Could You Put That Old Rugged Cross Back in the Closet?

Time are quickly changing, and many churches and Christians are working hard to keep up with the times in the theology and practice. Some theologians are opting for a crescent moon next to a cross next to a ying-yang, next to the star of David, all wrapped up in a Karbalah bracelt for $28.95. The cross is symbolized and the Christian church is marginalized. In attempt not to offend the seekers, we are singing songs about spiritual experiences and not time-tested truths grounded in Scripture. Our theology has become mystical with this new emergent junk that attempts to make the Christian life congruent with the eastern mystical faiths and New Age movement. Christians now talk about karma with the same knowledge as they do grace. And the cross, well that is to be kept in the closet. In attempt to compromise, we appeal to a glossy, shiny 24 carat gold cross suspended from elegant beads rather than the executionary tool that suspended the sacrifical Lamb. The bottom line is that this new attempt to reinvent the Christian message is to say that we are nothing less than ashamed of the gospel. It is offensive yes, but it is glorious and life-changing too. You neuter the gospel, and you have lifeless Christians who feed themselves on the theraputic self-help and self-fulfillment techniques, never having known the cross they were supposed to carry when they met Jesus. Christianity without the cross is life without blood. I would rather have that old rugged cross where the King of Glory died. This I will cling to in the days of shifting sands of compromise and ecclesiological demise. Where others may roll the dice and play bingo for their spirituality ("give me those garments, I want them!" said the soldiers), may the Christ-followers be found surveying the wonderful cross.