"Torture stake" vs. "Cross"

[Elijah John]

Jehovah's Witness changed the word "cross" to "torture stake" and the word "crucified" to "impaled" in their New World Translation of the Bible.

This seems to be the only translation that does so.

And JW illustrations of the crucifixion depict Jesus not on the cross, but hanging from a pole, a "torture stake".

For debate: Why did their translators do this?

What theological or doctrinal clarification could this change possibly convey?

Does this change defy history, or did the Romans "impale" it's criminals as opposed to crucifying them?

Also, do these changes enchance or detract from the NWT's credibility?

[2timothy316]

"It's not the actual physical cross that scares demons but the representation of it. Without the Holy Spirit, the cross means nothing. Crosses are very effective in exorcisms. "

Physical cross that someone wears or posseses in reverence and as a reminder of Lord's sacrifice, would have power.

Don't know about a cross worn just as a piece of jewlerry by a non- believer.

As co-workers with God, non-believer has not done his part.

"I am Jehovah. That is my name; I give my glory to no one else, Nor my praise to graven images." - Isaiah 42:8

I don't know how to make it more clear than that...

And I agree. Don't mistake by wearing a cross for instance that yu giving it some glory. It is only a representation.

Yet many do. Believing that crosses have power and glory to drive demons from people. That is why the commandment "idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar" had to be given. (Lev 26:1) An image is a 'representation' of something. Mankind always goes too far. There are no exceptions in the Bible to make any sort of image of anything. I have even read where people say that the commandment doesn't apply to the cross but when I ask for the scripture where it commands to 'make a cross' or 'use a cross' there isn't one. There is not a single verse where Jesus, John, Mark or Paul used a cross in worship, not one.

[Monta]

[Replying to post 100 by 2timothy316]

" There are no exceptions in the Bible to make any sort of image of anything. I have even read where people say that the commandment doesn't apply to the cross but when I ask for the scripture where it commands to 'make a cross' or 'use a cross' there isn't one."

If the commandmant applied to the cross etc. we would have been told so in NT.
We were not because it is unneccessary. There's a plenty of teaching to tell us whom to worship. Cross is a good reminder when in bustle of daily life we remind ourselves to slow down and think on some words Jesus had said.

[onewithhim]

"It's not the actual physical cross that scares demons but the representation of it. Without the Holy Spirit, the cross means nothing. Crosses are very effective in exorcisms. "

Physical cross that someone wears or posseses in reverence and as a reminder of Lord's sacrifice, would have power.

Don't know about a cross worn just as a piece of jewlerry by a non- believer.

As co-workers with God, non-believer has not done his part.

Any representation of God, Jesus, or a cross & anything associated with God and Jesus would be powerless. It is Jehovah's power that accomplishes what is good, and He wouldn't give any of His power to a cross or a robe or a burial shroud or St. Horatio's left toe bone or anything else.


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[onewithhim]

[Replying to post 100 by 2timothy316]

" There are no exceptions in the Bible to make any sort of image of anything. I have even read where people say that the commandment doesn't apply to the cross but when I ask for the scripture where it commands to 'make a cross' or 'use a cross' there isn't one."

If the commandmant applied to the cross etc. we would have been told so in NT.
We were not because it is unneccessary. There's a plenty of teaching to tell us whom to worship. Cross is a good reminder when in bustle of daily life we remind ourselves to slow down and think on some words Jesus had said.

Why do you need something physical to do that?

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