The sign of the cross

[Nelson Bradford]

We all know what that means, don't we?

What if your pastor was annointing you with oil and made the sign of the cross on your forehead?

Is that "too Catholic" for you?

Or would it be okay?

[Larry Osweiler]

I don't feel it would be inappropiate at all. I think some people think that anything percieved as Catholic is bad. I feel we in the Wesleyan Holiness Churches have much more in common with Catholics than we do fundamentalist protestants. At least that is what my two theology teachers told me. When dismissing our church at the benediction every Sunday, I ask that the Lord dismiss us in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen. I don't look at that as Catholic.
I think we can value much of what the Catholic Church has to offer us. Every church, whether protestant or Catholic have traditions that are not found in scripture necessarily. Is that fact that the prayer benches are found in our holiness churches bad because I dont' find a scriptural passage to warrant them? You can get into all kinds of discussions on things like this, but I feel a person just needs to lead as the Lord lead them on these issues.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I do it every time I annoint a person. I say, "I annoint you in the sign of the cross in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

No complaints here!

We all know what that means, don't we?

What if your pastor was annointing you with oil and made the sign of the cross on your forehead?

Is that "too Catholic" for you?

Or would it be okay?

[Sharon Isley]

I do it that way as well.

[Bruce Carriker]

Since I worship in an Episcopalian church most Sundays, I do it alot. When I worship at the nearby Church of the Nazarene that conducts a "high church" service (very high church by CoN standards), I catch myself doing it sometimes. No one has yet screamed "Heretic", or asked me not to return.

I agree with Larry's statement that our theological DNA has much more in common with the Catholic Church than it does with most of the churches that emerged from the Reformation. After all, Wesley was an Anglican priest. Luther, Calvin, Zwingli are really nowhere on our family tree, except to the extent that they had SOME influence on the English Reformation.

[Edith K. Thurmond]

We all know what that means, don't we?

If "we all know what that means," then why would it ever be inappropriate?

St. John Chrysostom (ca. 347-407), the eloquent fourth-century preacher and patriarch of Constantinople wrote:

Never leave home without making the sign of the cross. It will be to you a staff, a weapon, an impregnable fortress. Neither man nor demon will dare to attack you, seeing you covered with such powerful armor. Let this sign teach you that you are a soldier, ready to combat against the demons, and ready to fight for the crown of justice. Are you ignorant of what the cross has done? It has vanished death, destroyed sin, emptied hell, dethroned Satan, and restored the universe. Would you then doubt its power?

Many ministers use the sign of the cross when anointing a person for healing, as well as for other reasons. In my work I routinely anoint with oil for healing and always use the sign of the cross on the person. When visiting a hospital to minister, in addition to anointing the head and making the sign, I also make the sign of the cross in the air over the individual's body. People usually respond that it is powerful and something happens inside them.

In my opionion, using the sign of the cross is not a Catholic thing but is a catholic thing for all those who call themselves Christians and are followers of Jesus. Reading the history of its use is very informative. There are several books on the market which may be of help to enlighten on this topic.

Blessings+ (Have you ever wondered why I always write the symbol + when using this closing?)

[Ian Gentles]

Some may see it as a superstition. However I do it at benediction at some services, depending on type of congregation.

[Michael R. Gentry]

I join that group too.

When I anoint with oil ... I put oil on my finger and make the sign of the cross on their forehead as I conclude the prayer, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."