@finallyfreege: St. John Damascus, On Heresies (On Haeresibus) ch. 101. St. John of Damascus addresses the accusation that Christians are idolaters because they venerate the Cross. Rather than simply denying the charge, he points out what he sees as an inconsistency in the criticism: Muslims condemn Christian reverence for the Cross while showing reverence toward the Black Stone of the Kaaba. If physical objects associated with sacred history can be honored, then Christians cannot fairly be condemned for honoring the instrument through which Christ accomplished the redemption of the world. For Christians, the honor shown to the Cross is not directed toward the wood itself but to Jesus Christ and His saving work, which the Cross represents. St. John then responds to traditions he had heard concerning the Black Stone, namely that Abraham either had relations with Hagar upon it or tied his camel to it before offering Isaac as a sacrifice. He argues that these claims are inconsistent with the biblical account in Genesis. Scripture describes the place of Isaac's sacrifice as a wooded mountain where Abraham cut wood for the offering and left his donkey with his servants before ascending the mountain. John contrasts this description with the area of the Kaaba, arguing that it was neither wooded nor suitable for such a journey with donkeys. He then adds that even if the stone truly had belonged to Abraham, this would still not justify criticizing Christians for venerating the Cross, since the Cross is honored because of Christ's victory over sin, death, and the devil. #muslim #christianity #stjohn #blackstone #christianedit

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Saturday 27 June 2026 19:13:04 GMT