Things I Never Understood About Church, Part 5: Symbols

So here’s a new one for you, and you probably weren’t expecting this. Especially if you’ve labeled me as emergent, since a lot of emergent folks seem to be all about having symbols in church. But honestly, it doesn’t do anything for me.

As a matter of fact, symbols in general don’t do much for me. Take the American flag, for example. For a lot of people, seeing the red, white, and blue flag with its stars and stripes waving against the background of a clear blue sky unleashes all sorts of emotions—pride, respect, gratitude, patriotism. And there’s nothing wrong with that at all! However, I am not likely to feel those emotions when I see a symbol; I feel them when I hear stories that relay the message behind the flag—stories of people dying for a cause they believed in, fighting for freedom, and taking risks to give others a better life. But the flag itself, it’s a piece of colored fabric. For some reason, symbols just do not evoke a strong emotion in me—but the stories do.

Now that you think I am entirely un-American (I’m really not), it’s time to think that I’m also un-Christian (again, I’m not). Seeing a cross displayed in church doesn’t do anything for me. I know for some people, the symbolism of a cross is deeply meaningful. They see it and remember God’s love for them, Jesus’ sacrifice, and their need for a savior. It evokes strong emotions, and that is awesome. But to me, for some reason, the symbol of the cross doesn’t make me feel those emotions. It’s a couple pieces of wood. It was a means of execution, like the guillotine or the electric chair. But I feel a strong surge of emotions when I hear the stories that tell the message of the cross; when I read about Jesus, the purpose of his life, death, and resurrection, and the things he said and did, that is when I feel the emotions that the cross may evoke in many others. The symbol of the cross doesn’t do it—but the stories do.

So in conclusion, I am neither un-American nor un-Christian. ;) I just don’t “get” symbolism the way I “get” the message. I suppose that for some unknown reason I only see what they actually are (the flag is a piece of fabric, the cross is a couple pieces of wood, etc.) instead of seeing them as a representation of the stories. I can connect the symbol to the message in my mind, but emotionally the two are separate. I don't think there's anything wrong with symbols, and it’s great that they can be so meaningful to many people. But for me, my emotions are stirred when I hear the stories. The message of the cross is awesome and amazing, and it means everything to me.

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.