Lutherans and the crucifix

[KagomeShuko]

It is rare to see a crucifix in a Lutheran church. I've definitely no problem with this. While we don't say it is wrong to have them, as it is part of the story, I was told why and completely agree with why we have empty crosses and not crucifixes:

Simply, the crucifix is not the end of the story. Jesus was taken off the cross, buried, and rose again. Thus, the empty cross is a symbol of Jesus being risen - even though He was risen from the tomb, and not the cross.

Although, it can make one wonder Why do we wear crosses and not little minature tombs with the "stone rolled away"?

Any other thoughts?

Stein Auf!
Bridget

 

[filosofer]

Actually both are important. The crucifix is a vivid reminder that our Lord took on human flesh, and wasn't just what "appeared" to be a human form. This docetic (Greek: DOKEW "seem to be") tendency was a problem in the first two centuries, and has made a roaring comeback in the 20th/21st centuries especially among "evangelicals". The crucifix shatters this illusion, and rightly captures 1 Cor. 2:2 (which you can read in my sig ).

 

[LuxPerpetua]

Actually, I wear a crucifix throughout Lent and an empty cross the rest of the liturgical year. I think both are important to devotion because without the crucifixion the resurrection would not have happened. I'm not sure as to why Lutheran churches do not have crucifixes (I think some do, though, but am not certain), but then again, to my knowledge, the Orthodox don't have crucifixes either (or at least I don't think they are prominently displayed). In defense of the "triumphant cross" (the one w/o the body of Christ) I will say that that captures more poignantly both the crucifixion (by the cross itself) and the resurrection (by the absence of Christ's body). A crucifix, on the other hand, just depicts the crucifixion, so it's a bit more one-sided.

 

[Rechtgläubig]

"Rome says we must, the Reformed say we must not, we say neither and do both."

 

[KagomeShuko]

Actually, I wear a crucifix throughout Lent and an empty cross the rest of the liturgical year. I think both are important to devotion because without the crucifixion the resurrection would not have happened. I'm not sure as to why Lutheran churches do not have crucifixes (I think some do, though, but am not certain), but then again, to my knowledge, the Orthodox don't have crucifixes either (or at least I don't think they are prominently displayed). In defense of the "triumphant cross" (the one w/o the body of Christ) I will say that that captures more poignantly both the crucifixion (by the cross itself) and the resurrection (by the absence of Christ's body). A crucifix, on the other hand, just depicts the crucifixion, so it's a bit more one-sided.

That is the time I am used to seeing crucifixes: Lent. I do feel crucifixes are important, but that the triumphant cross really seems to emphasize the point, too. I have both crosses and crucifixes, myself.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

 

[RobNJ]

I was edumacted amongst the Lutherans, the church across the street from the school (where we had chapel, weekly) had an empty cross on the alter. The pastor showed us once ( I believe in 5th grade) that it was reversible, and was a crucifix on the other side-which he said was for the Good Friday Service

 

[sculpturegirl]

That is the time I am used to seeing crucifixes: Lent. I do feel crucifixes are important, but that the triumphant cross really seems to emphasize the point, too. I have both crosses and crucifixes, myself.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

I love this idea of wearing both at different times of the year. Maybe I can make my own since I am in the business anyhow. Now, where to find some wax...

Since I am new to the Lutheran church, I have never "celebrated" lent before. This year might be the first.

 

[Protoevangel]

Since I am new to the Lutheran church, I have never "celebrated" lent before. This year might be the first.

At our church, we have Soup-suppers before lenten services. A number of people bring pots of soup each week. The idea was a light supper, almost a kind of mini-"fast". HEHEHEE, it certianly didn't end up being anything like a fast. The soups are so good and plentiful, if anyone goes to services hungry, it's because they just don't like soup!

 

[KagomeShuko]

At our church, we have Soup-suppers before lenten services. A number of people bring pots of soup each week. The idea was a light supper, almost a kind of mini-"fast". HEHEHEE, it certianly didn't end up being anything like a fast. The soups are so good and plentiful, if anyone goes to services hungry, it's because they just don't like soup!

We always seem to have Lenten suppers on Wednesday nights, too. In fact, it seems if we have anything on Wednesday nights, we tend to have at least a light supper. We're having Wednesday night events September 15-October 20, just to build a good community within the church and it'll, of course, have a supper.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

 

[ByzantineDixie]

I really like what you wrote, Lux, about the crucifix representing both the crucifixion and the resurrection. I don't know that I ever thought about it that way before.

I almost exclusively wear a crucifix anymore. I think I do this consciously because I live in Baptist country and I want to give people a reason to ask questions. I also periodically alternate and wear my Luther's Rose necklace...that generates questions as well but of a different nature.

I love the crucifix...it reminds me of the cost of our salvation and how much God was willing to do to save us. It really is the perfect visual of God's love for us.

Peace

Rose

 

[Phoebe]

"Rome says we must, the Reformed say we must not, we say neither and do both."

High five!

 

[Rechtgläubig]

High five!

::slap!::




hehe

 

[ctobola]

One supposed reason that the crucifix is common in the RC organization, is that Transubstatiation (Thomas Aquainus' complex explanation of Christ's presence in communion) implies that Christ is sacrified each time the Mass is celebrated. Many RCs will hotly deny this, but there are also quotes like the ones below that seem to present this idea fairly clearly:

"The Holy Eucharist is the perpetual continuation of this act of sacrifice and surrender of our Lord. When the Lord's Supper is celebrated, Christ again presents Himself in His act of total surrender to the Father in death." ("The Spirit of Jesus" pp.89-90, Imprimatur: John Joseph Cardinal Carberry, Archbishop of St. Louis.)

"The Mass is identical to Calvary. It is a sacrifice for sin it must be perpetuated to take away sin." ("For Them Also: a Resume of Catholic Doctrine: Fundamentals to Live By" by Charles Francis Buddy, Bishop of San Diego, p. 289. 1963)

-Cloy

It is rare to see a crucifix in a Lutheran church. I've definitely no problem with this. While we don't say it is wrong to have them, as it is part of the story, I was told why and completely agree with why we have empty crosses and not crucifixes:

Simply, the crucifix is not the end of the story. Jesus was taken off the cross, buried, and rose again. Thus, the empty cross is a symbol of Jesus being risen - even though He was risen from the tomb, and not the cross.

Although, it can make one wonder Why do we wear crosses and not little minature tombs with the "stone rolled away"?

Any other thoughts?

Stein Auf!
Bridget

 

[SPALATIN]

It is rare to see a crucifix in a Lutheran church. I've definitely no problem with this. While we don't say it is wrong to have them, as it is part of the story, I was told why and completely agree with why we have empty crosses and not crucifixes:

Simply, the crucifix is not the end of the story. Jesus was taken off the cross, buried, and rose again. Thus, the empty cross is a symbol of Jesus being risen - even though He was risen from the tomb, and not the cross.

Although, it can make one wonder Why do we wear crosses and not little minature tombs with the "stone rolled away"?

Any other thoughts?

Stein Auf!
Bridget

Just be glad that we still have a cross at all in the Lutheran Church. Many American Evangelicals don't have them in their church. The reasoning is that it might offend those who come to the church for the first time.

I say if the cross offends that is good and it should offend us as we are the reason he hung on one to begin with.

 

[IowaLutheran]

My wife had a crucifix to be hung on a wall which she got when she was still Catholic. I didn't let her put it up because I thought Lutherans never used them. Ever since I started digging deeper into the history of Lutheranism I started realizing that crucifixes and the sign of the cross are ok. The crucifix now hangs on our bedroom wall.

 

[KagomeShuko]

My wife had a crucifix to be hung on a wall which she got when she was still Catholic. I didn't let her put it up because I thought Lutherans never used them. Ever since I started digging deeper into the history of Lutheranism I started realizing that crucifixes and the sign of the cross are ok. The crucifix now hangs on our bedroom wall.

Yep, I knew they were okay, but I understood why we use the triumphant cross much more often! As for the sign of the cross, I always knew that was okay. I've sen people in my church make it and I've even started - it's remembering your baptism when you make the sign of the cross.

Stein Auf!
Bridget

 

[Reader Nilus]

When I would be home from college I wore a crucifix and the brethren of the parish, an Augustanna Church of Swedish Pietists, thought I was becoming Catholic. Which happened years later, and it was to the East I went.
Reader Nilus