Christian Symbols Research Paper

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Christian Symbols Denise Pharr Grand Canyon University Think of this, a famous artists contacts you and they want your life portrait to be their next work of art. He tells you how he has followed your unselfish acts towards others, unrelenting faith in even the most trying times, and he wants to capture your essence. This begins a dialogue between you, the artist and our life long colleagues deliberating for weeks what your life portrait should symbolize. Is it about you, your work, or a message you want to send, or all of the above? Would you have a halo, anchor, or dove in your portrait, if so why? Some famous pieces of art that contain Christian symbols are Figure 4.6 Gregory the Great and Three Scribes (Fiero, p. 101), and Figure…show more content…
It brings together the cross and the various nautical Christian symbols (fish, boat, dolphin), and it usually signifies hope in Christ. © 2004-2009 ReligionFacts. http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/symbols/anchor.htm I was actually unaware that the anchor preceded the cross. I learned the cross came after the anchor with this reading and research. Now an interesting question to ponder would be which symbol if presented to 10,000 Christians with the history of the cross and anchor would have a deeper faithful connection with one over the other? The anchor became a key Christian symbol during the period of Roman persecution. Christian use of the anchor echoed Hebrews 6:19: "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." (NIV) Epitaphs on believers' tombs dating as far back as the end of the first century frequently displayed anchors alongside messages of hope. Such expressions as pax tecum, pax tibi, in pace, or "peace be with you" speak to the hope Christians felt in their anticipation of heaven. Archaeologists found about 70 examples of these kinds of messages in one cemetery…show more content…
It may derive from Noah's ark or Jesus' calming of the storm (Mk 4:37). © 2004-2009 ReligionFacts. http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/symbols/a-z.htm The ship for me has so much personal meaning as I grew up in Florida. I always visualized the ships as those that might need help and the lighthouse as the Savior or guide to safety. Reading the symbolic meaning that the Ship is your church, does not change my respect or meaning, it only enhances it. The people endangered on the boat are not in the rough sea alone. Conclusion Jesus gives you so many invaluable tools throughout life to use that can orchestrate a masterpiece in yourself or splattered canvas of no meaning. You are the canvas, the world is your paint and supplies changing and reflecting the canvas everyday. Everyday you make decisions that will impact the next moment, your next week, and in many cases our next years. How do you decipher changes today that seem so minuscule but down the road, a larger picture presents itself? Does it sound logical that the answer lies within yourself? If we can look at the crossroad moments in your life as a canvas, and use the tools around you, keep an open mind and heart then you will be God’s
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