Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 9/10/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello:

I was just wondering what your thoughts or position on “The Spear of Destiny, The Holy Spear, Lance of Longinus, Spear of Longinus or Spear of Christ?

I have been doing much research on this subject and can never get a straight answer from anyone I ask, any text I read, etc.  It seems that there are as many mysteries, conspiracies, myths, etc surrounding this “spear” as there are regarding time travel, aliens etc.  Do you know if any one person or country on this planet actually claims to have this spear?  Any thoughts are appreciated.

Paul


ANSWER: Paul,

Hope you don't mind, but another volunteer placed your questions in the "Question Pool" and I thought I would give you my thoughts on this subject.

The so-called "Spear of Destiny" cannot be proven that it was actually the spear that pierced the side of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

John 19:31-37

The spear that is called the spear of destiny has fostered many legends, myths, and at least curious speculations. Whether it was or was not the actual spear matters not. All the legends that I have studied concerning it delve into the occult. Such should be a lesson for all Christians. We see examples of the similar things in Scripture where an inanimate object was used for something good, and yet after time the devil will twist it into something evil. Such happened with the brasen serpent Moses used to heal the nation.

2 Kings 18

As to who has it, and where it is, what I have found is that here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Lance

Hope this helps.

Elder Greg Madden

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Elder Greg Madden:

Thank you for your response.  There are a few other things that have always bothered me.  I was brought up Catholic and am now 38 years old.  I have many unanswered questions in regard to my religion and when I ask I am told “that is where your faith comes in to play."  Sometimes I feel like that is a "cop-out" answer because the person giving the answer doesn't really know themselves.  So I pose the question(s) to you for your insight.  When Jesus was crucified, why didn't his followers / believers take the cross, the crown of thorns, the nails from his hands and feet and put them away in a secure location so they could have been passed on from generation to generation?  You would think that an event so important in the Christian religion would not have been taken lightly.  For example, when the World Trade Center Towers came down, pieces of them were kept and put into glass cases so we would “never forget.”   Why wasn’t something like that done with these objects of such great importance in the Christian Religion?  I know that if I was there I certainly would have done something with those objects so people hundreds or thousands of years from that time could find them.  I try not to be a “doubting Thomas” but “faith” can be extremely hard, especially when science can be tangible.

Thanks Again,

Paul


Answer
Paul,

Sorry for such a late reply. It's been busy at work and home.

As to why the early Christians did not save or preserve the item of the passion of Christ, I believe I answed this in my previous answer. That, no matter how well meaning a Christian may been when have such objects, those items become object of adoration, veneration, and worship. This is stickily forbidden by Scripture. The whole premise of the Biblical plan of salvation is that it is to be received "by faith". The Bible says that we should "walk by faith, and not by sight". This does not mean that there are physical "proofs" of God. But that in the final analysis, one much choose to believe by faith.

Hope this helps.

Elder Greg Madden