Today Facebook reminded me of a blog I had written in 2012, while posting on the TimesDaily Religion Forum. It is a dialogue between a Roman Catholic Friend and a nominal, at best very liberal, Christian Friend. When I challenged my Roman Catholic Friend about showing Christ still hanging on the cross, i.e., the crucifix - my nominal Christian Friend challenged the Protestant church's use of the empty cross in our churches.
I pray that my brief explanation from 2012 will be useful to you.
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What Is The Difference Between The Cross And The Crucifix?
June 21, 2012 at 10:13 PM
In the TimesDaily Religion Forum discussion begun by my Roman Catholic Friend, Vic, titled "The Commandments" I shared the reason why I believe the Protestant version of the Ten Commandments is more faithful to the Biblical Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). It is because we retain Exodus 20:4, "You shall not make for yourself an idol" (nasb) or "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" (kjv) - as the Second Commandment.
My Protestant Christian Friend, O No, tells me, "And by the way, Catholics don't worship 'idols' any more than protestants do. What is the difference between a crucifix and an empty cross? Do 'YOU' worship that cross hanging in your church? Why is it OK for protestants to hang a symbol in their churches, but not Catholics?"
I am surprised you have to ask that question. But, since you have, I have to assume there may be one or two others who also do not understand the difference between the cross and the crucifix.
The cross is the symbol of what Christ has done for all of us, for all people. He left his heavenly home, his divine existence, to come to earth in a frail human body. He became like us so that He could be our high priest before God the Father:
He came to die a cruel death on the cross in our stead. Then, as He hung on the cross, He declared, "It is finished!" (John 19:30) and died.
What was finished? The work of redemption which He came to earth to accomplish - making redemption and salvation available to every person who will, by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:12) believe and receive this "free gift" which He has "paid in full" with His precious blood.
When He resurrected, that was to assure that ALL people will resurrect into immortal, eternal bodies. Those who believe to a resurrection of life, those who will not believe to a resurrection of judgment (John 5:29).
And, when He ascended into heaven - this was so that He might be the one and only mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) between man and God.
So, when Christ died, resurrected, and ascended into heaven - His full work of redemption and salvation was finished, fully accomplished. There is no longer any reason for Him to be hanging on a cross as we see on the crucifix.
He is not hanging on the cross, or crucifix. He is in heaven with God the Father. So why put Him back on the cross, i.e., the crucifix? Why continue to re-crucify Him daily, i.e., the Eucharist in the daily mass?
Therefore, when we come to the foot of the cross for redemption - it is in recognition of the work He accomplished and finished there. It is not to find Him still hanging on the cross. It is to honor Him for the work He has finished, over 2000 years ago, upon the cross.
That, my Friend, is why you will see only the empty cross hanging in mainstream Protestant Christian churches today.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
I pray that my brief explanation from 2012 will be useful to you.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
What Is The Difference Between The Cross And The Crucifix?
June 21, 2012 at 10:13 PM
In the TimesDaily Religion Forum discussion begun by my Roman Catholic Friend, Vic, titled "The Commandments" I shared the reason why I believe the Protestant version of the Ten Commandments is more faithful to the Biblical Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). It is because we retain Exodus 20:4, "You shall not make for yourself an idol" (nasb) or "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" (kjv) - as the Second Commandment.
My Protestant Christian Friend, O No, tells me, "And by the way, Catholics don't worship 'idols' any more than protestants do. What is the difference between a crucifix and an empty cross? Do 'YOU' worship that cross hanging in your church? Why is it OK for protestants to hang a symbol in their churches, but not Catholics?"
I am surprised you have to ask that question. But, since you have, I have to assume there may be one or two others who also do not understand the difference between the cross and the crucifix.
The cross is the symbol of what Christ has done for all of us, for all people. He left his heavenly home, his divine existence, to come to earth in a frail human body. He became like us so that He could be our high priest before God the Father:
Hebrews 2:17, "Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."
He came to die a cruel death on the cross in our stead. Then, as He hung on the cross, He declared, "It is finished!" (John 19:30) and died.
What was finished? The work of redemption which He came to earth to accomplish - making redemption and salvation available to every person who will, by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:12) believe and receive this "free gift" which He has "paid in full" with His precious blood.
When He resurrected, that was to assure that ALL people will resurrect into immortal, eternal bodies. Those who believe to a resurrection of life, those who will not believe to a resurrection of judgment (John 5:29).
And, when He ascended into heaven - this was so that He might be the one and only mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) between man and God.
So, when Christ died, resurrected, and ascended into heaven - His full work of redemption and salvation was finished, fully accomplished. There is no longer any reason for Him to be hanging on a cross as we see on the crucifix.
He is not hanging on the cross, or crucifix. He is in heaven with God the Father. So why put Him back on the cross, i.e., the crucifix? Why continue to re-crucify Him daily, i.e., the Eucharist in the daily mass?
Therefore, when we come to the foot of the cross for redemption - it is in recognition of the work He accomplished and finished there. It is not to find Him still hanging on the cross. It is to honor Him for the work He has finished, over 2000 years ago, upon the cross.
That, my Friend, is why you will see only the empty cross hanging in mainstream Protestant Christian churches today.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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