Why don't Lutherans cross themselves?

[seajoy]

It is remarkable to me that Luther himself urged crossing oneself frequently during morning and evening prayers and yet it is hardly practiced by modern Lutherans today who profess to follow Luther's teachings? One wonders if justification by faith alone will soon be abandoned as well?

Why in world would you say something like that?

 

[DaRev]

Why in world would you say something like that?

Methinks we have a troll in our midst...

 

[C.F.W. Walther]

It is remarkable to me that Luther himself urged crossing oneself frequently during morning and evening prayers and yet it is hardly practiced by modern Lutherans today who profess to follow Luther's teachings? One wonders if justification by faith alone will soon be abandoned as well?

Since your are non-denom your statement of losing justification is assumed to be baiting. If you have question for us please keep them as questions an not accusations. This is supposed to be a sub forum for Lutherans and outside agitators are not allowed to argue here.

 

[seajoy]

And I tried to be so welcoming

 

[porterross]

Methinks we have a troll in our midst...

Yes, as reported!

 

[DaRev]

Yes, as reported!

Maybe if we ask him three questions, he'll go away.

 

[seajoy]

Maybe if we ask him three questions, he'll go away.

 

[filosofer]

If the pastor doesn't cross themselves or do the sign of the cross, I'm rather suspicious. Therefore, Filo and Reverand, with all due respect, you don't count.

[FONT= "Book Antiqua"]
With all due respect...

While I am a pastor currently serving as National Mission Developer and mentoring the pastor of a congregation, I am not actively serving as a pastor of a congregation. Thus, I preach/lead worship only on occasion. However, even when not leading worship, I still cross myself during the divine service.

So, I do count! (on my fingers, or integers, or even fractions, if forced )

In Christ's love,
filo
[/font]

 

[seajoy]

filo? This might be a silly question...but how does one cross themself? I'm being serious. What is the proper way?

 

[C.F.W. Walther]

Take your pick.

 

[seajoy]

Take your pick.

I don't think either one of them are ordained , I was asking filo!

 

[C.F.W. Walther]

sory-------but that's how you do it.

 

[seajoy]

No need for sorry.

 

[DaRev]

Here is an excerpt from an article I wrote for our district newsletter a few years ago:

Martin Luther, in the Small Catechism, instructs us to make the sign of the cross while invoking the name of the Triune God. “In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the sign of the holy cross and say: ‘God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me, Amen.’ (Book of Concord, Kolb/Wengert edition, p.363:1)” He also states we should do the same in the evening when we go to bed.
It is important to note that making the sign of the cross on oneself is not a “blessing.” It is a remembrance of our Baptism, done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. During our Baptism the pastor made the sign of the cross upon our foreheads and upon our hearts to mark us “as one redeemed by Christ the crucified (Lutheran Worship p.199).” The sign of the cross is also an outward sign visible to others indicating that we are followers of Christ, the One who suffered and died on the cross, and that we have been cleansed of our sins through the waters of Holy Baptism.
Personally, I make the sign of the cross whenever the name of the Trinity is spoken or sung during the worship service or in prayer. I make the sign at the Invocation at the beginning of the service, during the speaking or singing of the Gloria Patri, while singing hymns where the name of the Trinity is mentioned, and also at the beginning of sermons that I preach. It is also appropriate to make the sign at the third article of the Creed, either Apostle’s or Nicene, and also at the reception of holy communion. For me, it is a way to remind me of the One who created me, who redeemed me, and who sanctifies me. It helps me to know whose presence I am in and who I am worshipping. Yeah, I know, it seems a bit pietistic. But there is nothing wrong with a little personal piety. It’s when one tries to make it a means of grace that we get into trouble.
The sign of the cross seems to have begun in the East in the ancient church and moved westward. While the earliest forms of the practice involved simply tracing the cross on one’s forehead with the thumb, the earliest documentation of the larger sign dates to the 9th century. The position of the fingers varies, from the use of just two fingers symbolizing the two natures of Christ, to two fingers and the thumb together representing the Trinity, to the whole hand with the fingers and thumb close together. The sign is made by first touching the head, then the breast, and then the shoulders.
The earliest form of making the sign of the cross is to touch first the right shoulder and then the left. This is not only the natural movement of the right hand, but it also places the hand over the heart at the end of the sign. After touching the left shoulder, many will strike their breast with the closed fist as a sign of humility, as did the tax collector in Luke 18:13, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” The Roman Catholic practice is to touch first the left shoulder and then the right. This indicates that Christ came down from the Head to the earth, passed through Hell in His passion (left) and then ascended into glory (right).
Another form of the sign that I do is done just before the reading of the Holy Gospel. I will trace the cross upon my forehead, lips, and heart. This practice I learned long ago from my mother. She told me that while I do that, I should say, “Lord, may Your word be forever on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart.” These signs of the cross carry no special power or ability. They do not save or forgive sins, nor do they ensure eternal life. They, for me, are simply reminders of Him who is my savior, who suffered and died to forgive my sins, and who ensures me of life eternal simply and wholly by grace through faith.

 

[seajoy]

Wow Rev, that was nice. It did my heart good to read that. I've never really thought about crossing myself much before. I like the idea of doing it before I pray at home, to help me remember my redeemer, Christ.

Does God care if I'm left handed?

 

[DaRev]

Does God care if I'm left handed?

If He did, He wouldn't have made you that way.

 

[seajoy]

If He did, He wouldn't have made you that way.

Thanks.

 

[skyliner727]

I make the sign of the cross several times during the service.

 

[synger]

I learned to do that mini-crossing of head, mouth, breast during the preparation for Communion during the time when the pastor repeats Jesus' words "This is my body, broken for you" and "this is my blood, shed for you". I haven't done it or thought about it in years, though. I fell out of practice when I stopped attending a liturgical church for a time.

Thank you for the reminder.

Though as I think of it, it does make more sense to do it before Bible reading or study, rather than during the Communion pronouncement.

 

[seajoy]

I make the sign of the cross several times during the service.

Welcome skyliner!