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.
Not sarcasm, just a joke?
Oh. My.
No, but the Church that Christ founded--the Catholic Church--is.
Did you PAY tuition for this ejumakashun, or just borrow it?
The verses I cited so STARKLY refute the whole notion.
Shocking.
Thanks.
It is natural to laugh at what one does not understand.
It was part of the requirements for my Masters Degree in Theology. I have an earned Doctorate and assisted in writing a Church history book that is updated periodically and used in colleges and seminaries today.
Since words seem to fail you, cartoons depicting madness are a good second choice.
Mmmm hmmm. Protestant education. Which strain?
Good luck with that feller. I’m quite confident that the RCC is the best manifestation of Christ’s church that has ever or will ever exist on this big blue marble.
“Did you PAY tuition for this ejumakashun, or just borrow it?’
Well I see we have run out of arguments so I will go back to reading.
I suppose I should thank the master teacher who turned me on to such.
Thanks, Petronski! I think your dog is one of the best.
I was making an important point about the apparent quality of your education. I understand why you wouldn’t like it.
CONGRATS! WONDERFUL.
Have prayed for someone like you to come along to these threads.
Yea God!
Not my dog.
Nice to see you forming sentences again.
. . . other than the point about your education, enat; being 100% off the wall wrong, inaccurate, off-the-wall, cheeky, in poor taste, haughtily worded, crass, . . .
LOL.
I sometimes go through spells where I try and save most of my sentences for those with some capacity and interest to appreciate them.
Some would have me make it more of a way of being in the world. That remains to be seen.
NGR invoked automatically.
You seem quite intelligent when you use full sentences.
And not when you do not.
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.