Posted on 05/30/2008 10:21:34 AM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007
Some of you will remember my recent decision to become a Catholic. I suppose I should be surprised it ended getting derailed into a 'Catholic vs. Protestant' thread, but after going further into the Religion forum, I suppose it's par for the course.
There seems to be a bit of big issue concerning Mary. I wanted to share an observation of sorts.
Now...although I was formerly going by 'Sola Scriptura', my father was born and raised Catholic, so I do have some knowledge of Catholic doctrine (not enough, at any rate...so consider all observations thusly).
Mary as a 'co-redeemer', Mary as someone to intercede for us with regards to our Lord Jesus.
Now...I can definitely see how this would raise some hairs. After all, Jesus Himself said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that none come to the Father but through Him. I completely agree.
I do notice a bit of a fundamental difference in perception though. Call it a conflict of POV. Do Catholics worship Mary (as I've seen a number of Protestants proclaim), or do they rather respect and venerate her (as I've seen Catholics claim)? Note that it's one thing to regard someone with reverence; I revere President Bush as the noted leader of the free world. I revere my father. I revere Dr. O'Neil, a humorous and brilliant math teacher at my university. It's an act of respect.
But do I WORSHIP them?
No. Big difference between respecting/revering and worshiping. At least, that's how I view it.
I suppose it's also a foible to ask Mary to pray for us, on our behalf...but don't we tend to also ask other people to pray for us? Doesn't President Bush ask for people to pray for him? Don't we ask our family members to pray for us for protection while on a trip? I don't see quite a big disconnect between that and asking Mary to help pray for our wellbeing.
There is some question to the fact that she is physically dead. Though it stands to consider that she is still alive, in Heaven. Is it not common practice to not just regard our physical life, but to regard most of all our spirit, our soul? That which survives the flesh before ascending to Heaven or descending to Hell after God's judgment?
I don't think it's that big of a deal. I could change my mind after reading more in-depth, but I don't think that the Catholic Church has decreed via papal infallibility that Mary is to be placed on a higher pedestal than Jesus, or even to be His equal.
Do I think she is someone to be revered and respected? Certainly. She is the mother of Jesus, who knew Him for His entire life as a human on Earth. Given that He respected her (for He came to fulfill the old laws; including 'Honor Thy Father and Mother'), I don't think it's unnatural for other humans to do the same. I think it's somewhat presumptuous to regard it on the same level as idolatry or supplanting Jesus with another.
In a way, I guess the way Catholics treat Mary and the saints is similar to how the masses treated the Apostles following the Resurrection and Jesus's Ascension: people who are considered holy in that they have a deep connection with Jesus and His Word, His Teachings, His Message. As the Apostles spread the Good News and are remembered and revered to this day for their work, so to are the works of those sainted remembered and revered. Likewise with Mary. Are the Apostles worshiped? No. That's how it holds with Mary and the saints.
At least, that's how my initial thoughts on the subject are. I'll have to do more reading.
Yeah, in your dreams.
How can you say that when it’s out there for all to see? Don’t you EVER question anything your church says? We’re supposed to.
You just got done saying you didn't need one.
I would think you would realize that’s a common statement, but if you didn’t, sorry. I’m not here to fight either.
I guess...
You deny everything your preacher tells you to deny?
>>She will be alive after the judgement, like the rest of us.<<
I’m not picking here, I really don’t understand. How can she not be alive when Our Lord promised “Eternal” life? There isn’t a “stop and start” to Eternal. It’s eternal, always, forever.
How can it stop when one leaves the Earth?
Why don’t you get off that hatred kick? We don’t hate you any more than you hate us.
Ah, those mysteries...
“the hatred kick” is a security blanket. Using it as a talisman to ward off evil, there’s no reason to get out from under it.
You shall know them by their friuts.
Fruits even.
In case you haven't noticed the world is in a sad state. We are as blind as we ever were. Like a good mother would, Our Lady guides us back to Jesus. God has always sent his messengers to help and warn us. It is no different today.
Well, it is definitely connected with trying to ward off evil, so you got that part right.
I like the appeal to Sola Scriptura when it suits you. How do you determine when to use it and when not to?
Sorry, I can’t read Calvin because he’s not in Scripture. He’s just a commentator on Scripture with no teaching authority whatsoever.
The Word of God and the revelation of Christ isn’t enough to get you through huh?
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