Why Do You Use Symbols Such as Candles and the Cross?

“The common stuff of our mortal life is girded with symbols: wedding rings, diplomas, medals, badges, handshakes, flags, uniforms, birthday candles, Christmas wrappings, bridal gowns, school colors, roses, lilies, kisses, even table settings.” (Thomas Howard) These everyday symbols carry meaning and serve important purposes in religious contexts as well.

Biblical Foundations for Symbolic Worship

Symbols appear throughout Scripture and serve two primary functions in Christian practice:

Visual Teaching of Biblical Truths

Joshua 4:8-9 describes twelve stones gathered from the Jordan River to commemorate God’s deliverance. These stones reminded God’s people of divine protection, connecting to other biblical symbols like circumcision and Passover, as well as the Tabernacle’s symbolic elements.

Creating Sacred Atmosphere

Symbols in worship spaces establish an appropriate environment for encountering the divine. Candles represent “the light and presence of the Lord,” while architectural elements like vaulted ceilings convey “the vastness of the heavens of the Lord.”

The Cross as Central Symbol

The cross represents “the most central event in history, the Death and Resurrection of Christ.” It connects to the tree of life in Genesis and symbolizes Christ’s restoration of humanity to God’s presence. Members do not worship the symbol itself but rather use it as a reminder of spiritual victory.

Biblical Perspective on Symbols

Symbols are biblically permissible; rejecting all symbolic representation would require eliminating everyday cultural objects and monuments.