catholics, how do you explain these bible verses?

Question

1) regarding priests not marrying, and no-meat on fridays:

1 Timothy 4
1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

2) regarding no bowing down to any CARVED IMAGE (either mary or saints):

EXODUS 20:
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me..

3) regarding mary has sinless.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

3) regarding mary as sinless.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

4) regarding mary as an intercessor for us and God

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with CONFIDENCE, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

catholics, please answer accordingly 1), 2), 3), 4) ..

snowbunny:

everything is of course a choice.

we choose to go against God too. like what the catholics have done.

and the COMMANDMENT says, "do not BOW DOWN ...or worship.."

not just worship. even the act of BOWING DOWN to carved images is sin.

Midge:

God told them SPECIFICALLY how to build the ark.

Did God tell u SPECIFICALLY how to build the statue of mary, and how to pray through mary? if He really wanted us to pray through mary, He would have told us specifically, like how He told us to pray the Lord's prayer!

iamcatholic2:

you ahve not answered my question fully. how about 3) and 4)?

Answer 1

1.1) Celibate clergy

Priests, religious brothers and religious sisters (nuns) as part of their vocation choose not to marry following:
+ The practice recommended in the Bible
+ The example of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and the Apostle Paul.

+++ Scripture +++

In Matthew 19:12, Jesus says, "Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."

In Matthew 19:29, Jesus says, "And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."

Matthew 22:30 - Jesus explains, "At the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven."

In 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul writes, "It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman."

Then in 1 Corinthians 7:7, Paul says, "Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am."

In 1 Corinthians 7:27, Paul writes, "Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife."

In 1 Corinthians 7:32-33, Paul teaches, "I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife." And in verse 38, "So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better."

Paul recommends celibacy for full time ministers in the Church so that they are able to focus entirely upon God and building up His kingdom. He “who refrains from marriage will do better.”

See also 1 Timothy 5:9-12, 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Revevation 14:4, Isaiah 56:3-7, and Jeremiah 16:1-4.

+++ Scriptural Examples +++

Biblical role models of a celibate clergy came from John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul.

John the Baptist and Jesus are both believed to have been celibate for their entire lives. Some scholars believe that the example of the Essenes influenced either or both Jesus and John the Baptist in their celibacy.

WWJD? What would Jesus do? Jesus did not marry.

The Apostle Paul is explicit about his celibacy (see 1 Cor. 7). There is also evidence in the gospel of Matthew for the practice of celibacy among at least some early Christians, in the famous passage about becoming “eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12).

The concept took many twists and turns over the years and will probably take a few more before Christ returns in glory.

A priest is "married" to the Church. Some people think that a priest who takes his duties seriously cannot take proper care of a wife and family. "A man cannot serve two masters."

1.2) Fasting

The Catholic Church follows the Biblical practice of Jesus Christ and the Jews in setting aside days where the entire Church fasts and prays as one in a attitude of constant renewal.

Fridays were chosen because Jesus died for us on Good Friday.

Fasting is one of the three methods of interior penance along with prayer and almsgiving.

2) Graven Images

Do you have pictures of your loved ones? Have you ever looked at the picture of someone while talking on the phone to them?

Statues and pictures of people we love are not idols.

Statues and paintings of Jesus and the saints are just like pictures of the people we love and respect.

The King James Version of the Bible states in Exodus 20:4: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth"

Why were the Jews commanded not to make graven images? Graven images were the standard method of pagan worship. They were representations of false gods.

This is a very clear command.

However God commanded the Jews in Exodus 25:18 and 1 Chronicles 28:18–19, "And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them"

And in 1 Kings chapter 7 Solomon made bulls and other images out of precious metals.

It seems obvious that the Jews did not worship the cherubims and Solomon did not worship the bulls he had made. These images did not violate the command of God. Therefore, an image not made for worship is acceptable.

In Numbers 21:8-9, "And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and if anyone who has been bitten looks at it, he will recover." Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered."

And in John 3:14-15, Jesus says in correlation, "And just as Moses lifted up the [image of a] serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

How can a statue of our Lord Jesus Christ dead on the cross be considered an idol to a false god? A crucifix is the message of the Gospel without words held up for all to see, a visual reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus, no different from a painting, a play, or a movie.

Catholics do not worship statues but the almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

To attempt a full answer will make everyone who has to scroll down hate me. But here goes:

The verse from first Timothy 4 speaks primary of the Gnostics, who were dualists. They believed the Evil God of the Old Testament created matter, and thus, matter was evil. There were two primary forms. One believed that there was such a disconnect between the flesh and the soul that no matter what you did, you could not effect your soul by physical actions. The other advocated extreme asceticism, such as abstaining from all meats. Marriage was condemned because it sanctified carnality.

Now, meatless Fridays (or Fish Fridays) are traditional days of penance for Catholics. We make abstaining from meat a prayer to God. The Church, for the good of the Faithful and the whole world, made this a mandatory discipline--just as James in Acts 15 advocated the mandatory discipline of abstaining from blood for the good of Gentile-Jewish relations. This doesn't mean the Church thinks meat is evil, or that eating it can cause a person who is already detached from carnality any harm. This law was modified, as it was not a dogma, or even a doctrine--it was simply a practice.

No one is forbidden to marry in the Catholic Church, because no one is required to be a priest. Also, I am a Byzantine Catholic, and in my rite, mandatory priestly celibacy has never existed. This is only in the Western, Roman rite.

I would recommend this article for understanding the Veneration of Images: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07664a.htm

I recommend this for the understanding of the Immaculate Conception:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Immaculate_Conception_and_Assum.asp

God bless you!

Answer 3

It is simple. Terestrial refers to life on earth. Terra (or terra firma) is latin and Greek for "earth". So Terestrial is a life form made of flesh capable of living on earth. Celestial refers to the stars, the material heavens. (In the Bible 3 heavens are referred to: earth's atmosphere where there is air and birds fly...it is the inheritance of logically enough, airplane pilots.....then there is the heaven of space where many stars, planets, asteroids, comets, etc are: the logical inheritance of astronauts or star trekkers....the 3rd and highest heaven is the home of spirit creatures who do not have flesh and bones Luke 24:39 and is where Jehovah God and his son Jesus and the humans chosen to be judges go live as spirit creatures with the angels...1 Cor. 6:2, 3, 15:50) Mormons believe you have to be righteous or good enough to get to one or the other and if you are not good enough, you live on earth. As a Catholic (or a few old Protestant faiths), you don't know that the Bible teaches about a righteous new earth where the animals do not eat meat and play with humans and all people good and bad who have ever lived get resurrected back to earth to learn Bible truth. Isaiah 65:17-66:1, Matthew 5:5, 6:10, Isaiah 11:6-9, Psalm 37 (notice vs 29), 78:69, Eccles. 1:4, Psalm 148, more.... I honestly can't fathom that a Catholic church would accept a seminary degree from a Mormon college. The theologies are vastly different even more so than between Catholic and mainline Protestant. I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I have a degree from a Baptist seminary way back before I ever heard of JWs. Debbie

Answer 4

The theology/practice condemned was not celibacy which Jesus recommended ( not only by His own example but also urged for those who were called to live it for the Kingdom in Matt19:12) but thoseProtoEncratites and Gnostics who condemned marriage and procreation as evil and vegetarianism as the only spiritually acceptable way of eating and living. St Paul was celibate too(1 Cor7-80 and he recommends celibacy for full -time ministers. In 1 Tim5:9-12 Older(60+years) widows can take a commitment to celibacy and must keep it. The verse you quote has nothing to do with the custom of priestly celibacy(which is not universal in thepriesthood for there have always been married clergy) or with offering up eating meat or anything else in particular to remember Jesus' Crucifixion.

Ex 25:18-19 COMMANDS the making and honoring of religious images.In Numbers21;8-9 God COMMANDS the making and honoring of an image that Jesus says is a representation of Himself( the serpent lifted up). Holy Writ ORDERS covering the Temple with images in1 Kings 6&7.

Check out the Catechism of the Catholic Church art3 # IV paragraphs2129-2141

Answer 5

1) we are not forbiden to eat meat - it's a sacrifice we make to help bring us closer to God. Christ himself went on fasts. Meat was seen as something that was a luxary - for those with money. it is a simple sacrafice and not mandatory. they also request that those who DO offer this sacrifice are healthy and over 12 and younger then 65 - for heath reasons.

hhmmmm, which the the apostles did not marry?! marriage is not mandatory but celebacy outside of marriage is.... a man can marry - however a priest is married to his congregation and God.
ooh better pray you never have to have any medical procedures - they often forbid food at ALL prior to tests or procedures.

2) we don't worship statue/idols. they are there as reminders, as pictures of loved ones are in people's homes. back in the day - we didnt have photography rather sculpture and artwork - such as the Sistine chapel - so should we destroy the works of Michelangelo?

3) do not put new wine in old wineskins.... do you find it God's choice to place His Sinless, only begotten Son in a sin filled woman?!

4) LUKE 2:34-35 ane Simeon bessed them, and said unto Mary, his mother, Behold tgis child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; yea, a sword shall pierce through thy soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
So sounds like you're one of those which speak aganst.....

EDIT TO YOUR ADD'L COMMENTS: we do not bow down to any statue, we bow before the grace of God. I kneel beside my bed & sometimes in the middle of my office or living room - doesn't mean i'm worshipping my bed, caarpeting, walls and especially not my desk!

Answer 6

1) about Priests not marrying

1 Cor 7:32 But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

1 Cor 7:35 And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

2)We do not pray to the statue, we understand that the statue is an inanimate object!

3) As far as Mary and the Saints being intercessors ,


Jn 17:9 I pray for them

Ephesians 1 Col 1:3 We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard `it', do not cease to pray and make request For you,

16 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention `of you' in my prayers;

Answer 7

Go preach somewhere else. We here this stuff nonstop and I say Go stick a sock in it. We have answered these questions over and over and over again.

Talk to me about idols when you drag your Nativity set out of the closet. Didn't God tell the people to fashion the seraphim over the Ark? That is a replica of what was in Heaven. How do you explain that he told them to fashion a bronze snake and fix it to a pole and place it in the middle of camp and look at that snake on the pole when they get bit by the snakes that were going throughout their camp. He did not say to put the snake on the pole, then take it down and look at the pole---he told them to place the snake on the pole and look at that because if they did not they would die.

How about the proverb : Despise not your Mother when she gets old ---because, I tell you the Catholic Church is all Christians Mother and your breaking a Commandment with your constant badgering because you have been so misled.

oh yeah and then you have no problem with asking each other to pray for you. You are so much more valuable than Jesus Mother was to him huh? He of course will stop whatever he is doing to listen to you but, he tells his Mother to go away and not bother him? You better not have any pictures of your family hanging around because that would be idol worship according to you.

Pastor Art: unwrap that serpent you have wrapped around your eyes and you might be able to see something. You are like Paul before his conversion because you know what has scales besides fish don't ya?--- snakes! You are blind pal.

Answer 8

1.) No one is forbidden to marry, nor has anyone said to abstain from certain foods.

Those who do not marry are those who have dedicated themselves to the service of God. Before they took a vow (a vow that was taken freely) they had every right to marry.

As for abstaining from certain foods - that is a personal choice. We abstain because we use it as a form of pennance - a little suffering in honor of the suffering of Jesus - and, by-the-way, didn't Jesus Himself fast in the desert?

2.) Bowing down to statues (graven images), the key phrase in your posting is EX 20:5 not to bow down and worship them. Do you have photos of your family? If you take the commandment literally, you are guilty of having graven images.

But, read further. God told Moses to construct an ark for the Commandments. He gave very specific instructions on how it is to be built, and what is to be on it. Includind two cherubim. (see Numbers 7:89)

If I remember, God also told Moses to construct a staff, with an image of a snake on it, and those who were bitten by the snake in the desert would bow down to this one and be healed. (See Numbers 21:8)

3.) Mary as Sinless. Mary was born, with a special Grace from God, without the stain of original sin. She did not contract Original Sin nor did she commit actual sin, that is, the category of moral offenses with which we struggle. Mary lived virtuously by adoring her Creator, obeying His commands and serving her neighbors.

4.) Mary as Intercessor. What is an intercessor? Someone who helps, basically. Who better to have help you than the mother of God-man, Jesus? While it is true that we do not NEED Mary as an intercessor, it is comforting to me knowing that the Mother of Jesus is praying with me, and for me, to her Son, Jesus Christ, on my behalf. In reality, this is no different than you asking your friends, family and fellow church-goers to pray for you. The only real difference is that Mary is in the presence of God and a lot closer than any of us.

*****

If I have failed to answer fully, please write your follow-up here, and send me an email letting me know and I will expand on what I have written.

Peace be with you.

Answer 9

First, Catholics are allowed to eat meat on Friday. On certain days, such as Good Friday, we abstain from meat as a penance for ourselves. Some people choose to abstain from meat on Friday anyway, even though it is not obligatory. To fast means not to eat, abstain means to keep away from.

As far as priests marrying, they make the choice to give their lives to God, fully knowing that they will be single, no one forces them to enter the priesthood.
We do not worship statues, we have statues of Mary, the mother of God and the saints. We honor Mary because she is His mother. The statues, icons and paintings of saints remind us of their lives, dedicated to God and we do not place them on God's level. We do not bow down to them.

Answer 10

I'm not hating on Catholics, but I agree with you entirely, dude. I have tons of Catholic friends who are like, "We aren't hailing Mary, we're just asking her to pray for us and to take our prayers to God..." Eh, I thought that was Jesus's job...

Honestly, as a Christian, I disagree with LOTS of things Catholics do. One word, hypocritical. Very much so.