Posted on 08/21/2015 7:07:55 AM PDT by Salvation
There is a common Protestant claim that there is one (sole) mediator between God and Man—Jesus. Therefore, they say, asking the saints to pray for us is useless, wrong, and maybe even sinful. Those who object, usually cite some of the following texts:
To this claim, we should first answer that we do not teach a substitutional mediation in invoking the saints, as if we were trying to go to the Father apart from Jesus’ mediation.
Rather, we speak of a subordinate mediation, in which we seek the prayers of the saints, or of one another. For indeed we could have no communion with them or one another if it were not for Jesus Christ, who as the Head of the Body, the Church, unites all His members and facilitates our communion with one another.
Objectors seem to speak of there being one mediator in an absolute sense, excluding any other possible interaction or any subordinate mediation. But consider that if there is only one mediator in an absolute sense, then no one ought to ask ANYONE to pray for him; and neither should the objectors attend any church, read any book, listen to any sermon, or even read the Bible (since the Bible mediates Jesus’ words to you).
A “mediator” is someone or something that acts as a “go-between,” acting to facilitate our relationship with Jesus. And though Jesus mediates our relationship to the Father, He also asked Apostles, preachers, and teachers to mediate, to facilitate His relationship with us.
Thus Jesus sent Apostles out to draw others to him. St. Paul says, How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ (Rom 10:14-15, 17).
And thus Jesus has His relationship with us mediated through His Word and through the Apostles and others who announce that Word and draw us to Him.
But since some Protestants say that there is absolutely only ONE mediator, and no subordinate or deputed mediators, there is therefore no need to ask ANYONE or ANYTHING to mediate. So should they not burn their Bibles, stop asking anyone to pray for them, and seek no advice, since NO ONE can mediate a single thing? No one can do this because there is, as they say in an absolutely unqualified sense, only ONE mediator—one and only one.
But for those of us who see that there is a subordinated mediation in service of Christ’s supreme mediation, the prayers of others, preaching, and teaching all make sense. And just as the Bible can mediate His presence and will, or as a preacher can mediate His word, so too can the prayers of others (including the Saints) convey my prayers to Him. And Jesus can mediate my prayers to the Father and give graces to me by mediating them through others.
Consider the analogy of the body, since the Church is Christ’s Body. Jesus has one Body and all the parts are connected through the Head, who is Jesus. Now consider your own body. All the members of your body have communion and unity through your head, your mind. There are different ways to have interaction with others. Perhaps someone will reach you through your ears by speaking, or through the sense of touch by tapping you on the shoulder, or visually by waving. Various members of your body facilitate (mediate) interaction with others in different ways, but it is all facilitated through the head of your body, your mind. So, too, do I confidently expect to reach Jesus in different ways: directly, or through one of His members (realizing that He Himself facilitates it).
And thus for us Catholics, our relationship with Jesus is a rich tapestry of relationships with all the members of His body, those who are with us here and now as well as those who have gone on before us but remain members of the one Body, the Church, with Christ our Head.
Your comment: “We are responsible for our own relationship with Christ and informed through scripture, justified by faith. No man, priest, or pope stands between us and our savior. All else is silly man made tradition...no matter how fancy the skirt or how big the hat is, we all answer to the same God”
You are correct that we will all answer to the same God.
The mission of the Catholic Church is help all get to Heaven.
Good luck on your journey.
Jesus said his Church would be “the light of the world.” He then noted that “a city set on a hill cannot be hid” (Matt. 5:14). This means his Church is a visible organization. It must have characteristics that clearly identify it and that distinguish it from other churches. Jesus promised, “I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). This means that his Church will never be destroyed and will never fall away from him. His Church will survive until his return.
Jesus chose the apostles to be the earthly leaders of the Church. He gave them his own authority to teach and to govern—not as dictators, but as loving pastors and fathers. That is why Catholics call their spiritual leaders “father.” In doing so we follow Paul’s example: “I became your father in Jesus Christ through the gospel” (1 Cor. 4:15).
The apostles, fulfilling Jesus’ will, ordained bishops, priests, and deacons and thus handed on their apostolic ministry to them—the fullest degree of ordination to the bishops, lesser degrees to the priests and deacons.
How about praying to Saints?
Praying to Mary?
Hebrews 4:16 should close the book on those questions.
I know that Catholics don’t actually advocate “praying to” somebody, but I know they do it—I was one, I remember.
Besides there’s no way “Mary” or “Paul” or “Peter” can hear your prayers anyways. If they can, then you put them on equal terms of omniscience as God, and not even Satan has that power.
On the subject of salvation, I’ve been told numerous times by priests that I must follow the sacraments to be assured of salvation.
Interestingly, according to The Lord Himself, I don’t have to.
John 6:29
Romans 10:9-10
John 11:25
Acts 16:31
John 3:18
John 3:36
Key word:
“Believe”
We don’t need “Priests” or “Preachers” to instruct us so much as to enrich & immerse ourselves in His Word—Daily.
Who cares if it's there??? It doesn't have to be there to prove Matthew is inspired as the scriptures show us...
So the Bible, the Final Authority, clearly saying “there is one Mediator” means nothing.
And while they pilfer a verse here and there, theirs is not the church of the bible...
I wouldn't waste my time trying to find out...There are over 25 Greek lexicons out there...You have no way of knowing which one if any is correct...
PolyCarp alludes to the book of Matthew...Peter recognizes all of Paul's writings as scripture...You guys quote Matthew left and right...Why would you quote it if it is not scripture???
Wrong.
“Who cares if it’s there???”
Anyone sincerely trying to answer the question that was asked.
“It doesn’t have to be there to prove Matthew is inspired as the scriptures show us...”
It does have to be there if you’re using sola scriptura. This is why Protestants always fail.
“I’ll go with the truths mentioned in Scripture, rather than made up “truths”.”
If that were true then you wouldn’t be a Protestant since that was made up in the 16th century.
Let him!
Another non-Catholic that refuses to answer a question that will prove him/ her wrong. No one is surprised.
You are correct sir. It is called necromancy. 😇😃😎😂
It does have to be there if you’re using sola scriptura. This is why Protestants always fail.
There's not any fail...Scripture alone proves that Matthew is scripture...
You tell us you are the Greek language expert...Quit playing games and tells us what scripture in Koine Greek means...
I think Iscool just materially renounced sola scriptura!
“There’s not any fail...Scripture alone proves that Matthew is scripture...”
No, it doesn’t. You failed.
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