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

[SavedByGrace3]

Nothing to be contentious about from my POV.
I just see Jesus risen from the grave, not hanging on the cross. I think the message of Christianity is "He is Risen."
But the fact is, Jesus did suffer on the cross for our sins... and died. So when approached from that POV, Jesus died for us according to the scriptures" is not something to argue about. If it was being implied that Jesus died on the cross and that was then end, then we might have a issue. As is, I am ok.

 

[Clare73]

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.

It goes to God forbidding images of him.

 

[Tolworth John]

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).

Yes he is with us in Our suffering, but he is Not still on the cross.

When easter is celebrated the tomb is shown as empty. So in the same way a cross should also be shown as empty.

 

[Clare73]

Yes he is with us in Our suffering, but he is Not still on the cross.

When easter is celebrated the tomb is shown as empty. So in the same way a cross should also be shown as empty.

No more than one should rid their photo albums of baby pictures when the kids are grown.

The cross is not a memorial of the resurrection, but of the redeeming sacrifice.

Crucifixes and photos are memorials.

 

[Tolworth John]

No more than one should rid their photo albums of baby pictures when the kids are grown.

The cross is not a memorial of the resurrection, but of the redeeming sacrifice.

Crucifixes and photos are memorials.

A cross is a reminder, for me a crucifix is not.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

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.

Don’t you feel anything about not having John’s strength to stand with Jesus at the foot of the cross? I’m not judging you. I really don’t know if I would be able to do it either, and I don’t feel good about that.

It's one thing being next to the one you love and support them during their final hours. It's a whole other thing when you decide to revere the occation in a symbolic manner by making an image of it.
Be blessed.

 

[Clare73]

A cross is a reminder, for me a crucifix is not.

A crucifix is likewise a reminder, like the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. . .reminding one of the price paid for the victory.

 

[cherishedteddies]

Jesus has risen from the dead. We are greatful to Jesus for His death on the cross and for shedding his blood to
Redeem us from our sins. but Jesus has risen . He is risen indeed.

 

[sandman]

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.

To me the holy spirit dove is reminiscent of what and where we are today.

I rarely wear any kind of jewelry …. I have a couple dove lapel pins for my suites and one dove neckless that someone made for me that I may wear once or twice a year…

Paul did preach crucifixion, but he never stopped there….It was his starting point… unto who we are today. I have no problem anymore with people wearing a cross …it’s just not me.

 

[Clare73]

Paul did preach crucifixion, but he never stopped there….It was his starting point… unto who we are today. I have no problem anymore with people wearing a cross …it’s just not me.

Srawman. . .

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
Til my ransomed soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

--Fanny Crosby

 

[Carl Emerson]

For several years I couldn't look at a crucifix because the identification with His suffering was too overpowering.

 

[Strong in Him]

Many Protestants seem to dislike crucifixes, so they only use crosses.

I don't much like crucifixes - Jesus is risen, and alive.

I can't say why some churches might not like crosses. Unless they mistake kneeling reverently before it for worship of it

 

[Strong in Him]

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.

Preaching Christ crucified is not the same as wearing a cross with an image of a crucified Christ on it.
Some may wear a crucifix as a fashion accessory and not even follow Christ.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Yes he is with us in Our suffering, but he is Not still on the cross.

When easter is celebrated the tomb is shown as empty. So in the same way a cross should also be shown as empty.

As long as any of us are "on the cross" and united to Him, he is with us on the cross as well as risen.

John (3:14-15), “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.”

 

[ozso]

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.

I think something worth looking into is when did the church start using crucifixes? Usually when I look up the history of things like crucifixes, Madonna statues, roseries and so on, I find they came about centuries after the church started. So really that being the case, it seems more like the Protestants went back to when such things didn't exist in the church. As I recall the original symbol used by the early church was the ΙΧΘΥΣ fish.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

For several years I couldn't look at a crucifix because the identification with His suffering was too overpowering.

Perhaps many of us need more of that.

In my suffering, it helps to be reminded of His suffering.

 

[Daniel Peres]

I think something worth looking into is when did the church start using crucifixes? Usually when I look up the history of things like crucifixes, Madonna statues, roseries and so on, I find they came about centuries after the church started. So really that being the case, it seems more like the Protestants went back to when such things didn't exist in the church. As I recall the original symbol used by the early church was the ΙΧΘΥΣ fish.

The issue of when crucifixes began to be used is an issue that I would understand for Protestants who confuse the use of visual aids with idolatry. I guess I am more confused by the more mainstream Protestants who, unlike Paul, do not seem to want to “preach Christ crucified.”

 

[ViaCrucis]

I love and cherish the crucifix, because it is the potent reminder of God's love for me, a sinner; for it was on that cross where the Son of God gave Himself for me.

Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[FenderTL5]

The issue of when crucifixes began to be used is an issue that I would understand for Protestants who confuse the use of visual aids with idolatry. I guess I am more confused by the more mainstream Protestants who, unlike Paul, do not seem to want to “preach Christ crucified.”

First and to be clear I'm not disagreeing with you. I do wonder which groups you refer to that do not seem to want to “preach Christ crucified.”

All of the Protestant groups I was associated with (for almost 50 years) preached Penal Substitutionary Atonement, which emphasized Christ's death on the cross to the point of making His Resurrection almost superfluous and unnecessary to the Gospel. It was just an extra hoo-rah.
I've said it often, by contrast I never celebrated the Resurrection until I became Orthodox.
Which makes the thread topic even more puzzling. In those circles, one would think depictions of their view of the Atonement (a crucified Christ) would be more acceptable than a mere cross.
fwiw, I wear an Orthodox Cross around my neck. I have a crucifix as a reminder on the rearview in my car. Our churches depict both.

 

[ozso]

The issue of when crucifixes began to be used is an issue that I would understand for Protestants who confuse the use of visual aids with idolatry. I guess I am more confused by the more mainstream Protestants who, unlike Paul, do not seem to want to “preach Christ crucified.”

Visual aids is a good point as they were used, especially in stained glass illustrations, for the many who were illiterate way back when. I've heard the message that "Christ died for your sins" quite prolifically from Protestants my whole life. And it seems to me that when I encounter that message on TV or radio, or in a tract, or from someone out the street, it's being proclaimed by Protestants. It seems to me that Catholics keep it within the church, instead of taking the message to the airwaves and out into the streets.