Cross or Pole? What's at Stake?

Tiffany Harper asked me a really good question on my personal blog about the Jehovah Witness' claim that Jesus was crucified on a stake instead of a traditional cross. Is there any merit to this claim? What is the big deal? Isn't the fact that Jesus was crucified enought?

Well, this is a big question, and a tough one for me to distill and encapsulate in this one blog entry. For a good idea of what the JW's are teaching, check out this article. I'm warning you, it's really long and attempts to overwhelm you with "evidence." My quick reaction to this article? A close examination of the actual references indicated will show a real lack of diligence to quote what their reference is actually quoting. I guess they just think by adding reference material, you'll be convinced. For a briefer synopsis, click here.

Basically, here's what is at stake: the authority of biblical translation. The JW's would like for you to believe that their translation of scripture is the most accurate, and therefore, renders our translation obsolete. The tactic is simple: get you to doubt this one issue, then you will be more inclined to belive there many lies.

JW's believe that the Catholic Church is the "whore of Babylon" and that the cross is a symbol of that whore. Here's a good Catholic article that talks about that fallacy. And here's another article that succinctly puts this notion of a stake to rest.

I appreciate Tiffany's eagerness to engage the JW's and not run away from their fallacies, but to approach them head-on. This Easter, I encourage you to do the same: engage your culture and those around you with the message of the cross. Many of you are home with non-believing frineds and families and the old temptations are still there. Stand strong in the faith, and in the defence of the gospel!

For those of you away on Spring Break, you have our prayers and we look forward to your soon return!