J
jcunningham352
Guest
Do other denominational Christians make the sign of the cross?
- Status
C
ChrisB103
Guest
It is my understanding that it’s not nearly as common in Protestant denominations, but there are at least groups of Lutherans who make the sign of the cross. Here’s a clip of a Lutheran pastor’s comments on making the sign of the cross: youtube.com/watch?v=hPfIWxKdpg0
p.s. - Ignore his comments on Purgatory, Mary, etc. at the beginning of the clip. Catholic belief in these subjects are present well before the time he suggests.
B
bogeydogg
Guest
There are certain Lutheran dioceses that do.
God Bless
God Bless
F
frteatao
Guest
Shalom.
It is not a common practice by Protestant. It is good to use this christian gesture as it is a powerful sign of the victory of Christ on the Cross.
God bless
It is not a common practice by Protestant. It is good to use this christian gesture as it is a powerful sign of the victory of Christ on the Cross.
God bless
C
CopticChristian
Guest
The question is “do other denominational Christians” implies that the Catholic Church is a denomination. The Catholic Church is a denomination. Protestants are denominational. Perhaps it would have been proper to ask…
Do denominational Protestants make the sign of the cross like the Catholic Church. You may want to know that the Eastern Catholics do what is done in the West in reverse, right to left.
H
Hesychios
Guest
I don’t know if this answers your question, but the practice began in the east, and was adopted into the west later. Orthodox continue to bless themselves and pray with the Sign of the Cross, albeit in an earlier form.
C
CopticChristian
Guest
ERATA…The question is “do other denominational Christians” implies that **the Catholic Church is a denomination. ** The Catholic Church is a denomination. Protestants are denominational. Perhaps it would have been proper to ask…
Do denominational Protestants make the sign of the cross like the Catholic Church. You may want to know that the Eastern Catholics do what is done in the West in reverse, right to left.
The Catholic Church is not a denomination.
Denomination is peculiar and applies only to Protestant thought…
C
Contarini
Guest
Anglicans, do, generally. We have always used it in baptism (that’s one of the things the Puritans objected to), and since the 19th century it’s become common to use it in the same places Catholics would, and often some other places as well. We typically cross ourselves at the mention of the “resurrection of the body” in the Creed, for instance.
Edwin
H
Hesychios
Guest
Now that is interesting!
I think it is quite profound that some Anglicans have made a point of emphasizing this ancient belief.
P
Publisher
Guest
I attendeded a Methodist church for a couple years a long time ago…the pastor…made the sign of the cross each benediction…or when praying over the emblems during communion.
F
FabiusMaximus
Guest
Lutherans from what I understand are free to make the sign of the cross, as are Anglicans.
Evangelicals generally do not, although I’ve seen the occasional one cross himself at Communion. Presumably, he was a convert from Catholicism. No one paid any attention, really.
Italian Pentecostals are far stricter. They do not do the sign of the cross and do not view favorably anyone who does.
B
bogeydogg
Guest
Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America has the sign of the cross as part of mass and daily prayers. It is more than free to it is recommended even strictly I might say.
God Bless
C
Contarini
Guest
As a Romanian evangelical once said to me: “You need to know that making the sign of the Cross is a great sin.” She never explained just why this was so. . . .
Edwin
Hi Michael,
In the Lutheran service book, a + is marked in the text at this point as well.
To the OP, the practice of making the sign of the cross has grown quite a bit inAmerican Lutheranism since I was a kid. In the parish I grew up in, it was rare to see it. Today, a great many do - at the invocation, at the Absolution, when receiving communion, and at the benediction. Personally, I make the sign of the cross additional at the announcement of the Gospel, and at other times.
Jon
M
Marie_Gregg
Guest
I do, especially when there is a very heavy prayer need on my heart. I like the comforting reminder that I am covered by the grace of Christ through the cross. As far as I know my denomination says nothing for or against it.
G
GKC
Guest
G
GKC
Guest
Some years back I was involved, at length with an online gentleman who asserted that the sign of the Cross was the mark of the beast. I eviscerated him, as one would expect. One of my finest hours.
GKC
G
GKC
Guest
A
Anna_Scott
Guest
We, Anglicans, cross ourselves at different points during the Liturgy–very similar to Catholics in Communion with Rome—and in our prayers.
Catholic author, Scott Hahn, writes in his book entitled The Lamb’s Supper (pages 43-44):
“Among early Christians, the Sign of the Cross was probably the most universal expression of faith. . .Great saints also testify to the tremendous power of the sign. St. Cyprian of Carthage, in the third century, wrote that ‘in the. . .Sign of the Cross is all virtue and power. . .In this Sign of the Cross is salvation for all who are marked on their foreheads’ (a reference, by the way, to Revelation 7:3 and 14:1). A century later, St Athanasius declared that ‘by the Sign of the Cross all magic is stopped, and all witchcraft brought to nothing.’ Satan is powerless before the cross of Jesus Christ. The Sign of the Cross is the most profound gesture we make. It is the mystery of the Gospel in a moment. It is the Christian faith summarized in a single gesture. . . .”
I read the full section in Hahn’s book to my best friend (a Southern Baptist). She now crosses herself during her prayers. She is probably the only Southern Baptist who does this.
Peace,
Anna
- Status