We'll, honestly? I find the information you post very informative, but to me (and I'm not trying to be rude or offensive) I think you are (just a little) puffed up:') You preach, but sometimes don't seem to appreciate the congregation interrupting with questions, esp. if they aren't in line with the sermon. I was sitting here reading your posts and wondering, what a lot of the guys here that were "singing your praises", knew about you, that I didn't. ( actually, last night I was going to phrase it a little different but I'm in control of my "potty mouth" now:') Anyway, with Ventana egging the Mormons to come over, I was just hoping you weren't a calvinist!
She was given special favor, all generations will call her blessed. We even believe that she was spared rotting in the grave. But this makes her a perfect human. Not a god. In heaven, she has a special role. This is to help her Son distribute His graces. This does not make her a god.
See, this what I don't understand. I agree shw was special and blessed, but when you start talking about praying thru her, distributing grace, and being imortal (ascending instead of dieing) this troubles me. I see those charteristics as god-like.
Was Elijah "god like"? He, too, was assumed into Heaven. Does that mean Elijah is a god?
As for distributing graces, this is as I tried to show, what role Mary is given in Heaven. Do you not believe that when you get to Heave God will assign you a role, a function?
You may not believe it, but we do. Mary, a human, because of her special place in history as Jesus' mother, is given a special task in Heaven.
Jesus entered the world through Mary's channel. Likewise, Jesus's grace enters the world through the channel of Mary.
This is her role. It does not affirm that she is divine.
SD
Many newcomers get apprehensive because they try to mask the conversations with attitudes they project onto the words. You'd be well served to try and apply the voice of Ben Stein to all the conversation here. The droning may put you to sleep; but, it'll break you of the habit of assumimg postures. Though a couple of the guys on the other side can get real crotchety when they are at a disadvantage (ie, usually).
I take after the teaching of Paul. I'm bold and secure in what I know. That is an offense to the other side. They think it pretentious to think you know what Christ said. I don't apologize for the truth, nor for being right, nor for what it does to someone else's worldview. I may sympathize; but, I do not coddle people in error. Understand, many think it's rude to point out error, Imagine their reaction when that error is corrected (WWIII). Some want to pretend that their long history is a mark of favor but then they reject the consequence of that history because it largely shows them doing things that would have most of us in jail or dead if we were to attempt it. Think about it - The US and the world want's the blood of the Enron leadership because of a betrayal regarding money. Imagine the response of the Catholic church if the truth were allowed to be known about it. It's no wonder the way the paid apollogists respond when faced with facts. Problem is they can't hide them and fudge all this stuff with God. They may destroy souls with their pursuit of power; but, God will have his due. I'd rather be at the mercy of the millions personally...