The Skull & The Cross

When Tom Hughes bought his first motorcycle at sixteen, he had no idea that God would one day use that moment to lead him into a ministry spanning more than forty years. From early rides on a Sears Vespa to a long line of Harley-Davidsons, he eventually found himself living in two worlds—fully at home among bikers, and fully committed as a Christian pastor. Yet he repeatedly heard the same sentiment from both communities:

“Christians don’t get bikers, and bikers don’t get Christians.”

One recurring point of tension was the same question again and again:
Who really owns the skull and crossbones?
Are skulls symbols of rebellion, darkness, and the outlaw lifestyle?
Or do they have a different, forgotten heritage?

Hughes set out to find the truth, and what he discovered was astonishing.

Through Scripture, archaeology, ancient art, early Christian tradition, and church history, he found that:

• The skull and crossbones were used as Christian symbols long before pirates or modern culture adopted them

• Bones were ancient symbols of resurrection, new life, and hope

• The skull is directly tied to Golgotha—Calvary—the place where Jesus died

• Medieval churches used skull imagery to point to Christ’s victory over death

• Christian art often depicted Christ’s blood falling on Adam’s skull, symbolizing redemption for humanity

The deeper he went, the clearer it became:

“Bikers didn’t own the skull—God, the Creator, did.”

The Skull & The Cross reveals a powerful connection between two worlds that rarely understand each other. It shows how a symbol thought to belong to darkness is actually rooted in the gospel story of Jesus’ sacrifice, resurrection, and the hope of eternal life.

Whether you’re a biker, a believer, or simply someone curious about the hidden history behind familiar symbols, this book will transform how you see the skull and crossbones—and how you see the people who wear it.