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.
No, that speaks to what my understanding of the concept of faith is in the context of the comments I was addressing to the recipient of that particular post. Does everything have to be viewed as an opening for attack?
Which of those defintions fits your Christian faith, LB?
Cool, back to your game of inquisition.....a multiple choice question? I'm surprised you didn't include "demonic" on your list. Um....let's see....I pick......"shady"!
No we need “extra revelation”
>>I believe so.<<
So the problem is that someone is taking the opinion of one person and making them from “The Catholic Church” again?
I guess that was found on Vatican.org.
Telling Catholics what they believe has always been a failing of protestants. Repeating a lie about Catholic beliefs does not make it any more true the thousandth time than the first.
But, thanks for repeating it. Just gives the Catholics one more chance to show protestant lies for what they are.
Also Pilate: John 18:38 NIV
Say, what’t the English translation of the Latin word, “cum?”
A retraction?
Astounding!
You are calling Dr. Eckleburg a liar which is “making it personal”
No doubt! LOL
P.S., sorry I didn’t reply to you sooner. All this grammar is making me dizzy.
Ah yes, The Game.
Don't hate the playa, hate the game, know what I'm sayin'?
Mary is not on the cross with Jesus Christ, and Mary does not join with Christ to redeem Christ's flock.
It's infinitely sad that some Christians need reminding of this fact.
>>You are calling Dr. Eckleburg a liar which is “making it personal”<<
I never saw her name used once by either of those posters. Both posters are refering to those Non-Catholics who continually lie about Catholics.
If she would like to be one of those people, that is her business.
Who said otherwise? Who needs reminded?
(((shudder)))
Did not happen.
If “cum” is translated as “with” then do you not understrand that Mary is WITH the Redeemer? The same way you hope to be WITH the Redeemer some day (only you weren’t his virgin mother)?
And if it did mean “with” she would be “cum Redemptor”. not even sure what that “co-redemptrix” even is, it’s a mish mash of English and something
I am SO going to get a bathtub and some pipe and stuff and bury the bathtub halfway into my yard and put a vaguely female statue made of pipes in it.
>>All this grammar is making me dizzy.<<
Well I’m doing the First Reading at the 6:30 tonight. First time Lector. I’m dizzy too.
Hey, did you know that when I’m doing a reading at mass, it’s out of THE BIBLE!!!
I’ve been told we were discouraged from reading that. Who’d a thunk....
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.