Empty Crosses

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I find the empty cross as acceptable as a symbol of Christianity. However, I find the crucifix a more striking reminder of the saving death of our Lord.

I do NOT, however, regard the empty cross as a symbol of the Resurrection. The proper symbol of the resurrection is the empty TOMB. The cross was already empty while Jesus was still dead on Holy Saturday.
 
I voted that the emplty cross is acceptable, but let me clarify that it is acceptable to use an empty cross, but not in place of the crucifix with corpus in a Catholic Church. I don’t see anything wrong with an empty cross per se. My thought on the matter is that it’s much like the reformed churches. An empty cross holds some truth, but it does not reflect the fullness of the truth.
 
The Eurasian:
I think Protestants are kind of like Muslims. Although Protestants often talk about Christ’s Blood, THEY DON’T WANT TO BE REMINDED OF A GOD WHO SUFFERED AND WAS KILLED. BUT THAT IS HOW MUCH JESUS CHRIST LOVES US!!!

,%between%
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As a protestant, I find your post offensive and repulsive. I could say some things but I will not stoop to generalization, stereotyping and downright slander to make my point.
 
We have an “empty cross” in the front of the church, high on the wall behind the altar. It is draped with cloth in the color appropriate for the season. (Easter sunday, white, etc.) Both crosses have a place in our prayer life. It depends upon the focus of our prayer. I did not vote, both are acceptable.

Love and peace,

Mom of 5
 
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mellysue:
As a protestant, I find your post offensive and repulsive. I could say some things but I will not stoop to generalization, stereotyping and downright slander to make my point.
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And this adds to the discussion how??? If what was said is wrong then present your argument. Finding something offensive is hardly a valid debating point.And I am sure you can do it without “stooping”.
 
I find Empty Crosses to most offensive they are devoid of the true meaning of the cross that is to say it’s whole purpose namely to remind us of Christ death. This can only be achived with a corpus on the cross.
 
Well, I was raised Protestant, and I guess I still am one, though I am very much investigating the Catholic Church and find myself much convinced of the truth of it. When I was growing up, the empty cross was said to represent the risen Christ. Christ conquered death, He was no longer on the cross. Protestants celebrate the empty cross in the same way they celebrate the empty tomb. So, in that context, I think an empty cross is a perfectly acceptable symbol. I think the crucifix is also a perfectly acceptable symbol, as it celebrates the suffering of Christ. I think both symbols are good, and they represent two things Christians should remember, the suffering of Christ and the triumph of Christ.

That being said, I do think Protestants have a tendency to minimize and not truly appreciate the suffering of Christ, so perhaps they would benefit from seeing the crucifix.

God Bless!
 
The Iambic Pen:
Well, I was raised Protestant, and I guess I still am one, though I am very much investigating the Catholic Church and find myself much convinced of the truth of it. When I was growing up, the empty cross was said to represent the risen Christ. Christ conquered death, He was no longer on the cross. Protestants celebrate the empty cross in the same way they celebrate the empty tomb. So, in that context, I think an empty cross is a perfectly acceptable symbol. I think the crucifix is also a perfectly acceptable symbol, as it celebrates the suffering of Christ. I think both symbols are good, and they represent two things Christians should remember, the suffering of Christ and the triumph of Christ.

That being said, I do think Protestants have a tendency to minimize and not truly appreciate the suffering of Christ, so perhaps they would benefit from seeing the crucifix.

God Bless!
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I agree. I too was raised Protestant and although I’m in the process of converting to Catholicism, I have no problem with either cross or crucifix. I do find the so called touchdown cross (I can’t remember the other name for it) a bit odd. Just my two cents.

AMIE
 
But for Grace:
As some of you may already know, my wife is still a prostestant (for whom I am still praying, of course). In her church, as well as every other protestant church that I have been in, the cross is empty, that is that it lacks the corpus. In fact today they were praising the fact that they had an empty cross.

Now here is my beef, I cannot stand empty crosses, they seem so hollow to me.

1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness: (DRB)

Anyone else feel my pain?
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You forgot false the dichotomy option. There is no problem with a simple cross. However, I agree with 1 Cor 1:23 we preach Christ crucified.
 
I put “unacceptable”, only because it was the closest answer. Our church has a beautiful crucifix up front. I believe a crucifix should be in every Catholic church. Yes Jesus rose from the dead, but his death on the Cross was the supreme act of love for us. “…not that we have loved God, but that He loved us”. This is what should be our focus.

That being said, our Church also has a “touchdown” cross that you see as you leave. I have no problem with that. It is as if Christ is saying stand up and go, we have a mission to accomplish.

I prefer crucifixes, but I think there are appropriate places for crosses as well – not every cross has to have a corpus on it. I would bet most Catholic churches have just a cross on the rooftop.
 
God WILLINGLY allowing Himself, in the Person of the Son, to be TORTURED, WHIPPED, SPAT, SNEERED, WOUNDED, INSULTED, FLOGGED, MADE TO CARRY A CROSS, CRUCIFIED, RAISED, LIFTED ON A WOODEN CROSS LIKE THE BRONZE SERPENT OF MOSES ---- so that we who are daily bitten(tempted)

by the serpents, the devils, will not die from the bites(sins) but will live to eternal life if we daily gaze and obey that Serpent on the cross who died for us as ransom so that we can enter heaven.

On the cross, that is God, in the Person of The Son ALLOWING HIMSELF TO BE TORTURED FOR LOVE OF US IN OBEDIENCE TO THE RANSOM DEMANDED BY GOD IN THE PERSON OF THE FATHER. NO GREATER LOVE…

In the Ressurection, Ascension, my opinion is, THAT IS GOD IN THE PERSON OF THE FATHER ACCEPTING THE RANSOM, RESSURECTING, ASCENDING HIMSELF, SAME ONE AND ONLY GOD, IN THE PERSON OF THE SON.
 
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