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Hello, I am searching to see if the Baptist religion uses a heart as an iconic symbol. I am researching some stained glass windows in a Baptist church that has no other apparent Christian symbols and was wondering if the heart is used as such. Thanks for your time. Nan
This is a good question - thanks for passing it along.
First, I have no knowledge of Baptists using hearts as a symbol. It's possible that the building used to be Roman Catholic or Lutheran. Roman Catholics often practice devotion to the sacred heart of Jesus, pictured in this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart Lutherans use a symbol called the "Luther Rose," at the center of which is a heart. It can be seen here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_rose
One more thing: traditionally, Baptists have not used ANY religious symbolism in their worship spaces. Note, for instance, First Baptist Providence, RI: http://libraries.mit.edu/rvc/kidder/photos/RI19.html That said, Baptists are free enough that a particular congregation could use whatever symbolism they found meaningful; that may be what is happening in your stained glass. There may be extant archival records that help explain why this architectural decision was made. Good luck with your research!
Andrew
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Andrew, Your answer has shed light on the stained glass windows in the Bapist Church I am researching. The heart I am speaking of is only in a couple of panes. All the other windows are free of iconic symbols. This information helps so much. Thanks! | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Rev. Andrew Smith
Expertise
I am neither a bible scholar nor a theologian; my ongoing doctoral studies at a major private research university are in American Religious History. My specialty is the history of Baptists, both in the United States and Great Britain. I can answer questions about Baptist origins and their subsequent historical development, and the ways in which Baptists have responded to particular trends in American history. Examples that come to mind include Baptist thought on Church and State, relationships with other denominations, the Fundamentalist/Modernist controversy, and the place of the Bible in historic Baptist thought.
Experience
I served two different Baptist churches while I was in seminary in Atlanta, GA. I currently teach adjunctively at Belmont University.
Organizations
American Society of Church History,
American Academy of Religion,
Southern Historical Association,
Baptist History and Heritage Society,
National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion
Publications
Journal of Baptist Studies (Peer-Reviewed) http://baptiststudiesonline.com/
Education/Credentials
BA, Carson-Newman College, '98, Majors: Religion, Applied Psychology
MDiv, Mercer University, '05
PhD (in progress), Vanderbilt University, '10, Major: Religion
Awards and Honors
National Merit Scholar;
Outstanding Graduate, McAfee School of Theology of Mercer University
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