Posted on 05/17/2007 10:08:04 AM PDT by Gamecock
Reading Francis Beckwith's interview with David Neff in Christianity Today, reminded me of how idyllic the Roman church can seem in the minds of those who embrace it (Click here: Q&A: Francis Beckwith | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction).
But then this news report appeared today which gives a much different picture of the supposed glories of Romanism (Click here: Pope to canonize first Brazilian saint - Yahoo! News).
All discussion of justification, the authority of Scripture, and reciting the Creed aside, the Pope is heading to Brazil to canonize Antonio de Sant'Anna Galvao, a Franciscan monk who is credited with 5000 miraculous healings. Over 1 million people are expected to be in attendance. The healings supposedly come as a result of swallowing rice paper pills prepared by the monk over two hundred years ago. According to the AP news report . . .
"The Vatican has officially certified the medical cases of two Brazilian women as divinely inspired miracles that justify the sainthood of Galvao. Both of these women spoke of their faith with The Associated Press, claiming that their children would not be alive today were it not for the tiny rice-paper pills that Friar Galvao handed out two centuries ago.
Although the friar died in 1822, the tradition is carried on by Brazilian nuns who toil in the Sao Paulo monastery where Galvao is buried, preparing thousands of the Tic Tac-sized pills distributed free each day to people seeking cures for all manner of ailments. Each one is inscribed with a prayer in Latin: `After birth, the Virgin remained intact. Mother of God, intercede on our behalf.'
Sandra Grossi de Almeida, 37, is one such believer. She had a uterine malformation that should have made it impossible for her to carry a child for more than four months. But in 1999, after taking the pills, she gave birth to Enzo, now 7. `I have faith," Grossi said, pointing to her son. I believe in God, and the proof is right here.'
Nearly 10 years before that, Daniela Cristina da Silva, then 4 years old, entered a coma and suffered a heart attack after liver and kidney complications from hepatitis A. `The doctors told me to pray because only a miracle could save her,' Daniela's mother Jacyra said recently. `My sister sneaked into the intensive care unit and forced my daughter to swallow Friar Galvao's pills.'"
So, if you "return home" to Rome, you get the whole ball of wax, including the beatification of saints who give out Tic-Tac size rice-paper pills which supposedly heal. And Pope Benedict XVI will be there to bless it all.
By the way, confessional Protestants affirm the historical evangelical doctrine of justification by grace alone, through faith alone, on account of Christ alone, and the full authority of Scripture. And yes, we even recite the Creed every Lord's Day and we use a biblical-text based liturgy which is quite similar to that described by Justin Martyr in the second century.
Too bad Dr. Beckwith didn't consider a confessional Protestant church before embracing Romanism. Now he's stuck with Antonio de Sant'Anna Galvao and his rice-paper healing pills.
Circuit Citys are closing all over the place so it’s probably more than acceptable; it’s down right prescient.
Could Nephi simply disembowel Laban? Or is decapitation absolutely necessary?
Rewriting is not writing.
Since I don't know any really smart people, could my cousin Floyd say, "yep"?
BINGO BONGO!
Don Pardo, give that lovely, intelligent lady who wanted to be a babe, the grand prize of the day, all all expense paid weeks trip to the wonderful tourist trap resort on the NC-SC border in I-95. Yes folks, the Doctor has won an exclusive trip to Pedroland, South of the Border, the most exotic spot on I-95, centrally located between New York and Miami. And along with the trip, Don Pardo, give her a $5.00 gift certificate at Pedro's Sombrero Gift Shoppe
Can I count Floyd being dropped on his head as an infant as persecution?
Taco Bell is a worthy substitute however.
Oh well, I'll break the news to my nephew.
Since I don't know any really smart people, could my cousin Floyd say, "yep"?
Only if Floyd can blow smoke out of his ears.
If the challenge says so
the head must go.
Can I count Floyd being dropped on his head as an infant as persecution?
Is Floyd Roman Catholic? If he is, then that is acceptable.
Taco Bell is hiring, have him make a career change.
I can see why it’s so difficult to start a religion. Perhaps I’ll take a different route. I think I’ll start by writing a few science fiction novels...
But you have to call George Noory when he has a medium on the coast to coast radio show.
The Bible tells me that placebos are ineffective?
Yo, like de cult rap artist SendMOCash says in his latest release, "It's Hard Out On De Streets Fo De Cultmakers"
Oh, forget it. Unsurprisingly, you’re not even addressing my original point, nor any of the other points I’ve made. Continuing having fun cracking jokes and nitpickiing irrelevant details to avoid addressing the issue. This is my last post on this thread; you Bible-believers continue to have fun cutting up the Church that provided you with the Bible.
Do you really believe this?
To even take the first step in the three step canonization process — a lot more is needed.
Sounds like a Catholic bashing article. You might want to add Catholic bashing to your key words.
Please stop propagating that myth, it's not healthy to believe in illusions.
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