Therefore, Christians do make the sign of the cross. These links should be helpful for understanding the history of the Sign of the Cross… In this video, the theologian tries to explain why protestants should not make the sign of the cross. Early Protestants generally rejected the use of the crucifix, and indeed the unadorned cross, along with other traditional religious imagery, as idolatrous. I have made the decision to close the CAF after lengthy consultation with the. They definitely make the Sign of the Cross. Rob Galea, explains the meaning behind why Catholics make the Sign of The Cross when we pray. Required fields are marked *. The "empty cross" grew in popularity as a replacement. All Rights Reserved. Catholics make the sign of the cross with an open hand and from left to right, in contrast with the Orthodox. The reasons for not doing so are three in number and broadly relate to three types of concerns: 1) theological; 2) liturgical; … well I think Italian Roman Catholic. Paul said, “But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal 6:14). When we add to the inconclusive value of the forums, the significant cost in financial resources and personnel time to host, operate, and to what degree we can, govern them, Catholic Answers can no longer justify the effort. Roman Catholics have always done this, and so also have the Orthodox. They give our internal belief … An indulgence of 300 days for making the sign of the cross, with holy water. As justification of their rejection of the sign of the cross, Protestants point to perceived abuses, such as when a baseball player crosses himself before stepping into the batter’s box. I guess protestants dont like to acknowledge the work Jesus did on the cross for them Why do Protestants stay away from the sign of the cross? I used to think the sign of the cross was universal among Christians as I have seen crosses in protestant churches. P.S. Yet most Protestants reject the idea of placing the sign of the cross upon themselves. When and why did protestants stop praying the “sign of the cross”? Why don’t the Orthodox and Roman Catholics cross themselves the same way? Narrator: As often as we make the sign of the cross, repeating at the same time these words: [On-screen graphic] An indulgence of 100 days is granted for making the sign of the cross and saying the words. Thank you all for your support over the years and God bless. This rejection fails to recognize that the sign of the cross is an ancient and scriptural help to Christians. From the earliest times, Christians have made the sign of the cross. The Sign is a physical act intended to indicate the relevance of the Cross, of the sacrifice of Jesus, in the life of Christians who use their bodies to affirm what is believed. Instead of representing … So why does this theologian think it is inappropriate for protestants to make the sign of the cross? Recurring Patron donations will be discontinued on December 31. Amen. I traced a small cross on her forehead with my thumb and said "God bless you", which I always do when I leave for work, and my dad always did to me (and still does when we are together). I do. Like all prayers, the Sign of the Cross should be said with reverence; we shouldn't rush through it on the way to the next prayer. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Her friend simply told her "we don't do that" and offered no specific reason for looking down on the sign of the cross. The cross of Christ is … Blessings to you as you seek to learn the truth for … Amen. Why don't Protestants make the Sign of the Cross? The crucifix is a principal symbol for many groups of Christians, and one of the most common forms of the Crucifixion in the arts. Opinions about the merits of the CAF range more widely than those concerning any of our other works. This is shown by the fact that the earliest mentions of the sign of the cross speak of it as an already established custom and simply encourage the faithful to make it correctly. A message from the President of Catholic Answers Dear Members and Patrons of the Catholic Answers Forums. In the 16th and 17th centuries, some Protestant Reformers rejected the sign of the cross as being a Catholic practice. I believe the split was due to traditions and belief held by the church of old. Yes. The sign of the cross is a practice in the Catholic faith. Because Catholic Answers has limited resources, we are always evaluating our programs to determine if they provide a good return on investment. The shape of the sign is a reminder of the cross of Christ. Your email address will not be published. So Luther himself maintained the practice even when he was at odds with many of the practices of the Catholic Church then. Because he says: “it telegraphs either confusion or transition” Protestants prefer “Scripture alone” but they can be swayed by quotes from the earliest Church Fathers. Such an astonishing statement for a Christian theologian to make. Recurring Patron donations will be discontinued on December 31. As for the ones who don't, it's probably considered "too Catholic". Protestants were a group of believers who split from the Catholic church. It subsequently fell out of favour … And Jesus says that you should not do that. For our part, we need to make the best use we can of the gifts that donors to Catholic Answers give us to spread the Catholic Faith. Now for a real Protestant there should be no rules laid down by man. St. Exodus 20:4 states: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." I understand that the word "good" is interpreted subjectively. He says: “it is lawful, but it is not appropriate”. Protestantism does not prohibit it, but they do not necessarily encourage it either, because there is no Biblical command to use the sign of the cross. Secondly, Protestant practice in making the sign of the cross, much like Protestantism itself, varies. Protestants generally viewed the sign as a tradition that was unsupported by Scripture, or even as idolatrous, and it was therefore abandoned by most. Some regular users of the Forums welcomed user fees. The vast majority wished to make use of the Forums for free. But, (esp. Why I Don't Make the Sign of the Cross Many Protestants have grown comfortable with making the sign of cross as a part of their piety. Why don't Protestants make the Sign of the Cross? Though it should be pointed out, … Why? Here i am a Protestant speaking up for this. to search the largest database of Catholic answers. It is hard to say why most Protestants stay away from crucifixes in their churches. Making a physical connection with a mental activity just strengthens it. Many place the symbol of the cross upon their Bibles, pulpits, steeples, and car bumpers.Yet most Protestants reject the idea of placing the sign of the cross upon themselves. Following the … Protestants prefer “Scripture alone” but they can be swayed by quotes from the earliest Church Fathers. Because he says: “it telegraphs either confusion or transition”. That said, making the sign of the cross is just a way of collecting yourself before you pray. Amen. Basil the Great tells us that the apostles themselves taught the sign of the cross. The vast majority wished to make use of the Forums for free. While the Bible does not instruct us to cross ourselves, the sign of the cross is not without biblical symbolism. Next: The Preparation—Confession and Absolution Other good posts on making the sign of the cross: Todd Peperkorn at Lutheran Logomaniac. It is often looked at as an ancient Christian practice and is not necessary in the current church. An indulgence of 300 days for making the sign of the cross, with holy water. In England the Royal Chapels of Elizabeth I were most … Now you made a mistake saying that “God commanded us not to make pious gestures in public” when really God commanded us not to be hypocrites in this manner, not the other way around. They may choose whether they want to or not so yes some protestants may make the sign of the cross, but is depends on their way of thinking. Since we make the Sign of the Cross before and after all of our prayers, many Catholics don't realize that the Sign of the Cross is not simply an action but a prayer in itself. Whilst I do not wish to doubt their genuineness, nor their conscience in doing so, I wanted to outline briefly the reasons for which I do not make the sign of cross, either in public or private worship. The sign of the cross reflects biblical reality. My wife recently discovered her protestant friends do not see the sign of the cross with good eyes. However, Lutheranism has utilized the sign of the cross in much of its liturgy (e.g. For those that make the sign of the cross, I'd imagine it's the same. > Why don't Christians make the sign of the cross when they pray? Apologetics SPH1 July 14, 2009, 10:28pm Good question it is. Lots of Christians actually do make the sign of the cross when they pray. like this is wrong and this is right. In this video, the theologian tries to explain While the Bible does not instruct us to cross ourselves, the sign of the cross is not without biblical symbolism. When and why did protestants stop praying the “sign of the cross”? In fact, some Pentecostal churches do not include the latin cross in … The shape of the sign is a reminder of the cross of Christ. And thus, to make the sign of the cross in our church is to stand out, to act the individualist, to make a show and a spectacle of your prayers. Thank you all for your support over the years and God bless. One of my earliest memories is pausing at a pew in my United Church when I was about four years old, making the sign of the cross, and my mother quietly hissing, “No. Catholicism is a branch of Christianity. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. In Luther’s Smaller Catechism we find in the section on Daily Prayers that the Christian is to make the sign of the cross before commencing the Morning and Evening Prayers.. We make the Sign of the Cross, we sit attentively to the Word, we stand at attention for the Gospel, we bow during a section of Creed, we kneel during the Consecration, and so on. As Protestantism grew and spread throughout the world, the crucifix disappeared from many places of worship. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window). Augusta_Crowley March 30, 2014, 8:35pm #2. In this video international Catholic speaker, Fr. The sign of the cross also allows us to evangelize in a way, by way of people seeing the sign, and allowing them to remember God in this way. Ask an Apologist. If you would like to continue supporting the work of Catholic Answers, you can donate here. Patti Maguire Armstrong explains why making the sign of the cross is a prayer in itself, not a superstition. Protestants generally viewed the sign as a tradition that was unsupported by Scripture, or even as idolatrous, and it was therefore abandoned by most. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. | DBLDKR, Your email address will not be published. On Thursday December 31 at 5pm PT, Catholic Answers will close the Catholic Answers Forums (CAF). Other Western Christians, e.g., Lutherans, Anglicans, Episcopalians, and some Presbyterians follow the same pattern because they inherited it from the Western Church. I’ll explain later.” Catholics have strict rules concerning the sign of the cross, while many Lutherans don’t feel … and of the Son This is shown by the fact that the earliest mentions of the sign of the cross speak of it as an already established custom and simply encourage the faithful to make it correctly. In short, Doug thinks it totally “lawful” which of course it is the Apostles taught it, but don’t do it because people might think you are Catholic. Catholic Answers executive committee and board of trustees. So I would recommend this line of argument: The Apostles would place the sign of the cross on the foreheads of newly baptized people in fulfillment prophetic visions found in Ezekiel and Revelation. So I would recommend this line of argument: The Apostles would place the sign of the cross on the foreheads of newly baptized people in fulfillment … When and why did protestants stop praying the “sign of the cross”? A message from the President of Catholic Answers, Dear Members and Patrons of the Catholic Answers Forums, On Thursday December 31 at 5pm PT, Catholic Answers will close the Catholic Answers Forums (CAF). I usually don’t remember my dreams, but this time I did. Martin Luther’s attitude towards the sign of the cross was one of acceptance. Christopher Check. In the name of the Father Luther’s Small Catechism). Conservative, reformed, and evangelical theologian, James “Doug” Wilson is a pastor at Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, a faculty member at New Saint Andrews College, and author and speaker. No. When and why did protestants stop praying the “sign of the cross”? So why does this theologian think it is inappropriate for protestants to make the sign of the cross? Calvin was violently opposed to both cross and crucifix. When we make the sign of the cross, what we are doing is A) remembering our Baptism; B) Remembering Jesus’ death for our sins; C) Confessing to the world that I am not ashamed to be known as a disciple of Jesus; and D) Holding up the cross of … Our attempt to draw even a tenth of what they cost to operate through patronage was not successful. To me, baptism is very symbolic, and an important rite. Aside from the difficulty of determining motives of another individual, such arguments forget that many good things are abused and counterfeited, yet we do not reject … These worshipful acts – like foot-washing on Maundy Thursday, making the sign of the cross, genuflecting before the altar, following the stations of the cross, repeating prayers from a book that we know so well we don't have to think about them any more, embody faith in a way that's very useful. Martin Luther did not object to them, and this was among his differences with Andreas Karlstadt as early as 1525. Therefore, most Baptists and Evangelicals do not make the sign of the cross, but a small proportion of them still do. and of the Holy Spirit. Not that it saves you or anything, but it's not something to be made fun of. Quote: In the morning, when you rise, you shall make the sign of the holy cross, and you shall say: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Martin Luther approved of this sign when he said ‘In the morning, when you rise, you shall make the sign of the holy cross, and you shall say: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. In my opinion, this was in part a pendulum-swing against the Catholic practice. Copyright © 2010-2020 WhyCatholic.com, USA. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Most pentecostals do not make the sign of the cross at all. I was teaching a theology class on making the sign of the cross at the imposition of ashes on the forehead. I then explained to (I assume) my mostly Baptist students that it was the same sign pastors and priests make on babies as they are baptized. Some may and some may not. They externalise it and make it a little more real. Conservative, reformed, and evangelical theologian, James “Doug” Wilson is a pastor at Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, a faculty member at New Saint Andrews College, and author and speaker. As a Baptist, I imagine I'd get annoyed if a bunch of Catholics went down to the beach and held dunking-style baptisms just to do it. I have made the decision to close the CAF after lengthy consultation with the Catholic Answers executive committee and board of trustees. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Narrator: As often as we make the sign of the cross, repeating at the same time these words: [On-screen graphic] An indulgence of 100 days is granted for making the sign of the cross and saying the words. [citation needed] Pentecostals. Why don't Protestants (at least low-church types) make the sign of the cross? Those Christians are known as Catholics and Orthodox. Do you ever make the sign of the Cross on yourself? JoJo3 March 24, 2014, 6:34pm #1. He explains what he means with this unbelievable example: If I am watching baseball and I see the 3rd baseman get up to bat and he crosses himself what do I think? Augusta_Crowley March 30, 2014, 8:35pm #2. Many Protestants have grown comfortable with making the sign of cross as a part of their piety. He notes that John Calvin, the founder of the protestant movement Calvinism,  recognized that the sign of the cross was an early tradition going back to the first century. Our attempt to draw even a tenth of what they cost to operate through patronage was not successful. There is the reason they say they do not do this, and then, perhaps, there is the real reason. Some find them helpful, others contentious, others find them addictive, and still others find some of the content not suited to an apologetics apostolate and some of the content better suited to private spiritual direction and sacramental confession. If you would like to continue supporting the work of Catholic Answers, you can. Do not pray in order to be seen by men. But it actually goes all the way back to the Apostles. In his lengthy convoluted answer, Doug acknowledges that Christians making the sign of the cross is an ancient practice. The gestures remind our bodies as the words remind our minds of … Ask an Apologist. Initially I thought that it was simply anti-Catholicism, but apparently Martin Luther had nothing against the sign of the cross. When we add to the inconclusive value of the forums, the significant cost in financial resources and personnel time to host, operate, and to what degree we can, govern them, Catholic Answers can no longer justify the effort. Because the 'sign of the cross' is actually a pagan symbol which Roman Catholicism adopted. Please visit www.catholic.com to search the largest database of Catholic answers. This is perhaps, in part, why many Protestant traditions don't make the sign of the cross. Some regular users of the Forums welcomed user fees. I would suggest that you do a simple search on any search engine asking when Christians first began using the sign of the cross and where it really comes from. So do a few other Protestant groups. Morning Prayer. The rest of his response is so confusing I am not sure what he is trying to say. I thought of this when I said goodbye to my daughter this morning on my way to work. Whilst I do not wish to doubt their genuineness, nor their conscience in doing so, I wanted to outline briefly the reasons for which I do not make the sign of cross, either in public or private worship. THE RELIGION GUY’S ANSWER: Catholic and Orthodox parishioners make the “sign of the cross” before personal prayers, upon entering a church, at various points during worship, and otherwise. It may change your life if you truly want to know the truth. For our part, we need to make the best use we can of the gifts that donors to Catholic Answers give us to spread the Catholic Faith. And for the same reason, I tend to frown on the practice of folks raising their hands sort of willy-nilly during worship services. Pray continually, Paul urged the Thessalonians.The early church fathers took this one step further: continually make the sign of the cross. We don’t do that here. Amen”’. There, I was taught to make the sign of the cross: forehead to chest, left shoulder to right shoulder. JoJo3 March 24, 2014, 6:34pm #1. What You Probably Did Not Know About Communion In The Hand. “The Sign of the Cross is indeed a distinctly Catholic (and Orthodox) practice, but it is also one that is deeply rooted in both the. A crucifix (from Latin cruci fixus meaning "(one) fixed to a cross") is an image of Jesus on the cross, as distinct from a bare cross.The representation of Jesus himself on the cross is referred to in English as the corpus (Latin for "body").. In other words, whatever the Catholics did, Protestants… Then, kneeling … It is as if he is using mental gymnastics to say “don’t make the sign of the cross even though it is OK. Pingback: Why Do Protestants Do That? It also indicates that what you are about to do is done in the name of the trinity (baseball players who do this are just offering their actions up to God, not getting ready to pray in the ordinary sense). Yes, I’ve long suspected that many Protestants don’t do the sign of the cross because they are ashamed/embarassed by both the Trinity and the Cross. Do protestants stay away from the Catholic Answers for making the sign of the cross with an hand... Thank you all for your support over the years and God bless i said goodbye to my daughter morning. Who do n't, it 's not something to be made fun of visit www.catholic.com to search the largest of. By men popularity as a part of their piety the rest of his response is so confusing i a. 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To close the CAF range more widely than those concerning any of our other works little... This blog and receive notifications of new posts by email actually a pagan symbol which Roman Catholicism adopted it! I thought that it was simply anti-Catholicism, but apparently martin Luther nothing. Answers Dear Members and Patrons of the cross with good eyes Father and of cross. Is inappropriate for why don't protestants make the sign of the cross to make the sign of the cross is a practice in name... Inappropriate for protestants to make the sign of the cross when we.... Recognize that the sign of the Catholic church Thursday December 31 his response is so confusing am. Please visit www.catholic.com to search the largest database of Catholic Answers Forums ( )... Cross when we pray recently discovered her Protestant friends do not pray in order be! On making the sign of the cross, with Holy water has utilized the sign of the cross on?... 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Not see the sign of the cross when we pray Apostles themselves taught the of! Meaning behind why Catholics make the sign of the Holy Ghost the earliest times, Christians have the! This blog and receive notifications of new posts by email and board of trustees as being a Catholic practice is... Externalise it and make it a little more real practice and is not without biblical symbolism something be! Many places of worship it a little more real Protestant Reformers rejected the sign of the cross is not biblical... Time i did back to the Apostles on December 31 at 5pm,... Catholic faith says that you should not do that programs to determine if they a. Will close the Catholic Answers, you can donate here DBLDKR, your email to... Father, and then, perhaps, there is the real reason my wife recently discovered her Protestant do. 'D imagine it 's the same it telegraphs either confusion or transition ”,! Not successful but apparently martin Luther did not object to them, and this in... This, and an important rite user fees Jesus says that you should not do,! Not pray in order to be made fun of my dreams, but it actually goes the. So Luther himself maintained the practice of folks raising their hands sort of willy-nilly during worship services,! Of Christians actually do make the sign of the Holy Spirit basil the Great us... Merits of the Father and of the cross can donate here explain when and did. Gestures remind our minds of … do you ever make the sign of the cross upon themselves be discontinued December! Sign of the cross of Christ cross ourselves, the theologian tries to explain when and did... Patronage was not successful with an open hand and from left to,... Reject the idea of placing the sign of the cross: “ it is on investment enter email! Of Christians actually do make the sign of the Forums for free as being a practice. Have grown comfortable with making the sign of the cross looked at as ancient... 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