Time for the rant of the week! What does that mean?! WHAT DOES "CALVARY GREETINGS" MEAN????
Some context: This is a greeting/intro given by many West African Christians--usually to other Christians. (Please correct me if you have heard a non-West African who has not had contact with a West African use this term.) As a West African Christian, I have heard this greeting over and over having no clue what it means. I am just as sure that those using the term also have no idea what it means.
I have done the research and the word "Calvary" only appears once in the Bible. Trust me, it provides little or no insight to this greeting:
"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left."
- Luke 23:33 (KJV)
I will assume that most Christians know that Calvary is where Jesus was crucified (either through prior knowledge, or because you just read the verse above). I am now tempted to give a long explanation on the Calvary/Golgotha distinction. But, I'll resist and say this: Calvary is a Latin "translation" of Golgotha. So, Golgotha and Calvary are the same place. Golgotha as explained in the Gospels means place of skulls. In other words, burial ground. So, are people saying "Burial Greetings"? "Greetings from the Crucifixion sight of Christ"? Or are they really informing us that they've been to Jerusalem and people from Calvary send their greetings?
I ask all this because at this point in my life it has become obvious that a lot of my future will be dedicated to ministry. So, because of my ability to focus on the important, I have been pondering the type of greeting I will use. Before I commit to "Calvary Greetings," I would really like to know what it means.
Thoughts?
do u have more writings?
ReplyDeletean african bible student send me a message with that greetings, too. i was really surprised and become curious what does it mean. hahaha... anyway, thanks a lot for this blog. i wont surely use it.
ReplyDeleteWe came across "Calvary Greeting" in a spam email and were also curious as to whether or not it was a *real* greeting. Thank you very much for your blog.
ReplyDeleteCalvary greetings in context, it refers to a greeting from Jerusalem! It's being used more often by Men of God to exchange greetings.
ReplyDeleteI had this weird stranger person email me and they started out thier sentence with "Calvary Greetings" and it was odd to me so I looked it up. And I am Christian at all! Is this normal?
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm NOT Christian
ReplyDeleteYou have a whole new world to explore.
DeleteGod bless you.
thanks for sharing I almost used it !!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, golgota greeting.
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ReplyDeleteI've seen it many times in letters written to Christians. Thanks for this infor. I bet u; I would probably have use it sometime in the future. Lol
ReplyDeleteFortunately I'am a West-African!
ReplyDeleteI wanted to use the phrase for greetings, but somewhat became curious about looking up for the meaning that got me in here. Calvary Greetings is beyond your definition, and the result of what i have read from those who responded to you. I have this to say; let us take a critical look at the price Jesus paid at Calvary, the power of God that engulf the Calvary, Crucifixion of Jesus Christ took place here but He had VICTORY over death, or burial at Calvary to mention but few, its worth reckoning with. For me, it means see what Christ has done, I'm standing upon the hill with Christ to greeting or other words is wishing somebody the victory of Calvary. Thanks
I really agree wit u
DeleteThanks so much for the explanation, it's really helpful
DeleteI am of the opinion that it would be better to use Shalom to greet one another as we know Jesus, upon his appearing to his disciples greeted using the word Peace.
ReplyDeleteJesus loves you all
ReplyDeleteI had someone send it to me as an Easter greeting
ReplyDeleteI heard it first time today and felt it was a Christian greeting from one to another who had known suffering, but was being polite and open hearted. Knowing it as truth, but not really complaining ...
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, we use it everyday in my local church and I considered it as greetings with a reminder of Christ's sufferings
ReplyDeleteIt's 2021 and I am wondering if we really need to use it. That's how I landed here.
ReplyDeleteSince we Christians speak to edify and not to condemn(death and life are in the power of the tongue),I understand and use "Calvary greetings" as a reminder of the price paid for our sins and the victory we have as a result of His Calvary experience.
ReplyDeleteWether you choose to greet in that manner or not,this understanding should help you appreciate and understand that greeting when next you come accross it.
Calvary greetings!
Shalom!
Amen!
DeleteCalvary greetings, as in, 'greetings from we who have died with Christ.'
ReplyDeleteReference at: Romans 6:8.
Prepare the way in your hearts. The Messiah is coming. Hebrews 12:14.
www.jesusislordradio.org
And what does calvary means to christians, it means liberty and freedom to all man kind. to me it is not wrong to use this.
ReplyDeleteHello i have herad many time this kind of greeting of "calvary" honestly Jesus already paid the price for us at the cross of calvary where is is no more, yes we remember the work he did at the cross, but i personally greet in The name of or Lord and Savior or or Risen Kind Jesus Christ
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