Protestants and The Crucifix

[kellie]

Personally I do prefer the crucifix, though I do have a cross in my house and a pendant cross too.

To me an empty cross could almost be that of anyone who has ever been crucified - Spartacus, or the two thieves who were crucified Jesus or what have you. It’s having the corpus on it that reminds me better precisely WHOSE death we are remembering and why.

Not that I think these aims cannot be achieved with an empty cross, though. I guess they can for those who are so inclined in their thoughts.

As you all know I am Catholic, but often like to “speak” for other religions, only because I am able to see some topics objectively.

I just wish to throw some thoughts in to this thread, that are not intended to offend Our Lord at all, or anyone on this forum.

Lily, you said that an empty cross could be a symbol of anyone who was ever crucified, well yes true. But that “likeness” of Jesus on the Cross could be anyone, as we don’t really know what Jesus looked like, which could be why some don’t like a crucifix.

Also, some people don’t like thinking of death, some I know don’t look into a coffin to say goodbye to their loved one who has died. Maybe a crucifix to them is too “deathly” like.

Also, some people may wish to show that their house is Christian, but also are too proud of how their house looks too, so a cross may blend in better, rather than a body on it “sticking out”.

I am in no way saying this is what I believe. I love the crucifix, I stare at the the hands and feet of Jesus, and His crown of thorns, and His wound in His side, His torn robes, and I just feel so much love, and am truly reminded of how wonderful He is, for through all that pain you see Him in on the Crucifix, He came back to life.

Being reminded of what a person physically must look like to be crucifed in the manner in which Our Lord was crucified brings it all home as to what a wonderful thing He did for us, and shows how much He loves us.

P.S Lily, I was not meaning to sound like I was picking on you, I used your post as an example.

 

[LilyM]

No offence taken at all Kellie - to each their own point of view, and everyone’s welcome to have one!

 

[kellie]

No offence taken at all Kellie - to each their own point of view, and everyone’s welcome to have one!

God bless Lily

 

[reggieM]

Now, I will probably get ridiculed from the other side, but if this is truely quoted and the context is correct as stated, Luther was wrong here.

This is one of the major problems that we find. Luther insisted that he was right, citing Sola Scriptura and his own individual authority to teach Christian doctrine.

So, supposedly we Catholics should have listened to Luther.

But now you say that Luther was wrong. You use the same Sola Scriptura and contradict what the Protestant reformer said.

Implied in that, we Catholics supposedly should follow you (apparently) based on whatever authority you have. You may claim it is Sola Scriptura, but Luther claimed the same thing and now you say he’s “wrong”.

If Luther was wrong, after thousands of Protestants like yourself argued for centuries that he was right – on what basis should we follow your interpretation of Scripture? (I don’t mean this as a personal offense).

Additionally, I see “images” of Christ in Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican and non-denominational Protestant churches, as well as in evangelical “Christian” churches. I see images of Christ used on the cover of Protestant books.

All of those are Sola Scriptura Christians who use images of Christ in worship and elsewhere. But you’re saying (apparently) that all those Protestants are “wrong” along with Luther, and you’re right. Again, I can’t understand how you’ve established yourself as an authority on giving the official interpretation of Scripture.

You did post an image of the Cross – which is a symbol of Christ. It’s an image of Him. This is supposedly forbidden in the same Bible you quoted. But apparently, you interpret the passages to permit your church to use an image of Christ (the Cross) but not Catholics to use an image of Christ (the Crucifix).

Again, I see no evidence that you have been given the authority to interpret the Scriptures correctly. Nor could I see that with Martin Luther who you have already said was wrong (and thus he was an idolater?)

I think also your position is a minority within Protestantism.