Expert: Charlie B - 12/30/2007

Question
why do the catholics have Jesus on the cross-crucifix-but the protestants do not?

Answer
Cheryl,
You ask a very important question, one that as a former Protestant for most of my life, I had wondered as well.  

Understand that this is only my opinion, and I'm inviting "cradle" Catholic friends of mine who are more orthodox and knowledgeable than myself to provide their answers, so give me a few days.

I believe it to be fact that the Catholic Church history is 2000 years old, started by the Early Fathers of the Church like St. Augustine in 300-400AD.  Jesus has always been on the cross.  The cross, alone though has always been a symbol for Catholics and Christians.  Catholics and Protestants equally value the significance of the Cross.

However, in a Catholic Church, since we believe in the actual presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, there's no reason to take him down from the Cross that He chose.   In fact, when I gaze up at Him, I feel more with Him as I was this morning in Mass.  If one is out of sight, they tend to be not remembered as well, yes?

Your friend might ask you, "Doesn't his anguish in his face and body warrant not looking at Him in this way?"   That's a matter of pure opinion, but understand this fact:  
When Catholics pray the Rosary, their are four "Mysteries" that they pray, one of which is the Sorrowful passion.  It has five images that go with the five decats of the Rosary:  1. Agony in the garden 2. The scourging 3.  Jesus is crowned with thorns 4. Jesus carries his own cross 5. The crucifixion

So, when Catholics pray the Rosary in the sorrowful passion, they are intending to conjure up the image of our Lord suffering... then, why should he NOT be on the Cross in Church??

The Protestant religion, of which I was a member for 40 years, is only 400 years old -- compared to Catholicism's 2000 years.  So, about eight generations ago, someone in Europe thought it might be a good idea to take him down from the Cross in churches ...the explanation may be as simple as that, but that needs someone more knowledgeable than I, like a PhD in Theology.

If you REALLy want to get at more of the ways Catholics seem to think somewhat differently, I'd encourage you to go to this website:
http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=dgc96hcab.0.0.is6sjecab.0&p=https://www.lighthousecathol...
or www.lighthousecatholicmedia.com

Recommend to get the Dr. Scott Hahn CD on the Eucharist which is superb, or a simple CD once a month at the first link.

Thanks for posing the question!  More to follow...
God bless,
Charlie
www.breedingtrust.com