The cross communicates to us the truth of the cross-centered Christianity as the completeness of the work of Christ from incarnation to the passion, through Calvary and then the resurrection and the ascension. The cross, as depicted here and as displayed in every classroom at the Lahore College of Theology, incorporates multiple threads of tradition. In an instant, it unites us across denominational borders: for Catholics, the figure of Christ is shown on the cross, while the Protestant tradition shows basically the fame of the cross, the structure on which Christ hung while not depicting Christ himself. One tradition says, ‘Christ has died,’ the other that ‘Christ is risen’.

Here at the Lahore College of Theology and St Thomas’ Center, we witness and confess both doctrinal assurances – both distinctly as well as boldly humble and uniting. This cross, reminds me, every time I look at it, of the tremendous ministry we witness year after year, go out from the gates of the Lahore College of Theology and St Thomas’ Center.

Years of discourse have perhaps alienated denominations from one another and yet here before me was an image of the cross that drew us together. The form of this cross enhances Christ without the form of Christ Himself. Christ in this cross is visible by the absence of his form.
The circle is for the head, a crescent for the outstretched arms, and the rectangle representing the body, is a powerful reminder to us at the college, which each passing day, of the hope and invitation to the Christ of the Cross in the chalice and the host, braiding together, the Eucharist as shared as shared meal, as sacrifice entailing suffering and death, as with Jesus. May we at LCT have such a braided theology in which Christ who died is alive, and the essence of his sacrifice was not suffering and death but his total self-giving?

Rt. Rev Azad Marshall DD,
Founder Chairman, LCT