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E-Mail: Why is Christ Still on the Cross in Catholicism?

© Kathryn Morse

It is my understanding that early Christians did not use a cross with the body of Christ on it. But the body of Christ was added about the third century. A reason I have read was that as attacks on the Roman Empire by Goths, Visigoths, etc., increased and the empire was crumbling, there was great suffering among the people. Therefore, they felt a need to identitify with a suffering savior.

I have no reason to doubt the author of that statement, but I also believe it was for "educational" purposes. When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, steps had to be taken to teach the illiterate populace about the new religion. I think a cross with a body would have more effect than a cross without a body; the point being that this man, the Lord Jesus, died for us.

There is also a continuing reason for Jesus to be displayed on the cross in Catholicism - the Mass, which is a re-creation of the sacrifice of Christ. Christ's death for us is repeated continually in the Catholic Church. Many of the phrases that are part of the Mass have to do with his sacrifice.

"Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."

"Take this, all of you, and eat it; this is my body which will be given up for you. . . . Take this, all of you, and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant, it will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven."

The crucifix with the body "matches" the scriptures better than a blank cross. That Jesus died for our sins and that we should be thankful is a daily theme in Catholicism. The closing words of the celebration of Mass are "Thanks be to God." The words are supposed to be spoken in thanksgiving for the voluntary sacrifice Christ made for us.

By the way, Catholic Masses do not entirely revolve around the death of Christ on the cross. The first half of each service is called the Liturgy of the Word and includes the daily scripture readings and the homily. Then the service turns to the Liturgy of the Eucharist revolving around Christ's sacrifice for us and our communion with Him.

I have read some of the early Protestant confessions and have noted some changes that were made in hymns at the time of the Reformation. Some of the changes in confessions seem to have been done angrily; at least, that is what the strong language led me to believe. And some of the changes in hymn wording seemed to me to be pointless; the songs weren't "Protestantized," they were just changed. I have wondered if taking Jesus off the cross was just done to be "different," to have a symbol of their separation from the Roman Catholic Church. It would have been an easy change - its easier and cheaper to make a cross without the body.

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