Posted on 04/05/2005 10:01:52 PM PDT by Coleus
For the last quarter of a century, this non-Catholic has had a pope. Now that John Paul II is gone, I am even more of an orphan than the Christians in the Roman church. For they will surely have another pope, but that one may not be mine, since I haven't converted.
I am sure I am reflecting the views of many Protestants. Who else but John Paul II gave voice to my faith and my values in 130 countries? Who else posited personal holiness and theological clarity against postmodern self-deception and egotism? Who else preached the gospel as tirelessly as this man?
What other clergyman played any comparable role in bringing down communism, a godless system? What other world leader—spiritual or secular—understood so profoundly how hollow and bankrupt the Soviet empire was, so much so that this tireless writer never bothered to pen an encyclical against Marxism-Leninism because he knew it was moribund?
Has there been a more powerful defender of the sanctity of life than this Pole, in whose pontificate nearly 40 million unborn babies wound up in trashcans and furnaces in the United States alone? What more fitting insight than John Paul II's definition of our culture as a culture of death—an insight that is now clearly sinking in, to wit the declining abortion rates in the United States?
In Europe some time ago, a debate occurred in Protestant churches: Should John Paul II be considered the world's spokesman for all of Christianity? This was an absurd question. Of course he spoke for all believers. Who else had such global appeal and credibility, even to non-Christians and non-believers?
Of course, there was the inveterate Billy Graham. There were many faithful Orthodox and Protestant bishops, pastors and evangelists.
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
See, that's a part of the problem. You are saying that "her body" was resurrected like Christ. I'll grant you her spirit or soul taking up a special place in heaven, but not her physical body. That was reserved for Christ only.
Well, it's good to be informed. They believe that Mary was sinless, the only created person in world history to be so. They believe that she is the Queen of Heaven. They believe she is co-Redemptrix. They believe she was bodily assumed into Heaven and did not die.
Well, it's good to be informed. They believe that Mary was sinless, the only created person in world history to be so. They believe that she is the Queen of Heaven. They believe she is co-Redemptrix. They believe she was bodily assumed into Heaven and did not die.
Isaiah 22The vice-king of the House of David wore around his neck a pouch containing a key, which represented his position as the king's vice-king or vice-regent.22 I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
Revelation 3Jesus is the eternal king of the House of David, and is "the power behind the key."7"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
Matthew 16Jesus gives the key of the office of the vice-regency to Peter alone.19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[1] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[2] loosed in heaven."
Mary and the saints are our exteded family in the Body of Christ.
The "Co" in "Co-Redemptrix" refers to Mary's cooperation with God, her unqualified "yes" to God's plan. Many people think the term elevates her to Christ's status, which is ridiculous. Because of the semantic confusion, it's highly unlikely that the Church will make any formal statement regarding the doctrine.
No, I said she was "assumed" into Heaven.
Jesus rose from the dead on His Own Power and Ascended to Heaven On His Own Power. Mary was the recipient of a similar thing, but not as the active agent bringing it about.
SD
If I recall correctly, only two people in scripture are specifically mentioned as being taken bodily into heaven -- Jesus, who died and was raised and ascended, and Elijah, who "went up to heaven in a whirlwind", borne by a chariot of fire. [2 Kings 2:11]. He must have been very special to God.
What does the Roman Catholic church teach about Elijah?
I believe that about Elijah.
Your point.....?
Technically speaking, the Pope and I are "co-religionists." (We share the same Faith.) That hardly makes us equal.
You are right that semantic confusion will prevent this from being proclaimed.
SD
That he went up to Heaven in a whirlwind" just like you quoted.
The example of Elijah is often given to show that such an honor being bestowed upon a mere human does not make them equal to God.
Also presented as evidence, or rather "negative evidence" is that there is no "tomb of Mary" nor are there any relics or artifacts in existence. You know we like to keep saints' bones and whatnot around. Yet, we somehow forgot where Mary was buried and failed to use the Mother of God for relics.
SD
I may be mis-reading 2 Kings 2:11, but it sure looks to me as though Elijah was taken -- physically and bodily -- into heaven.
You sure about Jesus being the ONLY person to be taken into heaven with his physical body??
My point is Catholics believe this about Mary which is a strange belief IMO.
Here's a rosary novena prayer. Sounds like a prayer to Mary to me.
My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offenses committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for this special favor which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena:
(Atonement for offenses committed against Mary? Whoa.)
Actually this is not true. Pope JP2 encouraged the belief that Mary is the Holy Spirit, thus justifying her worship. Your next pope will bring this teaching fully in
Cheers,
CSG
I hope I do not offend anyone here if I suggest that it would be silly to believe that scripture indicates that Elijah -- who went bodily into Heaven -- became equal to God because he entered Heaven in his physical body.
I think that it shows that Elijah was a very special man -- a faithful man honored by a God great in His faithfulness.
http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/ccc.html
Check for yourself.
Strange?
How so?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.