You're Never Too Smart to Be Wrong

Growing up, I learned to appreciate people who challenge my way of thinking. Having gone to a Christian school for so long, I'm no stranger to having your "solid" beliefs yanked from under your feet in a matter seconds. We humans (as opposed to dogs?) tend to believe things without having any real evidence or reasoning for following those ideas; sometimes we pick up philosophical baggage without checking the contents. I've met many interesting people here at Baylor, most of whom have worldviews that are relatively different from my own, but I really appreciate the many exercises in both apologetics and learning when to keep my mouth shut!

 Tonight I didn't find myself debating a Hindu or Buddhist. I wasn't discussing the many holes in the evolutionary theory. I wasn't even trying to prove the existence of God to someone who was fervently against such a ridiculous idea. I was simply sharing my joy in Christianity with a fellow believer, but in the process, I discovered an area in which I could use a little reform. My friend was telling me about the disgust he finds in seeing frilly crosses hanging around people's necks or mounted above a fireplace. As he put it, the cross was meant to be something that's "horrifying" for us to look at. As someone who has seen such crosses and commented on how beautiful they are, I was actually momentarily offended. How dare he imply I take Christ's death lightly! Of course I realize the magnitude of His sacrifice! But then I stopped myself. And then I questioned myself. And then I corrected myself. My friend wasn't trying to imply anything negative about me or anyone else who's ever purchased a bejeweled cross from Hobby Lobby. No, he was looking at the deeper implications. He is certainly right in saying that the cross is an overwhelming symbol of torture and sacrifice that has become a commonplace adornment for Christians and non-Christians alike. Most people wearing a cross don't realize the weight that should come with such a symbol, and instead regard it as if they were wearing a star or octagon (yeah, I've never seen an octo-neclace either...). Although I am a devout Christian and cherish the crucifixion, this conversation has caused me to question my idea of cherishing. If I really grasped the "horror" of seeing a man whipped to the bone and pierced by nails in the wrists and feet, I don't know that I would want to hang a glorified version of a torture device next to my family portrait. Does this mean I've radically changed my view of decorative crosses? Of course not, because there is always room for expressing the beauty that accompanies the crucifixion, but I can certainly say that I will never look at "frilly" crosses the same ever again.