The cross. A fashion accessory?

[convicted1]

The reason why I ask this question is because yesterday evening, the wifey and I were watching tv, and see switched over to QVC. They were selling cross necklaces, and the woman(don't remember her name) who designed them, was talking about people's faith who wore a cross necklace, and even how celebrities wore them. I then said out loud to the wifey that the celebs probably didn't have a clue about what the cross is really about. Have most turned the symbol of the cross into a "fashion accessory", moreso, than a symbol of their faith in God? I think so. How about you?

 

[Oldtimer]

Just like just about everything else in this world, the cross is being used and abused.

used - to glorify God. Whether wearing a small plain one as a profession of faith or referencing His sacrifice on those wooden beams so many years ago.

abused - every way that satan can corrupt the hearts of men. Fashion statements, profit motives on QVC, false witness, and even being a "right" to dunk it in a pot of urine.

Wonder if the QVC cross was a Catholic type design? Ornate vs 2 plain bars placed in a cross pattern. Wonder if the QVC "offended" the JW?

 

[RLBosley]

Crosses have become popular because they are a part of the culture. Many people have no idea what they mean, even in this country.

I remember one time I saw a guy wearing a cross necklace so I asked him why he wore it:

"Because it looks good."
"OK. Well would you wear an small electric chair on your necklace?"
"What? Why would I do that?"
"That's what you are doing with the cross. In ancient Rome it was an instrument of torture and death."
"Really? I didn't know that."
"Yeah? Well 2000 years ago something awesome happened on a cross..."

One one hand it's sad that people have no idea what the cross even means, but at the same time someone wearing one makes a really great and easy way to start a conversation to witness to them.

 

[Salty]

Crosses have become popular because they are a part of the culture. Many people have no idea what they mean, even in this country.

I remember one time I saw a guy wearing a cross necklace so I asked him why he wore it:

"Because it looks good."
"OK. Well would you wear an small electric chair on your necklace?"
"What? Why would I do that?"
"That's what you are doing with the cross. In ancient Rome it was an instrument of torture and death."
"Really? I didn't know that."
"Yeah? Well 2000 years ago something awesome happened on a cross..."

One one hand it's sad that people have no idea what the cross even means, but at the same time someone wearing one makes a really great and easy way to start a conversation to witness to them.

I love the way you took the conversation to witnessing! :thumbsup:
There are some on this board (and three fingers are pointing back to me) who should spend more time witnessing than posting!


Bosley (and no - not pointing at you!)

 

[RLBosley]

I love the way you took the conversation to witnessing! :thumbsup:
There are some on this board (and three fingers are pointing back to me) who should spend more time witnessing than posting!


Bosley (and no - not pointing at you!)

Trust me I have FARRR to go. I used to witness a lot more than I do now. Unfortunately my work schedule hinders my formerly regular outings. But God has convicted me to get back into the battle and to stop hiding behind my excuses. Next week, back to the harbor and open air preaching!

 

[Salty]

Trust me I have FARRR to go. I used to witness a lot more than I do now. Unfortunately my work schedule hinders my formerly regular outings. But God has convicted me to get back into the battle and to stop hiding behind my excuses. Next week, back to the harbor and open air preaching!

Than lets be prayer partners in this worthy endeavor! raying: :1_grouphug: raying:

 

[RLBosley]

Yes please pray! If you would pray for these ministries here: http://www.makingthegospelknown.com/


Chris at MGKM has an incredible heart for the lost and does everything he can to get the gospel out to those in the Baltimore/Glen Burnie area in MD, and beyond. I love going out with him and his family to witness, his zeal and energy are seemingly never ending.

 

[Salty]

You mentioned Balitmore - I plan on attending the SBC in 2014. Might you atttend?

 

[RLBosley]

Possibly. I'm still fairly new to how the SBC works. My bride and I just officially joined a SBC church last month, so I don't know how the rules work for stuff like that.

 

[Salty]

We have gotten off OP - as far as the SBC, I have started a new thread

and now back to the OP
(from post # 1)

The reason why I ask this question is because yesterday evening, the wifey and I were watching tv, and see switched over to QVC. They were selling cross necklaces, and the woman(don't remember her name) who designed them, was talking about people's faith who wore a cross necklace, and even how celebrities wore them. I then said out loud to the wifey that the celebs probably didn't have a clue about what the cross is really about. Have most turned the symbol of the cross into a "fashion accessory", moreso, than a symbol of their faith in God? I think so. How about you?

 

[plain_n_simple]

A cross does not represent anything except flesh trying to tell others that you are a Christian. It's the life lived.

 

[Salty]

A cross does not represent anything except flesh trying to tell others that you are a Christian. It's the life lived.

It would be interesting to ask the first 25 people you met on the street what the cross means to them......

 

[convicted1]

Wonder if the QVC cross was a Catholic type design? Ornate vs 2 plain bars placed in a cross pattern. Wonder if the QVC "offended" the JW?

I don't think so. It was just a cross with "diamonoids", "diamoniques", "faux diamonds", whatever you want to call them. I am thinking that catholic cross necklaces have a rosary with them. Is this correct?

 

[convicted1]

We have gotten off OP - as far as the SBC, I have started a new thread

and now back to the OP
(from post # 1)

You two should have took the ball and kept running with it. I was enjoying your convo......

 

[saturneptune]

I used to have a cross that I obtained from sending Garner Ted Armstrong $50. It was suppose to be solid gold but turned green. I sent it back to "The World Tomorrow." (I think was the name). One day a package came back from them, and there was a necklace made up of 30 pieces of silver. You would not believe what a conversation starter that it is.

The reason the number of silver pieces is down to 13 is because I gave the rest to the Ernest Angsley ministry. Thankfully I have a small neck.

 

[Iconoclast]

I used to have a cross that I obtained from sending Garner Ted Armstrong $50. It was suppose to be solid gold but turned green. I sent it back to "The World Tomorrow." (I think was the name). One day a package came back from them, and there was a necklace made up of 30 pieces of silver. You would not believe what a conversation starter that it is.

The reason the number of silver pieces is down to 13 is because I gave the rest to the Ernest Angsley ministry. Thankfully I have a small neck.

That must be where Judas got the silver from???? Garner Ted Armstrong...lol not as bad as His father who twice denied that the blood of Christ saved anyone.....he repeated it....pathetic....garner ted...a snake!

13 "The blood of Christ does not finally save any man." (All About Water Baptism, Herbert Armstrong, 1972, pp. 1-3.) "People want to believe we are simply saved by our faith in Christ's blood. As Mr. Armstrong said, that 'is nothing but a dead faith--and a dead faith never will save one soul!'" (

 

[saturneptune]

That must be where Judas got the silver from???? Garner Ted Armstrong...lol not as bad as His father who twice denied that the blood of Christ saved anyone.....he repeated it....pathetic....garner ted...a snake!

13 "The blood of Christ does not finally save any man." (All About Water Baptism, Herbert Armstrong, 1972, pp. 1-3.) "People want to believe we are simply saved by our faith in Christ's blood. As Mr. Armstrong said, that 'is nothing but a dead faith--and a dead faith never will save one soul!'" (

Bet he knows different now.

 

[Oldtimer]

I don't think so. It was just a cross with "diamonoids", "diamoniques", "faux diamonds", whatever you want to call them. I am thinking that catholic cross necklaces have a rosary with them. Is this correct?

Don't think so. Don't have time to look up this am to confirm.

Catholic cross isn't straight lines. Ends of the arms & upright are enlarged and elaborate in design. Compare theirs to the cross on the "Christian" flag for an example.

 

[Van]

38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple

Is our cross made of wood, silver, gold, or sharing in the suffering of Christ?

 

[HankD]

the wearing of a small plain cross of gold, silver or precious stones is not offensive to me. Hopefully it is a reflection of one's spiritual character.


HankD