The Old Rugged Cross, Idols and Word-Pictures (part 2)

But back to “The Old Rugged Cross.”  Written by a Methodist minister, the theme is certainly that of glorying in Christ’s cross as well as bearing our own crosses in this life.  But I’m fascinated by the use of image-language in a hymn sung in traditions that reject images.  It’s an “emblem of suffering and shame.”  That old rugged cross is to be “cherished” and is also apparently worship-worthy as it “has a wondrous attraction for me”; it is worthy of allegiance, “to that old rugged cross I will ever be true.”  Focusing only on these aspects—a cherished emblem to which we are attracted and will forever be true—the “Old Rugged Cross” sounds like it endorses idol worship.  In the same way that I can understand reservations about images of Christ and the cross in a sanctuary, I have reservations about such apparently idolatrous language.  If nothing else, this is a reminder of the importance of accurate depictions. We do not know what Christ looked like, so any image of Him will be purely imaginary and nearly certainly inaccurate.  However, we do know much about the character of the Christ, of each Member of the Trinity, of the specific works and accomplishments of our Savior; to inaccurately depict those specifics through sloppily composed hymns does a great disservice to Christian worship and the minds of listening believers.  After all, Christ Jesus is the Word of God made flesh (John 1: 1-3; 1:14), through whom God revealed His glory. The same Word that spoke the creation of the world appeared on earth to save sinful humanity.  If we mischaracterize our God—Father, Son or Holy Spirit—with sloppy, lazy, ignorant or intentionally deceptive words, we dishonor His Person and, I posit, make a “false image” which we raise up in place of the Truth revealed to us.

If we mischaracterize our God—Father, Son or Holy Spirit—with sloppy, lazy, ignorant or intentionally deceptive words, we dishonor His Person and...make a “false image”...

But do I really believe “The Old Rugged Cross” is a call to worship graven images? No, I do not. Not any more than my choice to wear a crucifix means that I worship that image.  In both instances, I believe the reminder is instead to focus on what the cross of Christ really means.  In Mark 8: 34ff, Jesus Himself admonishes His listeners (and us as His readers) to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow [Him].  In 2 Corinthians 4, verses5 through 18, Paul reminds his readers that we must proclaim Christ Jesus and while we suffer greatly in life—while we “carry around in our body the death of Christ Jesus”—“we know that the one who raised Jesus from the dead will also raise us.”  In Galatians 2: 20, 21, Paul tells us that we are crucified with Christ and it is Christ therefore who lives in us.  We truly can sing about “the old rugged cross, stain’d with blood so divine….[where] the dear Lamb of God…pardon[ed] and sanctif[ied] me!”

That old rugged cross is indeed “despised by the world”, or as Paul says in Galatians 3: 13, 14 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.””  Hebrews 12:2 says that Christ endured the cross, “scorning its shame.”  Hebrews 13:11-14 describes the ancient practice of bringing some of the atonement sacrifice outside the city gates, drawing a parallel to Christ’s death at Golgotha—“a hill far away” not just from us in time, but far away from the city; we are reminded that “Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through His blood.”  That old rugged cross is indeed stained with divine blood—Hebrews 9: 13, 14 says that the blood of Christ, not that of animals, cleanses our consciences from sin; verse 22 refers us back to Leviticus 17:11, reminding us that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”  Romans 5:9 tells us “we have been justified by His blood….”  

The lyrics of “The Old Rugged Cross” are not inaccurate—the cross is a despised and shameful emblem; Christ’s blood must truly have stained the cross upon which He died, and it is by His shed blood that we are redeemed; we are called to bear our own crosses, to suffer humbly on earth while focused on eternity.  These are truths which are worthy of thoughtful meditation and even intentional use of imagination.  Words have power. Jesus Christ is described as the Word made Flesh; God chooses to speak to us by the written and spoken Word.  Good hymns should carefully, intentionally, clearly and accurately convey God’s truths; to do anything less is to risk a form of idolatry.