Morning Prayer. 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. 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 … 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. It subsequently fell out of favour … The sign of the cross is a practice in the Catholic faith. 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. like this is wrong and this is right. Calvin was violently opposed to both cross and crucifix. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 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. 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. Lots of Christians actually do make the sign of the cross when they pray. The vast majority wished to make use of the Forums for free. In the 16th and 17th centuries, some Protestant Reformers rejected the sign of the cross as being a Catholic practice. 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. Luther’s Small Catechism). 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 … In this video, the theologian tries to explain why protestants should not make the sign of the cross. 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. 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. Please visit www.catholic.com to search the largest database of Catholic answers. The sign of the cross reflects biblical reality. 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. In this video, the theologian tries to explain If you would like to continue supporting the work of Catholic Answers, you can. Recurring Patron donations will be discontinued on December 31. Because the 'sign of the cross' is actually a pagan symbol which Roman Catholicism adopted. 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 of the Holy Spirit. JoJo3 March 24, 2014, 6:34pm #1. 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. Do you ever make the sign of the Cross on yourself? 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 … Why don't Protestants make the Sign of the Cross? Opinions about the merits of the CAF range more widely than those concerning any of our other works. 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. Her friend simply told her "we don't do that" and offered no specific reason for looking down on the sign of the cross. While the Bible does not instruct us to cross ourselves, the sign of the cross is not without biblical symbolism. The crucifix is a principal symbol for many groups of Christians, and one of the most common forms of the Crucifixion in the arts. 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. I’ll explain later.” Now for a real Protestant there should be no rules laid down by man. It is hard to say why most Protestants stay away from crucifixes in their churches. Such an astonishing statement for a Christian theologian to make. I do. Because he says: “it telegraphs either confusion or transition”. JoJo3 March 24, 2014, 6:34pm #1. This is perhaps, in part, why many Protestant traditions don't make the sign of the cross. I believe the split was due to traditions and belief held by the church of old. 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. Secondly, Protestant practice in making the sign of the cross, much like Protestantism itself, varies. Thank you all for your support over the years and God bless. All Rights Reserved. Your email address will not be published. An indulgence of 300 days for making the sign of the cross, with holy water. Roman Catholics have always done this, and so also have the Orthodox. But, (esp. 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. 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, On Thursday December 31 at 5pm PT, Catholic Answers will close the Catholic Answers Forums (CAF). Those Christians are known as Catholics and Orthodox. 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. Copyright © 2010-2020 WhyCatholic.com, USA. Protestants generally viewed the sign as a tradition that was unsupported by Scripture, or even as idolatrous, and it was therefore abandoned by most. 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. Next: The Preparation—Confession and Absolution Other good posts on making the sign of the cross: Todd Peperkorn at Lutheran Logomaniac. 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. 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). 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. Making a physical connection with a mental activity just strengthens it. 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. The vast majority wished to make use of the Forums for free. Christopher Check. I thought of this when I said goodbye to my daughter this morning on my way to work. Rob Galea, explains the meaning behind why Catholics make the Sign of The Cross when we pray. However, Lutheranism has utilized the sign of the cross in much of its liturgy (e.g. To me, baptism is very symbolic, and an important rite. Blessings to you as you seek to learn the truth for … 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? If you would like to continue supporting the work of Catholic Answers, you can donate here. 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. Initially I thought that it was simply anti-Catholicism, but apparently Martin Luther had nothing against the sign of the cross. Catholics have strict rules concerning the sign of the cross, while many Lutherans don’t feel … For those that make the sign of the cross, I'd imagine it's the same. 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. When and why did protestants stop praying the “sign of the cross”? In England the Royal Chapels of Elizabeth I were most … They give our internal belief … 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. So Luther himself maintained the practice even when he was at odds with many of the practices of the Catholic Church then. So why does this theologian think it is inappropriate for protestants to make the sign of the cross? 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. Why? We don’t do that here. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Pray continually, Paul urged the Thessalonians.The early church fathers took this one step further: continually make the sign of the cross. 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