The Sign of the Fish
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
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Straight to the Cross
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COLUMN: REALITY CHECK
The Sign of the Fish
by Stan Mitchell
wp.me/p1HIjv-4Ev
Do you know what offends me?
You've no doubt seen the sign of the fish on some
peoples' car bumpers. It is one of Christianity's
oldest symbols. You may have also seen another sticker,
presumably in response to it. The second one shows the
fish with what must be a Darwinian amphibian, mouth
wide open, consuming the symbol of Christianity.
That offends me.
Please understand; I am not suggesting that an atheist
or proponent of Darwinist ideas has no right to express
his views. Nor am I fearful of Christians' ability to
stand in the debate with Darwinists and survive. Don't
worry, truth has nothing to fear, and the Genesis
account of creation is the truth.
Consider, however, the sign of the fish for a moment.
Early Christians formed an acrostic in Greek out of
various names given to Jesus. These were, Iesus
(Jesus), Christus (Christ), Theos (God), huios (son),
soter (savior). The first letter of each name formed
the Greek word for "fish" - (ichthus). The symbol
consisted of two intersecting arcs, the ends of the
right side extending beyond the meeting point so as to
resemble the profile of a fish.
In the first centuries of Christianity, when
persecution was heavy, spies were a distinct
possibility. Was the stranger in worship a secret
representative of the Roman Empire seeking to
infiltrate the church and identify Christians, or was
he what he claimed to be, simply a disciple from
another region? One member would trace half an arch in
the sand, and if the other person understood the
symbol, he would trace the other arch, thus forming the
sign of the fish.
The early church - your brothers and sisters - lived in
dangerous times. They exhibited stunning levels of
courage and faithfulness to God. They should be an
inspiration to us today. I am amazed in a day of
political correctness, when one can hardly name a trait
that might or might not be characteristic of an ethnic
group or nationality, when a cartoon of Mohammed can
cause riots in a dozen cities, that this sad, scary
time of repression against Christians is used so
derisively.
Debate Christians on the merits of our beliefs if you
wish. But please don't mock this period when it was
illegal to be a Christian, and when countless hundreds
of thousands died unjustly for their faith.
"Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold the
devil is about to throw some of you in prison, that you
might be tested, and for ten days you will receive
persecution. Be faithful unto death and I will give you
the crown of life," (Revelation 2:10, ESV).
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