Protestants and the Sign of the Cross

[Not David]

Howdy! I'm just curious to know if there's any Protestant here who does the Sign of the Cross. Why do you do it? If not, why not?

 

[Tigger45]

I do partly because I was raised RC plus it reminds me of when Jesus said Luke 9:23 ...”take up your cross and follow me.” It literally puts me it that frame of mind.

 

[dreadnought]

Howdy! I'm just curious to know if there's any Protestant here who does the Sign of the Cross. Why do you do it? If not, why not?

If not - it never occurred to me that I should.

 

[Athanasius377]

Howdy! I'm just curious to know if there's any Protestant here who does the Sign of the Cross. Why do you do it? If not, why not?

Lutherans certainly do, as well as Anglicans and a few Methodists I know. From a Lutheran perspective I would point to a few reasons. First, making the sign of the cross is prescribed in Luther's small Catechism before morning and evening prayer. Lutheran pastors often bless the congregation by making the sign of the cross as well especially at the beginning and at the end of the Divine Service. And let us not forget Baptism where the sign of the cross is made as well.

Why? I suppose it was one of the things Luther thought helped teach the faith. It does bring to mind the Trinitarian nature of worship. Here's a an article detailing the practice here:

https://steadfastlutherans.org/2014/03/on-making-the-sign-of-the-cross/

 

[bcbsr]

Howdy! I'm just curious to know if there's any Protestant here who does the Sign of the Cross. Why do you do it? If not, why not?

A lot of Christians obsess over issues of symbolism. They confuse symbolism with substance. Making the sign of the cross was never mentioned in the apostles writings to the Christians. That speaks to its priority.

 

[Not David]

Edit.

 

[Not David]

Lutherans certainly do, as well as Anglicans and a few Methodists I know. From a Lutheran perspective I would point to a few reasons. First, making the sign of the cross is prescribed in Luther's small Catechism before morning and evening prayer. Lutheran pastors often bless the congregation by making the sign of the cross as well especially at the beginning and at the end of the Divine Service. And let us not forget Baptism where the sign of the cross is made as well.

Why? I suppose it was one of the things Luther thought helped teach the faith. It does bring to mind the Trinitarian nature of worship. Here's a an article detailing the practice here:

https://steadfastlutherans.org/2014/03/on-making-the-sign-of-the-cross/

Do you do it only before morning and evening prayers? Or can you do it everytime you pray?

 

[Not David]

A lot of Christians obsess over issues of symbolism. They confuse symbolism with substance. Making the sign of the cross was never mentioned in the apostles writings to the Christians. That speaks to its priority.

It has been present since the Second Century. I think it's a harmless and useful tradition

 

[URA]

It has been present since the Second Century. I think it's a harmless and useful tradition

It's a tradition since the beginning of the Church. Tertullian, John Crysostom, Cyril of Jerusalem, and many other great early Christians spoke of it as a powerful prayer unto itself, a mark of loyalty to Christ, and a weapon against demons.

In the Book of Ezekiel, a mark of the Hebrew letter tahv, in the shape of an X or cross, was on the foreheads of the faithful & righteous; much like the blood on the doors in the first Passover, the mark on the righteous in Ezekiel was a separation from corrupt culture & protection from God (Ezekiel 9:4-6). Revelations describes a seal on the foreheads of the saints in heaven (Revelation 7:3), separating the righteous from the wicked & protecting them against the coming judgment (Revelation 9:4).

A symbolic, powerful gesture that the early Christians were very serious about.

 

[Sketcher]

I don't personally, I don't have a problem with Christians doing it, but it wasn't something I was brought up to do and I don't see what value it would add to my walk with Jesus.

 

[Athanasius377]

Do you do it only before morning and evening prayers? Or can you do it everytime you pray?

I do it every time I pray or when the Holy Trinity is invoked.

 

[Valetic]

I've never done it, never felt the need to, never saw in my bible where I ought to, and don't believe I have ever heard from God to have been told to do it.

I honestly don't see the purpose, I typically and naturally bow my head in reverent submission or humility in light of His presence. I try to have a free spirit regardless, and be honest with myself and my Maker no matter how I end up expressing myself.

 

[Albion]

Howdy! I'm just curious to know if there's any Protestant here who does the Sign of the Cross. Why do you do it? If not, why not?

I do. And so do most of the members of the congregation/parish that I belong to. It's just a sign, not something that drives away devils or something like that.

 

[Albion]

Making the sign of the cross was never mentioned in the apostles writings to the Christians. That speaks to its priority.

Oh sure, but if we were to look closely, we would find that members of almost every branch of Christianity engage in acts or make gestures or have certain devotionals that are not specifically mentioned in Scripture. What matters, I would think, is whether or not there is a solid reason for abandoning some or all of them.

I don't think that there is, in the case of the sign of the cross.

 

[seeking.IAM]

I do. The Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer, which contains the liturgical rites of our worship and our common prayers, marks points in our liturgy where it is appropriate to make the sign of the cross. Many do; some do not. I do.

I did not always. As a Methodist I did not. Since becoming an Episcopalian when making this sign that is a thousands of years old Christian tradition, I feel great affinity with Christians who came before me, those who walk with me, and those who will come after me.

 

[bcbsr]

Oh sure, but if we were to look closely, we would find that members of almost every branch of Christianity engage in acts or make gestures or have certain devotionals that are not specifically mentioned in Scripture. What matters, I would think, is whether or not there is a solid reason for abandoning some or all of them.

I don't think that there is, in the case of the sign of the cross.

If it's not a sin not to make the sign of the cross, then why bother people about it?

 

[Albion]

If it's not a sin not to make the sign of the cross, then why bother people about it?

I am not bothering people about it. And now that I think about it, I cant honestly say that I have ever encountered anyone who does.

 

[Not David]

I read once that an Orthodox liked to do it because he wanted to worship God with any possible means. I think it's ok if you don't do it but I feel some don't because it's "too Catholic".

 

[ViaCrucis]

Howdy! I'm just curious to know if there's any Protestant here who does the Sign of the Cross. Why do you do it? If not, why not?

I make the sign of the cross, I do it because I put my hope and trust in Jesus Christ who gave Himself for me. It points me to Christ, Christ's work, and to my baptism.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[JCFantasy23]

Howdy! I'm just curious to know if there's any Protestant here who does the Sign of the Cross. Why do you do it? If not, why not?

Every once in awhile I do in private prayer, but it is not a common practice for me.