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If one reads the Bible through the lens of personal theology, then is it not merely a tradition? Conversely, if the Bible possesses an inherent meaning, the Catholic interpretation could be valid, given its historical continuity, consistency, and honesty. Do these qualities apply to your viewpoint?
The Church existed before one word of the NT was written. The Catholic Church chose the 73 books of the Bible. The Bible is the book of the Catholic Church, not the other way around.
The mother of the king in the Davidic kingdom, starting with Solomon, was the queen. It would be interesting to hear you present your argument to Jesus on Judgment Day that somehow all of those women had the title of queen, but Mary, the mother of Jesus, son of David, is not worthy enough to hold the title of queen. As to idolatry, it is best for all of us to consider whether we ourselves commit idolatry, perhaps by putting money or materialism or other people ahead of God, rather than going out and accusing others.
Why was Mary truly blessed? Jesus told us:
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The assertion that Catholicism does not teach the concept of free grace is entirely incorrect.
We are born again and saved through the sacrament of Baptism. We have free will, so we can sin and lose our salvation, but we continue to be saved. Yes, Catholics and Eastern Orthodox believe Mary was assumed into Heaven.
Are you kidding me? The Church began with the apostles and Jesus!
Even while the Law was still in effect, along with Temple worship, Jesus was training his apostles for laying the foundation of the Church. The foundation precedes the building!Who said I reject the Catholic Church? I said the Catholic Church and all denominations need to be cleaned up by Scriptures. Every denomination in the West owes a debt of gratitude to the Roman Catholic Church which, at one time, organized virtually all of Western Christianity.
Not the same thing as a title, "Queen of Heaven." Not even close!
Certainly not "Queen of Heaven!" She would humbly take her place as only one of many individuals within the Church. We're all part of the same body. Only Jesus is the Head.
It is right to accuse when it is warranted. Otherwise, our nation would not have a criminal justice system. There are many kinds of idolatry, and all of them should be exposed. God said, "Have no other gods," and "Make no graven images." We should not worship anything other than God Himself, including Mary!
Mary was blessed in the same way you and I were blessed with Salvation and are given to play a role in extending that message to others. She was, however, only the messenger--not the Messiah.
Exactly. Catholic theology takes the words of Jesus as if they really matter. Not some belief that how we live our lives doesn't matter.
Which is why we will not be agreeing any time soon. I'm glad you see the root of what separates us. Catholics do believe that grace is the necessary first step in salvation but that it is given with the expectation that we will respond to it and persevere in it and show it in our lives.
Given the choice between salvation and refusing to be Catholic, would you choose not being saved? That's a pretty severe dislike of the Catholic Church with potentially eternal consequences.
Yeah, the old "you're taking that out of context" trik to try to gt around what a Scripture says.
Probably because no one has suggested any such thing. You're simply beating a straw man there. which is simply another sophistry.
Which has what to do with the fact that the Elders are holding bowls filled with the prayers of the saints? Nothing. you're jut trying to evade it.
There is no requirement to receive grace, absolutely none. You ought to stop right there and reconsider your attacks on Catholicism.
Marys was particularly blessed because she did not sin. The Word of God shows Mary wearing a crown in Heaven. She is the most important of all of the saints. Catholics well know the worship for God is for God alone--it is insulting for people to suggest otherwise.
What it really tells me is that you don't care what you do as long as it's Catholic tradition.
Rom 3.23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Rev 12 does not identify the woman with the crown as Mary, Queen of Heaven. It could be interpreted to be Eve or Israel. Even if it was Mary, she did not have a crown of 12 stars, nor was she called Queen of Heaven. And she did not rule over the whole earth. This is pure paganism.
That's absurd. What matters is that we are saints. We are all essential part of a single body, belonging to Christ. Christ is the most important part, the head. We are all equally subservient to him.
No, to state that Mary is supreme in God's Kingdom is suggesting a form of Mariolatry--the worship of Mary, or the veneration of her sinlessness and demi-god status. Your reverence of her is a kind of worship.
We should shun all forms of idolatry, including human worship. Only Christ was divine and could be offered this kind of veneration.
