I just read in the news that a college long associated with the Anglican Church, William and Mary, moved to remove the cross from their chapel. They wanted to make it more open to people of other faiths.
The administrator sent out an email to the staff explaining, "In order to make the Wren Chapel less of a faith-specific space, and to make it more welcoming to students, faculty, staff and visitors of all faiths, the cross has been removed from the altar area."
Many people around the world would agree. The cross needs to be removed. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Cor. 1:18.
"We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." 1 Cor 1:24-25.
Why does the world want the cross removed? Why is this such an issue around the country? There are two reasons.
First, many people don't understand the power of the cross. By the cross, that is Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, we have access to heaven. We can be saved! But if you don't understand your need for forgiveness and that we have this wonderful free gift from God, the cross looks like a bunch of foolishness.
The second reason the world wants the cross removed is that it's offensive. The cross tells us that we can't be saved by our own goodness or our own effort. We can never be good enough.
But if you understand the message of the cross, you understand that why Christians love the cross. As Paul says, to those who are being saved - it is the power and the wisdom of God.
I pray that we will never be so concerned about other opinions that we ignore the God's opinion. For the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man and the weakness of God is greater then the strength of man.
God bless you
Pastor John
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1 comment:
Hi father (forgive a hidebound high church Episcopalian for the term)! I like your blog very much. I especially liked the article you published on the cross being removed for it being "offensive" from an Episcopal church. I find it interesting to note that nobody is demanding, for example, the sign in front of the main building of the gay Atheists league be removed because it is offensive or, the great offense today, “not inclusive.”
D Leland
St Mary’s Episcopal Church
Albuquerque, NM
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