Latin Cross: Brief Historical & Theological Investigation of Symbol and Meaning - Francis Doroy, MAR
Channel: winelfredpasamba
Date: 2014-06-15

Abstract: The Adventist church adopted a new logo in late 1990's which consists of an open Bible with a cross and a sphere engulfed by a burning flame; this became an issue for some church members.  The current logo spawned a belief and speculation that the Adventist church had succumbed to the influence and infiltration of Catholic doctrine.  Additionally, they proposed that the Latin cross is a vestige of paganism.  The anti-cross proponents caused no small stir among Adventists, their particular view cased division among brethren that resulted to the withdrawal and disfellowship of members and even entire churches.

The anti-cross proponents comprised of bonafide Adventist members and offshoots who are highly critical of the Adventist church, in many issued and in particular the adoption of the cross.  The burden of this paper then is to verify on biblical, theological, historical, and archaeological grounds the validity of this accusation: does Scripture provide basis for the use or prohibition of the symbol of the cross?  What data history may provide of its use among Christians? Is the Adventist theology and use of the cross the same with Catholic view?  Does the Adventist church violate Scripture upon its adoption of this new logo?  Is the cross pagan or Christian?

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Issues in Beliefs & Practices: Understanding Biblical-Theological Principles for Controversial Practices of Seventh-day Adventists in Asia. AIIAS Asian Theological Society Annual Forum 2014 June 13-15, 2014 AIIAS