My friend just converted. He gave me some books to read and I discovered many things that don't allow me to convert:
First of all, he believes that forgiveness ONLY comes through a Priest and communion...that if a man sins, and prays for forgivenss, and truly repents, that if he dies before he can see a Priest and confess and ask for forgiveness, then he will go to hell and burn in eternal damnation-I don't see that an anywhere in the Bible.
Secondly, he believes Mary was born without sin...that she, along with Jesus, was born sinless and didn't need salvation, as she never sinned. I don't see that anywhere in the Bible, either.
Third, he believes that Mary, along with others who have died, can hear the prayers of everyone who prays for them...that they are basically omniscient, hearing all who pray to them...I don't find this in the Bible, either.
As far as transubstantiation...I can see that being possible.
Ed
You wrote:
"First of all, he believes that forgiveness ONLY comes through a Priest and communion...I don't see that an anywhere in the Bible."
John 20:21-23.
"Secondly, he believes Mary was born without sin...that she, along with Jesus, was born sinless and didn't need salvation, as she never sinned. I don't see that anywhere in the Bible, either."
Okay, and where in the Bible does it say everything has to be in the Bible to be true? Can you post that verse for us?
"Third, he believes that Mary, along with others who have died, can hear the prayers of everyone who prays for them...that they are basically omniscient, hearing all who pray to them...I don't find this in the Bible, either."
Again, where in the Bible does it say everything has to be in the Bible to be true? Can you post that verse for us?
And have you forgotten about the cloud of witnesses?
This is not what the Catholic Church teaches. Venial sins do not send people to hell and do not require confession for forgiveness, although we believe it beneficial.
Mortal sins are an entirely different kettle of fish. Catholics believe they are the "sins unto death" mentioned in the bible. When you knowingly, willingly, and with full consent commit a mortal sin, you are basically pulling a "Lucifer" on God and will go directly to hell if you die, do not pass go, do not collect $200.
You have two ways out of this pickle. The first, and usual way, is to repent and go to confession. Et voila, no more Hellfire (although a chance of purgatory if you weren't repentant enough). It's quick, sure, and easy.
Option 2, not so simple. You must have Perfect Contrition, and the intention to confess the proper way first chance you get. Perfect Contrition means you repent of your sin out of love for God and sorrow at the horrible offense you have made him. This kind of contrition does not include repenting out of fear of Hell or because you've realized how awful the sin itself was (either of which is sufficient for confession). Achieving Perfect Contrition is Not Easy, especially if you've just made yourself dead to the grace of God by comitting a mortal sin. Why take the chance? That's why God gave us confession in the first place, so we wouldn't have to go around wondering all the time.
For supporting bible passages and quotes from the Church Fathers, check out:
and
See if Revelation 5:8 proves helpful in this respect:
5:8 Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.These 24 elders are already in heaven, and look what they are said to be holding: 1) a harp and 2) golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints
Somehow, someway, those 24 dead elders are in possession of the prayers of the saints, which they then put onto the golden altar before the throne (Rev. 8).
That isn't Catholic belief either; Catholic belief is that she was preserved from sin by a work of grace which is a prior application of the merits of her crucified Son. Jesus is as much Mary's savior as she is mine.
Not true. One can make a perfect act of contrition without a priest in an emergency. The sacrament of penance, instituted by Christ in one of his post-Resurrection appearances (telling the Apostles, "whose sins you forgive are forgiven...", is a wonderful, tangible channel of God's mercy, grace and forgiveness.
Secondly, he believes Mary was born without sin...that she, along with Jesus, was born sinless and didn't need salvation, as she never sinned. I don't see that anywhere in the Bible, either.
As I understand Catholic doctrine on this point, Mary was conceived and lived without sin and was thus saved through the merits of Christ's passion and resurrection. God dwells in eternity and is not limited by time, and thus she was saved in advance.
Third, he believes that Mary, along with others who have died, can hear the prayers of everyone who prays for them...that they are basically omniscient, hearing all who pray to them...I don't find this in the Bible, either.
Revelation speaks of the prayers of God's holy people at the altar in Heaven, with the elect standing around. It doesn't seem too far fetched to me that the saints can hear the prayers of the faithful on earth through the communion of saints within the Body of Christ.
**First of all, he believes that forgiveness ONLY comes through a Priest**
The forgiveness comes from God, through the priest. Are you acquainted with the actual words of absolution that the priest says?
Forgiveness does not come through Communion, but rather the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Some people like to call it the Sacrament of Penance or simply Confession.
Holy Communion is receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ -- just like the apostles did at the Last Supper. In fact, I invite you to attend a Mass with your friend who has just converted and witness these words being said by the priest.
**I don't see that an anywhere in the Bible. **
Oh, but it is!
Christ to the apostles:
"Receive the Holy Spirit, whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."
Please go back to the Wedding at Cana. Who asked Jesus to help out the groom since he had run out of wine.
The blessed Mother of God, Mary.
After Jesus told her that it was not yet his time, she said to the servants:
"Do as He tells you."
Mary interceded, Christ acted. It happened then and it continues to happen! What a blessing!
I've got a question for you, do ask others to pray for you who are sinners?
Of course you do!!
Then why not ask someone who is a saint and in heaven already to pray for you??
Makes sense to me.
1449 The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church:
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Emphasis added.
I can see what your friend's problem is: he doesn't know much about Catholicism.
Secondly, he believes Mary ...didn't need salvation"
Again, that's not true. Mary said "He who is mighty has done great things for me." She attributed all of the "great things" in her life to --- in her words--- "God my Savior."
There are two ways to save a person from a pit. One way is to pull them out after they've fallen in; the other way is to intervene to prevent them from falling in to begin with. Our Lord saves most of us the first way; he saved his mother the second way. (The Church calls it "prevenient.")
Why? Think about it: she is his only genetic link to the human race. He received his entire human nature from her. If she had any heritable defect, she would have passed it on to Him. God prevented that. Hence: prevenient grace. God can do that. God is not subject to the laws of time and space.
"Third, he believes that Mary, along with others who have died, can hear [our] prayers ..."
Those who love us --- our believing and God-loving mothers and fathers, relations, neighbors and friends --- intercede for us even in this life. Why would they be less able to do this when they are in the glorious presence of Almighty God?
"First of all, he believes that forgiveness ONLY comes through a Priest and communion...that if a man sins, and prays for forgivenss, and truly repents, that if he dies before he can see a Priest and confess and ask for forgiveness, then he will go to hell and burn in eternal damnation-I don't see that an anywhere in the Bible. "
This is not true. People can "believe" many different things and still not get it right when it comes to actually understanding what the Church actually teaches.