Why do Catholic churches have a figure of Jesus on the cross, but Protestants don't have Jesus?

Question

on the Cross on their figures at their churches?

Answer 1

If I understand this correctly, Catholics are focusing more on the suffering that Jesus went through for us. When Catholics take communion, they believe that Jesus comes and is actually present in the bread and wine. But for most Protestants, it's a symbolic act.

Catholics are more focused on actually partaking, whereas Protestants are more focused on the symbolism of the events. So for a Catholic, they really partake of that suffering, by, first of all, acknowledging it, by viewing Christ on the cross, at his moment of suffering.

I have heard some Protestants say that the reason they prefer an empty cross is because to them, it symbolizes that Jesus rose. He is no longer on that cross. However, if that was what they wanted to symbolize, then wouldn't an empty tomb make more sense? Jesus rose from the tomb, not the cross. But maybe I'm just being too technical.

I know that for me, it is painful to view the image of Jesus on the cross. This is likely because I grew up a Protestant, and our crosses were almost always empty. I was not used to seeing that all the time. But now, I am interested in Catholicism, and I am seeing the image of Christ on the cross a lot. It is painful for me to face it. I just don't like to dwell on the suffering of anyone. But it is effective for really internalizing that important aspect of Jesus time on earth.

Answer 2

Part of it has to do with the significance of the Eucharist for Catholics. They regard it as an actual communion, a participation in Christ's sacrifice. Most Protestants regard it as a commemoration of an event of long ago.

An important reason is the Ten Commandments. In the Bible, they are not actually numbered, so they are parsed differently by Jews, Catholics and Protestants. Protestants get their commandments from Exodus 20 and their second commandment is, "Thou shalt make no graven image...." meaning representations of God could be considered idolatry. The Catholics take their Ten Commandments from Deuteronomy 5, which doesn't emphasize "graven images". They regard the image of Christ on the cross as a concrete reminder of the sufferings of Christ on our behalf. Understanding that statues and images should not be confused with actual dieties, they saw a need to provide visual affirmation of invisible truths for the benefit of faith.

The popularity of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" included a profound interest by evangelical Protestants who had traditionally never experienced the Passion so viscerally. It is a powerful draw, making the suffering more "real" in their minds. I don't know whether that's good or the "graven images" rule should apply. But there is a distinct cultural difference that makes crucifixes more likely in Catholic churches and crosses more likely in Protestant churches.

Answer 3

As with all things it is what is in the heart that matters. God knows the heart of each individual and knows whether a person is worshipping an image or not. I will disagree somewhat by stating that there are churches apart from the Catholic church who can trace their spiritual roots back to the first home churches as described in the bible.

Answer 4

My religion (Christian, but not Catholic or Protestant) does not use any figures of Christ on a cross because it is a symbol of his death. If he were killed with a gun, would churches have guns hanging on the wall? Some claim the cross is in remembrance of Christ's suffering for them, but if anyone studies the scriptures carefully, they will realize that Christ's suffering was in the Garden of Gethsemane, when his apostles left him to himself and he suffered so much pain and sorrow that he bled from every pore and were he not a God, he would have died. He even had an angel there to comfort and encourage him. The Garden was where he drank the bitter cup, not the cross.

Answer 5

I have heard that before! Yes, Catholic churches do have Jesus on the cross, and I respect that!
I wonder though, if Jesus had been hung, would we all wear hang mans knot around our neck? What about being shot, would a gun be our religious cymbal?

Christianity is based on the facts that God send flesh to understand why we humanoids are so obstinate! ( So God doesn't know everything? )

We can make these questions as complex or as simple as we please!
What do you choose?

Answer 6

It's really quite simple, actually. The central act of Christian Worship has always been the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The Catholic (and Anglican and Orthodox and many Lutherans even) keep to that most Holy Tradition.

Why? Because Jesus was clear. "Do this..."

Now - what does St. Paul say about the Eucharist?

Many things, actually....too many to list here...

But one of the things St. Paul says is:

TO SHOW FORTH THE SAVIOUR'S DEATH. The doctrine of the New Testament is, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures; and the bread and wine of the supper are our own participation of this event ("once offered, a full, perfect and sufficient, Sacrifice, Oblation and Satisfaction for the sins of the whole world), and designed to keep it in perpetual remembrance (Greek: "anamnesis"). Hence, it is said by none other than St. Paul himself in the text:

"As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come" [1Co 11:26].

God would have the world, as well as His Church, to know all about the death of His Son. Hence, His ministers are to preach Jesus, and Him crucified; and His Church are to show forth His death.

It's that simple.

Answer 7

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jesus is Almighty God's son, NOT God himself or God in another form . Neither is Jesus EQUAL to God. There are many scriptures in the book of John where Jesus states he can do nothing of his own initiative.
Also the instrument of Jesus' death was a "STAUROS" , a pole or upright stake [ with no crossbar as depicted in Catholic churches]
If the instrument HAD been a "cross", the word used in the Bible would have been "crux". But is was not...It was Stauros.

Answer 8

We have Jesus on the cross to remind us what our sins have done, that Jesus died on the cross because of our sinfulness. We realize that Jesus was buried and rose from the dead and is alive, but the crucifix reminds us of Jesus' suffering for the sake of the sinner.

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 9

We rejoice in the fact that He is risen.The cross holds no more power .He didn't just die there and get buried .He rose on the third day and is alive right now at the right hand of the father.Praying for us and guiding us by the Holy Spirit.

Answer 10

Jesus is no longer on the cross and He didn't just die there and that was it. We as Protestants like to think of the risen, victorious Jesus.