Protestants tend to pray in the name of Jesus based on Christ words “no one comes to the Father but through me” and the statement that there is " but one mediator between God and man and that is Christ Jesus". We also use "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ frequently but at very specified times such as marriages, baptism, etc.
There is no resurrection without the crucifixion. We were not saved by the cross, we were saved by the One hanging on the cross. Christ’s sacrifice for us sinners must always be forefront in the minds of Christians who can then rejoice in the resurrection. The question is not whether or not we should emphasize the crucifixion or the resurrection. We must emphasize both because they are inextricably joined. The Holy Triduum is celebrated as one Mass, beginning on Holy Thursday (The Last Supper), extending through Good Friday (the Crucifixion) and into the vigil of Easter (the Resurrection). It cannot be separated into parts, but rather is one saving act.
It strikes me in so many of these threads the Catholic position resolves to “both, and”.
The name of God is “Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. When we begin our prayers in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit we place ourselves in the presence of God and call on his name. We may pray to the Father or the Son or the Holy Spirit because they are each God, whole and entire. When we pray to one, we pray to each of the divine Persons. There are times when we need to pray specifically to God as our Father. There are times when we specifically call on the Holy Spirit, and there are times when we pray specifically to Jesus, our Brother and Savior.
Very true. It’s called the fullness of truth!
I think it signifies an attitude of “let’s see what’s popular now and we’ll change our theology to match.”
The Crucifix is a Catholic symbol of God’s love for humanity. On Good Friday we do more than worshiping Jesus on the Cross, we adore, venerate and show how much we truly love him as our Savor and Redeemer.
I must disagree with your statement. If that were the case why do I hear so many Catholics on EWTN and the Catholic Channel on Sirius Radio and even Cardinal Dolan himself pray in the name of Jesus and then add in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and then throw in through the intersession of Mary or another saint. Protestants also pray at times in the name of the Most Holy Trinity but it is our tradition to generally pray in the name of Jesus. There is only one mediator and we pray to God through Christ who alone makes intersession on our behalf.
In the 9th century, one of the Popes decreed that the rooster weather vane be installed on all churches - the rooster being the emblem of St. Peter.
I’m goint to take a guess on the wheather vane symbol of Protestant churches.
Jesus is the only one who died for our sins, and He is the only one who opened up the gates of Heaven to the human race by rising from the dead in the same human body into which He became incarnate in Mary’s womb.
I totally agree we can and should intercede for each other as commanded but all those incessions must go though Jesus. There is NO PLACE in sacred scripture that even hints that it is acceptable to pray to anyone other than Jesus and I must ask WHY WOULD YOU WANT OR NEED TO??? It is through the sacrifice and merits of Christ that we can approach the throne of God directly. there is no need for any other.Jesus is the only one who died for our sins, and He is the only one who opened up the gates of Heaven to the human race by rising from the dead in the same human body into which He became incarnate in Mary’s womb.
But we can all intercede for each other in prayer, and indeed, we are commanded to do so. The Saints continue to do so in Heaven, and there is no sin in asking them to pray with us for our intentions.
If I ask you to pray for me, will not your prayers for me go through Jesus? The same is true for the saints in heaven. When they pray for us their prayers go through Jesus. Praying to saints is only a way of communication, it is not a form of worship. We are simply asking them to pray to God for us.
I have always been baffled by this and here is my chance to get CAF help. I apologise in advance if this is an easy and oft repeated question!
It has always baffled me why many Protestant Churches do not use the crucifix, since there is no question that He died on the Cross for all of us.
I understand the reason has been stated as idolatry.
But, unless I am misunderstanding the definition of idolatry, which I am not sure is the case (but maybe!), I am baffled.
On another thread, I noticed the phrase (“or cross, if Protestant”). (And by the way, aren’t all Crucifixes crosses, but not all crosses are crucifixes?!)
For as long as I can remember, I have never understood why no crucifix; it never made sense. We ‘both’ know that He died on the Cross, sooooo, what up??!!
What is idolatry? I ask also because laymen’s terms might permeate my brain better.
I might even embarrasssingly tell you what I thought it was and why I am finally asking out loud.
Thank you.
Your help would be appreciated
Hi!
OP here.
Well, thank you for these responses. :thankyou:
I asked the question because, as stated by others, there cannot be a resurrection without a crucifixion, thus, I have never understood why many people, at least in my many years on my part of the planet, have believed
crucifix = Catholic and empty cross = Protestant.
And often observed as such with contentiousness, at that.
This has been a wonder all my “we-should-have-a-crucifix-in-the-church,too” Protestant upbringing life. He died for us, too, so…
And all my Protestant life, long before any interest in joining the Catholic faith, I believed with all my heart that ‘both’ can and should use ‘both.’
Not that we need reminders, per se, but to visually see what Our Most Merciful Christ did for us is good for us** both**; His Sacrifying death and His Glorious Resurrection.
Because we ‘both’ believe in ‘both’.
He died for us ‘both’, he was resurrected for us ‘both.’
Why the division on this incredibly unifying belief?
Also, as mentioned before, I concede that I misunderstood the definition of idolatry. Embarrassing to say and I admit it, but even with the correct definition, it doesn’t explain the mindset with which I grew up and continue to experience. And I have been here a while.
Ok, so Protestants would rather focus on the Resurrection (which isn’t entirely true, by the way, but ok, I respect that) and Catholics, the crucifixion (which isn’t entirely true, but, ok, I respect that, too).
Why not both for both?
In Revelation 5:8, we see that the 4 living creatures (the Evangelists) and the 24 Elders (the Apostles and the Patriarchs) bringing bowls full of the prayers of God’s people on earth before the Throne of the Lamb.