Symbols & Substance

Symbols can speak powerfully without a word spoken. For example, what does this symbol communicate?

Peace? Compassion? Probably not. For most of us, this symbol stands for brutality, ethnic cleansing, and hate. But would you be surprised to find out that the 'swastika' did not originate with Hitler's Nazi movement? The words 'swastika' actually comes from Sanskrit and means "well being." It has been commenly used by Hindus and Buhdist to symbolize well being. In fact it wasn't until 1920 that the swastika gained its current meaning in the West as a symbol of cruelty.

Symbols have been used throughout human history as a way to communicate, even when a group of people do not have a developed language. As long as there is a commonly understood meaning, symbols can be great ways to share a message to both friend and foe. (For example: the White Flag of surrender)

Christians are no different than any other group of people when it comes to the use of symbols. Art work from the period of the early Church shows us that the Ichthus or "Jesus Fish" was a well known and used symbol of the faith. This symbol was used to identify a person as a follower of Jesus because the Greek letters that spell the word ICTHUS are an acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior." This was a way to declare one's loyalty to Jesus without using words. And as long as other followers of Jesus knew the symbol then the message was successfully communicated. Of course, another advantage of using the symbol was so that your enemies would not know what the symbol meant unless you told them!

The Roman Emporer Canstintine made the Labarum symbol famous. This combination of the these two Greek letters which begin the title "Christ" in Greek were used by Constantine as a symbol of victory. It appears in numerous symbols and coins of Constantine's era, as well as being adopted in Greek Orthodox and other eccelisial banners. This symbol of victory in Christ can be powerful to those who believe, although to the conquered peoples under Constantine's reign it was a sign of conquest and domination. Symbol is powerful, but it might not communicate to everyone the message that you desire!

If you look closely at this painting of the "Seige of Antioch" during the First Crusade you will notice another powerful symbol - The Crusade Cross. During the crusades, which were initially motivated by a desire to retake the city of Jerusalem from Muslim rule, the Crusade Cross was flown as a flag by the advancing armies as well as worn on the chests of the soliders. At times the Cross was emblazoned on their shields as well. For the Crusaders this was a powerful symbol that God was with them and would bring them victory in what they viewed as a holy and just war. To the opposing army, the Crusade Cross was a sign of violence and bloodshed. Isn't it interesting how the Cross became a symbol for war and conquest?

In 1897, a Brooklyn Sunday School Superintendt by the name of Charles Overton gave an impromtu lesson to his students because the schedule speaker was not able to come. Looking for ideas, his eyes fell on the American flag in the room. He decided to ask his students what a 'Christian Flag' might look like if they constructed one. It was out of Overton's creativity that the modern Christian Flag was born. Over time many Protestant denominations adopted Overton's idea and began to display this flag on their property. While there is some variation in interpretation of the meaning of the colors, the Latin Cross is unmistakable. In recent years, this variation of the Christian Flag has become less used as the meaning of the symbol has become more reminiscient of Constantine's flag bearing the Crusader Cross.

The power of symbol and art is quite clear, and can be used in helpful ways to communicate powerful messages - both positive and negative. But as with most things, the symbol itself can take on a life of its own and become more important to people than the message it was created to communicate. So, for example, while a person may not know what Adolph Hitler's political principles were, most would not want a swastika on them or their belongings because of the negative emotions that it stirs in others. But what is more important, a drawing or the very real political principles and motives that drove the Nazi regime to wipe out millions of innocent men, women and children?

On the positive side, the modern day Christian Flag was intended to stir feelings of loyalty to Jesus by those who looked upon it and even recited a pledge in its honor. Personally, I grew up learning the pledge in Sunday School and participated in the procession of the flag in church services. I don't know what kind of lasting impact this had on me, if any, but I remember that it was intended to be a positive reinforcement of the call to follow Jesus.

But even now, as the use of the Christian Flag is declining in many churches it is easy to find well meaning groups of people who fight for the use of the flag or the return of this symbol. And while most church attendees couldn't tell you the history of the modern day flag, or what it is supposed to stand for, the symbol is still valued by some even when the substance is gone.

So what should we make of the passing of this symbol? As I said initially, symbols can speak powerfully as long as the message is well understood. But more important than the symbol itself is the message! There is no use in swearing allegiance to the modern day Christian Flag if one is not committed to its message. I would much rather be a part of a group of people who are daily pursuing transformation into the likeness of Jesus, than I would want to be a part of a group of people who are committed to a symbol but miss the point of its message. Each of us, myself included, are prone to hold on to symbols that stir emotions but miss the call of Jesus to live our everyday, ordinary lives in the way of Jesus. So while I understand the emotional ties to symbols like the modern day Christian Flag, I'd much rather be focused on living the way of Jesus so that my life becomes a real and vibrant symbol of the message of the cross!