Using a Cross or Crucifix?

[GodsMercifulLove]

Hi guys, just been doing a bit of thinking and was wondering; do you prefer the use of a Cross or Crucifix and why?

This is not a debate, merely a request for opinions

God bless you all.

 

[alexnbethmom]

for what, exactly?

 

[GodsMercifulLove]

for what, exactly?

Anything. To wear, use in Worship etc.

 

[alexnbethmom]

i wear a "fishingcross" - which is a Cross when viewed head-on, but an ichthus when viewed from the side....just because it's unique and a conversation-starter....

i have a Crucifix that i sometimes wear during Lent.

at our church we have Crosses and Crucifixes in pretty much equal proportions.

 

[Moses Medina]

I bought a latin cross online which was in my budget, I was going to have it so I could wear it and when I saw it remember the cross, the sacrifice of the Son... however it was to think and the edges sharp so it was scratching me so instead now it hangs from my rear view mirror.

I prefer the cross to the crucifix most likely because I grew up thinking they were bad and idol worship... I don't think this now, but I have no desire to own one so I'm really just speculating.

I do plan on buying another to wear but in the mean time it's dangling on the rear view.

 

[QueSi]

I found it interesting that the only crucifixion posts that have been found that we're dated to around the time of Jesus were just the post with one nail placed through both hands above the head in order to save wood by not using the cross piece.

 

[CityOfGod]

do you prefer the use of a Cross or Crucifix and why?

I prefer a Crucifix.

It better reminds me of Jesus sacrifice.

 

[Shane R]

In the sanctuary I think an acceptable balance is struck when the crucifix is brought in for lent, and the cross is used the remainder of the year. I have only a cross for wear. It looks like this:

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[cerette]

I like both but don't own a crucifix, would love to have one though! (Around my neck) I once bought a crucifix candle and asked a pentecostal friend if he liked it and he said "NO! He ain't hangin' there sufferin' nomore!!" which I thought was rather ridiculous cuz that isn't the point of a crucifix; that Christ would still be suffering or something.

 

[Shane R]

A previous pastor used to defend the crucifix in the sanctuary with this statement: Without good Friday there would not be Easter.

 

[alexnbethmom]

the acceptable balance is for the Crucifix and the Cross to be in the sanctuary at the same time. indeed, without Good Friday, Easter would not have happened.

DaRev gave an excellent illustration during a sermon one week - when your child starts kindergarten, and they take a school picture, when they start 1st grade and get a picture taken, do you throw out their kindergarten picture and act like it never happened because they aren't in kindergarten anymore? same goes for the Crucifix - it is a snapshot in the life of Christ - the moment when Christ died on the Cross for our sins. if it wasn't for that moment, we would have no salvation. having a Crucifix is just as proper as having an empty Cross.

 

[DaRev]

We preach Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

 

[Tangible]

Another good response to that is to ask if baby Jesus is still in the manger. I have a crucifix that I often carry in my pocket. I don't like things around my neck. It looks like this:

I also made a crucifix while on a visit to a nearby park once. I found a small branch with shoots coming off in the shape of legs, a trunk, and arms, then found a small acorn that worked nicely as a head bowed down. I mounted the corpus on an intentionally rough-cut stick cross. The whole thing is about eight inches by six. I have it hanging on my bedroom wall.

 

[Sword of the Lord]

Will you post a picture of the one you made, Tangible? Sounds really cool.

 

[alexnbethmom]

this is what mine looks like:

 

[Needing_Grace]

Another good response to that is to ask if baby Jesus is still in the manger. I have a crucifix that I often carry in my pocket. I don't like things around my neck. It looks like this:

I also made a crucifix while on a visit to a nearby park once. I found a small branch with shoots coming off in the shape of legs, a trunk, and arms, then found a small acorn that worked nicely as a head bowed down. I mounted the corpus on an intentionally rough-cut stick cross. The whole thing is about eight inches by six. I have it hanging on my bedroom wall.

That's a beautiful San Damiano Cross. As my Confirmation name is Francis in honor of St Francis of Assisi, I keep one at home and one at work.

Sent from my iPhone using CF

 

[cerette]

alexnbethmom--that was a really neat cross/fish, never seen those before.

 

[alexnbethmom]

thanks, cerette - here is the website: Christian Jewelry Fishingcross in support of missions.

they are a wonderful organization, and i happily support them.....they do have other sizes in other metals, but apparently their inventory really got depleted from Christmas, and because their inventory is handmade in a small shop, it's gonna be a few weeks yet before they can get their stock back up....

 

[Tangible]

Will you post a picture of the one you made, Tangible? Sounds really cool.

Here goes. Sorry for the poor quality photos.

 

[Sword of the Lord]

Cool! Thanks for the pics. You've actually inspired me to make my own crucifix using nature.