my fingers swell easily and he's affraid it will hurt my finger and I'll have to have it cut off, the ring, not the finger).

 

[JonathanDT]

Am I the only male who wear's a necklace?

I used to wear crosses, but I didn't like them because everyone wore them, so it didn't really mean much. So now I wear the symbol of the Trinity, the three ovals overlapping(this also happens to be the symbol that both Philadelphia Biblical University and POD uses). Or at least I did until it got broken, I gotta find a jeweler's to fix it. I also want to get an ichthus, but I haven't been able to find one I really like.
I don't wear gold, I think it's too flashy, I like silver.

 

[Gina B]

Copy and paste of my reply on this subject on another board.

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I used to wear a necklace, and no, I didn't worship it, lol! I'll also add that I've never seen anyone where jewelry in order to worship it.
What it was? It started as a star of David that I wore as a symbol of my heritage. When I became a Christian I changed it for a star of David with a cross on it to show my new belief. It actually became a good witnessing tool, because people would ask me what it meant and I'd get to explain. :-D
Alas, I was being vain one day and using a curling iron on my hair..I'd set the neclkace on the counter, and when I went to plug in the iron the necklace caught on the plug, I didn't see it, and when I pushed it in I almost got to see Jesus, live and in person. That was the end of the necklace, lol, it was melted, and I haven't replaced it.
BUT, I probably will one of these days when I can afford to spend money on gold instead of electric and all those other pesky little needs, and I will wear it and I promise I will not bow down to it or worship it in any way, shape or form. LOL!
BTW, context in bible study is very important! We have all kinds of rules and things we're told to do and not do that are put out as biblical when they're not. We need to be very cautious when we say things are of God, and make sure they are indeed, or we're nothing more than Pharisees.
Gina

 

[Artimaeus]

No, Johnathan, you aren't the only one. At least I used to wear one. Way back in the height of the hippie days. I wasn't one, but I was a new Christian and I thought that would be a good way to make a public statement of my faith. My conservative family, church, and friends however, succeeded in making me just feel like a hippie. I do wear of little pair of footprints (the size of 3 week old fetus feet) as a lapel pin and find it to be a very good conversation starter among people who don't know what it stands for.

 

[Abiyah]

I will not wear a cross, but the reason is that the
cross (or execution stake) was awful. It was not
a thing of beauty. It was horrid and it was where
our Lord's life's blood flowed, where He suffered
the most tremendous and excrutiating pain.

To turn it into a smooth, shiny, pristine thing of
beauty is to, in my opinion, delete its meaning and
to discard the harshness of that sacrifice.

However, I certainly do understand why some
people wear them, and I think it should be left up
to personal discretion.

I do wear, however, a little emblem which
represents what is commonly called the Ten
Commandments. I have considered trying to find
a bracelet which has the main words of this
printed out on little "tablet" charms.

I do also wear a Star of David, but I have lately
been questioning this.

 

[Dr. Bob]

I would love to wear a necklace or cross, but it clashes with my bow ties.

 

[donnA]

Since it's been brought up on this thread, I'll say, that I do not believe that wearing a cross has anything to do with graven images and worship. The commandment was to prevent(forbid) people from making false gods for purposes of worship. So unless you light candles and bow down and worship and pray to the cross theres no chance of violating this commandment. Otherwise if it meant for us to not have any images of anything, then there goes the pictures of your children, and a lot of otherthings in your life, not to mention God violated His own law when He told them to make gold pomaganites(sp?) and other images of things creared for the temple. We know that isn't true. So it is not just haveing an image of something(like your children or spouse or a cross) but the worship of the image.

 

[Wisdom Seeker]

Welcome Back Dr. Bob...nice to see you. I hope you had a nice vacation.

In Christ,
Laurenda

 

[Dr. Bob]

Sadly, a good part of "christianity" (Catholic, Orthodox) may very well venerate, pray, worship and revere symbols and pictures like a cross.

Read something in Romans 1 about worshiping the creature and creation rather than the Creator . .

Serious answer is no, I do not wear bracelet, necklace, earrings - all of which I see as feminine and I am a MANLY sort of man, nor lapel pins of a cross, fish, AFLAC duck, et al

 

[dianetavegia]

Yes I wear a gold cross necklace. Our daughter bought it for me on one of our wedding anniversaries. It has two hearts entwined on the cross.

I also wear a gold charm bracelet. It has a tiny cross, baby booties, an angel charm for the grandbaby in heaven, a two toned heart and things like that.

Diane

 

[Wisdom Seeker]

I agree Kate. That is pretty much in line with what I believe. But like I said before... I have that shred of doubt that I may not be interpreting it 100% correctly...so although I believe what You said...when I look at that cross pendant in my jewelry box...I just don't feel like wearing it like I used to.

Abiyah... you have a very good point. I guess perhaps because Christians think of the cross as a symbol of unimaginable love it is beautiful for us. It also symbolizes that our sins were crucified and paid for all at the same time.

The dove is also used to symbolize heavenly hope or the soul rising to heaven. I prefer the image of a dove. But it lacks the poinentcy of the cross.

The crucifix however, a cross with Jesus still nailed to it... shows his death, but doesn't show his rising from the dead. And therefor lacks a very valuable part of the story. ( I hope any Catholics reading this will not be offended, and correct me from their point of view if my limitted viewpoint is in error)

Laurenda

 

[dianetavegia]

The crucifix however, a cross with Jesus still nailed to it... shows his death, but doesn't show his rising from the dead. And therefor lacks a very valuable part of the story.

Excellent point, Laurenda! MY Cross is EMPTY! Praise His Name!

 

[donnA]

My cross is empty too.
Laurends, I don't want you to think I am saying your wrong for not wearing it, I'm not. But if I felt it was alright, that it wasn't being worshipped, I wouldn't let others intimadate me into doing what they want me to do. If you aren't sure then let scripture tell you. Go to where God is telling them how to build the temple and what to put in it and reread all that prayterfully, if it were wrong would God tell them to do it. I don't want you to change your mind on my account, but if you aren't sure you need to check it out so you can have a peaceful mind on the subject.

 

[Kiffin]

The crucifix however, a cross with Jesus still nailed to it... shows his death, but doesn't show his rising from the dead. And therefor lacks a very valuable part of the story.

The crucifix focus is not the Resurrection but is intended to remind Christians of the horrible suffering Christ endured and is a somber symbol. remind us of the cost of our salvation. There is however the Christus Victorious crucifix which has the risen Christ on it.

 

[Karen]

Originally posted by Kiffin:

The crucifix focus is not the Resurrection but is intended to remind Christians of the horrible suffering Christ endured and is a somber symbol. remind us of the cost of our salvation. There is however the Christus Victorious crucifix which has the risen Christ on it.

Kiffin, that is worth remembering.

Abiyah, I understand your reasons. But when I wear a cross, it is not trying to turn something awful into something else but as a symbol of the price Christ paid.

Karen

 

[rsr]

Jonathan said:

three ovals overlapping

What? That satanic symbol.

Seriously, I wore a cross as a teenager. I don't wear any jewelry now (except a wedding ring); honestly, I would lose it anyway.

I think the Baptist aversion to the crucifix is not so much the distinction between the unrisen-risen Savior as to any pretended artistic interpretation of Christ.

If we look, I think we can find a bowtie in the shape of a Celtic cross for Dr. Bob.

 

[Dr. Bob]

"If you find it, I will come . . "