P.S. Not that it saves you or anything, but it's not something to be made fun of. 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. For those that make the sign of the cross, I'd imagine it's the same. In my opinion, this was in part a pendulum-swing against the Catholic practice. Augusta_Crowley March 30, 2014, 8:35pm #2. And Jesus says that you should not do that. Augusta_Crowley March 30, 2014, 8:35pm #2. Catholics have strict rules concerning the sign of the cross, while many Lutherans don’t feel … Here i am a Protestant speaking up for this. The reasons for not doing so are three in number and broadly relate to three types of concerns: 1) theological; 2) liturgical; … 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. I understand that the word "good" is interpreted subjectively. Such an astonishing statement for a Christian theologian to make. Some regular users of the Forums welcomed user fees. Ask an Apologist. 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 … Do you ever make the sign of the Cross on yourself? 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. 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. Because Catholic Answers has limited resources, we are always evaluating our programs to determine if they provide a good return on investment. Martin Luther’s attitude towards the sign of the cross was one of acceptance. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. They externalise it and make it a little more real. 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. 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. to search the largest database of Catholic answers. To me, baptism is very symbolic, and an important rite. Basil the Great tells us that the apostles themselves taught the sign of the cross. 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. While the Bible does not instruct us to cross ourselves, the sign of the cross is not without biblical symbolism. 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. It is often looked at as an ancient Christian practice and is not necessary in the current church. So do a few other Protestant groups. In the name of the Father In his lengthy convoluted answer, Doug acknowledges that Christians making the sign of the cross is an ancient practice. They definitely make the Sign of the Cross. Catholic Answers executive committee and board of trustees. No. 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. Her friend simply told her "we don't do that" and offered no specific reason for looking down on the sign of the cross. Lots of Christians actually do make the sign of the cross when they pray. When and why did protestants stop praying the “sign of the cross”? It is hard to say why most Protestants stay away from crucifixes in their churches. However, Lutheranism has utilized the sign of the cross in much of its liturgy (e.g. Catholics make the sign of the cross with an open hand and from left to right, in contrast with the Orthodox. 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. Christopher Check. From the earliest times, Christians have made the sign of the cross. Therefore, Christians do make the sign of the cross. We don’t do that here. The shape of the sign is a reminder of the cross of Christ. 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. In this video international Catholic speaker, Fr. Please visit www.catholic.com to search the largest database of Catholic answers. 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. An indulgence of 300 days for making the sign of the cross, with holy water. The shape of the sign is a reminder of the cross of Christ. Though it should be pointed out, … Most pentecostals do not make the sign of the cross at all. Recurring Patron donations will be discontinued on December 31. In the 16th and 17th centuries, some Protestant Reformers rejected the sign of the cross as being a Catholic practice. Why? 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. 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. So why does this theologian think it is inappropriate for protestants to make the sign of the cross? 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. 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. like this is wrong and this is right. Early Protestants generally rejected the use of the crucifix, and indeed the unadorned cross, along with other traditional religious imagery, as idolatrous. That said, making the sign of the cross is just a way of collecting yourself before you pray. Morning Prayer. I have made the decision to close the CAF after lengthy consultation with the Catholic Answers executive committee and board of trustees. 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. Protestants were a group of believers who split from the Catholic church. The sign of the cross reflects biblical reality. 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. Amen. But, (esp. Opinions about the merits of the CAF range more widely than those concerning any of our other works. Then, kneeling … 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. 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). Our attempt to draw even a tenth of what they cost to operate through patronage was not successful. 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 … What You Probably Did Not Know About Communion In The Hand. If you would like to continue supporting the work of Catholic Answers, you can donate here. 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). Secondly, Protestant practice in making the sign of the cross, much like Protestantism itself, varies. Luther’s Small Catechism). When and why did protestants stop praying the “sign of the cross”? Your email address will not be published. The rest of his response is so confusing I am not sure what he is trying to say. As for the ones who don't, it's probably considered "too Catholic". 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. All Rights Reserved. Apologetics SPH1 July 14, 2009, 10:28pm 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. 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. 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