Why do Catholics pray to Mary and the saints? What do Catholics believe about salvation? And is it anti-Semitic to say the Jews killed Jesus? Trent Horn of Catholic Answers recently joined “Relatable with” allie beth stuckey” answers these and other questions in an episode about the long-standing discrepancy between Protestant and Catholic beliefs.
Catholics have many customs that Protestants consider unbiblical. It is primarily a prayer to Mary and her saints, and Mary’s place of honor in the Catholic Church. Protestants argue that there is no scriptural basis for praying to saints, and that since Jesus Himself intercedes for Christians on earth, there is no need for the intercession of Mary or the saints, and they use this as evidence. He quotes scriptures such as 1 Timothy 2:5 and Hebrews 2:5.
“There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
”God is able to completely save those who come to Him through Him because He is always alive and intercedes for them. ” (Hebrews 7:25)
Protestants also believe that since the saints have passed away, there is no way for them to hear our prayers, and that attempting to pray to them can be condemned as attempting to communicate with the dead. This is seen in Leviticus.
“Every man and woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall be put to death; they shall be stoned, and their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:27).
Catholics believe that although saints are physically dead, they are spiritually alive, and because they are more alive in Christ than Christians on earth, they can intercede on behalf of Christians on earth. Masu. It is not necromancy because they are spiritually alive. It asks for the prayers of members of the body of Christ in heaven. They believe that it is because of God’s omnipotence that the saints are able to hear the prayers of Christians on earth. In support of this, Catholics point to the mention of the prayers of the saints in the Book of Revelation.
“And the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each with a harp, and with vessels of golden incense, the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8).
“The smoke of incense rose from the hands of the angel before God, with the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 8:4).
Catholics also do not believe that Christ being the only mediator means that Christians cannot ask Mary, the saints, and other Christians on earth for intercessory prayers. Although Christ is the only mediator between God and humans and no one else can fulfill that role, Catholics call for all Christians to be mediators between Christ and the world. I believe that this is true.
In “Relatable,” Trent Horn quotes the oldest known liturgical prayer that is not found in the Bible.
“Subtoum Praesidium” (meaning “under your protection”)—as evidence that the early church prayed to and paid homage to Mary. This prayer was discovered on a Greek papyrus around 300 AD and asks for the protection and intercession of her Mary.
“We ask for your protection.Holy Mother of God.
please hear our prayers
And please help us with our needs.
save us from all dangers,
Glorious and Blessed Virgin Mary. ”
Although many Protestants do not believe that Mary has a position of honor, Catholics argue that Mary is the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven and Earth and deserves special respect and love. . Allie cited Mark 3:31-35 as an example of her belief that Mary has no special place of honor.
“And his mother and his brothers came and stood outside, and sent for him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and said, ‘Your mother and your My brothers are out looking for you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those who were sitting around him, he said, “Here are my mother and me. “Whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and my mother. ”
Trent then explained his views on these verses: “You don’t have to worry about your mother; what’s more important is other believers,” he continued, “but the Bible is also clear that you have a special obligation to your parents. It says…What’s going on here is that Jesus is saying that just because you have a special relationship with him doesn’t mean you have to be his biological relative. do not have.”
The conversation also turned to intercessory prayer, the definition of prayer itself, the Bible, and the theology of salvation. This episode is chock-full of theology, and whether you’re Protestant, Catholic, or of any other faith, you won’t want to miss it.
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