Why don’t Protestants like the Crucifix, and some the cross

The reasoning I've heard is that they view it as worship of the cross, which would make it an idol. I don't agree because if I was worshipping the cross, I'd be praying to it. I only pray to Christ. The cross is nothing more than a reminder of where I deserve to be.

Daniel Peres said:

Many Protestants seem to dislike crucifixes,

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Because the cross is empty, Jesus died once and rose from the dead once. He is not still on the cross, but is risen and acended.

Lutherans did not go iconoclastic during the Reformation or kept it mild. Martin Luther taught the "importance of images as tools for instruction and aids to devotion,"[39] stating: "If it is not a sin but good to have the image of Christ in my heart, why should it be a sin to have it in my eyes?"[40] (wikipedia)

The rest of the Reformation was anti-Rome on pretty much everything. Then you throw in literal adherence to the "No graven images", they throw out any kind of images, even the crucifix. The main thing you will hear today from iconoclastic Protestants is the notion of Christ is no longer on the cross so why use it.

Daniel Peres said:

Many Protestants seem to dislike crucifixes, so they only use crosses. Now, it seems like the more modern Protestants don’t even like crosses in their churches either.

This makes no sense to me. In 1 Corinthians 1:23 Paul was very clear when he wrote, “we preach Christ crucified.”

I’m not say we don’t need to preach Jesus risen, but I think we should do both.

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Many of us tend to be opposed to the idea of relics - practiced in some world religions.


As for preaching the Gospel and the cross of Christ - we do embrace the following

1 Cor 1:
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the understanding of those who have understanding, I will confound.”

1 Cor 1:22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness,

1 Cor 2:And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come as someone superior in speaking ability or wisdom, as I proclaimed to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I also was with you in weakness and fear, and in great trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of mankind, but on the power of God.

1 Cor 11:23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

So our "memorial" of His death is in the Communion service and our weekly reminder is on Sabbath as He died at the start of Sabbath and was in the Tomb on Sabbath. No wonder then that our Communion service is also on Sabbath.

Daniel Peres said:

So I guess you think Paul was wrong?

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Paul preached Christ crucified, he didn't have a cross with a crucified Jesus on it.

Tolworth John said:

Because the cross is empty, Jesus died once and rose from the dead once. He is not still on the cross, but is risen and acended.

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I heave heard that many times. I think though that we are all part of the mystical body of Christ so just as we are already raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1) so also is he here with us in our suffering. In the depths of our own crosses, which he tells us to pick up and carry Matthew (16:24) he is with us crucified (Mathhew 28:20).

Daniel Peres said:

Many Protestants seem to dislike crucifixes, so they only use crosses. Now, it seems like the more modern Protestants don’t even like crosses in their churches either.

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Just where are you supposed to put a cross when the praise band is up there? A cross would make people sad and remember that JEZUS wants you to make money!

Daniel Peres said:

Many Protestants seem to dislike crucifixes, so they only use crosses. Now, it seems like the more modern Protestants don’t even like crosses in their churches either.

This makes no sense to me. In 1 Corinthians 1:23 Paul was very clear when he wrote, “we preach Christ crucified.”

I’m not say we don’t need to preach Jesus risen, but I think we should do both.

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I used to view it as the instrument of death ...with the reasoning of ....
If one of your parents or family members were killed with a shotgun ....would you wear that around your neck?

I know better now .... The cross did not take Christ.... and a cross is not what it represents to me... it's what it represents to the person.
For myself ...I prefer the dove.

The symbol of the cross was not adopted as a Christian one until no one had witnessed a crucifixion. It was originally a symbol of of the Roman legion to intimidate people into saying Caesar is Lord or die.

So it is possibly that historical reflection that lead to that conclusion. Though the "More Modern" protestant churches may be second reformation, (i.e. not enough Catholic stuff was removed last time, type deal) and not the protestants you may be referring to.

Daniel Peres said:

Why have a preference though? Shouldn't we follow all aspects of Christianity? Paul was very adamant about preaching Christ crucified. It's clear he felt it was important.

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Yes, but in those days, the crucifix was something the roman soldiers wore to intimidate people who didn't proclaim "Caesar is Lord"

So Paul wouldn't have worn one.

Count me as one who is perfectly fine with crosses without idolization and simultaneously agrees that, as stated above, the cross is empty.

As a further thought experiment to confirm whether you’re idolizing the created though, go into your backyard and kindle up a nice bonfire. Then take your Bibles and books, crucifixes and crosses, your religious statues and beads and trinkets, and gauge which ones you not willing to throw into the flames.

Daniel Peres said:

Many Protestants seem to dislike crucifixes, so they only use crosses. Now, it seems like the more modern Protestants don’t even like crosses in their churches either.

This makes no sense to me. In 1 Corinthians 1:23 Paul was very clear when he wrote, “we preach Christ crucified.”

I’m not say we don’t need to preach Jesus risen, but I think we should do both.

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Ya, I'm not sure why I personally reject the cross in any form, especially around my neck. It feels especially barbaric to me when Jesus Christ of Nazareth's image is also included. It's painful. I wasn't able to navigate through the movie The Passion either. While many Christians applauded the movie it was painful to watch. Its personal I guess.
Blessings.

Daniel Peres said:

The Passion of the Christ was supposed to be painful to watch. But you shouldn’t feel guilty that you couldn’t watch it. John was the only Apostle able to see the crucifixion so you are in good company.

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I dont feel guilty.

Daniel Peres said:

Many Protestants seem to dislike crucifixes, so they only use crosses. Now, it seems like the more modern Protestants don’t even like crosses in their churches either.

This makes no sense to me. In 1 Corinthians 1:23 Paul was very clear when he wrote, “we preach Christ crucified.”

I’m not say we don’t need to preach Jesus risen, but I think we should do both.

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Historical Protestantism has no problem with crosses, they love the cross. There were problems with crucifixes because they contain an image of God. An image of God is considered a sin.

It is not a sin to make images of prophets, angels or other creations. Only an image of God is wrong.

Orthodox hymn of the Crucifixion sung in the Matins of Holy and Great Friday

Today is suspended on a tree He who suspended the earth upon the waters.
The King of the angels is decked with a crown of thorns.
He who wraps the heavens in clouds is wrapped in the purple of mockery.
He who freed Adam in the Jordan is slapped on the face.
The Bridegroom of the Church is affixed to the Cross with nails.
The Son of the Virgin is pierced by a spear.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
We worship Thy passion, O Christ.
Show us also Thy glorious resurrection.

The crucifixion is not supposed to be a comfortable event. The crucifix I wear hidden under my clothes because it is a reminder for me of life, death and resurrection of Christ.