Within the earliest of Christian writings, we see Mary referred to by the title of Theotokos, which is Greek for “God-bearer.” This term is translated by St. Jerome into Latin as “mater Dei,” or “Mother of God.” We find Mary referred to in this way by Irenaeus (2nd century – 202), Hippolytus of Rome (170-235), … Continue reading Mary is the Mother of God
The Marian Dogmas – an Overivew
My last few posts have reflected on how as Catholics our understanding of Mary has been formed by Sacred Scripture and in particular the typology of the Old Testament. We understand she is the New Eve, the new Ark of the Covenant, the Queen of Heaven, the “woman” in Revelation 12 and has an intercessory … Continue reading The Marian Dogmas – an Overivew
Do Catholics Regard Mary too Highly?
From the “outside looking in” on Catholicism, our devotion to Mary can often seem to be a bit overboard. This can sometimes lead others to use Biblical texts to try to prove Jesus himself had distanced himself from Mary, thus proving we should not regard Mary as anyone special in Christ’s kingdom. I’ve had more … Continue reading Do Catholics Regard Mary too Highly?
Mary as the Queen of Heaven
Catholic theology has long understood Mary to be the queen in her son’s kingdom. In this post I spoke to how Mary is the woman in Revelation 12, and in this vision of John she is portrayed in heaven as a queen. Protestants in general reject this idea and are often quick to point out … Continue reading Mary as the Queen of Heaven
Mary as the Ark of the Covenant
My last post spoke to why as Catholics we understand the woman in Revelation 12 is Mary. Another reason for this understanding is just before she appears in John’s vision as the “woman clothed with the sun,” he sees the Ark of the Covenant -- “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark … Continue reading Mary as the Ark of the Covenant
Mary and “the Woman” in Revelation 12
The earliest Church Fathers recognized while Sacred Scripture speaks to Christ being the “new Adam,” the typology of the Old Testament also points to Mary as the New Eve. The parallels between Mary and Eve were discussed in this post. One of the most notable is how they are both called “woman.” When Genesis 3 … Continue reading Mary and “the Woman” in Revelation 12
Mary at the Wedding of Cana
St. John begins his Gospel by reminding us of the beginning – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). He ties us back to Genesis 1:1 and “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” And as on the first day of … Continue reading Mary at the Wedding of Cana
Mary is the New Eve
The Catholic Church teaches “The principal purpose to which the plan of the old covenant was directed was to prepare for the coming of Christ, the redeemer of all and of the messianic kingdom, to announce this coming by prophecy, and to indicate its meaning through various types.” (Vatican II, Dei Verbum). We see the … Continue reading Mary is the New Eve
Mary – An Overview
With the possible exception of the papacy, there is no other aspect of Catholic theology that attracts as much attention as our understanding of Mary and her role. We believe she is our Blessed Mother and along with all the saints continually intercede for us. Most Catholics have a special devotion to Our Lady. There … Continue reading Mary – An Overview
What Does It Mean to Worship? (Part 2)
In my last post I reviewed many acts that when directed toward God can be worship but are not exclusive to worship. This includes actions like praying, bowing, offering praise, or showing honor and respect to others. Each of these acts has a context when it is appropriate for other people to receive our plea … Continue reading What Does It Mean to Worship? (Part 2)
What Does It Mean to Worship? (Part 1)
In my last post I reviewed why Catholics make sacred images and often venerate them, and how we understand that does not violate God’s command to not make or bow down to an idol. We also of course venerate (or honor) the saints, and especially the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Catholic understanding of that practice … Continue reading What Does It Mean to Worship? (Part 1)
Sacred Images – The Veneration of Images Honors the Reality They Represent
In my last post I reviewed the charge made by some that Catholics “leave out” the commandment that forbids creating images, and why that claim is false. In this post, I will review why we do make sacred images and venerate them, and how we understand that does not violate God’s command to not make … Continue reading Sacred Images – The Veneration of Images Honors the Reality They Represent
Sacred Images – Do Catholics “Leave out” a Commandment?
A common charge against the Catholic Church is we “leave out” one of the commandments – specifically the one to not make idols. An example of this thinking: The Catholic Church long ago began making allowances for the idolatrous use of images by the way they reference the Ten Commandments. In the Catholic catechism and … Continue reading Sacred Images – Do Catholics “Leave out” a Commandment?
The Saints – Does God Hear Prayers Based On Who is Praying?
Another very common objection we can find to the Catholic understanding of prayer to the saints is this: God does not answer prayers based on who is praying. God answers prayers based on whether they are asked according to His will (1 John 5:14-15)….. No one in heaven has any greater access to God's throne … Continue reading The Saints – Does God Hear Prayers Based On Who is Praying?
The Saints and Their Relics
The catechism tells us “Besides sacramental liturgy and sacramentals, catechesis must take into account the forms of piety and popular devotions among the faithful. The religious sense of the Christian people has always found expression in various forms of piety surrounding the Church's sacramental life, such as the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, … Continue reading The Saints and Their Relics
The Saints – Examples in Scripture
Quite often Catholics are asked if we can provide any examples from the Bible of people in heaven interceding for those on earth. An example of this thinking: “Catholics argue that praying to Mary and the saints is no different than asking someone here on earth to pray for us. Let us examine that claim. … Continue reading The Saints – Examples in Scripture
The Saints — Is it Unbliblcal to Acknowledge Only Certain People as Saints?
As Catholics we are certainly known for loving our saints! We have patron saints for a wide array of needs, we know their stories and allow them to inspire and form us, and we rely on their intercessory prayer to help us on our journey to heaven. We consider them as friends who are always … Continue reading The Saints — Is it Unbliblcal to Acknowledge Only Certain People as Saints?
The Saints and the Body of Christ
In my last post I covered the Catholic understanding regarding Christ as our sole mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), and why we believe this is not contradicted by our understanding that we can ask the saints for their prayers. The context of that passage after all is intercessory prayer. Because we are … Continue reading The Saints and the Body of Christ
The Saints and Jesus as our One Mediator
This Evangelical site posts a very common objection to the Catholic understanding that we can pray to the saints. That understanding of course is dependent on an accurate view of what we actually mean by praying to the saints, as was covered here. First Timothy 2:5 declares, "For there is one God and one mediator … Continue reading The Saints and Jesus as our One Mediator
The Saints – Does the Bible Forbid Contacting the Dead?
A very common objection to the Catholic practice of praying to the saints is the Bible forbids necromancy, which is defined as “the supposed practice of communicating with the dead, especially in order to predict the future.” An example of that view: Whenever the Bible mentions praying to or speaking with the dead, it is … Continue reading The Saints – Does the Bible Forbid Contacting the Dead?
The Saints — How Can They Hear a Multitude of People Praying to Them at One Time?
In my last two posts I’ve covered the Catholic understanding of what it means to pray to the saints and the Biblical evidence the saints are indeed aware of what is happening on earth in at least some sense. Even if these things are true, one of the more common objections to the Catholic understanding … Continue reading The Saints — How Can They Hear a Multitude of People Praying to Them at One Time?
The Saints – Do They “Know Nothing” About What is Happening on Earth?
One of the more common Scripture passages used to prove the Catholic understanding of praying to the saints is in error is from Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 -- “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward; but the memory of them is lost. Their love and … Continue reading The Saints – Do They “Know Nothing” About What is Happening on Earth?
The Saints, and What it Means to Pray
One thing that separates most Protestants from Catholics (and Orthodox) is the Catholic and Orthodox churches believe in the “communion of the saints,” and this communion is not broken by death but rather is perfected. As a result, we pray to the saints and request their help with our many needs in this life. This … Continue reading The Saints, and What it Means to Pray
The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter in Rome and Other Final Points
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall … Continue reading The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter in Rome and Other Final Points
The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter’s Weaknesses, and Papal Infallibility
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall … Continue reading The Papacy (Pope), St. Peter’s Weaknesses, and Papal Infallibility
Between the Farm and the Cross 