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.
In the end though the only source we have that judges whether Tradition, or a Church, is right is Scripture. The Church, or Tradition, don't judge whether Scripture is right.
Is. 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
It certainly does. You are exhorting us to something we do more fully than protestants, for our Bibles are not redacted, laden with hundreds (thousands) of translation errors or overlain with burdensome false doctrines like sola fide and sola scriptura.
We have the Holy Spirit, who guides the Church.
Or as Becky said "We do good works because we are saved". (paraphrase). Same message, fewer words. :)
It is you who calls it legend.
There are others who call the Resurrection legend, because they cannot find archaeological evidence.
The “Jesus Seminar,” so called, often went so far as to call Jesus Himself a legend.
Then we have knowledge and tradition developed and handed down over 1900+ years by the Church founded by Christ.
What a great point.
Our Saviour came and proved he was who he said he was. He fulfilled prophesy. He performed miracles that were witnessed and written about. He rose from the dead and appeared to hundreds. He ascended into Heaven and was seen doing it. He gave us proof.
Lagrer than the birth of Jesus.
Lagrer than the Acension of Jesus.
Or not?
No matter, I am familiar with the legend.
I am also intrigued that it is larger than any celebration directed to Jesus.
I wasn't aware Christ was jealous. LOL
The truth is, each Sunday, every Church in Mexico holds a celebration directed to Jesus. We call it the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Yes, the correct term is the Celebration of the Mass.
I love this verse. If my Lord does not condemn me, certainly my brother shouldn't.
Is that what you think Christ's words mean? That we can believe anything and it's okay? Read the rest of the chapter...
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." -- John 12:48-50"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
God most certainly does judge and therefore condemn words that are contrary to the Scriptures and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I doubt any Christian on this forum is "condemning you" because only God knows the heart. But the words we speak do matter and God will judge every one of them.
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day... Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life... It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." -- John 6:29,44,47,63"This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent...
These are the words of the Gospel. They are the sum total of Christ's mission, ordained by God from before the foundation of the world -- Christ, the word of God made flesh, pays for the sins of His flock, and makes this fact known to them by the gift of the Holy Spirit who permits the truth of Christ's words to penetrate their new hearts and quicken their minds so they can understand how and why Christ was born, died and rose from the dead.
There is a reason why "words" are the center of Christ's ministry. He didn't paint pictures. He didn't build statues or buildings. He didn't use Morris code or whisper in the dark. He spoke words in the light of day, words faithfully written down by His apostles and given to all the world. Those people who have been given new eyes, new ears, a new heart and a renewed mind will hear His words and understand them and believe in Christ, "the rock that is higher than I."
So when Christians see other Christians contradicting the word of God, we are compelled, like Paul, to preach the Gospel in truth...
"For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel!" -- 1 Corinthians 9:16
Christ tells us the words we use are important since He cautions...
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." -- Matthew 12:35-36"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
So what "words" of this Gospel are we to speak and what words will acquit us of our sins?
Christ, the only word. Christ's sacrifice, Christ's obedience, Christ's righteousness, Christ's glory. Christ alone.
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." -- Acts 4:12
Further, I see you're not using the words of the KJV when you write verse 47...
"...And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them..."
Notice the words in the KJV are much clearer and more accurate...
"And if any man hear my words, and believeth not..."
So again we see the RCC preaches a works-based salvation by observing the law rather than by God's gift of grace through "belief," through faith alone in Christ alone.
Mary and Jesus are having a popularity contest to see who has the biggest party, donchaknow.
When my dad was 10 he played the trumpet for some local Salvation Army band. I can’t pass a SA kettle drum or hear a trumpet sound without thinking of him.
I can picture some children squatting down and forming a bushel with their arms. (Could this be a case of repressed memory?) ;)
In any event I was 12 or 13 years old and much too mature for that kind of game playing. I like to think.
Just because you go to your church daily or weekly, doesn't mean you worship the building. You love what it represents, a part of Jesus. If I kiss my bible, it isn't because I worship leather and paper, it is because I love what it represents. Have you ever been to a Catholic mass? I don't even think Mary is mentioned. What I like is that I can go to any Catholic church in the world and I know exactly what I am going to get. It isn't about the priest, it is about the word of God.
To this day they are at the top of my list for charitable donations followed by donations to animal welfare organizations.
Whose brothers?
What a great post.
God Bless you sister. What a straight forward clear explanation of The Gospel.
Here, let me help:
Mary, Mother of God ~ Pray for us!
BTW, the music is much loo loud. It took over my speakers and I couldn't quiet it.
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