Posted on 08/17/2015 6:07:35 PM PDT by NKP_Vet
The argument from authority is the weakest argument.
I read his book. He deals with dozens of passages in Scripture, and with dozens of arguments from apologists who deny the dogmas he is defending.
Nothing I have said about Staples’s book is based on his credentials. It’s all based on what’s actually in the book.
Staples cites dozens of them. I don’t have them memorized.
Sadly too much evident. But when men become the supreme authority above Scripture, with ensured veracity, then you have cultism.
Although technically Mary is not to be worshiped in the same sense that God is worshiped, yet the distinctions between devotion to Mary and the worship of God are quite fine, and much due to the psychological appeal of a heavenly mother (especially among those for whom Scripture is not supreme), then the historical practice of Catholics has been to exalt Mary above that which is written. As the Catholic Encyclopedia states, "By the sixteenth century, as evidenced by the spiritual struggles of the Reformers, the image of Mary had largely eclipsed the centrality of Jesus Christ in the life of believers." (Robert C. Broderick, ed., The Catholic Encyclopedia, revised and updated; NY: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1987, pp.32,33)
The practice of praying to departed saints and Mary was one that developed, helped by pagan influences, for Scripture provides no example of any believer praying to anyone in Heaven by the Lord, and reveals that doing otherwise was a practice of pagans, including to the “Queen of Heaven.” (Jer. 44:17,18,19,25). The Catholic Encyclopedia speculates that a further reinforcement of Marian devotion, “was derived from the cult of the angels, which, while pre-Christian in its origin, was heartily embraced by the faithful of the sub-Apostolic age. It seems to have been only as a sequel of some such development that men turned to implore the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. This at least is the common opinion among scholars, though it would perhaps be dangerous to speak too positively. Evidence regarding the popular practice of the early centuries is almost entirely lacking...,” (Catholic Encyclopedia > Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary) Yet, as expected, it imagines this practice came from the apostles and NT church, but which never exampled or instructed it, and instead showed that the believer has immediate access to God in the Divine Christ, (Heb. 10:19), who is the all sufficient and immediate intercessor between God (the Father) and man. (Heb. 2:17,18; 4:15,16) To the glory of God
Well, yes, since the Holy Spirit made him the chief writer of the NT, and as these are the only wholly inspired transcendent and substantial records of what he preached, it is these that must judge all that is attributed to him.
To hold that what Rome says he or anyone else said via her amorphous "oral tradition" is the infallible word of God rests upon her novel and unScriptural premise of ensured perpetual magisterial. And what Rome claims to infallibly declare certainly is not wholly inspired of God.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that any past Christian’s role is over.
As Paul says in 1 Co 2: “9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
After all, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.
Their specific earthly roles in the redemption story are completed.
After all, we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.
Isn't it possible that the testimony of these witnesses is their COMPLETED actions on earth? Hebrews 12:1 is a concluding statement for Hebrews 11 - which details historical examples of faith. If a martyr does nothing else, he or she has already provided a testimony for us through his or her faithfulness unto death.
. That's the number one problem with roman catholicism.
That is exactly correct, either, CC. We return with Christ at His coming, Re 19: 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Also, we are judges: 1 Co 6: 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
While their completed testimony is certainly a blessing, there is more revealed in the bible about the missions God could have for His saints who have gone on.
a. Moses and Elijah DID appear with Jesus conversing with Him.
b. Jesus did tell the story of an incident in Abraham's life after Abraham's death. (The Rich man and Lazarus)
c. Jesus did say that Abraham was living and not dead. Jesus said that God "is the God of the living and not of the dead."
The angel who guided John around heaven did say to John when John attempted to worship him: "Rev 19:10 - "10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." "
Their specific earthly roles in the redemption story are completed.
That is NOT exactly correct, either, CC. We return with Christ at His coming, Re 19: 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Also, we are judges: 1 Co 6: 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
While their completed testimony is certainly a blessing, there is more revealed in the bible about the missions God could have for His saints who have gone on.
a. Moses and Elijah DID appear with Jesus conversing with Him.
b. Jesus did tell the story of an incident in Abraham's life after Abraham's death. (The Rich man and Lazarus)
c. Jesus did say that Abraham was living and not dead. Jesus said that God "is the God of the living and not of the dead."
The angel who guided John around heaven did say to John when John attempted to worship him: "Rev 19:10 - "10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." "
Yes bro. Anyone standing at the great white throne is in dire straits. They are not there to be judged either saved or lost, but to determine their punishment in the lake of fire. Thank you, but if it's all the same to you, I don't plan on being there, unless this is the place where the men of Nineveh, and the queen of the south, will rise in judgment over this generation, and condemn it. 🔥
Do you affirm that Jesus is Emmanuel ?
Do you affirm that Emmanuel means “God with us?”
Do you affirm that Jesus is “God with us?”
Yet, she is never referred to in this manner in the Word.
This is an indication of truly not being able to see the truth when it's in front of you.
Do you believe in the Bible ? Do you believe in the Trinity ?
“You can keep repeating the faces-in-the-clouds metaphor all you want, but unless you cite the SPECIFIC Scripture passages Staples discusses, and show EXACTLY HOW he is misinterpreting them, you are merely making gratuitous assertions”
Sorry Arthur, but unless you post something here to be discussed, you are just making an unsupported claim - the logical fallacy of Appeal to Authority. In addition, we do not recognize Mr. Staples as an authority.
We do recognize the Word of God. I’m certain people will respond to your claims, if you post specifics. I’m guessing a priest should be quite capable of doing that. If you don’t wish to, for whatever reason, that is fine. We will move on.
“The scriptural facts I presented are unrefuted:”
Your use of the facts makes them into a falsehood. That is where we disagree.
Best
We can see what Paul believed by his letters that were inspired by God. Do you have proof he preached contrary to what he wrote? Can you see what you must do to the Word of God, the Apostles and prophets to uphold a belief of your church? It must be worth it to you, but it does no service to the Lord.
LOL, you just pulled an oral tradition of your own straight out of your...hat.
Just shut your eyes and put your fingers in your ears, shouting LALALA as loud as you can.
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