Crosses are the electric chairs of the past, the means by which the civil authorities punished transgressors of the law. If ancient Rome had the means of electrocution as oppose to crucifixion; I wonder if today’s Christians would be walking around wearing miniature golden electric chairs around their necks. Because we resignified the cross to point toward a religious tradition as opposed to a means of state-sponsored capital punishment, we lose the original purpose of the cross, to kill enemies of the state. All executions eliminate those who do not “fit” how those in power defined civilized society. And while today’s U.S. capital punishment system is usually geared toward those who have engaged in acts where someone lost their life (i.e. murder); we cannot ignore the fact that the poor and those who are of color disproportionately are imprisoned and executed.
The Jesus of the Gospel narratives, and the Jesús sitting today on death row share a similar circumstance; both are executed under the law that, in spite of their obvious flaws, contradictions, and biases, is presented as fair. But there is a reason we do not talk about a “court of justice,” but instead use the term, “court of law;” we as a society follow laws not seek justice. And because laws have historically and consistently been written to the determent of Hispanics (and other marginalized communities), we are left wondering if the purpose of the cross, like the purpose of all executions, is to reinforce control over darker bodies to demonstrate what awaits those on the margins of power and privilege who dare to rebel against the current social structures. The punishments metered out by courts of laws, laws designed to the determent of the disenfranchised, are more for the benefit of others from disadvantaged communities to serve as warning that if they too step out of place, then they can expect similar punishment (revenge).
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This is the most profound perspective of the cross I have ever read. At my first "saving" I wore the cross as a symbol, an incon, of what Jesus went through. I never realized (nor was I taught) from the standpoint that it represented a hatred of a man by a people of an unjust law. The cross just got really real. James Cone compares it to the lynching tree, but I never really got it this clearly. Appreciate the education. Thank God for clarity, wisdom, and understanding. BTW...I'm taking those gold crosses to the people who buy it on the cheap. I certainly don't need an executioner's chair or a noose around my neck.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really interesting that the author of this article sheds light on the difference between "court of law" and "court of justice." These are two very different things. Laws are important and necessary; however, we should remember that laws are founded upon principles. And one of the founding principles of our nation is justice. Because of this, we should think critically about the power of laws to provide (or not to provide) justice for all people.
ReplyDeleteDianne Love says:
ReplyDeleteThis article surely gives a different perspective on the cross when it aligns the meaning of the cross with violence and punishment. Yet, it redeems the meaning of the cross with the conclusion that it was Jesus' one act of solidarity with the Oppressed. It then reinstated the symbol of the cross as a defiant stand of Jesus with those who have been before and since the Cross persecuted and marginalized. So, when I reflect today on the meaning of the cross, both Blacks and Hispanics can walk away from the image that the cross is to be repulsed, but embrace it as a sign that Jesus was sacrificed to show us clearly that Yahweh is the God of the Oppressed and that remains to this day!
I agree with a lot of what Katelyn says. I don't think justice is always provided by laws so we need to reevaluate how to make that happen for all
ReplyDeleteI often reflect on the life of Jesus and how he interacted with the poor and disadvantaged, the marginalized. But we tend to see the cross as Jesus the hero. I will now look again at the cross this Easter to see Jesus of the disadvantaged at the point of suffering and death.
ReplyDeleteI too think the contrast between the "court of justice" and the "court of law" is interesting. The more I learn about the things happening in Ferguson, in particular about the conflicts taking place between the people and the police, the more I realize that the law is not always enforced justly.
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ReplyDeleteI am not Christian and have always found the reverence that Christians give to the cross interesting. What does the bible say about the cross? Why do the Christians create so many things in their religion that are not there? I am from an Abrahamic religion and I am certain that the bible does not mention revering the cross. It appears that the cross is sort of an idol and Christians should not give reverence to idols. I have seen people kiss the cross and bow before it. I do not understand how this is different than worship. I recall an analogy another non-Christian gave me, about their own reservations on seeing Christians revere the cross. This person stated "if someone stabbed a person that I love, I am not going hang the knife on the wall and start revering it."
I think that this is a very interesting article. I have never heard this perspective of the cross. As a Christian I do not worship the cross, but it is a sign that reminds me of the suffering that Christ encountered for me and so it by wearing the cross I am reminding myself of what he did for me.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to read this perspective from the Latino culture, as so much of my study into liberationist theologies thus far has centered on black and white. Qualice mentions James Cone, and of course my mind jumped there as well having read The Cross and the Lynching Tree so recently. We seemed to close on a Cone note, as well, with a reference to the God of the oppressed. I am curious sometimes how much these varying theologies draw upon one another, and how much they merely reflect similar cries of the same pain. I do not own any cross jewelry, but it's funny, I read one of the comments above and reflected on how in church every Sunday morning growing up, we would bow in our pews as the cross passed by. Based on my own experience, I interpret this not as a sign of worshiping the cross, but as a sign of reverence and deference for the suffering Christ endured ON the cross. Even so, the author provides some interesting food for thought about the cross and its function in contemporary faith.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting perspective of the cross. I never thought of cross as a way of execution and capital punishment. The comparison gave a new perspective of the cross and to think about the unjust that some people face in today’s justice system.
ReplyDeleteThis was great information on the views through there eyes. I see the cross as a place of suffering and the message was clear.
ReplyDeleteI agree with many others, the perspective of this article is extremely interesting. It is one that I've definitely never heard before or considered. Despite my knowledge of the history of the cross, I don't usually think of it as associated with violent punishment. In fact, I am one of those people who wears a cross around my neck on a daily basis, so I found this really interesting to consider.
ReplyDeleteIn the hymn of the old rugged cross there is a line that says "the emblem of suffering and shame, but I love that old cross where God's dearest and bless for a world of lost sinners was slain." Laws do not equate to justice, I agree that the law is necessary, but justice is even more necessary. Violence and punishment testify to the fact that the marginalized suffer and the oppressors hid behind the law.
ReplyDeleteThe Latin cultural perspective is very interesting and the ties to the cross are very good as well. It is relevant today as it has ever been in my opinion.
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