Veneration of saints is by its very nature something that required time to develop, and therefore is not int he scope of the inspired scripture. However, we do have the commandment to love one another, pray for one another, and to be light to one another, and that is what veneration of saints is all about. Specifically about the Blessed Virgin Mary, we have an assurance that "all generations will call her blessed" (Lk 1), she leads the Church in her battle with Satan (Rev. 12) and she is given us as our mother (Jn 19) and advocate before Christ (Lk 2:35). An instance of such veneration is recorded int he Scripture (Lk 11:27). We know much more about veneration of Mary from the Gospels that we do about, for example, how to conduct marriage or funeral ceremonies, or do confessions, or even baptisms.
annalex,
Thank you for your detailed post. I appreciate the time
you took as a favor to me.
I certainly don’t mean any of my posts as a criticism
of “the way” other churches practice their faith. I am,
as I’ve mentioned, simply doing a study for my own
benefit and spiritual walk.
I will reflect back to you where I am coming from when
I read you points...
“Veneration of saints is by its very nature something that required time to develop, and therefore is not int he scope of the inspired scripture.”
As a believer, I am open to the concept of things the
Apostles passed on to the Church that are not recorded
in Scripture. Clearly, logic would say that many things
fell into that category.
Where I run into difficulty is the expansion of those
things over the centuries. Your sentence above falls
into the category of things that “took time to develop”.
If it was an important truth that should be a major
doctrine, it should have been there from the beginning.
Now on to your other points.
“However, we do have the commandment to love one another, pray for one another, and to be light to one another, and that is what veneration of saints is all about.”
We do have the command to love one another. I can accept
that we can apply that to departed Christians. Christians
are to be a light, sure. Perhaps you are applying this in
the sense of departed saints being a light to us? OK, I
can accept that. These two points do not, in my mind, lead
to your conclusion that veneration is about those two things. Perhaps you might want to elaborate?
What I do not see is anything from Scripture or EARLY
writings of the Church that shows me the Church got
this directly from the Apostles. And, of course, if
you have such citations, I would very much like to
see them.
“Specifically about the Blessed Virgin Mary, we have an assurance that “all generations will call her blessed” (Lk 1),”
Absolutely. And of course, there are many ways to call
her blessed that don’t involve talking directly to her.
I find nothing that supports the concept that departed
Christians can hear whatever someone says to them.
“she leads the Church in her battle with Satan (Rev. 12)”
Here, I would not agree. I will post some work from a
friend of mine (a teacher at seminary) who summarizes
the issues well...
“In view of Old Testament imagery (cf. Isa. 54:1–6; Jer. 3:20; Ezek. 16:8–14; Hos. 2:19–20) and the following reasons, the “woman” seems to symbolize the nation of Israel.395 She wears a crown (Gr. stephanos) with the sun, moon, and stars, as God pictured Israel in one of the nation’s early symbolic representations (Gen. 37:9–11; cf. Isa. 26:17–18; 60:1–3, 20). There are many figurative references to Israel as a travailing woman in the Old Testament (Is. 26:17–18; 66:7–9; Jer. 4:31; 13:21; Mic. 4:10; 5:3). She eventually gave birth to Christ (v. 5). In Genesis 37:9–10, the sun corresponds to Jacob, the moon to Rachel, and the 12 stars to Israel’s 12 sons (cf. 7:5–8; 21:12).”
“and she is given us as our mother (Jn 19)”
I believe Christ gave Mary to the disciple here - not
to us.
“and advocate before Christ (Lk 2:35).”
Mary may fulfill the role of advocate, but this passage
does not say she does.
“An instance of such veneration is recorded in the Scripture (Lk 11:27).”
Sort of. Certainly the voice that cried out honored Mary
in fulfilling the prophecy of Luke 1. Just as we should do.
I would add that Mary was actually there at the time to
hear it.
“We know much more about veneration of Mary from the Gospels”
Not sure we know much at all.
“that we do about, for example, how to conduct marriage or funeral ceremonies, or do confessions, or even baptisms.”
True enough, which is why I wouldn’t place the actual words
and actions of these things as doctrines - except the form
of the actual baptism.
Again, thanks.