The Neverending Story (The Christian Chronicles)

Associated Press ^ | 3/24/01

[malakhi]

The Neverending Story
An ongoing debate on Scripture, Tradition, History and Interpretation.

Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. - John Adams

Previous Thread

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Now as to the question of whether Catholics "worship" her. More later.

Please hurry. :-)

[AlguyA]

"What's so strange about that? There are alot of NT figures we don't know where the bones are."

Well, first, she was the Mother of Our Lord. Further, she was entrusted to the care of St. John, who we know lived to a rather ripe old age and served as mentor for St. Polycarp. Hence, one would expect her grave/tomb would have been known to the early Church. This is somewhat different than the fate of many of the Apostles who scattered to spread the gospel. St. Thomas, for example, is believed to have travelled as far as India and it is my understanding the communities he founded there exist to this day. In these instances it is understandable we wouldn't know of their resting places since distance and poor communications would hinder any sense of certainty. (Though now that I think about it, I think there is a place which tradition holds is St. Thomas' resting place. I'd have to check.)

Similarly, tradition gives approximate resting places for Peter and Paul and while I'm sure you don't believe it, I'm fairly convinced Peter's remains are precisely where Tradition has always held them to be, i.e. right under St. Peter's Basillica in Rome.

So, yes, I do find it strange. Though I'm not surprised you don't.

[CindyDawg]

The thing is Robby, that for me to understand and agree with you then I need to see the scripture supporting this. I have asked yall multiple times on different posts but no one will reply. We both believe in the Bible so that should be our common denominator. You "tradition" is as foreign to me as a Baptist doctrine would be to you. Can't we just stick to the Bible because both should be originated from scripture?

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Can't we just stick to the Bible because both should be originated from scripture?

It sounds better to say "sacred tradition" rather than "There is no scripture to back it up".

[CindyDawg]

So how would your life change if her remains were found and she was genetically determined to be the mother of James? In my case, if it was determined she was an eternal virgin I would be surprised but it wouldn't affect my faith or beliefs. You didn't answer my question about how your church would feel about testing.

[CindyDawg]

huh?

[CindyDawg]

Oh, never mind. I get it now.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Oh, never mind. I get it now.

Oh sure. You're probably just trying to catch up with me in number of posts. :-)

[OLD REGGIE]

I think the point the author was trying to make was just to call to mind the suffering that Christ endured for us ... how He took our place on that cross. How blessed we are that He did that for us!

I know. I was just being picky-picky. I appreciated the post. Thanks.

[OLD REGGIE]

So this means you don't know, ? :'). Just asking caz I'm on another thread about experts now believing the James found, real. If we could find Joseph and/or Mary then DNA testing could be done and settle if she was an eternal virgin or if they had kids together. Interesting huh? If their remains could be located do you think your church would mind testing?

A little drop of blood from one of those numerous "miraculous vials" should do the trick.

[AlguyA]

"Can't we just stick to the Bible because both should be originated from scripture?"

It sounds better to say "sacred tradition" rather than "There is no scripture to back it up".

But then, that's the rub isn't it? For nowhere does the Bible tell us "Bible alone." Of course, at this point, you'll cite the Bereans and how they were so approved for testing Paul's teaching against scripture.

But I often wonder, did Paul teach them that which he taught the Corinthians when he noted that the Israelites in the time of Moses all drank the same spritual drink from the same spiritual Rock that followed them in the desert and that that Rock was Christ?

The reason why I find this interesting is because there is nothing in the Old Testament which tells us the Rock followed them in the desert. There was, however, within Jewish oral tradition at that time a belief that the Rock followed them in the desert. Hence, St. Paul is drawing on this oral tradition in teaching the Corinthians. I wonder, Stephen, would you take St. Paul to task for teaching something withoug 'scripture to back it up?'

[CindyDawg]

You leading? I would have thought Dave would be. Well, I have to be getting out of here soon. None of the catholics seem to want to talk to me right now anyway.

[tHe AnTiLiB]

I think you are misunderstanding me biblewonk. Ofcourse he lived and walked among sinners, but it is impossible for the Son of God to be born into a woman with sin.

[CindyDawg]

So does all of this mean, no? Thanks for replying though. I think Al and Robby are ignoring me. lol

[CindyDawg]

Things just getting interesting and I have to go to work. Oh well. I'll catch yall later. CD

[CindyDawg]

Things just getting interesting and I have to go to work. Oh well. I'll catch yall later. CD

[CindyDawg]

Things just getting interesting and I have to go to work. Oh well. I'll catch yall later. CD

[CindyDawg]

Things just getting interesting and I have to go to work. Oh well. I'll catch yall later. CD

[CindyDawg]

Things just getting interesting and I have to go to work. Oh well. I'll catch yall later. CD

[CindyDawg]

Things just getting interesting and I have to go to work. Oh well. I'll catch yall later. CD