Episode Summary: The Sign of the Cross | The Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop

The cross is one of the most recognized symbols in the world—but has it always meant what people assume it means?

In this episode, we continue our journey through The Two Babylons as we explore "The Sign of the Cross." Hislop challenges the common assumption that the ritual use of the cross originated with the early Christian church. Instead, he argues that the symbol was already deeply rooted in the religious traditions of the ancient world long before the time of Christ.

We'll examine Hislop's discussion of Paul's statement about "glorying in the cross of Christ," why he believed it referred to Christ's sacrifice rather than a physical emblem, and then follow his historical case as he traces the cross through the mysteries of Babylon, the worship of Tammuz, and other ancient civilizations.

Was the sign of the cross handed down by the apostles, or did it find its way into Christianity centuries later? What evidence does Hislop present, and how well does it stand up to scrutiny?

Whether you've read The Two Babylons before or are encountering these arguments for the first time, this episode invites you to open the Scriptures, examine the historical record, and think carefully about the origins of one of history's most enduring religious symbols.