Why are Protestants opposed to Crucifixes?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Metaron
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

Metaron

Guest
I’ve always wondered why Protestants always have an empty cross instead of an image of the crucifix, even though Saint Paul said, “…We preach Christ crucfied…” Even Lutherans I thought had crucifixes. Some say that the cross emphasizes the ressurection, but the cross to me represents the crucifixion, without going into the gory details like the crucifix. Besides, there was a symbolic “crucifix” in the Bible, a serpent on a cross-shaped pole that Moses made for people to look to and be saved from snake-poison. Does anyone know if they have any ligitimate objection to the crucifix?
 
Note that most crosses do not represent the resurrection. There are no nail holes, no blood; they have never been used.

The bare cross, as used in the eastern churches, the Carmelites etc. is your cross. It is waiting there for you to pick it up and carry it, and be nailed to it beside Jesus.
 
Crosses and crucifixes have a long history in many traditions. It is worthy of reading about, but too long to post here.

I’m a Protestant… and I’m not “opposed” to a crucifix. The question is a bit misleading, I think.
 
O.S.Luke said:
Crosses and crucifixes have a long history in many traditions. It is worthy of reading about, but too long to post here.

I’m a Protestant… and I’m not “opposed” to a crucifix. The question is a bit misleading, I think.
Click to expand...
You are absolutely correct Luke! I just converted last Easter to Catholicism, and I’ve always had a crucifix hanging in my home.

We always had them at church too.???

I guess that “Cradle Catholics” can’t understand.
 
Oh. I didn’t really know. I was just saying that most of the Protestants I know, i.e., my family, didn’t like the fact that I had a crucifix. In fact my Dad was extremely opposed to it. In case you’re wondering, My family is Nazarene and Orthodox Presbyterian, I went Anglican, and now I’m going to RCIA to become Roman Catholic. You can see my whole “homecoming” story in abbreviated form in the welcome thread.
 
The Episcopal church I went to once upon a time that wasn’t especially high had a crucifix over the pulpit.

And a Lutheran church I subbed on organ for one Sunday had one over the altar.
 
I wonder if a Baptist or Fundamentalist meetinghouse would ever have an crucifix, or altar for that matter? Chuckle, chuckle… no, the Passion of Christ is too graphic for them, I think. :rolleyes:
 
Metaron said:
I wonder if a Baptist or Fundamentalist meetinghouse would ever have an crucifix, or altar for that matter? Chuckle, chuckle… no, the Passion of Christ is too graphic for them, I think. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
No, no crucifix.

Altar, no such thing in those churches. The pastor is front and center.

There is a huge mega church near where I live. The sign out front is really fancy, rocked with the name, water fountain and all…no cross at all. Then go inside, fancy, large windows, wrought iron tables for everyone to eat their cafateria lunch at, only a small cross in the sanctuary, that’s it.
 
DJgang said:
No, no crucifix.

Altar, no such thing in those churches. The pastor is front and center.

There is a huge mega church near where I live. The sign out front is really fancy, rocked with the name, water fountain and all…no cross at all. Then go inside, fancy, large windows, wrought iron tables for everyone to eat their cafateria lunch at, only a small cross in the sanctuary, that’s it.
Click to expand...
Wait… they eat cafeteria lunches in their meetinghouses???
 
Metaron said:
I’ve always wondered why Protestants always have an empty cross instead of an image of the crucifix, even though Saint Paul said,
Click to expand...
because protestants are too much into the idea of a ‘resurrected jesus’.
 
AgnosTheist said:
because protestants are too much into the idea of a ‘resurrected jesus’.
Click to expand...
And Catholics aren’t?

In order to understand this, you must realize that it was Christ’s death on the cross that saved us, not His resurrection.

Pace e Bene
Andrew
 
Harpazo said:
And Catholics aren’t?

In order to understand this, you must realize that it was Christ’s death on the cross that saved us, not His resurrection.

Pace e Bene
Andrew
Click to expand...
As Catholics we celebrate at Mass His passion, death and resurrection. It is a mistake to try to separate the Paschal Mystery.
 
Metaron said:
Wait… they eat cafeteria lunches in their meetinghouses???
Click to expand...
Yes, in a line, breakfast and lunch are served on Sundays. Wednesday night supper.

Yep.

Modern mega churches…where have you been? :whacky: 😃
 
of course! i just realized, the #1 reason protestants dont include a hanging image of jesus on the cross, is because they think its idolatry!
 
AgnosTheist said:
anyone can die on a cross. its the resurrection that makes a difference.
Click to expand...
Uh, I think that’s faulty lagic. Humans were executed on crosses, yes. But God suffering for the sake of man? That is truly a deep and wonderful mystery, that he loved us enough to die for us.
 
Metaron said:
I’ve always wondered why Protestants always have an empty cross instead of an image of the crucifix, even though Saint Paul said, “…We preach Christ crucfied…” Even Lutherans I thought had crucifixes. Some say that the cross emphasizes the ressurection, but the cross to me represents the crucifixion, without going into the gory details like the crucifix. Besides, there was a symbolic “crucifix” in the Bible, a serpent on a cross-shaped pole that Moses made for people to look to and be saved from snake-poison. Does anyone know if they have any ligitimate objection to the crucifix?
Click to expand...
Many of my Protestant friends say “but, he is not ON the cross anymore! He is risen”

I think it started by Reformers just not wanting to be “Romish”.
 
AgnosTheist said:
of course! i just realized, the #1 reason protestants dont include a hanging image of jesus on the cross, is because they think its idolatry!
Click to expand...
That doesn’t make sense… An image of the cross, with or without Christ, is still an IMAGE… so wouldn’t they, by having a cross on their meetinghouses, be committing the idolatry they accuse Catholics with, albeit with a cross-image, instead of a crucifix-image?
 
Some non-Catholic Christians have scruples about crucifixes. I just wear mine anyway. I call it my Price Tag. 🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top