The following “Question” was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and “Answered” by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 1301-X, titled “Bible Questions and Answers Part 26.” A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. ©1983. All Rights Reserved.
Questioner
My question is that, and it is not for me, it is for my friend. He says that in
the antique Greek manuscripts, they do not use the term “cross.” They use, and
also in that time, that they used, either, like a “T” cross or a hex cross and
that the antique manuscripts never use the term “cross” only “tree,” and because
of this he says that our modern-day Bible is not complete. Could you explain how
the transition from “tree” to “cross” came about, or is that true? I don’t know.
John MacArthur's Answer
No, the biblical text does refer to the cross. I mean, many places. So, I’m
thinking of Colossians 2:14, nailing it to his cross, and that is the word for
cross. Now, as you go back into antiquity, you find that there were many
different kinds of crosses and shapes of crosses and so forth. We don’t really
have any way to affirm that Christ was put on a cross that looked like that. I
mean, that’s the best we can do archeologically, but, there were “X” crosses.
There were “T” crosses. And, you’ve looked through church history perhaps, or
have seen books on the cross that takes different shapes as it moves through
history and so forth. But, the Bible definitely uses the word cross. I don’t
even understand why that’s a problem. Galatians 3, uses the term tree. Tree is a
euphemism for cross because it’s made out of wood.
Questioner
The problem arises as to the validity of every word, and that is the discussion
that we were having.
John MacArthur's Answer
Well, you should look at an original Greek text. Say, of Colossians 2:14,
2:11-14. See what the word says there: 2:10 and following, and see if you see
the word cross, see what the original Greek text says. And, I think you’ll see
that it’s the word “cross”.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's “MacArthur's Questions and
Answers” by:
Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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