Hey,
Just an interesting thought while typing your notes from the book, Pagan Rome and the Early Christians. It talks a lot about superstition. In the section I am in now, “the sign of the cross” is being discussed. As I read it, I guess I have never thought of the “cross” as a sign of superstition. I kept typing and read examples of what people used the cross for, ie: those who wore the cross would be safe, worn to keep the bad spirits away, they walked around their house doing the sign of the cross in every room, before every meal, etc. The cross hanging around the neck is just like the wind chimes or the garlic around the neck: superstition. I know many people wear the cross as a “sign” that they love Jesus, but in all reality, it is just superstition. The way we live our lives shows how much we love Jesus. If we depend on the signs to save us from the “bad spirits”, we have missed the whole point.
If you are wearing one of those crosses around your neck, it’s just superstition and throwing it away or putting it down does not mean you are betraying your Lord. I guess I had never thought of it that way. Thinking how much Jesus must hate that cross because of the reminder of the hurt and pain he suffered, I have jot wanted to wear one, but I had not thought of it as just being superstitious. Really, going through the history of Christianity and its beginnings, it is a religion full of superstition.
Thought I would pass that along.
Amy
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Hi John,
In a recent sermon on Livestream, you commented on how the word “hocus pocus” came about (I cannot remember the word it derived from, perhaps “habeas corpus”?) referring to certain prayers in Catholic ceremonies. Then there was the mention that the “Thought for Today” (9/18/04 in your book by the same name) was titled “Superstition”.
It all reminded me of an experience I had several years ago. It was sometime in the 90’s and I had walked over to a rummage sale located in one of the buildings at the Catholic campus near my home. There were lots of tables set up with good used merchandise. Here is what happened in the blink of an eye: I quickly glanced over the items on one large table full of Catholic paraphernalia. I was familiar with the items and knew their usage. Rosaries, crucifixes with compartments to hold oil, the wafer, a vial of wine and such for the sacrament of ‘extreme unction’ (ceremony for the last rites), cloth necklaces called scapulars, etc. As I glanced over all this, I heard a whisper-type of inner voice. It gently said, “Voodoo”. I was not surprised by that remark, but quietly agreed. I tell this story whenever the situation welcomes it.
From what you said on Livestream this morning about what you are learning with the Iron Kingdom work, I am sure that Christianity has been all that bad through the ages.
I am more than glad that Jesus let me feel empty so that there was nothing else for us to do but to leave Catholicism in 1984. When you heard from Jesus in Spring 1994 that we are not Christians, I was relieved, because I didn’t know what name to give the called out ones.
Suzi
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Pastor John,
I remember you talking about superstitions and about the cross. I use to have a cross hanging from my mirror in my car but after hearing that I took it down. I like what Amy said, it’s the way we live our lives that shows we love Jesus!
God Bless,
Michelle
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Hi Michelle:
In high school and college, I used to wear a “St. Christopher” around my neck. I thought it was cool. But when Jesus called me, that cross suddenly seemed very bad to me. No one had ever told me it was bad. It just seemed that way. So, I trashed mine, and went on to where Darren’s song tell us Jesus is: “Beyond the Cross”.
jdc