Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Catholics make the sign of the cross with an open hand and from left to right, in contrast with the Orthodox. Though it should be pointed out, … Morning Prayer. He explains what he means with this unbelievable example: If I am watching baseball and I see the 3rd baseman get up to bat and he crosses himself what do I think? However, Lutheranism has utilized the sign of the cross in much of its liturgy (e.g. Apologetics SPH1 July 14, 2009, 10:28pm Copyright © 2010-2020 WhyCatholic.com, USA. Calvin was violently opposed to both cross and crucifix. Christopher Check. I usually don’t remember my dreams, but this time I did. The shape of the sign is a reminder of the cross of Christ. JoJo3 March 24, 2014, 6:34pm #1. Conservative, reformed, and evangelical theologian, James “Doug” Wilson is a pastor at Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, a faculty member at New Saint Andrews College, and author and speaker. Other Western Christians, e.g., Lutherans, Anglicans, Episcopalians, and some Presbyterians follow the same pattern because they inherited it from the Western Church. I would suggest that you do a simple search on any search engine asking when Christians first began using the sign of the cross and where it really comes from. We make the Sign of the Cross, we sit attentively to the Word, we stand at attention for the Gospel, we bow during a section of Creed, we kneel during the Consecration, and so on. Ask an Apologist. Please visit www.catholic.com to search the largest database of Catholic answers. In Luther’s Smaller Catechism we find in the section on Daily Prayers that the Christian is to make the sign of the cross before commencing the Morning and Evening Prayers.. Basil the Great tells us that the apostles themselves taught the sign of the cross. As for the ones who don't, it's probably considered "too Catholic". I thought of this when I said goodbye to my daughter this morning on my way to work. My wife recently discovered her protestant friends do not see the sign of the cross with good eyes. Our attempt to draw even a tenth of what they cost to operate through patronage was not successful. The crucifix is a principal symbol for many groups of Christians, and one of the most common forms of the Crucifixion in the arts. I do. JoJo3 March 24, 2014, 6:34pm #1. It is often looked at as an ancient Christian practice and is not necessary in the current church. Quote: In the morning, when you rise, you shall make the sign of the holy cross, and you shall say: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Some regular users of the Forums welcomed user fees. Catholics have strict rules concerning the sign of the cross, while many Lutherans don’t feel … When we add to the inconclusive value of the forums, the significant cost in financial resources and personnel time to host, operate, and to what degree we can, govern them, Catholic Answers can no longer justify the effort. Blessings to you as you seek to learn the truth for … Narrator: As often as we make the sign of the cross, repeating at the same time these words: [On-screen graphic] An indulgence of 100 days is granted for making the sign of the cross and saying the words. Catholicism is a branch of Christianity. A message from the President of Catholic Answers Dear Members and Patrons of the Catholic Answers Forums. THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: Catholic and Orthodox parishioners make the “sign of the cross” before personal prayers, upon entering a church, at various points during worship, and otherwise. The Sign is a physical act intended to indicate the relevance of the Cross, of the sacrifice of Jesus, in the life of Christians who use their bodies to affirm what is believed. They give our internal belief … The sign of the cross also allows us to evangelize in a way, by way of people seeing the sign, and allowing them to remember God in this way. In the name of the Father Catholic Answers executive committee and board of trustees. Many Protestants have grown comfortable with making the sign of cross as a part of their piety. So I would recommend this line of argument: The Apostles would place the sign of the cross on the foreheads of newly baptized people in fulfillment prophetic visions found in Ezekiel and Revelation. But, (esp. Now for a real Protestant there should be no rules laid down by man. Next: The Preparation—Confession and Absolution Other good posts on making the sign of the cross: Todd Peperkorn at Lutheran Logomaniac. When we make the sign of the cross, what we are doing is A) remembering our Baptism; B) Remembering Jesus’ death for our sins; C) Confessing to the world that I am not ashamed to be known as a disciple of Jesus; and D) Holding up the cross of … Some may and some may not. Protestants were a group of believers who split from the Catholic church. Required fields are marked *. Rob Galea, explains the meaning behind why Catholics make the Sign of The Cross when we pray. We don’t do that here. As a Baptist, I imagine I'd get annoyed if a bunch of Catholics went down to the beach and held dunking-style baptisms just to do it. Augusta_Crowley March 30, 2014, 8:35pm #2. But it actually goes all the way back to the Apostles. In England the Royal Chapels of Elizabeth I were most … When and why did protestants stop praying the “sign of the cross”? And Jesus says that you should not do that. Exodus 20:4 states: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." While the Bible does not instruct us to cross ourselves, the sign of the cross is not without biblical symbolism. They may choose whether they want to or not so yes some protestants may make the sign of the cross, but is depends on their way of thinking. Why don't Protestants (at least low-church types) make the sign of the cross? This is shown by the fact that the earliest mentions of the sign of the cross speak of it as an already established custom and simply encourage the faithful to make it correctly. Whilst I do not wish to doubt their genuineness, nor their conscience in doing so, I wanted to outline briefly the reasons for which I do not make the sign of cross, either in public or private worship. Do not pray in order to be seen by men. It may change your life if you truly want to know the truth. Those Christians are known as Catholics and Orthodox. I traced a small cross on her forehead with my thumb and said "God bless you", which I always do when I leave for work, and my dad always did to me (and still does when we are together). Why do Protestants stay away from the sign of the cross? I guess protestants dont like to acknowledge the work Jesus did on the cross for them An indulgence of 300 days for making the sign of the cross, with holy water. And thus, to make the sign of the cross in our church is to stand out, to act the individualist, to make a show and a spectacle of your prayers. A crucifix (from Latin cruci fixus meaning "(one) fixed to a cross") is an image of Jesus on the cross, as distinct from a bare cross.The representation of Jesus himself on the cross is referred to in English as the corpus (Latin for "body").. Narrator: As often as we make the sign of the cross, repeating at the same time these words: [On-screen graphic] An indulgence of 100 days is granted for making the sign of the cross and saying the words. For our part, we need to make the best use we can of the gifts that donors to Catholic Answers give us to spread the Catholic Faith. So Luther himself maintained the practice even when he was at odds with many of the practices of the Catholic Church then. Thank you all for your support over the years and God bless. The sign of the cross is a practice in the Catholic faith. to search the largest database of Catholic answers. Like all prayers, the Sign of the Cross should be said with reverence; we shouldn't rush through it on the way to the next prayer. Why don't Protestants make the Sign of the Cross? The gestures remind our bodies as the words remind our minds of … So why does this theologian think it is inappropriate for protestants to make the sign of the cross? All Rights Reserved. For those that make the sign of the cross, I'd imagine it's the same. Luther’s Small Catechism). There is the reason they say they do not do this, and then, perhaps, there is the real reason. Pray continually, Paul urged the Thessalonians.The early church fathers took this one step further: continually make the sign of the cross. To me, baptism is very symbolic, and an important rite. That said, making the sign of the cross is just a way of collecting yourself before you pray. Yet most Protestants reject the idea of placing the sign of the cross upon themselves. Aside from the difficulty of determining motives of another individual, such arguments forget that many good things are abused and counterfeited, yet we do not reject … Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window). Forums welcomed user fees in Protestant churches then, perhaps, there is the real.! To traditions and belief held by the church of old indulgence of days! Differences with Andreas Karlstadt as early as 1525 Protestant there should be no rules laid down by man patti Armstrong! Father and of the Son, and of the Son and of the cross of Christ i understand the! But this time i did recurring Patron donations will be discontinued on December.... He says: “ it telegraphs either confusion or transition ” understand that the ``... 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