Your questions, which follow, cannot, as has already been expressed, be applied to all protestants across the board. Even protestants of the same faith, per se, do not always agree as to terminology, however, I will here, give my personal view and outlook on what you ask.
Can anyone give me an answer to a question I’ve had for a very long time and didn’t think it important enough to ask. But I’d really like an answer to this because it’s still nagging at me.
Firstly, it is good that you inquire of such things, as this shows a willingness to understand those who are outside your own faith. Understanding is the first step to peaceful dialog, which leads to friendship, even though full agreement is not acheived.
Why is it that Protestants use words like ‘anointed’, ‘restored/and restoration’, ‘Praise the Lord’, and when someone dies they say ‘going to glory’, ‘wait on the Lord’, ‘covered by his wings’, ‘abide in me’, just to name a few? I realize these are all scriptural terms, but how come Catholics don’t use these terms also since they are very pretty.
I will take the words individually and hope I can explain, at least my position on these.
- Anointed. - When the word is used it is usually referring to the Holy Spirit. As Christ was “anointed” by the Holy Spirit at his baptism, so are we “anointed” at our baptism. Furthermore, Christ “anointed” his disciples when he sent them to preach two by two while he was still with them. In Acts, we find several instances, please don’t ask me to quote where as I do not have my Bible at ready access at this time, in which not only the Apostles but those who were with them were “anointed” with the Holy Spirit. So when “Protestants” use the term “Anointed” it is in these contexts to which the term is used.
Restored/Restoration. Upon the Cross Christ died for our sins, his blood was shed for us so that we may be “Restored” to the same relationship that was originally granted to Adam and Eve. With out his sacrifice and our acceptance of it there is no possibility of that “Restoration”.
Praise the Lord. Often over used and miss used, However, when used properly and in the right context it is just what it sounds, a Praise unto the Lord. An expression of thanksgiving when a prayer is answered or some joyful event has happened. Personally, I often use it even when things do not go right, for “all things are good to the glory of God.” Even when evil befalls us, God brings something good out of it, so “Praise the Lord” in all things.
Wait on the Lord. It is what we should all be doing. It is what he commanded us to do, “Watch and Wait” But it is not just for his second coming that we should “wait” on him, but we should “wait” on him when we pray, it is in answer to our prayers that we should wait and not trying to force our will upon God but rather let the Holy Spirit of God lead us to that which is desirable of God. I have personally experience the pitfalls of not waiting for God to answer a prayer, either positively or negatively, to my own detriment and have learned to be patient in “waiting on the Lord.” He will and does answer prayers, not always the way WE would like, but “His will be done” and for our own good.
Covered by his wings, I’ve never used that one, God nor Jesus has wings and therefore such a term, to me, is silly.
Abide in me. Is another reference to the Holy Spirit, also a reference to the scripture in which Jesus states that as the Father abides in him he will abide in us and we in him. A sign of unity. As a “church”, the bride of Christ, we are also to abide in one another, giving support, encouragement and help whenever needed.
I personally like them, but try not to use them or I’ll sound Protestant. Is there anyone that can enlighten me as to why these terms are used mainly only by Protestants. At least, I have never heard Catholics use them. Nor have I heard Protestants use Catholic terminology.
Would it make you any less Catholic if you used these terms? There are many terms that both Catholics and “Protestants” use that are the same. Does that make Protestants any less Protestant?
Also why are Protestants so opposed to making the sign of the cross or blessing themselves with holy water? What is it that bothers you about it? This mystifies me. Nor do they bow before the alter of the Lord in a Catholic church if they ever have opportunity to go there. I’ve had a few Protestant friends that have gone to mass with me and they will not bow before the holy crucifix nor bless themselves from the holy water font?
Now we get into a little bit stickier subject, which many on this forum would consider offensive if expounded upon. No offense is meant here as the OP has posed a question of which she is entitled to a response.
Why are “Protestants” opposed to making the sign of the cross or blessing themselves with holy water. Flatly, these are consided, by many Protestants, to be acts of Idolarty of which they cannot and will not partake in. The same goes for bowing before an alter or any graven image. Enough said, as this should sufficiently answer the question posed.
I hope this helps.
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