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spiritblows
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Why don’t Protestants display the crucifix? Are they against it? I get the feeling that it makes them nervous. Is there a theological reason behind this?
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bauerice
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My protestant friends say Jesus is no longer on the cross.
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bengal_fan
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nothing new under the sun… (this thread has been done a couple of times i think, but anyway).
the protestants that are against a display of the crucifix are that way because they believe that Jesus is no longer on the cross, but has raised from the dead (thus conquering death) and that the crucifix shows that “catholics focus on the death, or the work, as opposed to focusing on the life, or the grace” (at least that’s one argument i’ve heard). many protestants i know, have no problem with the crucifix and actually use one (usually only during holy week) for specific aspects of their worship. i am sure that there are some out there that just don’t like the crucifix because “it’s catholic”.
the protestants that are against a display of the crucifix are that way because they believe that Jesus is no longer on the cross, but has raised from the dead (thus conquering death) and that the crucifix shows that “catholics focus on the death, or the work, as opposed to focusing on the life, or the grace” (at least that’s one argument i’ve heard). many protestants i know, have no problem with the crucifix and actually use one (usually only during holy week) for specific aspects of their worship. i am sure that there are some out there that just don’t like the crucifix because “it’s catholic”.
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George_Waters
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This is what I typically hear as well.
Peace,
George
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mkarzon
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If they want to show that He’s no longer on the cross, they should show an empty tomb. Showing an empty cross doesn’t necessarily show that he’s raised from the dead.
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tjmiller
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I grew up in a protestant sect which not only did not display a crucifix - they didn’t display anything! (Even mosques have better interior decorating…) To them, any images at all violate the commandment against idolatry. A crucifix or a cross would be a “graven image”.
I went back to one of these churches - er, faith communities - this summer when visiting relatives. My first time in 20 years! No matter how dynamic the preaching and singing - and it was all very good - I was bored to death and nearly fell asleep several times.
There was nothing to look at, to keep the mind focused!
I went back to one of these churches - er, faith communities - this summer when visiting relatives. My first time in 20 years! No matter how dynamic the preaching and singing - and it was all very good - I was bored to death and nearly fell asleep several times.
There was nothing to look at, to keep the mind focused!
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Tonks40
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Funny - I was telling my husband about how one of my girlfriends and her husband feel “uncomfortable” about a cruxifix, and how they feel it’s “wrong” to have one displayed. “Don’t Catholic’s know that Jesus already died for our sins and has risen?” she asked me.
“Of course we know,” I told her. I then explained to her that the cruxifix serves as a reminder of His Sacrifice to us.
She was quiet after that!
“Of course we know,” I told her. I then explained to her that the cruxifix serves as a reminder of His Sacrifice to us.
She was quiet after that!
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exoflare
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When they say it’s because Jesus raised from the dead, I’m sorry but that makes no sense at all! I could just as easily say something like “what, you don’t believe Jesus died for our sins?!”
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BrianH
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I have my reason. After reading his words for years and years, I really get the feeling, he would not approve. I see nothing about his words or deeds that would lead me to think this throughly Jewish man, but God as well…would say, “I think it would be a good idea for you to remember my suffering by making a graven image of my dying on the cross.” To each is own though.
BrianH
BrianH
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mark_a
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For many, this is a major part of the problem.
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LtTony
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Graven image and because it’s catholic.
On the graven image thing, a side note: went to my wife’s fundie church last Sunday. On the big screen during a hymn they projected a silhoutte of Christ, arms outstretched. And I’m thinking, “Just go ahead and show the face. You’re practically there anyway.”
On the graven image thing, a side note: went to my wife’s fundie church last Sunday. On the big screen during a hymn they projected a silhoutte of Christ, arms outstretched. And I’m thinking, “Just go ahead and show the face. You’re practically there anyway.”
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BrianH
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It is a little more than that:
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood”
Scripture clearly shows what Jesus went through to prepare himself for his crucifixion. He pleaded with father, had an angel come and help him at this horrible time, prayed even more, sweat like blood because of this.
Can you imagine one of the disciples asking him if he thought it would be a good idea for this to be the symbol that many chose to remember him?!?
Like I said suit yourself, but I don’t think he would have liked the idea personally.
BrianH
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Lischou
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So Brian, I guess what you are telling us is that in your church, displays of the empty tomb is what we would see on the wall because to do anything else would be ilogical (based upon your reasoning).
The cross (alone) is also a representation of what Christ did for us, redemption, salvation, and suffering. If I remember correctly (and someone else may know more specifics on this than I do), I recall reading somewhere that the Catholic church originally used only the cross. Later, during the plagues of the middle ages, the figure of Christ was included on the cross to remind Christians of the sufferings that our Lord endured as a way of helping them to remember that they were not alone.
I grew up Southern Baptist and was a member of that denomination for 35 years. I, too, heard similiar reasons for using only the cross. However, those explanations just don’t fly considering the fact that many “Passion plays” are performed in those churches using that very same “empty cross.” If they wanted the emphasis to focus on his resurrection, re-enacting the Lord’s carrying of the cross would not be done either.
In my humble opinion, it’s just a “rule or tradition” that someone made up, and it stuck. It has also become a way of emphasizing that one is not Catholic.
Respectfully,
Lisa
The cross (alone) is also a representation of what Christ did for us, redemption, salvation, and suffering. If I remember correctly (and someone else may know more specifics on this than I do), I recall reading somewhere that the Catholic church originally used only the cross. Later, during the plagues of the middle ages, the figure of Christ was included on the cross to remind Christians of the sufferings that our Lord endured as a way of helping them to remember that they were not alone.
I grew up Southern Baptist and was a member of that denomination for 35 years. I, too, heard similiar reasons for using only the cross. However, those explanations just don’t fly considering the fact that many “Passion plays” are performed in those churches using that very same “empty cross.” If they wanted the emphasis to focus on his resurrection, re-enacting the Lord’s carrying of the cross would not be done either.
In my humble opinion, it’s just a “rule or tradition” that someone made up, and it stuck. It has also become a way of emphasizing that one is not Catholic.
Respectfully,
Lisa
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BrianH
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Lischou,
So…you DO think he would say it was a good idea?
I go to a house church, it has vinyl Elvis on the wall actually…
BrianH
So…you DO think he would say it was a good idea?
I go to a house church, it has vinyl Elvis on the wall actually…
BrianH
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spiritblows
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Ah, now there is some hard evidence, as opposed to 2000 years of Holy Tradition of the Apostolic church. “A feeling” eh? A feeling he wouldn’t approve… Because you read the Bible, and got this feeling…
Wow, I’m impressed with your incredible scholarship. my friend…
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BrianH
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the use of the crucifix is a much later tradition…
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spiritblows
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And, the reading and self-interpertation of the Bible by amateurs is an even later one, friend.the use of the crucifix is a much later tradition…
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BrianH
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Really? I thought Jesus told people constantly to search the scriptures? Did he REALLY mean something else?
BrianH
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spiritblows
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Not internet amateurs who make up their own theology based on their feelings. I think you overestimate your scholarly abilities…
Ah, but each to his own
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Orionthehunter
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Although I’m not Lischou, I didn’t want your question to go unanswered.
Yes. I think Christ appreciates the focus on Emmanual (God among us physically) the sacrifice He made for our sins, and how it is a reminder that our Creator chose to reveal Himself to us by assuming our bodily state.
I’m always at a loss on why our separated brethren have a problem with this. I don’t criticize or comment on your focus on His Resurrection by using a cross w/o the Corpus. Frankly, it belies a knee-jerk irrational reaction to anything that reminds them of Catholicism.
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