What are we to make of the Cross?
As has already been noted, the cross is only mentioned 13 times in the Epistles (Pauline or otherwise); yet, you would think it is main idea of every paragraph in the Christian text according to church tradition, worship songs, sermon pleas, imagery, etc. Ask anyone (Christian or otherwise) for a symbol or teaching on Christianity, and I'm pretty sure they are going to cite/reference the cross. But is this right, good, and/or proper? What's going on here? The simple answer is that Christian theology has been hijacked by bad theology going all the way back to the Patristics (early church Fathers) and no one has really attempted to right the course (IMO).
In the early days of the Church (from the NT to the time of Constantine (300s)), its followers needed a means of identification. They couldn't cite Jewish imagery since the majority of Jews were very hostile to the Christian teachings and followers. They couldn't cite any of their former religious ways or teachings, because they had no common ground or relevance. They needed a distinguishing mark from their new faith story, and they found a perfect symbol in the image of the cross. Why? Because, for many, this was the sole understanding of their faith. Look at the Gospel of Mark, long believed to be the first NT book written. Mark's story doesn't mention Christmas, it just jumps right in to Jesus being baptized and appointing disciples. The story then moves quickly to a central event: the crucifixion, and then just about ends. Why? Because the point being conveyed is that Jesus came to die and pronounce the Kingdom via His cross. Boom. But, there is further evidence for why the church choose to make much of the cross.
Acts and the Epistles: Jesus is always referenced via His cross. Yes, there are a few passages that speak to His incarnation...and occasionally, His teachings...but, Jesus is always tied (proverbially) to His cross. Why? Again, because it was through His cross that man receives forgiveness and acceptance into the Kingdom of God. No cross, no salvation. No cross, no acceptance from God or His blessings. Seems to me that choosing the cross as the image of the faith makes a lot of good sense (and, additionally, the cross was a grotesque symbol in those days and the Church didn't have to worry about anyone else hijacking their chosen branding). But, such an understanding did not remain the understanding of the church for very long... Here is where the bad theology comes into play.
As the church gets older and goes farther out into the world, away from it's Jewish roots, less and less people begin identifying with its teachings. They think their versions of faith and worship of god(s) is OK by them, and they are not looking for a replacement since they any need of a replacement. Additionally, those who were Christians, now 2nd-, 3rd-, or even 4th-generation Believers, are established in their faith and practice and some have even begun to loose some of their zeal. (Can you imagine??) In short, the Church found itself in a bit of a plateau and struggling for relevancy. What to do about such things? Compromise and adopt synergistic (blended) approach to the faith? Heck no! Christianity just became a nationally accepted religion under Constantine and now the Church is freely unifying within the Empire. The Church went bold and attempted to guilt-trip everyone into the faith. Rather than see participation in the Christian faith as a means of participating in the Kingdom of God, and, thus, elevating the privilege of man, Church leaders decided to de-emphasize man by highlighting his sinful, unworthiness. In this instance, the cross becomes not only man's hope, but purpose. Instead of seeing the cross as a means of salvation, the cross becomes salvation. But, "What's wrong with that?," you may ask. Everything.
Bad Theology
Man is a wretched mess because of sin. Apart from God, man sins freely and damns himself to the consequences of death, pain, isolation, and the like. Yes, man sucks because of sin. However, if you take sin out of the equation, man is quite the elevated being (Psalms 8 and Hebrews 2). Bad theology crept in when the Church began making too much of man's sin, and not enough about God's desire to place His glory in and through mankind.
I know that some think that by emphasizing the crappiness of man and his sin, they promote in contrast the glory of God and His forgiveness. I understand this, and agree to a certain extent. However, if we spend all our time talking about man, then the emphasis is still on man...and merely saving man! This leads to people running to the cross to be forgiven, but not much else. Believe it or not, the message of the Bible is NOT the salvation of man, but the GLORY of GOD.
Good Theology
God does not save us so that we can merely be 'forgiven.' Genesis to Revelation informs us that man is created to DO the will of God. In other words: our purpose is to bring forth His glory, which in the collective form is His Kingdom. The cross makes this possible, but it is the means, not the end. We are saved to DO the good works He prepared in advance (of our Fall and His cross) to do (Ephesians 2:8-10)!
It is time that we stop singing and preaching about the Cross as the sole purpose of our faith. Rather, may we return to the Biblical message and declare with WORDs and DEEDs that our purpose is enjoying the Kingdom of God here and now because of the cross. We who believe are now free from death, isolation and damnation. We have been restored and adopted as heirs with Christ. We have been raised to His life and given His Spirit so that we may live as He lived (Romans 6 and 8), enjoying and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
When we adopt bad theology and see the means of God (cross or otherwise) as the end, we are left with a very static spirituality. There is nothing left for us to do but idolize rote traditions and acts. BUT, if we see the living, expressive, and communal God as our aim, and pursue Him through His appoints means, then we are free to worship Him in new, dynamic and creative ways that are never dull, 1-dimensional, or static. Like a friend to a friend; a bride to her groom; or, a son to his father, when living persons walk in relationship and seek the personhood, not the acts of another, there is love and there is power. This is our calling. This is our message. And, this must be our identity, regardless of what image we use to declare it.
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