Only facts...no opinions please.
2007-10-31 11:59:05 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
quite simply;no where.
It also says we have only one mediator,Christ Jesus.
I'll believe the word of God and not the aristotlian inspired philosophies of the 'church' fathers.
2007-10-31 12:12:14 · answer #1 · answered by Wonderwall 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fact: Where in the Bible does it say it is wrong to pray to Mary? There is no problem with the Church officially defining a doctrine, which is not explicitly stated in Scripture, so long as it is not in contradiction to Scripture.
The Catholic Church was commissioned by Christ to teach all nations and to teach them infallibly—guided, as he promised, by the Holy Spirit until the end of the world (John 14:26, 16:13). The mere fact that the Church teaches that something is definitely true is a guarantee that it is true (cf. Matt. 28:18-20, Luke 10:16, 1 Tim. 3:15).
Nonetheless, there is Biblical basis for praying to Mary and the saints and asking them to intercede for us.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely . . ." (Heb. 12:1).
"And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" (Rev. 5:8).
Catholics do not "have to have" Mary intercede for us. We can, and do, pray directly to God. However, we also recognize that having someone provide intercessory prayer for us is very beneficial. Few people feel uncomfortable about asking their friend or neighbor to pray for them, especially in time of need; after all, two prayers are better than one. Mary is, and always will be, the mother of Jesus. As a mother, she has certain rights and privileges and this is why we ask her to intercede for us. Every prayer addressed to Mary is in reality a prayer asking a favor from God.
2007-10-31 20:21:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
In the Bible, there is no example of anyone ever trying to go to Jesus or God the Father through Mary. Instead we read, God is one. One also is the mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave Himself as a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. (John 14:6). Christ is the only mediator. He puts us directly in touch with God by taking away the sins that separated us, so that we can come to Him directly.
The Bible consistently teaches that prayer should be directed to God the Father. When the disciples asked Jesus, "Teach us to pray," the first thing He said was "when you pray, say Our Father" and then went on to teach the Lord's prayer. Jesus once asked another group of people, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and then not do what I say?" Since Jesus asks us to pray to the Father, let's do it!
2007-10-31 19:16:20 · answer #3 · answered by Wally 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
TIME-OUT AND A MAJOR WTF!
Since when are Christians and Catholics slightly different?
Agreed...Catholic Doctrine is not the bible...however, catholics are a subset of the Christian faith as are other denominations.
Those of you who do not get this are showing your ignorance...
The Catholic Church is the largest Christian church, representing around half of all Christians, and is the largest organized body of any world religion.[3][4] According to the Statistical Yearbook of the Church, the Catholic Church's worldwide recorded membership at the end of 2005 was 1,114,966,000, approximately one-sixth of the world's population.[5]
2007-10-31 20:18:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
To my knowledge it does not tell us to pray to Mary nor elude to the fact. I admire the faith Mary had and respect the position she held as the earthly mother of Jesus but I have a personal relationship with Jesus and not his earthly mother.
Phil 4:6 "In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Don't need to go through a third party. God hears me. And the bible plainly states that the only mediator between man and God is Jesus Christ (see scripture references in other post).
I'll just agree to disagree when it comes to praying to Mary or and other person :)
2007-10-31 19:37:30 · answer #5 · answered by Snooze 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Pastor Billy says: FACT there is nothing in Catholic doctrine or the bible that demands one "pray (ask) to Mary".
Now my question to you is to challenge your original presupposition why does it have to be... in the bible?
Trinity is not in the bible
Rapture is not in the bible
sinners prayer is not in the bible
believers baptism is not in the bible
altar call isn't in the bible (btw where's the altar when this is practiced)
bible alone isn't in the bible
etc etc...
Mary is still a member of the Body of Christ and whether one asks other members of the Body to pray for them is a private matter and is "profitable" based on the instructions of Christ yet no one including Catholics are forced or demanded to do so.
Learn your faith from true sources not propagandists
addendum: Wally has pulled the infamous scriptural verse of "one mediator" out of his bag yet fails to realize it is not up to him how Christ uses or doesn't use each of us in his ultimate authority to mediate with God the Father.
I know of numerous Christians across all denominations within Protestantism who will ask for and make prayer to God for one another, this is called intercessory prayer but is it directly to God? Prayer to Mary is making a request for her to pray for us I see absolutely nothing about this practice which is taught against by any biblical scripture in fact the exact opposition is the case, it is encouraged by the words of Jesus in scripture.
addendum#2: st. louis why ask this question if you believe the following
http://sg.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071031155042AAoOwbi&r=w#RMR8WWTqBWIHP5K2_TK4bk22g.sJQj9sDpj9HIXUt3T.Ua7pGy3x
st. louis quoted: The entire system of Catholicism stems off of ancient Grecko/Roman Paganism. Mary is a replacement of the Mother/Child cult diety
seem to me you are not being genuine or is it you are now having doubts?
2007-10-31 19:25:37 · answer #6 · answered by Pastor Billy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nope, it doesn't. All the Bible says, is you cannot come to the father, but through the Son, Christ.
PS Being that Jesus Christ said the statment below, why would He need his mother to receive prayers meant for Him? That was never her role.
I am the Way--yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me. John 14:6
2007-10-31 20:36:42 · answer #7 · answered by xenypoo 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Before Jesus Christ died for our sins and opened the gates of heaven there were no saints in heaven. Therefore there are no Old Testament writings that would mention them.
Very few of the new Christians died before most of the New Testament was written. Therefore there is little in the Bible about asking saints to pray for us.
However the last book of the Bible does talk about the saints in heaven praying.
Revelation 5:8: Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones.
Revelation 8:3-4: He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones, on the gold altar that was before the throne. The smoke of the incense along with the prayers of the holy ones went up before God from the hand of the angel.
The Holy Spirit guided the early Church in many things not explained in the Bible including how does the Body of Christ (believers) living on Earth relate to the Body of Christ (saints) living in heaven. We are still one Body.
Catholics share the belief in the Communion of Saints with many other Christians, including the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, and Methodist Churches.
The Communion of Saints is the belief where all saints are intimately related in the Body of Christ, a family. When you die and go to heaven, you do not leave this family.
Everyone in heaven or on their way to heaven are saints, you, me, my deceased grandmother, Mary the mother of Jesus, Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II.
As part of this family, you may ask your family and friends living here on earth to pray for you. Or, you may also ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Andrew, or your deceased grandmother living in heaven to pray for you.
Prayer to saints in heaven is simple communication, not worship.
Asking others to pray for you whether your loved ones on Earth or your loved ones in heaven is always optional.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 946 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art9p5.htm#946
With love in Christ.
2007-11-01 01:47:51 · answer #8 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
To see the biblical and authentic role for the mother of the king of Israel, all you need to do is read 1st Kings, where Solomon treats his mother the queen with great respect and reverence, seats her at his right hand, on her very own throne, and listens attentively to the intercessory requests she makes on behalf of the king's people.
1Ki 2:19 So Bathsheba went to the king to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. The king stood up to greet his mother and bowed to her. Then he sat on his throne and had another one brought in on which she sat at his right.
1Ki 2:20 She said, "I have a small favor to ask of you; please do not refuse me." "What is it, mother?" he asked. "I will not refuse you."
In Luke, we read that Jesus is the eternal king of the House of David, as well as the son of the Most High. From that moment on, Mary's destiny remains eternally linked to Jesus'.
Luk 1:31 Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
Luk 1:32 He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.
Luk 1:33 And of his kingdom there shall be no end.
As Jesus' mother, Mary is the authentic and official queen of the House of David, as well as the queen of his heavenly kingdom.
This isn't rocket science.
Anyone can read these two passages, and clearly understand their significance ... but only if they're truly open to the Holy Spirit, to whom The Blessed Virgin remains very, very dear.
And now some questions for you:
Where in the bible does the bible ever claim to be the sole or even the primary authority for the Christian faith?
Where in the bible do we find the authorization for anyone to break away from the only church Jesus ever personally founded, and do their own thing?
Where in the bible do we find God's express command for anyone to write either the old testament, or the new?
Only facts ... no opinions please.
2007-10-31 20:05:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Luke 1:48 '... all ages to come will call me blessed.'
You could ask, where in the Bible does it say that abortion is wrong? It doesn't. It is implied by a number of things the Bible does say. So it is with devotion to Mary.
2007-10-31 19:14:23 · answer #10 · answered by Michael G 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It doesn't
John 14:6 (Whole Chapter)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Only Jesus can intercede for us.
2007-10-31 19:08:57 · answer #11 · answered by ' 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋