Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: reaganaut

Just perusing FR on the “comments” tab, and so I may be butting in with a tangent, but there is a difference in perception among a large population of Christians.

A cross, alone, used as a symbol, is almost always a Protestant thing. To Protestants, the vacant cross symbolizes victory, for He is Risen.

A cross showing the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, used as a symbol, is almost always a Catholic thing. The suffering and the sacrifice is the important symbolism.

I’m not saying one is good and one is bad. I do fall in the “Protestant” camp, though, and am acquainted with many people who are quite bothered by crosses showing the Crucifixion. To them, and to me I suppose although I’m not quite so strident about it, such a cross glorifies death and verges upon denying Resurrection.

For what it’s worth.


644 posted on 06/14/2010 8:56:33 PM PDT by RegulatorCountry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 639 | View Replies ]


To: RegulatorCountry

I’m a Protestant...

I never thought of the difference...

I have no objection to the Cross having Jesus upon it...

I have owned a couple like that over the years...

However empty or occupied the Cross is the symbol of Christ’s suffering, shed blood and death on the Cross and resurrection for our salvation..

It all happened at the Cross and there was no other place or event that was part of the death that Jesus suffered in our place to pay the ultimate penalty for our sins...

Jesus Himself said “It is finished” John 19:30

and it was...Jesus had done a complete work of salvation for us...

Tnhat is the reason that He came down from Heaven...The only one to ever do that...

When we go to Heaven we will be going to a place we have never been before...

Jesus started out in Heaven as God, the Word, the Third Person of the Trinity...

We humans started out on Earth and get to go to be with God in Heaven because of what Jesus did for us...

It was a finished work...we have no works that we need to do to be saved...

We arte saved by the Grace of the LORD Jesus Christ...a free gift to us from God our Father in Heaven...John 3:16


654 posted on 06/14/2010 9:09:37 PM PDT by Tennessee Nana
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 644 | View Replies ]

To: RegulatorCountry

But neither group shun the cross. The LDS do.

And your points are correct (even if a bit off topic). :)

I have a couple of crucifixes, but what I usually wear is a ‘robed cross’ or resurrection cross. An empty cross with a robe draped over the cross beams. It is (to me) a symbol of both the death and resurrection.

He is risen!


657 posted on 06/14/2010 9:14:18 PM PDT by reaganaut (Ex-mormon, now Christian - "I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 644 | View Replies ]

To: RegulatorCountry; reaganaut; lightman
I do fall in the “Protestant” camp, though, and am acquainted with many people who are quite bothered by crosses showing the Crucifixion. To them, and to me I suppose although I’m not quite so strident about it, such a cross glorifies death and verges upon denying Resurrection.

I believe that the Orthodox wear cross icons showing a crucified Christ, but a flat image, not carved. I also believe that the Orthodox place more emphasis on the Resurrection than Western churches, so they would not believe that a (flat) crucifix glorifies His death overmuch. However, I don't want to speak for the Orthodox when I also fall into the "Protestant" camp.

692 posted on 06/14/2010 11:06:49 PM PDT by mrreaganaut (View the wild curelom herds at Zion National Mounument!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 644 | View Replies ]

To: RegulatorCountry
It's a valid observation. In the end the purpose is the same, to recognize what Christ accomplished. A cross with a figure of Christ shows the suffering, the extreme price he paid for all those who believe in him. The empty cross also signifies that as well as the victory over that pain and death.

It points all eyes in the direction of what is really important, and ironically something the ‘Christian” LDS avoid...

727 posted on 06/15/2010 7:16:23 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Christians: Stand for Christ or stand aside...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 644 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson