For most of the world, Pope Francis is the one pope that everyone seems to like. With is open mind and open attitude to other religions, as well as his more humanist approach to being Catholic, many have fallen under his spell of universal peace. The Inquisitr reported numerous times on the pope’s actions that appeal to others. This includes stating that atheists are also saved, inviting Muslims to pray Islamic prayers at the Vatican, and even stating that Eevangelizing is one thing that doesn’t equate to personal happiness.
However, many Evangelical Christians are not happy with the pope. With reports such as Pope Francis saying the only way to God is through the Catholic Church (and not Jesus Christ, who said He was the way) to promoting Chrislam (A religion made by combining Christianity and Islam together), it is no wonder Christ followers are upset. Now they are getting upset again because Pope Francis is about to decree the Virgin Mary to be the fourth entity in the Trinity (which makes it a Quartet).
According to an article by Vatican Radio, it reports that Pope Francis attended the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on Monday morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta. He made a reflection on the Virgin Mary, on how she learned, obeyed, and suffered at the foot of the Cross.
“And this is our hope. We are not orphans, we have Mothers: Mother Mary. But the Church is Mother and the Mother Church is anointed when it takes the same path of Jesus and Mary: the path of obedience, the path of suffering, and when she has that attitude of continually learning the path of the Lord. These two women – Mary and the Church – carry on the hope that is Christ, they give us Christ, they bring forth Christ in us. Without Mary, there would be no Jesus Christ; without the Church, we cannot go forward.”
The argument being presented is that Jesus Christ, the one who says that the only way to the Father is through Me, has been demoted to third place. By stating that without Mary, there would be no Jesus Christ, and with no church, they cannot move forward, Pope Francis effectually placed the Virgin Mary at the Godhead level.
Now The End Begins actually followed up on this news in which they related Pope Francis promoting the Virgin Mary to the status of God by citing verses 4 to 6 in the seventeenth chapter in the Book of Revelation.
“And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.”
Another thing to take notice is that the Godhead has appeared together numerous times, even in the Old Testament, meaning that Jesus Christ has existed even before he was born from the Virgin Mary. Good example is the first chapter of Genesis in which Soldier of Christ details that both the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are present during creation. And added note; the Virgin Mary – though Pope Francis has promoted her to Godhead level – is not mentioned.
What do you think of Pope Francis’ promotion of the Virgin Mary? Is he truly demoting Jesus Christ by placing higher importance on the Virgin Mary or are the semantics just being taken too literally? Please let us know in the comments below.
[Image via edvizenor.com]
Mary, The Mother Of God The Son. Say's in Her Apparitions, Especially in Her Last Apparition in Medjugordge, That All Her Apparitions and Their Meanings are to bring us All Closer To God, The Almighty Father, Son And Holy Spirit !!! God Forever And Ever !!! Amen !!! She Said On September 2 of this month in Medjugordge to Mirranna , Where She Will Appear To Ivan Today again on the 16th, That It Is Ok That Some Do not believe, It is Not For Herself That She Comes But For Us To Be as close as Possible To God The Father, Son And Holy Spirit !!! God Forever and Ever !!! Amen <3
This is stupid sensationalism.
Jesus mother is my mother
Catholics do not worship Mary but we give her honor,and devotion.
you can never share the glory of God with no man, mary was only offortunate to be used by God, you have no reason to honour no one than Jesus Christ, Mary no nothing about you, everything is Jesus He is an Alpha and Omega, so mary is not an Alpha and Omega so think twice,. and try to know that Pope is taking you the catholic to hell gradually
What's with all the caps, Sparky?
Abbey Thompson You have a wicked delusion, there…..
the man of sin is revealled, the adolatrss has started cheering her cup of abomination full of blasphemous names. That figure is never mary since she also had to wait for the holy ghost at pentecost. catholism is full of antichristo deceptions, satan worship of sun and moon god/goddess…'Come out of her and be not partakers of catholic iniquities'
Moron….the person who wrote this is a moron.
Now I want you all to know that Pope is an anti Christ, and he his gradually renounce Jesus christ, he is trying to denied Jesus Christ as our Lord and our saviour, the Pope is now roaming in Sin more than the late popes, anyway I know its not an easy thing for a Catholic worshiper to go to heaven unless if you are not bow for the image which God have instructed us not to, but I want you all to know that Catholic are not a christians they are Roman Catholic that is way of roman worshipper, they worship Idols, cos all those image they bow down to are idols, and yesterday the same Pope married the divorcee which it has been writing in the bible that no one most divorcee and if you divorcee and happen you want to have sex you must re unite back cos having sex with another man or another woman means you comitted Idoltary now today this very pope think He is a God he have all reason to change the law of God, hmmmmm now Mary before Jesus Christ and convcerning Jesus ever before mary was born all the prophet has been talking of Jesus that he will come, therefore if God did not use mary He can also use another woman, because God use mary mean we have to stop worshipping God and continue worship just mere humanbeing that was born the way I was born, all the Catholic are doom, so you all need to open your eyes now and come out from the boundage of pope where you put yourself
Many years ago a girl I know brought a Newspaper from Medjugordge that had the messages Mary had spoken. to those 3 children. I read them and checked them with the bible. Many were condictory to the bible. You know it says in God's Word, that Satan can appear as an Angel of Light. You muct test the spirits.
John Carraher you need to think of it, Bible siad whatever that is not for God is evil, and who ever that is not with God definitely his against the Lord, so this very pope is really against God
Corrupters corrupt themselves with idolatry, polluting everything in their reach.
The papal doctrines are not scriptural teachings from God to be received by the church founded on the Sacrifice of Christ.
No Judas no Jesus.
This is NOT what the Pope means. In NO way does he place Mary before Jesus or even the church. Please stop trying to gain fame on the Pope's account. Catholics know what he means, noncatholics should respect, we don't meddle in yours.
John Carraher, You have WICKED POPE there…
Dear Abbey hate to break it to you but Christianity was created by the Catholic Church you on the other hand are a wanna be Christian.
John Carraher
You have WICKED POPE there, daring to shine new dogmas to overshadow the truth.
The Catholics wrote the Bible.
Mary is a human who was chosen by God to be used for a specific purpose. She was not sinless, and she certainly is not to be worshiped. She is human just like us and like Moses, John the Baptist or any other person in the Bible. Mary does not speak to people on Earth currently, and we don't pray to her or to anybody else except God. God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are and always have been One. There is no such thing as purgatory, and Jesus does not turn into bread.
Konchog Jimpa I will like you to understand something that christianity was not like the way the Catholic handle it, they only cover up that they are christian, but they are not, they are Idols worshiper, until they destroy all the image they worship and concetrate and Honour only our Lord Jesus Christ instead of continue honouring mary that do not know how they were created even bold enough to place her above our Lord Jesus Christ that is to let you know that the pope is anti-Christ and thrully the Catholic are not Christians
Abbey Thompson How much of God do u know? How many of His ordinances have u kept? Go get a life! Let's see how many non catholics will get to heaven first before judging. Your sinful life makes u an antichrist.
I don't know who this writer is but they would get an "F" grade in the most basic Catholic 101 class. This article is so full of inaccuracies that one doesn't know where to start, let alone the premise in the title of the Pope to declare that the Blessed Mother is more important than Christ. What utter nonsense! Is their other job with some tabloid you find at the market check-out counter? Hitler really an alien from space, sort of thing? This article reads like it.
Konchog Jimpa please sir I will like you not to make that mistake Catholic wrote no Bible the all the prophet and the Apostle God use to wrote the Bible were not a Catholic just have that in your mind
Eversince the pope and it's church has been a constant violator of God's laws and commandments no wonder he can change anything he wants. Read proofs of him being a false prophet
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.
Matthew 7:15
"Watch out for false prophets. THEY COME TO YOU IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING, but INWARDLY ARE FEROCIOUS WOLVES.
Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect if that were possible.
This religion will deceive the many as prophesied
Revelation 20:8
and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth Gog and Magog to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore
Revelation 13:14
Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he DECEIVED THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived
Revelation 17:2
With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."
But what will happen to this deceitful religion?
Isaiah 42:17
But THOSE WHO TRUST IN IDOLS, WHO SAY TO IMAGES, 'You are our gods,' will be turned back IN UTTER SHAME.
What does the bible say? Do not add to his laws with any form of tradition. Do not make ANY idols.
Mark 7:9
And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
4.Deuteronomy 4:2
Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.
What does this false religion PROMOTE? Lawlessness.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-43 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the MAN OF LAWLESSNESS is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
When this deceitful church promotes lawlessness, what happens? Many will become evil as planned by Satan.
Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
What are the penalty?
Revelation 21:8
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the IDOLATERS and all liars their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
So how many will this deceitful religion put to damnation? They are many as the sand of the sea as prophesied…
Revelation 20:8-10 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth Gog and Magog to gather them for battle. In number they are LIKE THE SAND ON THE SEA SHORE. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them
So where is the true salvation?
John 10:9
I am the door whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
A revelation brought to you by a member of Church of Christ or Iglesia ni Cristo member Acts: 20:28 (Lamsa translation)
Konchog Jimpa LOL …in your dreams…
Some of the posters here need to take a few history lessons. The Catholic Church compiled and wrote the Bible it is the foundation of the Roman Christian church upon which the Protestant Church derives it's bible. There is only one contender for the true Christian title and that would the Gnostic Christians everyone else my friends are just wanna be Christians.
Konchog Jimpa we as Christians are to worship God only and our salvation is through Christ only, not Mary, not pope, not whatever icons or holy articles. Abbey is right. Read the scriptures, which Catholic church does not teach or alters to fit their false doctrine…..
The Catholic church is the antichrist. The Pope is the man of sin. What are the main colours of the cardinals and bishops of the Roman Church? Purple and Scarlet! Wake up people!
Jesus Christ!
My question to you is: How do you know that it's really the Virgin Mary at these apparitions when it says all through the bible do not talk with the dead, or that Satan can appear as an angel of light. the bible strictly says that Jesus Christ is the "Only" mediator between Him and the Father. In fact there is a multitude of verses in the bible that that tell us the exact opposite of what the Catholic Church teaches. I suggest you start reading the bible to save your soul. I'm posting at the top, all the traditions the Catholic church practices are against what Jesus taught and the scripture that proves it, and the only argument that you have is that a man taught all of you these traditions. You cannot defend your faith with the WORD of GOD, you can't! Are you in a church that the Holy Scripture teaches us or in a manmade church? When a man tells you that the bible is wrong, then you need to start asking questions and decide who you are going to believe, a man or GOD? It's your choice and your soul. God bless you brothers and sisters.
Why is Mary called a virgin when she had other children?
Too bad . . . all this has provoked is interdenominational bickering and condemnation. "Religionists" tend only to divide. What about loving one's neighbor as oneself? What about not judging others at risk of being judged oneself? Aren't we missing the whole point about spirituality and heartfelt love for God and all others?
blessing_joshua I will love it when you know me more than here where we write, then I will teach you more about word of God, and then maybe God will review himself to you, and you will know it that the Catholic are living in sin by worshiping image, or calling upon the name of mary as their God all those doctrine are false doctrine Jesus said no one come to my father without me, and he said me and my father are 1, cos my father lives in me and I live in my father, therefore whenever you see the son you see the father, there does him mention mary atall, and Jesus said am the door who ever pass through me shall see my father but who pass through window are thief, so all and all is Jesus Christ nothing like mary so be wise
This stuff is seriously dumb, the pope cannot change this. Our savior is the one and only Jesus Christ. How come there is no authors name on this stuff. Who wrote this?
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
1 John 2:18, 19
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
2 Peter 2:1-3
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:10-12
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:33
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 1:18
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10, 11
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6
And a history lesson for you, too. The Eastern Church also had a role in the early development of Christian doctrine and canonizing scripture. Until the year 1054, there was One Holy Catholic (not Roman) Apostolic Church common to Christians of the East and West. Of course, they mutually excommunicated one another largely over church politics and hair-splitting theological points of view. The Eastern Church still exists as the Eastern Orthodox Church, a fact unknown to many Protestants and Roman Catholics.
If you are Catholic I suggest you read this, it will save your soul! The Catholic Church is Anti Christ completely and the words of Jesus Christ confirm this! How can you listen to the doctrines of men instead of the Gospel of GOD!? When a man tells you that Jesus is wrong and the Gospel can be changed by a man, it's time to turn to the Gospel Dont you think? This link will show you that every tradition of the Catholic Church is man made and it will prove this using the Bible, the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is a message from GOD to you, so you better take heed if you want to save your soul and the souls of your children. Listen to GOD, and not to a created human being without divinity, a plain man. Here is the link and it is imprtant you understand how serious your sin is for following the doctrines of devils and man instead of GOD Himself! —– http://www.bible.ca/cath-overview-false-teaching.htm
The Catholic Church wrote the bible???? So… Matthew, Mark,Luke, John, Paul, Isaiah,Nehemiah, Peter, none of these people wrote the bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit. If man made laws that go against the bible, don't you think something might be wrong with that church? When I was a kid, you could not eat meat on Friday. Say, a man eats meat on Friday, then dies and goes to hell because it was a mortal sin. Now the next week, the church changes the law, and it is OK to eat meat on Friday. If he had just waited one week, and died, there would be no problem. A little absurd! I am an ex-Catholic. The only chance I had of being saved was after confession saturday night, before I picked up my date, and had all those impure thoughts and a little fooling around. If I died, the church said I would go to hell and burn forever.
Now that I know the truth, I am free from the LAW.
Ephesains 2:7-9…so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.…
Mary can't give you salvation; Christ can.
Whatever. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life…. I know it, and you know it. Pope Francis is not the way, nor is he the truth or the life so why would anyone put their faith in that guy?
Catholics,protestants,and all other Christian faiths. such hate and resentment towards each other is true Antichrist. The Lord asked us to" love on another. by this they will know you are my disciples". True so called Christians are too love not judge. peace to all
Konchog Jimpa – the word is "canonized" not "wrote" The books of the Bible were written by an assortment of writers. The Ecumenical Councils only said which books were good to include in the Bible and which weren't.
Well, it was her lie that started the whole thing.
Well, it was her lie that started the whole thing.
Konchog Jimpa ; my relationship is with Christ not a man made system of religion. The word Christian came long before the Roman Catholic Church with all it hierarchy with it's offices and title ever existed. Mary on the other hand was in the "upper room" on the Day of Pentecost and was counted as one of the brethren, she received the Holy Spirit the same was they all did. She was by no means different.
How do feel about the Catholic priest, Martin Luther, who started the Protestant Reformation in 1517? The Catholic Church stood alone until then. Now we have some 40,000 denominations. Can you emphatically and perfectly tell me which one is the only correct one?
This is a truly twisted article.
Is GOD schizophrenic, does He change His mind? Is the GOD of the Bible the true GOD? Can a normal human being be GOD Himself? Does the Gospel of Jesus Christ lie? Are all the Apostles liars? Did the Virgin Mary lie when she said she needed Jesus Christ's salvation?, Did Jesus Christ lie to His church? Because if you believe in the Catholic traditions and you believe the Pope and other men about the catholic Doctrines, then you are calling GOD a liar, and fickle, that He can't make up His mind about His own doctrine, and He made the bible impossible to understand by anyone but the Catholic Church when He explicitely said anyone who reads the bible can understand His message, because He made sure that anyone who reads it can understand it. Mary was a wonderful human being, but she is not to be a mediator between GOD and man. No one else can be except Jesus Christ! Please read the bible and listen to what GOD Himself taught and how He revealed Himself to the world!
Why? Because you do not agree with some facts and the author's opinion?
Why is your opinion any better?
Saying your magical incantations into the air does NOT give you any special stature or authority on this Earth either.
You mythology is your problem and yours alone.
The Pope is just one of many anti-christ, The thing most evangelical dispensational believers don't grasp is Jesus will build His church and the gates of hell won't prevail. God's promise of the earth being filled with the knowledge of His glory will be accomplished through Christ and His Church; the one over which He is the Head not Mary, the Pope; but Christ.
Konchog Jimpa, by your name and FB page I would believe you know something about Tibetan Buddhism, but your knowledge of Christianity is rather limited.
Hey dude, the bible is a good book but it is not, never has claimed to be, and never will be the Word of God, Jesus alone is the Word the Living Word, He alone can save not your Catholic Holy Bible or King Jimmy's bible for that matter:)
Danny Maynard any church that follow the real doctrine of truth are correct, and the doctrine of truth is to accept the Lord Jesus as your Lord and your saviour, also walk in the holiness with God cos without holiness no man can see God, pray to our Lord Jesus Christ only without dilute it with any man name or so call Mary, cos all glory be to God only not to any man or woman, and also this doctrine of truth will make you not to create any image by yourself and bow down to worship the image as your Lord, comitt to God only never included mary, cos she no nothing about you, so any church that aquir all this are correct.
the whole article is a useless one. to destroy and disgrace the papacy. The church has come to stay.. anything good stays forever. amen
the whole article is a useless one. to destroy and disgrace the papacy. The church has come to stay.. anything good stays forever. amen
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the whole article is a useless one. to destroy and disgrace the papacy. The church has come to stay.. anything good stays forever. amen
Catholics cannot defend their faith with the Gospel of Jesus Christ or any part of the Bible because the Catholic doctrine or traditions are not found in the Bible! The Bible teaches us Sola Scriptura check it out yourself —- http://www.bible.ca/sola-scriptura-proof-texts.htm
the whole article is a useless one. to destroy and disgrace the papacy. The church has come to stay.. anything good stays forever. amen
Konchog Jimpa No, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ created Christianity, and everything else too for that matter.
There is no point to wonder as to why the pope is astray from the truth, as the Lord Jesus is the truth the way and the life the pope is the path to distruction the lie the death. please hold on to the faith of our great God and savior Jesus Christ .HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD THE FATHER therefore let us not be surprised the devil is doing his job
I am still searching to see where the pope is demoting christ but all i could find is your deliberate appetite to bring the pope to disrepute, surely you must be the agent of some antipope, anticatholic and antichrist forces out there.
Does the Pope not know that Jesus is God? John 1:14 says and the word was made flesh. 1 Timothy 3:16 states that God was manifest in the flesh. Emmanuel means God with us. Jesus stated if you have seen me, you have seen the father. Jesus stated he saw Satan cast down to the earth, this was before he had come in the flesh. In Revelation when John was in the third heaven, he saw only one person there. It is a shame that this religion started in 325 A.D. and whom all other denomination have came out of, do not know the truth. Galatians 1:8 Paul stated very specifically what gospel was to be preached. If you are lost and need to know how to be saved read Acts 2:38. The real church started in 33 A.D. at Pentecost, not 325 A.D. in Rome by emperor Constantine.
cguleff Considering the Apostles were the first catholics, most (if not all) of the Bible was "written" by Catholics. Your assurance that the Bible is the word of God is dependent upon the infallibility of the Catholic Church to decide which books belong in the Bible. If anyone believes the Pope and the Catholic Church are the anti-christ, they can rest assured their Bible is a fake.
Konchog Jimpa No, Catholics did not write the Bible, God inspired all of the Bible authors both old and new Testament and none of them were Cathoilic.
I use to be Catholic… but I gave it up for Lent…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABHp9SKxWlk
Unless the press knows exactly what the pope is talking about they should refrain from their side chair theology. No way is he or would he put Mary above Christ. That said, protestants toss Mary aside as if she had no part in salvation history, and do not know or understand her part. All Catholics know there is only one way to gain salvation and that is through Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Catholics do not worship Mary but honor her with great esteem. She is the great intercessor. Think of a child asking his mother to ask his father for a favor , so Mary does the same asking her son for us, and yes we know we can go directly to our Lord Jesus. It helps to have a Jewish Mother on your side also.
Johnny Burdell Wow another former Catholic turned Christian. Nice to meet you buddy…
The Church IS the body of Christ. Christ is the head. Those who listen to the Church listen to Jesus, those who listen to Jesus listen to the one who sent Him. I believe you can find that in your Bible.
It should, the papacy murdered millions of Christians just like GOD said, they think they will be doing a service to GOD! John 16:1-3 1"These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. 2"They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. 3"These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.… Juliana if you are so sure about the Catholic Doctrine then nyou may lose your very soul, because tthe Catholic church goes way beyond what is written and this is a link which will prove that to you through the word of GOD Himself. This is a message from GOD to you through the GOs[pel of Jesus Christ Himself, the ultimate authority – http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-1-corinthians-4-6.htm
I'm sure that you well know that each book of the Bible had it's own author. Moses, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, David, Isaiah, and others wrote the Old Testament. Paul is the major author of the New Testament but other authors include Matthew, Mark, John, and Peter.
Perhaps what you are thinking of the conclave in Carthage in 397AD in which the canon of the New Testament was largely established. However, even before that, men such as Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, Iranaeus, and Tertullian wrote in support of the books as scripture which are now included as the Word of God in the New Testament.
NO church wrote the Bible and that includes the Catholic church. It was written by men who lived in the will of God and were thus used by Him to write the words that He wanted them to write.
The Gnostic Gospels are a bunch of lies.
Ridiculous people! The "bible" is a collection of different stories, comments, histories, legends, poems, literature, written by men to explain existence to men of their times. Nothing more. No devil, no good, no evil, other than what man creates. The Greek Βίβλια, biblia, is a plural meaning books not the word of one person. It's a collection, nothing more.
Konchog Jimpa bollox
Why left Joseph out of the picture?
Juliana Abena Yeboah The Word of GOD has come to stay and the True church with Jesus Christ as the head of the Church and not the Pope! The Pope claims he's GOD himself, but no man is to be called Father but GOD the Father which is in heaven. Do you want the scripure for this statement? Do you believe GOD or man? This is what you need to decide. I am only trying to help you, so your eyes will open and your ears will hear. God Bless You
Abbey Thompson Abby, being Roman Catholic, I can assure you we do not worship idols. You evangelicals pick and choose what you believe in the Bible, without the knowledge or understanding of what you are reading. When Luther started the reformation he altered the Bible, he removed books and changed words. Look up what the Bible says about doing that. The universal church has been around a lot longer then your heretical one. I suggest your read some of the great theological minds Aquinas, Augustine, and others.
Michael Kezelevich , the Catholic Church has gone past these criticisms long ago and jet survived it. To us this is just nothing to worry our heads on. To us, everyone will be judged at the last day. we are not going to be judged based on Christian denomination but rather on your good deeds. So do not worried about the church but rather your soul.
Sola Scriptura is taught in the Gospel, how can anyone deny this?
All you have to do is look for the truth yourself instead of believing everything you hear without proof and by here say alone!
http://www.bible.ca/sola-scriptura-proof-texts.htm
Hello brethren, does that mean there is no place accorded to Joseph -the father or "Judas" whose through his betrayal of Christ we had our salvations? However the list of people who played different roles in the journey of Christ could be endless. But one thing is clear for every contributor here or any other person who is in search of salvation, Jesus Christ promised us of a comforter the "Holy Spirit". if you are in doubt of any doctrine or in search of knowledge pray seriously and read the Bible you would be cleared of any doubt -whatsoever, The Bible says the Ernest prayer of a righteous man avails much. The Bible, in John chapter 14, verse 6. JESUS says " I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." In verse 7, he went on to say, "If you had really known me, you would know who my father is. From now on, you do know Him and have seen him" What Jesus means here in verse 7, if you`ve known Him- Jesus then you`ve known His father {God} if you`ve received him, you`ve received God, if you follow Him, you`ve followed God. You can read down to verse 14, Humble yourself as someone in search of knowledge while reading and do that prayerfully. No matter which side of this argument you fall, the Holy Spirit will surely clear your doubt and give you direction in Jesus`s name. Amen.
Kelly DeSandro , say it all brother.
Thank you Lynn, all are false. We will not be perturbed by these useless article.
Juliana Abena Yeboah my sister you sound like a Catholic, now open youe ear very well and understand what you are worshipping now go to exodus 20-3-5 also the same exodus 20-23 then after finish reading all this then meditate about the verse, and ask, and then you will know what you have been worshiping all this while, I know you love Catholic, but mind you, Catholic it just a name, but Catholic is not a name of God and Catholic is not a God, therefore you must love your God first, so if you can just try to read those verses then you will know that all this while you have been serving under Catholic you are not serving God but just only Image now you are doing what God ask you not to do, means you have bringing curse on you by doing so, ok go to Deut. 27-15 then you see it that any woshiping like the way Catholic are worship already be curse by God, so my sister be wise and try to excape from hell to Heaven by following the doctrine of truth
Your belief is wrong because a man named Martin Luther did just that, he removed books from the Bible and changed words, to suite his heretical view. That is the Bible you use , one altered by a man. Nothing in the Bible says knowledge of a particular verse or teaching cannot be sought. The knowledge must be given by the Holy Spirit. Catholics look at Mary this way, remember the wedding feast a Canna. What did Mary say, " Do whatever He tells you." She is guiding and interceding. There are bad people in all churches, even yours, They will be reveled by the Spirit, because Christ is the Truth. I suggest you put your bigotry and hate aside and empower yourself with the real truth and knowledge of Christ Jesus.
Juliana Abena Yeboah Good deeds dont get you into heaven juliana, you can't buy your way, it comes through faith in Jesus Christ and obeying what he taught us – Matthew 7:21-23New King James Version (NKJV)
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
If you are going to disobey GOD by calling the pope God, praying to the Virgin Mary, Exceeding what is written, obeying false doctine of men, praying to dead people, re-crucifying Jesus every holy communion when He said it was finished, not understanding that salvation is given through faith alone then you need to start looking for the truth, there are not many denominations of the true church, the true church is the church started by Jesus and the Apostles in the first century! Not any denomination that man made afterward.
lol yes that's it, fight amongst yourselves. The Pagan plans working. Soon we will have what was rightfully ours. Earth, and all of u pathetic sheep will be no more.
Michael Kezelevich How do u know the bible is the word of your god?
Abbey Thompson lol What a pathetic delusional sheep u are.
Juliana Abena Yeboah Grace comes through faith alone juliana, k? Good works come after you are born of the spirit, they come naturally, there is nothing you can do in deed that could ever be sufficient to get into heaven. salvation comes through faith, Grace comes through faith.
Paul Matthews prove it!
Just like the 10 other people before jesus was made up. Like Mithra or Horus.
Typical evengelical/protestant rant. Some claim catholic church is on mission to convert alien, that the fatima apparition is consistent with what people desribe about UFO. No wonder uninformed catholics abandon the true teachings of the catholic church for the "feel good" message of protestant.
Lynn Terry I canj defend my faith throughy the Gospel yoiu use Lyn we both have the Gospel Lyn, in fact the received text, the textus receptus has over 55000 manuscripts that prove it. But I can show you with your Gospel that the Catholic Faith is False, all you have to do is read it! I was Catholic Lynn and the Gospel is against it! You say that that books were removed, which ones? The apocrypha, they were never considered as Holy scripture, not even by the Hebrews
Abbey Thompson .. What are your esteemed credentials to say that you are an authority on religion?
Well Lynn my dear, that’s where you and so many others are wrong. I can harken back to my days in catholic school where I distinctly remember desiring to touch the statue of Mary as it passed by during her ‘coronation’ as queen of heaven during the May pageants we held every year. I can show hundreds of pictures taken during many ‘religious festivals’ in the Italian and Spanish sections of Boston during the many ‘feast days’. How about those movies of pilgrims at South American shrines to Mary crawling on bloody knees to kiss the feet of a statue?? Is that not idol worship? Where is your ‘church’ when it should be dissuading and condemning such actions and pointing to Jesus, huh? I can also point to the many ‘frozen chosen’ churches around here (protestant) with rainbows on their signs out front. I can also (although I repented long ago from doing) destroy the arguments of many ‘RC faithful’ who thinks their church ‘started it all’ by pointing out the errors of the false priesthood-sacerdotalism-sacramentalism of the Constantine era that did not exist during the formative years of Christianity. YES I say to the pointing of Mary’s obedience! YES I say to that being fulfillment of God’s promise to Eve in the Garden. YES I say that the promise WAS BORN of a woman! BUT I say there is a very good reason why our precious Lord kept all knowledge of Mary out of the New Testament…our propensity for making idols, of which we indeed do, over and over and over again. And the RC’s have certainly done a bang up job there now haven’t they
Lynn Terry .. What are your esteemed credentials to say that you are an authority on religion?
Paul Matthews .. Can you proved some real scientific proof of your claim?
Otherwise, that which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
You are dismissed.
This is pure rubbish. I can assure you as a Catholic (open-minded) that the Pope will never do what the title claims. What the pope said is not being denied. it is the twisting of the meaning that is being objected to. Mary is extremely important in the context that the Pope mentioned (we all would not be here without a mother), but she will never replace Jesus for Jesus himself chose her to be his mother. That is her uniqueness, as the angel Gabriel said when he hailed her (Mary full of grace). These disparaging remarks about the pope are meant to diminish his continued rising popularity around the world and to create division within the Catholic Church and Christianity as a whole. I can assure you that the attempt is so puerile that is almost laughable.
Lyn, you cannot use any scripture to defend the Catholic Doctrine, none! It's not there, period.
Juliana Abena Yeboah … Religion is the worst of all addictions, perversions and weapons.
The ranks of the "converted" are falling daily.
religionnews (dot) com/2014/06/04/southern-baptists-meet-membership-baptism-decline-continues/
June 4, 2014
"For Southern Baptists, it’s happened again: Another annual report shows the denomination is losing members and baptizing fewer people."
tobingrant.religionnews (dot) com/2014/08/01/five-signs-great-decline-religion-america-gallup-graphs-church/
Aug 1, 2014
Graphs: 5 signs of the ‘Great Decline’ of religion in America
"We are in the midst of the “Great Decline of Religion” in America. In a previous post, I showed in one graph thousands of survey results. But here are just five measures of American religion reported annually by Gallup that each show the same thing: religion in America is on the decline."
alternet (dot) org/belief/religion-america-great-decline-christian-right-has-major-role-hastening-it
March 22, 2014
Christian Right Has Major Role in Hastening Decline of religion in America
"Of those aged 18-35, three in 10 say they are not affiliated with any religion, …"
Shall I continue with more such facts?
They are legion!
Lynn Terry anyway its sound like you are not worshiping idols but the truth is that you are worshiping idols, have you ask yourself why all those image in the church and bow down to the image as well, you are serving image indirectly or directly, and when you read your bible very well then you see it that the catholic doctrine base on roman tradition not base on our Lord Jesus Christ and meanwhile you even neglect Jesus but only praying to mary, which is wrong, and God already warn us that we should not create any image by ourselves and worship them image of anything in heaven or on earth even the down below we must not worhip or bow down for them, now tell me image of mary what is it doing in the church, image of Jesus christ, image of mary magdalene and other people you called saint saint, and with all this you believe God is in that church Noo but the demon and now that is why the demon are succeded by using the Pope to denied Christ publicly, and in exodus God warn us about image, in deuteronomy God lay curse on any one that will follow this same doctrine of Catholic, then you believe you are worshiping God, so be wise
Lynn Terry anyway its sound like you are not worshiping idols but the truth is that you are worshiping idols, have you ask yourself why all those image in the church and bow down to the image as well, you are serving image indirectly or directly, and when you read your bible very well then you see it that the catholic doctrine base on roman tradition not base on our Lord Jesus Christ and meanwhile you even neglect Jesus but only praying to mary, which is wrong, and God already warn us that we should not create any image by ourselves and worship them image of anything in heaven or on earth even the down below we must not worhip or bow down for them, now tell me image of mary what is it doing in the church, image of Jesus christ, image of mary magdalene and other people you called saint saint, and with all this you believe God is in that church Noo but the demon and now that is why the demon are succeded by using the Pope to denied Christ publicly, and in exodus God warn us about image, in deuteronomy God lay curse on any one that will follow this same doctrine of Catholic, then you believe you are worshiping God, so be wise
This should come as no surprise. We are in the last days and the antichrist will soon be reveal. The antichrist will come up with a one world religion that will embrace all of man created institutions of worship, this religion will utterly renounce Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of the Living God who created the heavens and the earth, who died on the cross of Calvary so that whosoever receives Him will be saved. To come up with the one world religion, the antichrist needs a forerunner, and this person seems to fit the bill given his all round popularity. I knew something very fishy was up when the other pope resigned. People it is time to turn to Jesus Christ now, give your hearts to Him and let Him be the Lord of your life, for the world will soon be ushered into an unimaginable season of unspeakable evil that has never before being experienced by mankind, for it is the presence of the Holy Spirit that is hold back the revelation of that man of sin, and immediately Rapture occurs that man of sin will be unleashed on the world world. Take heed that you are not left behind. Remember God loves you, Jesus loves you but He will not force Himself on any man. Salvation is for whosoever wills, it is in your power to accept or reject Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN CHOICES
Abbey Thompson … If you believe in God and Satan, Jesus and Holy Ghosts, Angels and Demons, Saints and Sinners, Heaven and Hell, then you believe in a multi-god mythology. It is NOT a "one-god" mythology. It is exactly like the mythologies from ancient Greece, Rome, Scandinavia and China.
Today's religion is tomorrow's mythology.
No religion == NO sin!
the person who wrote this doesn't understand what the pope is saying. He is not "making Mary more important than Jesus" that is not even remotely close to what he (or any Pope really) is or has ever said. simply a devotion to the Blessed Virgin and understanding her importance to the human race. The quote from Revelation is comical because elsewhere in the Book is an allegory about Mary whereas this one is about what John of Patmos is describing as persecutors of the Christian Faith, not some attempt to elevate Mary falsely
I have read the link concerning the false-teaching. I fully agree with it, although there are many more man made traditions the Catholic Church has introduced. One of the most important is the Sunday worship. The (Roman) Catholic Church proudly states that this is a sign of her so called authority and they blame all protestant Sunday keeping churches of following her tradition blindly. Based on their "sola scriptura", the bible alone, they should keep instead to the biblical day of rest, the sabbath. The R.C. Church says for example in "The Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine" (edition of 1957, p.50): "We observe Sunday instead of Sunday because the (Roman) Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday in the Councel of Laodicea" (364 A.D.). Further: the R.C. Church is the Little Horn of Dan. 7. Does it think it has the power to change the law of God? See the answer given by Stephen Keenan a RC priest in Doctrinal Catechism, p. 174: "Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her; she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day of the week, a change of which there is no Scriptural authority" And James Cardinal Gibbon, in his popular book "The Faith of our Fathers", has said in chapter 8: "But you may search the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we never sanctify. Every believer in Christ who would live in obedience to the Holy Scriptures ought to keep the seventh day….."Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith in Jesus." Revelation 14:12.
This is blasphemous and antichrist. And it very dangerous when is coming from the high places.
I can defend Christianity with the Gospel the Catholics use or the Gospel that Christians use. What Catholics have to understand is their doctrine is man made, not of GOD or the Gospel! Catholics cannot defend their Church at all through Holy Scripture, so they dodge and evade and claim that we took books out of the bible, a lie. And they would understand this if they took the time and researched and figured it out for themselves, instead of believing anything that man makes up. It's really sad and I am gravely concerned about the souls of the deceived, and only hope their eyes will be opened. If you are Catholic here are some historical proofs
http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/cath.htm
I care about you, GOD cares about you! Read the Bible and learn the truth!
Danny Maynard that is where you got it wrong, never say there is no God cos when you are saying this means there is no God, but mind you, you was born from your mother one day, but not by the power of your mother or the power of your father, but there is a power behind it, whish is the power of God, there is a religion but Christianity is not a religion Christianity is a way to worship our God, the way that lead to servation, we do not make any sercrifices like other religion cos our Lord Jesus already do that for us with his own blood that is what make us Christ like cos the full meaning of Christian is Christ Like, not a Mary like, if its a mary like its suppose to be Maristian but its a Christian mean Christ like so tell me why mary name has to be worship
God the auntchris he is here,if mary wasnt there God could had used another woman,so if there was no God we coul . not had mary,so pope don'tbe stuped,mary she is just like other women to me,Jesus he is the only way,pope or fake pope i see your net move praying with isis and killing everyone one dont love mary
Until the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, Christ was still a prophet
All you guys, I have shown you scriptur after scripture, proof after proof, I showed you, there is nothing more to defend, Jesus Christ wants all to come to Him. In the Gospel He tells us, "Do not go beyond what is written, and the Gospel is sufficient for grace and salvation. I do not need to prove what Jesus taught, it's in the Gospel. All your answers are there, just read it, and stop blindly following the doctrine of man. here is a huge list of proofs as to why Catholic Theology is wrong and the scripture that proves it! God Bless You, I am not saying all Catholics will go to hell, lol, just that the doctrine is mans doctrine, not GODS. Please read this, and then compare this to what you are taught in your church, thats all, it's simple, I'm a man and I am fallible, I can be wrong, but when weighing the evidece and asking GOD to reveal Himself to me through a faith I have that's profound and found only in scripture and faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. please read this list of proofs okay, even if its just curiosity and a learning experience, maybe you can even defend Catholic Doctrine with it.
http://www.bible.ca/catholic-doctrine.htm
If the bible is a Catholic book then –
1. Why does it condemn clerical dress? (Matt. 23:5-6).
2. Why does it teach against the adoration of Mary? (Luke 11:27-28).
3. Why does it show that all Christians are priests? (1 Pet. 2:5,9).
4. Why does it condemn the observance of special days? (Gal. 4:9-11).
5. Why does it teach that all Christians are saints? (1 Cor. 1:2).
6. Why does it condemn the making and adoration of images? (Ex. 20:4-5).
7. Why does it teach that baptism is immersion instead of pouring? (Col. 2:12).
8. Why does it forbid us to address religious leaders as "father"? (Matt. 23:9).
9. Why does it teach that Christ is the only foundation and not the apostle Peter? (1 Cor. 3:11).
10. Why does it teach that there is one mediator instead of many? (1 Tim. 2:5).
11. Why does it teach that a bishop must be a married man? (1 Tim. 3:2, 4-5).
12. Why is it opposed to the primacy of Peter? (Luke 22:24-27).
13. Why does it oppose the idea of purgatory? (Luke 16:26).
14. Why is it completely silent about infant baptism, instrumental music in worship, indulgences, confession to priests, the rosary, the mass, and many other things in the Catholic Church?
Remember when God said wide is the gate but the path is narrow…Remember when he said I go to prepare a place for you.. This is what he was talking about.. there are many places ,but where are we? out side of the gate looking in ( and crying because we fell short of what he wanted or us to be) or inside of the gate with our Lord and savior.. (Ruling and reining)….There are many good people that are Catholic, but you will never get inside of that gate being a Catholic, not saying you can't get close to heaven but not inside with Christ.. This IS what he meant when he said he would wipe away the tears from your eyes.. (For lost chances of what we could have been…That being said, the Catholic Church will bring in one world religion in the last days ( READ the Woman ride the beast… book) also in Revelation….. This is a no.. no.. You can not PRAY OR WORSHIP with other religions.. GOD WHO WAS MANAFESTED IN JESUS SAID, I AM THE ONLY TRUE GOD THERE IS NO OTHER!!!! TO WORSHIP WITH ANOTHER RELIGION DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF GOD TRIP TO THIS EARTH FOR OUR SALVATION.. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS DONE EVIL THINGS AND DOES NOT DO GOD' WILL… BUT THE PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TAUGHT TO FIND THEIR OWN WAY WITH GOD, BUT LETS THE POPE TELL THEM WHAT TO DO OR TO THINK INSTEAD OF RELYING ON GOD….. GOD' PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THIS POPE (CATHOLICS) TRY TO BRING ALL RELIGIONS TOGETHER.. (IF HE DOES).THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE TIME IS NEAR… GOD SAID WATCH THE SIGNS AND THE SEASONS……GOD BLESS
I think people like you and the writer of the above article do not understand the honor and rule given to Mary by true Christians. The virgin Mary is blessed amongst women and this makes honorable but not God. As the mother Christ she can intervene through her son who is God for our salvation.
I am a Christian Orthodox, not a Roman Catholic, but I have faith in my heart! I think this article was written by some sort of an AntiChrist!!! Ditto! Article like this must be banned!
Big difference between worship and honor. non-Catholics have always been confused and misguided by that fact.. We worship God…we honor Mary. God, Himself, chose her and holds her in high esteem. So the very least we can do is respect and honor her……for she is the Mother of Our Lord Jesus!!!! And hopefully our mother.
What difference does it make ???? Both Mary and Jesus are made-up stories.
Sola Scriptura. The Scriptures do not elevate Mary, though she should be honored, to any such position. Nor has the church, in all these years.
Abbey , Do you have a camera? Do you take pictures of something or someone you love ? Do you have a picture of someone you love on the wall of your home? If you are a follower of Christ you are my sister in Christ Jesus and I am catholic! Moses was told to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole in the desert and anyone was bitten was to look at it and will live. Stop bashing sister if you are a true follower of Christ.
In love with Christ!
Abbey Thompson and his likes are talking trash. You people just look for evil where there is none. There is absolutely nothing 'anti Christ' in what the Pope has said. I don't know why the reporters choose to quote the Pope sooo out of context! The Pope has simply explained the role of Mary in the bringing forth of our Lord Jesus Christ into this world in the form of man. Of course we (the Catholics, including the Pope) know and believe that Christ was there at the creation of the world. Christ did not just begin to exist from the time he came to earth as man. It is only unfortunate that you protestants have refused to accept or acknowledge the Virgin Mary as the chosen vessel by God, through whom God's only begotten Son would come to us to deliver and save us! You protestants say that anybody could have been chosen as the vessel, but this is not true. Mary was created (or born) only for that purpose and she humbly accepted it. She could have refused, but she didn't! We the Catholics only love and respect her for that special role she accepted to play for our salvation and there is absolutely nothing 'anti Christ' about that! We expect you protestants to do the same. It is the lie of the century to say that the Pope is equating Mary with the Godhead! After reading the story, I did not even see anywhere the Pope has done that, even remotely; so I really wonder what exactly it is, that can make the reporter conclude that Mary is being placed above Christ and being equated with God Almighty! This is simply a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. You haters of the Catholic church should please stop, you can't gain anything from this false and unjust propaganda against the Catholic church and her Pope. It is obvious that whoever reported this story is anti Catholic! If you are looking for the antichrist, please look for him among yourselves, for was it not you people that revolted and protested against the One, Holy, and Apostolic Church instituted by Christ himself?
I find this article and many of the comments disheartening. Anyone who thinks Catholics worship Idols or think Jesus Christ is not our lord in savior are simply misinformed. Please take an opportunity to learn what Catholic faith is all about before you cast judgement. A Christian is a Christian whether you call yourself Catholic, Lutheran, Non denominational or anything in between if you believe in Christ with your whole heart we are brother and sister all the same. Instead of trying to find fault in each others worship we should be trying to unify in Christ. God Bless you all and never lose faith!!
Questions for Catholics and Orthodox:
If the Roman Catholic church gave the world the Bible, being infallible, then why did Rome reject or question the inspiration of James and Hebrews , then later accept it? Conversely, Rome accepted as scripture books that were later rejected. If the Catholic church really is illuminated by the Holy Spirit so that men can trust her as "God's organization", why was she so wrong about something so simple? Should not the "Holy See" have known?
If the Orthodox church gave the world the Bible, being infallible, then why did the eastern churches reject or question the inspiration of Revelation, then later accept it? Conversely, the east accepted as scripture books that were later rejected. If the Orthodox church really is illuminated by the Holy Spirit so that men can trust her as "God's organization", why was she so wrong about something so simple?
If the Roman Catholic church gave the world the Bible in 397 AD, then why did many different versions of canons continue to circulate long afterwards?
If the Roman Catholic church gave us the Bible, why were the two synods of Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage, (397 AD) African councils, and not initiatives of Rome?
Since the synod Carthage in 393 AD stated, "But let Church beyond sea (Rome) be consulted about confirming this canon", does this not prove that Rome had no direct input or initiative in determining the canon.
Since the two synods of Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage, (397 AD) were under the control of what would later become the "orthodox church", how can the Roman Catholic church claim they determined the Canon? Would not such a claim be more naturally due the Eastern Orthodox church?
If the Catholic church, "by her own inherent God given power and authority" gave the world the Bible, why did she not get it right the first time? Why did the Roman Catholic church wait until 1546 AD in the Council of Trent, to officially add the Apocrypha to the Canon?
Both Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox church leaders make the identical claim that they gave the world the Bible. If both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches make the same claim they gave the world the Bible, why do they have different books in each of their Bibles? Whose "church authority" shall we believe? Whose tradition is the one we should follow?
Provide a single example of a doctrine that originates from an oral Apostolic Tradition that the Bible is silent about? Provide proof that this doctrinal tradition is apostolic in origin.
Provide a single example of where inspired apostolic "oral revelation" (tradition) differed from "written" (scripture)?
If you are not permitted to engage in private interpretation of the Bible, how do you know which "apostolic tradition" is correct between the Roman Catholic, the Orthodox and the Watchtower churches, for all three teach the organization alone can interpret scripture correctly, to the exclusion of individual?
Why did God fail to provide an inspired and infallible list of Old Testament books to Israel? Why would God suddenly provide such a list only after Israel was destroyed in 70 AD?
How could the Jews know that books of Kings or Isaiah were Scripture?
If the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches both believes that the scripture: "the church is the pillar and foundation of truth" means the church is protected from error then: a. Why do they teach doctrine so different that they are not even in communion with each other? b. How do you account for the vast number of documented theological errors made by the pope and the church in general?
If the both the Orthodox and Catholic churches follow apostolic oral tradition exactly, how come they teach doctrine so different, that they are not even in communion with each other?
Both Tertullian and Jerome gave a list of oral traditions that were not found in the Bible. (Tertullian, The crown or De Corona, ch 3-4), (Jerome, Dialogue Against the Luciferians, 8) Tertullian said of these practices that "without any written instrument, we maintain on the ground of tradition alone". These include, baptizing by immersion three times, giving the one baptized a "drink of milk and honey" then forbidding the person from taking a bath for a week, kneeling in Sunday mass was forbidden, and the sign of the cross was to be made on the forehead. Jerome, echoing Tertullian, said that these "observances of the Churches, which are due to tradition, have acquired the authority of the written law". Why does the Catholic church not immerse thrice and allow kneeling? Why do both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches not keep any of these traditions, with the exception of thrice immersion by the Orthodox? Why do Roman Catholic churches today have knelling rails in front of every pew? If the "apostolic tradition" was to make the sign of the cross on the forehead, why do both Orthodox and Catholic churches change this to the current practice of the sign on the chest and head? If extra-biblical oral tradition is to be followed, then why don't the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches practice all of these things?
Your a moron!
Sorry I quoted that wrong, It is wide is the path but the Gate is narrow…
Holy Schitt!
Yawn.
The reporter is truly moronic. Totally ignorant of Catholic theology. … It is basic Catholic teaching, from the Bible, that Mary is the Mother of Jesus; Jesus is God; therefore, Mary is the Mother of God. This in no way makes her God-like or more important than God. She is Jesus' mother, and she is the spouse of the Holy Spirit. If Mary had not said "yes " (fiat) to God, then salvation would not have come into the world. That is all part of God's plan and is clearly explained in the Bible. The Pope is repating what the Gospels say. …. the Angel Gabriel came to Mary, etcetera. …..
Here we go again "controversy"! John 14:6-7, Jesus said "I am the way", not Mary nor the pope or some statue sitting on top of a hill. Your salvation pending on your choice whether you accept Jesus as your Personal Savior or not. Not kissing the Pope's ring or saying 100 Hail Mary or praying to the east to Allah 50 times a day. People stop looking for an easy fix and read your Bible. Now if you find a Pope in the Bible please let me know.
Either the writer of this piece misunderstood the Pope, or that something else is happening. The fact is this: Jesus Christ is God; and He made that known unequivocally that He and the Father are One; and that he who had seen Him had seen the Father. Jesus Christ had said that before Abraham He had been existing. The thought of the Blessed Virgin Mary came only after the sin of Adam when God promised the coming of Jesus Christ as Man to this world. Mary looked up to her Son, Jesus Christ, for guidance and direction and a typical example was at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee when Mary approached Jesus to complain that the wine had run short. There are many other instances to show that Mary is not God, though she is the greatest of all the saints, being the Queen of Heaven. Jesus Christ used His Divine Power to Ascend to Heaven but Mary was carried by the Angels to Heaven.
In conclusion, Mary is not God and cannot be equated to God. There are Three Persons in One God-The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. God does not change and so there is no way He could now change from the idea of the Blessed Trinity to 'Blessed Quartet' or something else; that is not possible. There must have been some misunderstanding somewhere.
This will be in 2 or more parts PART 1
Roman Catholic and Orthodox Faith Examined and
The Apocrypha
"The Jewish canon, or the Hebrew Bible, was universally received, while the Apocrypha added to the Greek version of the Septuagint were only in a general way accounted as books suitable for church reading, and thus as a middle class between canonical and strictly apocryphal (pseudonymous) writings. And justly; for those books, while they have great historical value, and fill the gap between the Old Testament and the New, all originated after the cessation of prophecy, and they cannot therefore be regarded as inspired, nor are they ever cited by Christ or the apostles" (Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, book 3, chapter 9)
21 reasons why the Apocrypha is not inspired:
The Roman Catholic Church did not officially canonize the Apocrypha until the Council of Trent (1546 AD). This was in part because the Apocrypha contained material which supported certain Catholic doctrines, such as purgatory, praying for the dead, and the treasury of merit.
Not one of them is in the Hebrew language, which was alone used by the inspired historians and poets of the Old Testament.
Not one of the writers lays any claim to inspiration.
These books were never acknowledged as sacred Scriptures by the Jewish Church, and therefore were never sanctioned by our Lord.
They were not allowed a place among the sacred books, during the first four centuries of the Christian Church.
They contain fabulous statements, and statements which contradict not only the canonical Scriptures, but themselves; as when, in the two Books of Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanes is made to die three different deaths in as many different places.
The Apocrypha inculcates doctrines at variance with the Bible, such as prayers for the dead and sinless perfection.
And the day following Judas came with his company, to take away the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchers of their fathers. And they found under the coats of the slain some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth to the Jews: so that all plainly saw, that for this cause they were slain. Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered the things that were hidden. And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought him, that the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain. And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. (2 Maccabees 12:39-46)
The apocrypha contains offensive materials unbecoming of God's authorship.
Ecclesiasticus 25:19 Any iniquity is insignificant compared to a wife's iniquity.
Ecclesiasticus 25:24 From a woman sin had its beginning. Because of her we all die.
Ecclesiasticus 22:3 It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined, and the birth of a daughter is a loss.
It teaches immoral practices, such as lying, suicide, assassination and magical incantation.
Jesus is God. Mary is the Mother of Jesus. Therefore, Mary is the Mother of God. …. What part of that don't you understand? Amazing how ignorant people are of the Bible and basic logic and theologic. …. God could have come into the world in any way He wanted to. He is Perfect. God chose Mary, and she said yes (fiat). She cooperated with God's Will. She was integral to God's plan for salvation. But she is in no way a God or anything like that. She was a human being, the most holy human being to have lived: She is the Mother of Jesus, the king of the universe and of all things. The mother of the King merits tremendous respect and honor. That is all. ….
Konchog Jimpa If the Catholic Church created Christianity, then it would be a false religion. As it stands, The Catholic Church exists to deny men salvation. Priests are the modern day Pharisees.
PART 2
The apocryphal books themselves make reference to what we call the Silent 400 years, where there was no prophets of God to write inspired materials.
And they laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a convenient place, till there should come a prophet, and give answer concerning them. (1 Maccabees 4:46)
And there was a great tribulation in Israel, such as was not since the day, that there was no prophet seen in Israel. (1 Maccabees 9:27)
And that the Jews, and their priests, had consented that he should be their prince, and high priest for ever, till there should arise a faithful prophet. (1 Maccabees 14:41)
Josephus rejected the apocryphal books as inspired and this reflected Jewish thought at the time of Jesus
"From Artexerxes to our own time the complete history has been written but has not been deemed worthy of equal credit with the earlier records because of the failure of the exact succession of the prophets." … "We have not an innumerable multitude of books among us, disagreeing from and contradicting one another, but only twenty-two books, which contain the records of all the past times; which are justly believed to be divine…"(Flavius Josephus, Against Apion 1:8)
The Manual of Discipline in the Dead Sea Scrolls rejected the apocrypha as inspired.
The Council of Jamnia held the same view rejected the apocrypha as inspired.
They debated the canonicity of a few books (e.g., Ecclesiastes), but they changed nothing and never proclaimed themselves to be authoritative determiners of the Old Testament canon. "The books which they decided to acknowledge as canonical were already generally accepted, although questions had been raised about them. Those which they refused to admit had never been included. They did not expel from the canon any book which had previously been admitted. 'The Council of Jamnia was the confirming of public opinion, not the forming of it.'" (F. F. Bruce, The Books and Parchments [Old Tappan, NJ.: Fleming H. Revell, 1963], p. 98])
Although it was occasionally quoted in early church writings, it was nowhere accepted in a canon. Melito (AD 170) and Origen rejected the Apocrypha, (Eccl. Hist. VI. 25, Eusebius) as does the Muratorian Canon.
Jerome vigorously resisted including the Apocrypha in his Latin Vulgate Version (400 AD), but was overruled. As a result, the standard Roman Catholic Bible throughout the medieval period contained it. Thus, it gradually came to be revered by the average clergyman. Still, many medieval Catholic scholars realized that it was not inspired.
The terms "protocanonical" and "deuterocanonical" are used by Catholics to signify respectively those books of Scripture that were received by the entire Church from the beginning as inspired, and those whose inspiration came to be recognized later, after the matter had been disputed by certain Fathers and local churches.
Pope Damasus (366-384) authorized Jerome to translate the Latin Vulgate. The Council of Carthage declared this translation as "the infallible and authentic Bible." Jerome was the first to describe the extra 7 Old Testament books as the "Apocrypha" (doubtful authenticity). Needless to say, Jerome's Latin Vulgate did not include the Apocrypha.
Cyril (born about A.D. 315) – "Read the divine Scriptures – namely, the 22 books of the Old Testament which the 72 interpreters translated" (the Septuagint)
The apocrypha wasn't included at first in the Septuagint, but was appended by the Alexandrian Jews, and was not listed in any of the catalogues of the inspired books till the 4th century
Hilary (bishop of Poictiers, 350 A.D.) rejected the apocrypha (Prologue to the Psalms, Sec. 15)
Epiphanius (the great opposer of heresy, 360 A.D.) rejected them all. Referring to Wisdom of Solomon & book of Jesus Sirach, he said "These indeed are useful books & profitable, but they are not placed in the number of the canonical."
PART 3
Is the Apocrypha Inspired? Does it really belong in the Bible?
Let us consider while we are at this point, the subject of the Catholic apocrypha, for which they make such great claims; and because of which they deny the Bible in common use by most brethren. 2 Macc 12:38-46 seems to be the principal reason they cling to the apocrypha. There is no other doctrine that depends so heavily upon support in the apocrypha. If I were not afraid of absolute statements, I would say that their defense of the apocrypha is only because of the passage and their claims about its teachings.
The Catholics have 46 Old Testament books rather than the 39 found in our Bibles. However, they have added much more material to other books which does not appear under separate titles. That material follows: The Rest of Esther added to Esther; The Song of the Three Holy Children, The History of Susanna, Bel and the Dragon added to Daniel; Baruch; 1 and 2 Maccabees; Tobias; Judith; Ecclesiasticus; and the Wisdom of Sirach.
The only powerful support for these books is that they appear in the Septuagint version. However, in many of our Bibles there is much material that is uninspired, including history, poetry, maps, dictionaries, and other information. This may be the reason for the appearance of this material in the Septuagint. The apocrypha was not in the Hebrew canon.
There are reputed to be 263 quotations and 370 allusions to the Old Testament in the New Testament and not one of them refers to the Apocryphal
The usual division of the Old Testament by the Jews was a total of 24 books: The Books of Moses (51, The Early prophets 14; Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings ~, The Late Prophets (4; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the 12 Minor Prophets), and the Hagiagrapha (11; Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Solomon. Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles i. These 24 books contain all the material in our numbering of 39.
Josephus spoke concerning the canon, but his book division combined Ruth-Judges and Lamentation-Jeremiah for a total of 22 books rather than 24:
"For we have not an innumerable multitude of books among us, … only 22 books. which contain the records of ail the past times; which are justly believed to be divine;…It is true, our history hath been written since Artaxerxes very particularly, but hath not been esteemed of the like authority with the former by our forefathers;…and how firmly we have given credit to these books of our own nation is evident by what we do; for during so many ages as have already passed, no one has been so bold as either to add anything to them, or to make any change in them." (Flavius Josephus Against Apion Book 1, Section 8).
Plainly Josephus distinguishes between those books written before and after Artaxerxes. This eliminates most of the apocrypha, especially the Maccabees.
The apocrypha itself denies all notion of inspiration. Referring to the events in the Maccabees the author makes these statements:
"…all such things as have been comprised in 5 books by Jason of Cyrene, we have at-tempted to abridge in one book. For considering the difficulty that they find that desire to undertake the narrations of histories, because of the multitude of the matter, we have taken care for those indeed that are willing to read,…And as to ourselves indeed, in undertaking this work of abridging, we have taken in hand no easy task, yea. rather a business full of watching and sweat. .. Leaving to the authors the exact handling of every particular, and as for ourselves. according to the plan proposed, studying to brief… For to collect all that is known, to put the discourse in order, and curiously to discuss every particular point, is the duty of the author of a history. But to pursue brevity of speech and to avoid nice declarations of things, is to be granted to him that maketh an abridgement." (2 Maccabees 2: 24-32).
"…I will also here make an end of my narration. Which if I have done well, and as it becometh the history, it is what I desired; but if not so perfectly, it must be pardoned me. For as it is hurtful to drink always wine, or always water, but pleasant to use sometimes the one, and sometimes the other, so if the speech be always nicely framed, it will not be grateful to the readers…" 12 Maccabees 15: 39-40).
This forms a bizarre contrast with passages in the New Testament:
"Take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak. but the spirit of your Father which speaketh in you" (Matthew 10: 19-20).
"Now we have received. not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth" (1 Corinthians 2: 12-131.
Catholic arguments:
Catholics argue:
This is refuted because:
Early Christians quote from the apocrypha proves it belongs in the Bible
Early Christians quoted from all kinds of uninspired writings other than the apocrypha. Why do Catholics not include these in their Bible's
They were included in the Septuagint.
The Jews Never accepted the apocrypha as part of the Old testament canon.
The Church Councils at Hippo (393) and Carthage (397, 419), listed the apocrypha as Scripture. Since these same councils also finalized the 66 canonical books which all Christians accept, they must accept them all.
False. The canon of the New Testament was set from the first century. It is Catholic myth that Catholics gave the world the Bible!
The New Testament never quotes from the any of the apocryphal books written between 400 – 200 BC. What is significant here is that NONE of the books within the "apocryphal collection" are every quoted. So the Catholic argument that "the apocryphal books cannot be rejected as uninspired on the basis that they are never quoted from in the New Testament because Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon are also never quoted in the New Testament, and we all accept them as inspired." The rebuttal to this Catholic argument is that "Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther" were always included in the "history collection" of Jewish books and "Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon" were always included in the "poetry collection". By quoting one book from the collection, it verifies the entire collection. None of the apocryphal books were ever quoted in the New Testament. Not even once! This proves the Catholic and Orthodox apologists wrong when they try to defend the apocrypha in the Bible.
The apocrypha does not belong in the Bible because It IS not inspired.
Don't you know that the local bishop (of Mostar) founded after the investigation this Apparition are not from God; his findings were lost in the fire after a shelling hit the house!
The last weekend I had a chance to read some newses of "Her"; a theological junk+some priest (s experienced supernatural confirmations (bilocations) by the appearance of "white lady" saying: "I am the proof"- acc. I think to 2Thess 2:9.
The Main argument is: why this "Queen of Peace" did not stop the 5- year Blood in Balkans and DID not mention at all Rwanda (1994) and now does not see at all: Ukraine, Middle East,…slaughtering Christians in Nigeria, India, Pakistan,etc. Yet, Franciskans and some fool RC priests, parishes still promote it….; I rebuked directly one of them at a seminar! In Loureds, FAtima there was a Purpose for revelations but now?
Regardless of what religion we belong to, we are all God's children whom he dearly loves. He wants all of us to progress and live in His presence once again. Mary was one of the greatest witnesses of the truth that is Jesus the Christ. She can be placed in the same rank with the prophets and apostles like Adam, Noah, Moses, Elijah, Peter, John and others.
Anyone worshiping Mary is worshiping an idol…for Jesus Christ out Lord nullified the worship and praise of his mother saying;
Luke 11;27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”
Luke 11;28 Jesus replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
Yup!!!!
Bravo Paul.The person who wrote this is neither Catholic and is a moron. The Pope never declared Mary as more important than Jesus.
We do not need Mary to intercede for us, Jesus ever liveth to intercede on our behalf. Mary is not mentioned in any such way in the bible. The is the dogma (man made) of the Catholic church. The Catholic church does not follow the Word of God, they make up dogma as they go. You can research from the beginning of Catholicism through Constantine to today when men started this "other religion/false religion". The institution of the Catholic church was created by Satan and was revealed in Daniel's prophecy. I do pray that a Spirit of revelation is released to all those ensnared by false religions, not just Catholics. Jesus is the only way!! Mary was a vessel used by God, never to be worshipped.
Lynn Terry Luther was a Catholic and brought many of his Catholic beliefs with him when he left the church. We don't worship Luther and regard him as simply a man who saw the Catholic church for what it is and he sought to change it. The Apocrypha didn't become part of the Catholic Bible until the Council of Trent so you are incorrect in your assertion that he took books out of the Bible. That shows why we don't want to be part of your church when they teach lies that are so easy to catch. As for protestant churches, if one doesn't know the scriptures, it is easy to get caught up in the wrong church which is why you must know your bible. That's why He (God) gave it to us.
Jim Capito This does not apply as an idols therefore never got it wrong, this is just temporary, for people that was bite by snake cos of anoyance of God on the children of Isreal then, and also image is diferent to a picture, if you have a picture but you never bow down before the photo you never worship the photo, you never take the photo as your God, and Photo is not an image you created by yourself and continuye serving as your God, look worshiping of God must not be diluted with any other things that is out of God, Mary is not a God, why whoshiping her, Image of mary must not be worship, that stand for an Idols, even in Genesis 35-1-4 if you read it this may makes you to get more understanding concerning what you are worshipping in the Catholic, and you need to forget about the novel they use to give you in Catholic instead of Bible , and get your Bible continue reading it everyday this will give you more knowlege concerning what you are worshiping in Catholic be worn and be wise
Konchog Jimpa Again the Catholic church takes center stage for all within Christianity. The Catholic Church did not create Christanity but think again and guess Who did.
This article is baiting sensationalist garbage inviting Catholic bashing and to judge from some of the comments some of the brainless fish are biting. No pope would declare Mary more important than Jesus. But then, what would you expect from a site with the title the Inquisitr (Think National Inquirer.), but trash like this?
Hi Michael, The Hebrews didn't think Jesus was God either! The King of England needed tax money so he passed a law that everyone needed to buy a bible so lots of people writing new bibles because they didn't have enough printing presses.Mistakes were made and that is after Martin Luther took the seven books out of the Catholic bible! It's amazing how someone knows more in a few years than thousands of years of doctrine. Really what happen to love ? If you are a follower of Christ than you are my brother or sister and I am Catholic. Jesus said this is my body and this is my blood I guess you think that is symbolic. Not He let the non believers walk away He didn't stop them then He said it three more times . Doesn't sound symbolic to me. I don't want to be the one to walk away, do you? In love with Christ!
Juliana Abena Yeboah The Catholic church was created for destruction to deceive many from receiving the truth of the gospel. It's day of reckoning is coming and it will not prevail. What's ahead for every false religion is revealed through the prophets and several books in the bible. Judaism and Christianity existed way before the Catholic church. Constantine started Catholicism not Christ. I feel for the many people who have been deceived by the angel of light. Satan has used the Catholic church for many centuries but there is an end. His deception will be exposed and many will turn to Christ.
Show me one verse in the Bible that says Mary is to be worshipped and placed at the same level as the Trinity. As far as that goes show me one verse that says that the pope is holy and to be worshipped at any level.
He's going to HELL> ONe, MUSLIMS are not Christians, only Jesus can save. Atheists DO NOT BELIEVE, so they are not SAVED. he sounds like he is going to be the head of the catholic church under the ANTICHRIST in the end times.
WOW 2 great jerks, the author as well as the pope.
I am not Catholic or even a Christian, but this analysis is pure cheap sensationalist tripe. There is absolutely nothing in the Pope's words that states that he is placing Mary ahead of, or even on a par with, the three manifestations of God as recognised by Christians everywhere (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit). He is simply stating a "fact" (assuming you accept the rest of Christian doctrine) — for whatever reasons He felt important, God decided, rather than simply placing his Son on Earth (which an Omnipotent God could have done), to have his Son be born from the womb of a woman — and for that reason, Jesus Christ would not have existed were it not for that woman.
As a non-Christian but one who admires Christian doctrine, this is an all-too-human admission that in order to convince people on Earth of his message, the Deity felt it necessary to send a Savior in human form (and thus in part human) rather than simply decreeing it so.
The article is trying to make the statement appear to be something it is not. There is plenty of room for legitimate argument on Christian doctrine — it is after all what the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation were all about — without stooping to cheap tricks of this sort.
Maureen Gbagir If God choose mary means mary is now a God we need to be worship, my Sister I will be happy if you know what I know about Catholic, I have been a Catholic started from the beginning of my life, I was born in Catholic, but in Catholic unlçess someone that will talk lie will say he/she knows bible, you may have bible but you never read it and all what you will read already be writing, in the novel now they will now teach you the prayer of morning and of night, untill I started reading my Bible then I come to understand I have gone out from the way of God, the doctrine of Catholic is not the doctrine the Jesus Christ gave to us, this is doctrine of roman tradition, so if you are Catholic you are an Idols worshiper untill you go out from Catholic then you are free, so never tell me that God is in the church that is lifeless, I know in and out of Catholic cos that is the place I grow but God rescue me today I become a preacher, I said it again Sister you can not tell me you know Bible, if you said so its a typical lie, cos you never read your bible only what they teach you in Catkism you know, and its totally different to the word of God in the Bible, and highest inside church they will read maybe one verse in new testernment only, so tell me what happen to old testament, so sister be wise
If this article is based on truth this Pope is not a Christian.
Is the Inquisitor about to publish another idiotic article?
Shirley Rowlin Shirley what did Mary say at the wedding feast at Canna? Read it, and try to understand what you are reading. Her reply was "Do whatever He tells you." What did the angle say to Mary at the Annunciation. Hail full of GRACE, how does one become full of grace. Shirley, what did Christ say to Peter, especially using the word rock and church, and what did Christ say at the last supper. That is the Catholic church. Shirley who removed books from the Bible and changed words, Luther, and that is the BIble you read. What was the warning given in the Bible about changing it? Before you condemn something you do not understand, educate yourself. I pray you will find your way out of your heresies. Also, Catholics know we can go straight to Jesus. And Shirley, II am sorry you hold such disdain for the Mother of our Savior, remember without Mary and her yes, there would be no Incarnate Word.
You can tell this mere mortal knows nothing about the Bible cuz he's too caught up in Catholisism…if he beleives he's going to stand before Christ, and Jesus is going to say "Job well done my good and faithful servant" he's a fool. Does he not remember the 1st Commandment. If there was not Mary there would not have been Jesus????? Really??? He could of picked ANY women and came up with the same results
.
Well, if you believe roman catholic doctrine – you are on your way to hell… Now concerning Mary. Here is the true Biblical view of Mary -> http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pastormartinrichling/2014/09/11/all-roman-catholics-here-is-the-bible-truth-about-mary
William Scanlon … Can you not read between the lines, and what the implications of speech are? You all seem to want to lecture us on what scripture means. Do we ALL NOT have the the same right to interpret what another human begin says as well?
It would do you some good to take a class in Formal Logic, to learn how to interpret syllogisms and the evaluate the truth and validity thereof. That reduces nearly all mistakes in understanding language and its implications as well.
To not do that is silly.
I know she is i told everyone that she is and no one would listing to what i got to say, She is the bride of christ . yes she is god, When Jesus said he was god he meant As the king of marrige and she is the high queen of them all, Jesus is her son.
Michael Kezelevich The Bible you read has been altered, you cannot defend something you do not understand. You have no conception about the mass and the teachings of the church. You would not have Christianity without the Catholic Church, simple history tell you that.
The pope is not saying that Mary is God! She is the fully human conduit through which God choose the bring Jesus to the earth. It was not through Mary's power, but through the power of the holy spirit that this happened. The Catholic church recognizes that Mary is very important. However, she is not God. It is by her acceptance of God's will in her life that God was able to bring Jesus to earth. Were he pope to teach that Mary were God, he would be teaching something contrary to the doctrine of the Catholic Church. He is not teaching that!
Olga Kuznetsova Olga every prayer and teaching in the Catholic Church is about Christ. I pray you find your way out of your heresies.
This is a ridiculous interpretation of Pope Francis. The Catholic Church maintains that Jesus is God and "all knees must bend" and worship Jesus, including Mary.
If one will read the text, there is no mention of demoting Yeshua or Jesus. It is just acknowledging the importance of Mary who was the instrument how the Lord Jesus Christ came to the world and become the Savior and the Redeemer of the mankind.
Simply, the essence of Mariology is that salvation would not have been achieved by all people if there was no Virgin Mary to fulfill the prophesy in Genesis and Isaiah.
Which Moron at Inquisitor news service. wrote the article? Maybe they should read the Life off St. Francis sometime. who Pope Francis illuminates , or the documents of Vatican II. Lumen Gentium, chapter 8 Article 103 on Mary is the first official Vatican II statement on Mary and is quoted here in its entirety:
Article 103 In celebrating this annual cycle of the mysteries of Christ, Holy Church honors the Blessed Mary, Mother of God, with a special love. She is inseparably linked with her son's saving work. In her the Church admires and exalts the most excellent fruit of redemption, and joyfully contemplates, as in a faultless image, that which she herself desires and hopes wholly to be.The eight chapters of Lumen Gentium describes the Church as it exists and as it longs to be. It was in this context that Mary's place was argued. By including her at this point in the documents, Mary is at the same time totally integrated into the mystery of Christ and the mystery of the Church. As Mary existed for Christ from the Incarnation, throughout his life, at his death, and for eternity, so Mary is the model of the Church as it hopes to be. Mary continues to assist the Church to fulfill its destiny.
Chapter 7 of Lumen Gentium, The Pilgrim Church, discusses the Communion of Saints and our union in the Communion of Saints. The Church has always venerated the apostles and martyrs "together with the Blessed Virgin Mary and the holy angels, with a special love, and has asked piously for the help of their intercession." (LG 50) It is in the celebration of the liturgy, "in the fellowship of communion," that the saints are remembered and honored. (LG 50) The chapter teaches, "Let the faithful be taught that our communion with these in heaven, provided that it is understood in the full light of faith, in no way diminishes the worship of adoration given to God the Father, through Christ, in the Spirit; on the contrary, it greatly enriches it." (LG 51)
Chapter 8 consists of seventeen articles divided into five subtitles. Mary is introduced as the woman (Gal 4:4) of our Creed from whom Christ became incarnate by the Holy Spirit. Honor is due her because she "received the Word of God in her heart and in her body and gave Life [Christ] to the world." (LG 52) She is honored in our liturgy, and is the "pre-eminent" and "wholly unique member of the Church." (LG 53) The Church teaches about both her role and our duties toward her. (LG 54) She is a sign of comfort and of hope. (LG 68) Chapter 8 incorporates the scriptural passages on Mary as the basis for Marian devotion. Catholics admire Mary's devotion and she is an example of how we should be at Catholics.
Islam also teaches about Mary as an example of pious behavior and attention to living God in her life. Mary is also revered with a chapter in the Qur’an devoted to her. Some believe that after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Mary was taken to the city of Ephesus, in what is now Turkey. Because of this, as well as the travels and writings of the apostle, Ephesus became an important place in early Christendom. A small stone structure called the “House of Mary” stands in Ephesus. Both Christians and Muslims, believe it is the place where Mary lived while in the city..
Mary is highly respected in the Catholic Church because of her relationship to Jesus and absolute obedience to God. But even Mary must worship her Son, Jesus.
Scriptures were more important than tradition to Apostolic Fathers.
http://www.bible.ca/b-canon-scriptures-tradition-apostolic-fathers.htm
or maybe he pretends being a moron…how can a person who writes well can not understand well.
Apostolic fathers viewed scripture as complete and final and that the age of inspiration was ended.
http://www.bible.ca/b-canon-scripture-complete-inspiration-ended.htm
What does Jesus have to say about this? The Pope really has a lot of balls if he thinks he can monkey around with they way God wants things just because he is the Pope. People, Catholics especially, need to start thinking for themselves about their own spirituality. Reality doesn't change just because some guy in a long dress says so.
The Roman Catholic Church did not give the world the Bible!
http://www.bible.ca/b-canon-church-did-not-give-world-bible.htm
Maybe that's not a bad thing! If they take more interest in a woman than maybe they'll leave the children alone!
Abbey Thompson Foolish child, you are not even a Christian so to say. Until U understand the journey of Christianity to your own generation. Then U will know how come Christianity existed till now…ignoramus…!
Abbey Thompson Foolish child, you are not even a Christian so to say. Until U understand the journey of Christianity to your own generation. Then U will know how come Christianity existed till now…ignoramus…!
Nonsense. He is just emphasizing the method God used to bring Jesus into our world. Many prefer to ignore Mary, while some overemphasize Mary as part of their personal piety. OK. This is one Pope I pray will continue his ministry. I am not a Roman Catholic either.
I guess it takes a Pagan to point out the fact that this is The Inquisitor… a rag known for misleading and inflammatory misinformation.
Did the Roman Catholic Church Give Us The Bible? Catholics say yes! Truth says no!
http://www.bible.ca/cath-bible-origin.htm
Abbey Thompson
This is complete illiterate drivel!
One of the best ways to describe what the pope says is with the image of our Lady of Guadeloupe. The Image shows to the pagan Mexican Indians that Mary is greater than their Sun god and greater than the moon. She is crowned with stars. Yet her head is bowed to one who is greater.
Virgin Mary was just a human. If she was not then our salvation was a farce and Christ was not part human, he was ALL god. If Mary was God TOO then Christ was totally God and how unfair that He should ask us to follow Him with his unfair advantage in life. The religion becomes a farce when Christ supposidly suffered/tempted/lived like we suffer and the Bible lies when it says he was tempted as we are.
This article has the most stupid insinuations I have ever read. The Pope is not claiming that Mary is or will be or has ever been a part of the Trinity. But, she does have a role in salvation history. Sure God could have sent Jesus directly to earth had He so chosen. Sure God could have chosen another woman. But, fact is, He didn't. He chose Mary. God Himself honored her by HIS CHOICE. Who cares whether you like His choice or not? He is not asking YOUR opinion. He already sent Jesus THROUGH her. She is not just any other woman; she was chosen among all women in all ages. Can anyone imagine that honoring Mary is dishonoring God or her Son, as some of you here imagine. God was the FIRST to honor her. So, get over it. All these rants and raves trying to downplay her role and the anti-Catholicism I see here are nothing new. Fact is, they have been heard through the centuries. The ranters and ravers are gone and the Catholic Church is still here.
With Elizabeth, Catholics throughout the ages have proclaimed of Mary and Jesus: "BLESSED are you among women and BLESSED is the child you will bear!" Luke 1:42 And we will continue to do so in spite of your protests.
lady, you're a kook. what are you a snake handler or something?
Elizabeth Csicsery-Ronay yes it maybe so but its real, so have in mind that if you make a mistake of your life then by the time you want to make a restitution then it may be too late
I try not to read between the lines as it is all empty space, like your argument Danny., I can lecture on Scripture as I hold both degree in Catholic Theology and a Masters in Divinity degree. And Danny if you read what I wrote its from the documents of the Vatican itself. Are you a professor of Language or Linguistics? I'm guessing most likely not.
Konchog Jimpal Christianity was not created by the Catholic Church, which did not exist when the basic dogmas of Christianity were fabricated by Paul of Tarsus, the founder of Christianity.
I have one question Abbey Thompson. Which psychiatric medications are you on? And have they all expired?
Why would you give particular honor and devotion to any mother of any famous person? Do you give particular honor and devotion to the mothers of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln? Even if you buy the superstition that Mary was impregnated by God, doesn't that count as rape? She didn't agree to it, did she?
Michael Kezelevich Where in the Bible does it say Sola Scriptura? No where. As far as appertains go most are disregarded by the church. Your false Bible removed books from the Old Testament where people prayed for the dead.
cguleff I know about the Eastern Church but s you say many don't know about it. To do the whole history would consume volumes. Yes my knowledge is limited by my Doctorate of Divinity and the fact that I am an ordained minister. You assume much cguleff that you don't know.
Some very interesting questions, which I will add one more. Of all the 10 commandments that God wrote in stone, why is the 4th commandment the only one that says "Remember"?
Blasphemy
Konchog Jimpa Reference it. Words are futile unless they have documentation to support it. Like me saying rubbing cat pee on your face mixed with dog poo cures acne.
That's not what he said at all. How could anyone interpret those comments that way. I agree with paul. Moron.
Jim Capito mind you martin Luther was not the one that change bible nooo Bible still remain the way its from the beginning till now therefore nothing wrong with bible, King James virssion was the one that translate Bible from Hebrew and greek to English and it remain the way he translate till now, meanwhile bible already talk about the Isreal that they were blind to the truth so that the salvation can come to the gentiles, and the same bible let us know that the Isreal will also save, cos they become ingnorant for the gentlies to be safe, and we are the gentiles, therefore anyone that is not an isreali and become jew can never be safe, the only way for you is Jesus Christ, so the all world need to be safe only through Jesus Christ, but later the Isreal will come to know that Jesus is the only way and they will worship him with all their heart then and the Chrstian also have the same right the Isreal have and mind you all men will be judge, so you are warn to be out from lifeless Catholic before the coming our Lord Jesus christ
Michael Kezelevich , why is your heart full of hatred for the Universal and Apostolic Church? Do you know something which is not of God would not have survived all these while? You keep mentioning soul, soul soul, do you really know what soul means? Dear brother, I do not hate you for your faith but love you as a Christian. Do not condemn are souls for you claim to be a Christian as your name Micheal suggest. Angel Micheal would never condemn people souls because they belong to one Christian denomination.
Matthew 24:24
Wayne A. Sluiter Awesome, foresight! It's really amazing to me that people do not see the importance of this, it is astonishing!
The author should be banned from writing religious articles and if this is the quality of the writing – ANY articles. I do not know what drugs this person was on but it must have been a good one. The pope was simply saying that Mary was a role model for people to learn from to be closer to God. Deity? Da!!!
Johnny Burdell , Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Peter yes sir now those are some really good names but they are fictitious names and that is the way to write a fiction. Sir take the trouble to actually study the history of your religion.
1 Timothy 2:5 …. King James Bible
For there is one God,
and one '' mediator between God and men, '''the man Christ Jesus; …[ him alone ]
Get a grip. There is absolutely no arguing that if Mary had not said, "Be it done unto me according to thy word." to Gabriel, Jesus would not have been born. She was not some disposable womb. She was the woman referenced in Genesis. She was selected by the Father from all time to be his Son's mother. That does not make her in any way more important than Jesus. In fact the Catechism of the Catholic Church makes that clear and clearer. But she is to be given the respect due the mother of the Savior. Because of her "yes" she became part of the salvation process. No "yes," no Jesus.
Mary's assignment was to bring forth the Lord Jesus Christ through a virgin birth. She knew her assignment which she did and that was the end of it. I have a problem when I see Catholics praying to the Virgin Mary. That is like praying to idols. We pray to the Father in the name of Jesus and not in the name of Mary, St. Paul, St. Christopher or one of the other so called saints. Another thing, we confess our sins to the Father who is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Not to some priest who tells us to do a certain number of hail Marys. That is insane.
Pope Frankie…the false prophet of Revelation.., Obama..the preparation for the antichrist, designed to obliterate the U.S………the ONE TRUE way to God and salvation; Jesus Christ..anything else is an abomination…MAtt 10:32(Jesus)"Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33"But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.
William Scanlon you can see it that am very sound am 100% ok I read the Bible and I understand it, is that mean a craziness, ok if that is so means am crazy in thy Lord
Pope, please give us a break. If you believe in the Bible read Matthew 12:46-50 and also Luke 11:27-28. Mary was more of a disciple than a mother to Christ. Was she not in the upper room with the disciples when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and they were all speaking in other tongues rather than their own? The Church started from there when people got baptised – when you erroneously continue saying that your church was the first church. How can a blind man lead a fellow blind man? Inside the ditch –
b- r- e- k- e- t – e. Since you finally admitted that your religion was carved from idol worship, are you sure your followers are not blindly worshiping the sun goddess referred to as artemis instead of the mother of J
esus? I am glad my eyes opened twenty one years ago. Thanks be to God!
Catholicism will be the one world religion….get out while you can.
Lynn i disagree God has never said so he says he sent the Holy spirit to be our HELPER,ADVOCATE COUNSELOR in time of need so he hasnt ask us to do so it man made theory added to the bible
King James Bible
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;1 Timothy 2:5
Jude Ndi Diyen She cannot, the bible explicitely teaches otherwise, while Mary should be honored, she is not divinity, she is not GOD, she gave birth to the GOD man Jesus Christ but that does not make her mediator between GOD and man! Jesus is omnipotent, omnicient, eternal, there is nothing we can think or pray about that he would not hear, to make Mary God is a huge mistake, she is a created being, ande she said that she needed Jesus Christs grace – Question: "What does the Bible say about the virgin Mary?"
Answer: Mary the mother of Jesus was described by God as “highly favored” (Luke 1:28). The phrase “highly favored” comes from a single Greek word, which essentially means “much grace.” Mary received God’s grace.
Grace is “unmerited favor,” meaning something we receive despite the fact that we do not deserve it. Mary needed grace from God just as the rest of us do. Mary herself understood this fact, as she declared in Luke 1:47, “. . . and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. . .”
Mary recognized that she needed the Savior. The Bible never says that Mary was anyone but an ordinary human whom God chose to use in an extraordinary way. Yes, Mary was a righteous woman and favored (graced) by God (Luke 1:27-28). At the same time, Mary was a sinful human being who needed Jesus Christ as her Savior, just like everyone else (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 John 1:8).
Mary did not have an “immaculate conception.” The Bible doesn’t suggest Mary’s birth was anything but a normal human birth. Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus (Luke 1:34-38), but the idea of the perpetual virginity of Mary is unbiblical. Matthew 1:25, speaking of Joseph, declares, “But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.”
The word “until” clearly indicates that Joseph and Mary did have sexual union after Jesus was born. Joseph and Mary had several children together after Jesus was born. Jesus had four half-brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55). Jesus also had half-sisters, although they are not named or numbered (Matthew 13:55-56). God blessed and graced Mary by giving her several children, which in that culture was the clearest indication of God’s blessing on a woman.
One time when Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd proclaimed, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed” (Luke 11:27). There was never a better opportunity for Jesus to declare that Mary was indeed worthy of praise and adoration. What was Jesus’ response? “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (Luke 11:28). To Jesus, obedience to God’s Word was more important than being the woman who gave birth to the Savior.
Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus, or anyone else, direct any praise, glory, or adoration towards Mary. Elizabeth, Mary’s relative, praised Mary in Luke 1:42-44, but her praise is based on the blessing of giving birth to the Messiah. It was not based on any inherent glory in Mary.
Mary was present at the cross when Jesus died (John 19:25). Mary was also with the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14). However, Mary is never mentioned again after Acts chapter 1. The apostles did not give Mary a prominent role. Mary’s death is not recorded in the Bible. Nothing is said about Mary ascending to heaven or having an exalted role there. As the earthly mother of Jesus, Mary should be respected, but she is not worthy of our worship or adoration.
The Bible nowhere indicates that Mary can hear our prayers or that she can mediate for us with God. Jesus is our only advocate and mediator in heaven (1 Timothy 2:5). If offered worship, adoration, or prayers, Mary would say the same as the angels: “Worship God!” (see Revelation 19:10; 22:9.) Mary herself sets the example for us, directing her worship, adoration, and praise to God alone: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is His name” (Luke 1:46-49).
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/virgin-Mary.html#ixzz3DTi1tgiH
No problem here We older Catholics were taught that devotion to Mary the Mother of God is not only appropriate but welcome We as kids built alters full of flowers adornibg as staue of the Blessed Mother. God the Father Son and Holy spirit are one . Jesus is our Savior. I am new to the Inquisitor but the author seems to be misinterpreting the Popes words and actions
Jude Ndi Diyen "Is Mary the mother of God (Theotokos)?"
Answer: The phrase “mother of God” originated with and continues to be used in the Roman Catholic Church. One of the topics at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431 was the use of the Greek term Theotókos, or “God-bearer,” in reference to Mary. That council officially proclaimed Mary as the “mother of God,” and the doctrine was later included in the Catholic catechism. The idea behind calling Mary the “mother of God” is that, since Jesus is God and Mary is the mother of Jesus, she is the mother of God.
The major problem with this logic is that the term “God” implies the totality of Yahweh, and we know that Yahweh has no beginning and no end (Psalm 90:2). First Timothy 6:15-16 says that God is immortal. Being immortal, God never was “born” and never had a “mother.” The second Person of the Trinity, Jesus, did have a beginning to His earthly ministry when he was conceived in Mary’s womb and was born, but from eternity past He had always been the Son of God.
Philippians 2:6–7 gives us a bit more insight on what transpired when Jesus left heaven to become man. The New Living Translation says, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” Jesus was already one with the Father, but He set aside His rights as Divinity and took the form of a baby (John 1:1). He went on to live the normal life of a Jewish boy, obeying His earthly parents (Luke 2:51).
A mother by definition precedes her child and at some point is more powerful than her child. So to call Mary the “mother of God” gives the misleading implication that Mary preceded and at one time was more powerful than the Lord God Almighty. Although Catholic doctrine tries to deny this implication, it is inescapable.
It is biblical to say that Mary was the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ during His incarnation on the earth. However, Catholics believe it is not enough to say that Mary was the mother of Jesus. Pope John Paul II, in a speech in 1996, encouraged people “not only to invoke the Blessed Virgin as the Mother of Jesus, but also to recognize her as Mother of God” (L'Osservatore Romano, 4 December 1996, p. 11). This is not biblical. The Lord God Almighty has no mother, since He has no beginning and no end (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:8).
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Mary-mother-God-theotokos.html#ixzz3DTiShveS
can someone please give me a scripture and verse to back up their statement.. of worshipping the supposed VIRGIN MARY.. She had many other children after Yeshua was born.. SHE WAS NO LONGER A VIRGIN.. She had intimacy with her husband.. JUST AS EVERY MARRIED WOMAN DOES..
Jude Ndi Diyen "Is Mary the co-redemptrix / mediatrix?"
Answer: Some Catholics view Mary as a co-redemptrix or a mediatrix who plays a key role in the salvation of mankind. (The suffix -trix is a feminine word ending in Latin, so a redemptrix is a female redeemer, and a mediatrix is a female mediator.) Within Catholicism, there is a drive to define a new Marian dogma in which Catholics, as a matter of faith, would be obliged to accept these three doctrines: (1) Mary participates in redemption with Jesus Christ, (2) grace is granted by Jesus only through the intercession of Mary, and (3) all prayers from the faithful must flow through Mary, who brings them to the attention of her Son. This movement would, in practice, redefine the Trinity as a kind of Quartet.
The belief in Mary as a co-redemptrix would be in addition to current Catholic teaching on Mary, which states that Mary was a virgin perpetually, that she never had intercourse with her husband, Joseph; that she never had children other than Jesus; and that she was sinless and ascended into heaven. These teachings are more than unscriptural; Scripture directly refutes them.
The idea that Mary is a co-redemptrix or mediatrix contradicts 1 Timothy 2:5, which says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the Mediator. There is no mediator between man and Jesus. Jesus Himself dwells in believers; thus, none is required (Colossians 1:27).
Jesus is the perfect and sole Mediator between man and God because He is the sinless Son of God. Mary was not sinless. There is no Scripture whatsoever to back the claim of Mary’s sinlessness or of her assumption into heaven. This dogma was accepted as a result of papal proclamation. In the biblical narratives, Mary is pictured as a humble and submissive young woman, faithful to God, grasping the implications of what is about to happen to her, and uttering praises and doxologies (Luke 1:46–55). In fact, in her Magnificat, Mary says, “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (verse 47). The clear implication of Mary’s calling God her “Savior” is that she recognized her need of salvation. Just like the rest of us, Mary needed a Savior, a Redeemer.
Jesus Himself indicated that Mary holds no special place relative to redemption or mediation. In Matthew 12:47–50, Mary and her other sons were trying to see Jesus while He was teaching. “Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’”
Later, at the foot of the cross, Mary is a grief-stricken mother. She did not suffer for mankind as a whole; she clearly suffered her own pain and mourning. She is one of the people receiving salvation from Jesus, not a contributor to His work. She is anguished and must be cared for by the apostle John.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Mary was part of the community of believers continuing in prayer and supplication prior to Pentecost (Acts 1:14). Mary is “most blessed among women” (Luke 1:42) because she was the mother of the Messiah. But she is not divine and cannot be seen as part of the Trinity. She did not redeem us from sin and cannot be made part of the redemptive process.
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Mary-redemptrix-mediatrix.html#ixzz3DTih7Klv
Konchog Jimpa, Sorry king kong but that is not true, Christianity was started by Christ who was followed by His Apostles and the prophets of the new covenant. Roman catholicism was started in the fourth century AD and it stems out from roman pagan religions (poly theism) thats why RC has all the idols and false gods that the original pagan religion did but with different faces and names. RC is demonic in nature but with a MASK of christianity.
The Pope is restating basic Christian dogma. This author's ignorance is staggering. It reads like fundamentalist propaganda. If anyone is real interested in the role of Mary, and the Catholic position being restated by the pope, just read the early Church fathers, Louis de Montfort, or Pope John Paul II. Mary is a creature (albeit an immaculate and unique one); a creatures endowed with free will, yet she chooses wholly and perfectly the will of God. Without her "yes" there could have been no incarnation (unless it was imposed, like some kind of possession). Her yes is necessary; without it, God would not have been fully human (a well as fully divine). Always look to the sources, not to the opinions of some internet journalist.
Jude Ndi Diyen "Who is the Queen of Heaven?"
Answer: The phrase “the queen of heaven” appears in the Bible twice, both times in the book of Jeremiah. The first incident is in connection with the things the Israelites were doing that provoked the Lord to anger. Entire families were involved in idolatry. The children gathered wood, and the men used it to build altars to worship false gods. The women were engaged in kneading dough and baking cakes of bread for the “Queen of Heaven” (Jeremiah 7:18). This title referred to Ishtar, an Assyrian and Babylonian goddess also called Ashtoreth and Astarte by various other groups. She was thought to be the wife of the false god Baal, also known as Molech. The motivation of women to worship Ashtoreth stemmed from her reputation as a fertility goddess, and, as the bearing of children was greatly desired among women of that era, worship of this “queen of heaven” was rampant among pagan civilizations. Sadly, it became popular among the Israelites as well.
The second reference to the queen of heaven is found in Jeremiah 44:17-25, where Jeremiah is giving the people the word of the Lord which God has spoken to him. He reminds the people that their disobedience and idolatry has caused the Lord to be very angry with them and to punish them with calamity. Jeremiah warns them that greater punishments await them if they do not repent. They reply that they have no intentions of giving up their worship of idols, promising to continue pouring out drink offerings to the queen of heaven, Ashtoreth, and even going so far as to credit her with the peace and prosperity they once enjoyed because of God’s grace and mercy.
It is unclear where the idea that Ashtoreth was a “consort” of Jehovah originated, but it’s easy to see how the blending of paganism that exalts a goddess with the worship of the true King of heaven, Jehovah, can lead to the combining of God and Ashtoreth. And since Ashtoreth worship involved sexuality (fertility, procreation, temple prostitution), the resulting relationship, to the depraved mind, would naturally be one of a sexual nature. Clearly, the idea of the “queen of heaven” as the consort or paramour of the King of heaven is idolatrous and unbiblical.
There is no queen of heaven. There has never been a queen of heaven. There is most certainly a King of Heaven, the Lord of hosts, Jehovah. He alone rules in heaven. He does not share His rule or His throne or His authority with anyone. The idea that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the queen of heaven has no scriptural basis whatsoever, stemming instead from proclamations of priests and popes of the Roman Catholic Church. While Mary was certainly a godly young woman greatly blessed in that she was chosen to bear the Savior of the world, she was not in any way divine, nor was she sinless, nor is she to be worshipped, revered, venerated, or prayed to. All followers of the Lord God refuse worship. Peter and the apostles refused to be worshipped (Acts 10:25-26; 14:13-14). The holy angels refuse to be worshipped (Revelation 19:10; 22:9). The response is always the same, "Worship God!" To offer worship, reverence, or veneration to anyone but God is nothing short of idolatry. Mary’s own words in her “Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-55) reveal that she never thought of herself as “immaculate” and deserving of veneration, but was instead relying on the grace of God for salvation: “And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Only sinners need a savior, and Mary recognized that need in herself.
Furthermore, Jesus Himself issued a mild rebuke to a woman who cried out to Him, "Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you" (Luke 11:27), replying to her, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." By doing so, He curtailed any tendency to elevate Mary as an object of worship. He could certainly have said, “Yes, blessed be the Queen of Heaven!” But He did not. He was affirming the same truth that the Bible affirms—there is no queen of heaven, and the only biblical references to the “queen of heaven” refer to the goddess of an idolatrous, false religion.
Pick your poison. It's all just make believe anyway!
john robert, YES, YOU DO WORSHIP MARY! She is a sinner saved by the same grace as me and all of Gods children. Ephesians 2:8-10
Danny Maynard I'm sorry that you sound so unhappy – I think the point Pope Francis is trying to make is that the way to Jesus is through His Mother
Basil Obiekee Thank you sir, but I will like you to understand it that you must change from docrine of roman tradition and change to the doctrine of truth, whish is doctrine of Christian, the doctrine of truth never included mary as a God, the doctrine of truth never include image as an idols to be worship, doctrine of truth require an holiness, doctrine of truth you must obey the law of God not law of man, doctrine of truth never support divorce of for you to mary divorcee to each other, the doctrine of truth never support gay and lesbians, and the doctrine of truth base only on chrstianity, so if yopu want to learn more about word of God never be ashamed am here to teach you more
Abbey Thompson religion is made up and you're a total nut that belongs in a rubber room
Jude Ndi Diyen "What is the Assumption of Mary?"
Answer: The Assumption of Mary (or the Assumption of the Virgin) is a doctrine which teaches that after the mother of Jesus died, she was resurrected, glorified, and taken bodily to heaven. The word assumption is taken from a Latin word meaning “to take up.” The Assumption of Mary is taught by the Roman Catholic Church and, to a lesser degree, the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The doctrine of the Assumption of Mary had its beginnings in the Byzantine Empire around the 6th century. An annual feast honoring Mary gradually grew into a commemoration of Mary’s death called the Feast of Dormition (“falling asleep”). As the practice spread to the West, an emphasis was placed on Mary’s resurrection and the glorification of Mary’s body as well as her soul, and the name of the feast was thereby changed to the Assumption. It is still observed on August 15, as it was in the Middle Ages. The Assumption of Mary was made an official dogma of the Roman Catholic Church in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
The Bible does record God “assuming” both Enoch and Elijah into heaven (Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11). Therefore, it is not impossible that God would have done the same with Mary. It is not wrong to believe that God “assumed” Mary into heaven. The problem is that there is no biblical basis for the Assumption of Mary. The Bible does not record Mary's death or again mention Mary after Acts chapter 1. Rather, the doctrine of the Assumption is the result of lifting Mary to a position comparable to that of her Son. Some Roman Catholics go so far as to teach that Mary was resurrected on the third day, just like Jesus, and that Mary ascended into heaven, just like Jesus. The New Testament teaches that Jesus was resurrected on the third day (Luke 24:7) and that He ascended bodily into heaven (Acts 1:9). To assume the same thing concerning Mary is to ascribe to her some of the attributes of Christ. While the idea of the Assumption of Mary is not heretical in and of itself; in the Roman Catholic Church, the Assumption of Mary is an important step toward why Mary is venerated, worshipped, adored, and prayed to. To teach the Assumption of Mary is a step toward making her equal to Christ, essentially proclaiming Mary’s deity.
Abbey-You are completely bat-shoot crazy
No she is not.
i believe that Mary will be the person that converts all of islam to Christianity, and I came to this idea from reading Revelation in the Bible.
Your article is not true, complete misunderstanding of the Catholics devotion to Mary. We respect Mary as God's mother and our mother too. To Jesus thru Mary.
Jude Ndi Diyen "What is the Immaculate Conception?"
Answer: Many people mistakenly believe that the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ conception was most assuredly immaculate, but the Immaculate Conception does not refer to Jesus at all. The Immaculate Conception is a doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church in regards to Mary, Jesus’ mother. An official statement of the doctrine reads, “The blessed Virgin Mary to have been, from the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in view of the merits of Christ Jesus the Savior of Mankind, preserved free from all stain of original sin.” Essentially, the Immaculate Conception is the belief that Mary was protected from original sin, that Mary did not have a sin nature, and was, in fact, sinless.
The problem with the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is that it is not taught in the Bible. The Bible nowhere describes Mary as anything but an ordinary human female whom God chose to be the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mary was undoubtedly a godly woman (Luke 1:28). Mary was surely a wonderful wife and mother. Jesus definitely loved and cherished His mother (John 19:27). The Bible gives us no reason to believe that Mary was sinless. In fact, the Bible gives us every reason to believe that Jesus Christ is the only Person who was not “infected” by sin and never committed a sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5).
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception originated out of confusion over how Jesus Christ could be born sinless if He was conceived inside of a sinful human female. The thought was that Jesus would have inherited a sinful nature from Mary had she been a sinner. In contrast to the Immaculate Conception, the biblical solution to this problem is that Jesus Himself was miraculously protected from being polluted by sin while He was inside Mary's womb. If God was capable of protecting Mary from sin, would He not be able to protect Jesus from sin? Therefore, Mary being sinless is neither necessary nor biblical.
The Roman Catholic Church argues that the Immaculate Conception is necessary because without it, Jesus would have been the object of His own grace. The thought goes like this – for Jesus to have been miraculously preserved from sin, which itself would be an act of grace, would mean God essentially “graced Himself.” The word grace means “unmerited favor.” Grace is giving someone something he or she does not deserve. God performing a miracle in preserving Jesus from sin is not “grace.” In no sense could Jesus possibly be infected with sin. He was perfect and sinless humanity joined with sinless divinity. God cannot be infected or affected by sin, as He is perfectly holy. This same truth applies to Jesus. It did not take “grace” to protect Jesus from sin. Being God incarnate, Jesus was in His essence “immune” from sin.
So, the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is neither biblical nor necessary. Jesus was miraculously conceived inside Mary, who was a virgin at the time. That is the biblical concept of the virgin birth. The Bible does not even hint that there was anything significant about Mary’s conception. If we examine this concept logically, Mary’s mother would have to be immaculately conceived as well. How could Mary be conceived without sin if her mother was sinful? The same would have to be said of Mary’s grandmother, great-grandmother, and so on. So, in conclusion, the Immaculate Conception is not a biblical teaching. The Bible teaches the miraculous virgin conception of Jesus Christ, not the immaculate conception of Mary.
I don't believe that is contained in either the Protestant or Catholic Bible. Pretty shaky theological ground-
in that case.
We Honer Mary as Jesus Mother like We honer our own Mother ,but Romans 5:12 says,as by one Man ,sinter entered into the World ,and death by sin, and so ,and so ,death passed upon all men, for that,all have sined,so Mary Herself needed a Saviour just like You and I.To Worship as Deity, is ,Blasphmey.Ist John 5:8,For there that bearrecord in heaven, the Father,the Word "which is Jesus" and the Holy Ghost, No mention of Mary.Mary has her honer as the Highest of Women,but not with out sin.
Konchog Jimpa I hate to burst your bubble,but Christianity was created by Christ.
"Are apparitions of Mary, such as Lady Fatima, true messages from God?"
http://www.gotquestions.org/lady-fatima.html
Jude Ndi Diyen "Is the perpetual virginity of Mary biblical?"
Answer: It is the official position of the Roman Catholic Church that Jesus' mother Mary remained a virgin for her entire life. Is this concept biblical? Before we look at specific Scriptures, it is important to understand why the Roman Catholic Church believes in the perpetual virginity of Mary. The Roman Catholic Church views Mary as "the Mother of God" and "Queen of Heaven." Catholics believe Mary to have an exalted place in Heaven, with the closest access to Jesus and God the Father. Such a concept is nowhere taught in Scripture. Further, even if Mary did occupy such an exalted position, her having sexual intercourse would not have prevented her from gaining such a position. Sex in marriage is not sinful. Mary would have in no way defiled herself by having sexual relations with Joseph her husband. The entire concept of the perpetual virginity of Mary is based on an unbiblical teaching, Mary as Queen of Heaven, and on an unbiblical understanding of sex.
So, what does the Bible say about the perpetual virginity of Mary? Using the New American Bible, which is a Catholic translation, we can see that the perpetual virginity of Mary is not taught in the Bible. Matthew 1:25 NAB tells us, "He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus." He, Joseph, did not have sexual relations with her, Mary, UNTIL after she bore a son, Jesus." The meaning of this Scripture is abundantly clear. Joseph and Mary did not have sexual relations until after Jesus was born. Matthew 13:55-56 NAB declares, "Is He not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not His sisters all with us?" Catholics claim, correctly, that the Greek terms for "brothers" and "sisters" in these verses could also refer to male and female relatives, not necessarily literal brothers and sisters. However, the intended meaning is clear, they thought Jesus to be Joseph's son, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas, and the brother of the unnamed and unnumbered sisters. Father, mother, brother, sister. It is straining the meaning of the text to interpret “brothers” and “sisters” as "cousins" or "relatives" with the mentioning of Jesus' mother and father.
Matthew 12:46 NAB tells us, "While He was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and His brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with Him." See also Mark 3:31-34; Luke 8:19-21; John 2:12; and Acts 1:14. All mention Jesus' mother with His brothers. If they were His cousins, or the sons of Joseph from a previous marriage, why were they mentioned with Mary so often? The idea of the perpetual virginity of Mary cannot be drawn from Scripture. It must be forced on Scripture, in contradiction to what the Scriptures clearly state.
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/perpetual-virginity-Mary.html#ixzz3DTkoRLyU
Lynn Terry dont be confuse we all read the same bible nothing change only Catholic make another novel that writing a different thing despise all this the bible still remain the same but only you as a Catholic you dont have to read bible, just only the lifeless book you read instead of bible that is why its hard to see any Catholic member that know Bible
Jude Ndi Diyen "What is Mariology?"
Answer: Mariology is the theological study of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Within the Roman Catholic Church, Mary is venerated over all other saints. Anglicans share some of the beliefs of Roman Catholic Mariology, but not all. The Eastern Orthodox Church calls Mary the “God-bearer,” emphasizing Mary’s status as the mother of God Incarnate, gives her the title “Ever Virgin,” and emphasizes her sublime holiness, her share in redemption, and her role as a mediator of grace.
Most Protestants endorse the Apostles’ Creed, which acknowledges the virgin birth of Christ, do they not believe in most of the other tenets of Mariology. Protestants denounce the veneration of Mary as practiced by Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
The four dogmas of Roman Catholic Mariology are: 1) the title “Mother of God”; 2) the Immaculate Conception; 3) the Perpetual Virginity of Mary; and 4) the Assumption of Mary.
Mother of God: In AD 431, the Council of Ephesus countered the Nestorian heresy by declaring that Mary was truly the Mother of God: “Not that the nature of the Word or his divinity received the beginning of its existence from Mary, but the holy body, animated by a rational soul, which the Word of God united to himself, was born from Mary.” One problem with this wording is that it awakened the old Arian heresy that the Logos (Jesus) was a created being. In AD 451, at the Council of Chalcedon, Leo, Bishop of Rome, ratified the decision that Mary was theotokos (“God-bearer”) only as to the humanity of Jesus. The title had nothing to do with Jesus’ divinity as the eternal Word of God. The Chalcedonian definition added the words “as to the manhood” immediately after theotokos, which should have ended erroneous thinking. But the populace took this word theotokos as an uplifting of Mary’s status and started to venerate her. The term theotokos was not incorporated into the Nicene Creed of 321 or the Constantinopolitan Creed of 381. Neither is that expression used in the Anglican Articles or in the Westminster Confession of Faith.
Immaculate Conception: This tenet of Mariology holds that Mary, at her conception, was sinless (immaculate), preserved from original sin. According to the Roman Catholic Encyclopedia of Theology, no statement of Mary’s being free from original sin is found in the West before AD 1000. It was not until 1854 that faith in Mary’s Immaculate Conception was taught as an official church dogma.
Perpetual Virginity: According to Roman Catholic Mariology, Mary was always a virgin before, during, and after giving birth to Jesus. The Roman Catholic Encyclopedia of Theology admits that the formula of “virginity before, in and after giving birth” did not come into use till after the 7th century.
Assumption: The Assumption of Mary teaches that Mary, when she died, was taken up (assumed) body and soul into heavenly glory. It was not until 1950 that Pope Pius XII defined the doctrine of “Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven.”
Mary’s role in salvation: Another element of Roman Catholic Mariology is the belief that, at the conception of Jesus, Mary entered into a spiritual union with Him. Pope John Paul II discussed Mary’s place in the plan of salvation in the encyclical Redemptoris Mater, emphasizing “the special presence of the Mother of God in the mystery of Christ and his Church. For this is a fundamental dimension emerging from the Mariology of the Council.” Pope Benedict XVI stated that “Christology and Mariology are inseparably interwoven.”
The Catholic Encyclopedia states, “In [Mary’s] Fiat of faith, she received salvation for all. . . . Mary’s mediatorship is to be understood on the level of the solidarity of all mankind which is in need of redemption. . . .The function of Mary in salvation determines her relation to the Church. . . . Mary is mother of the Church under this more individualistic aspect, since she is effectively concerned for the salvation of each individual” (pages 898–901).
Within Catholicism, there is a drive to define a new Marian dogma in which Catholics, as a matter of faith, would be obliged to accept these three doctrines: 1) Mary participates in redemption with Jesus Christ; 2) grace is granted by Jesus only through the intercession of Mary; and 3) all prayers from the faithful must flow through Mary, who brings them to the attention of her Son. This movement would, in practice, redefine the Trinity as a kind of Quartet. The idea that Mary is a co-redemptrix or mediatrix contradicts 1 Timothy 2:5, which says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the Mediator. There is no mediator between man and Jesus. Jesus Himself dwells in believers; thus, no other mediator is required (Colossians 1:27).
Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus or anyone else direct any praise, glory, or adoration toward Mary. Mary was present at the cross when Jesus died (John 19:25). Mary was also with the apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14). However, Mary is never mentioned again after Acts 1. The apostles did not give Mary a prominent role. Mary’s death is not recorded in the Bible. Nothing is said about Mary ascending to heaven or having an exalted role there. As the earthly mother of Jesus, Mary should be respected, but she is not worthy of worship or adoration. The Bible nowhere indicates that Mary can hear our prayers or that she can mediate for us with God. Mary herself sets the example for us in directing her worship, adoration, and praise to God alone: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name” (Luke 1:46–49).
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Mariology.html#ixzz3DTl4Qa9c
Misunderstanding, we don't worship idols. What better way of getting someone's ear then asking his mother to talk to her son for us.
On the other hand, assailing Catholics because you think you have all the answers about what God thinks about them in an untenable position. You and your ilk are operating well above your job description. Let God winnow the wheat from the chaff. He knows who belongs to Him and His is the final word on the subject.
If You want close to Mary it must be through Jesus,Once You accept Him through salvation with Repentence, You can get as close to mary as You want,when You get to Heaven,and only then.
Lynn Terry don't lump all of us evangelicals together as one group of syncretic fools.
Lk 1: 48…. This article is nonsense. Someone, faceless, just cooked up a product of his/her hallucination and people will be wasting their precious time on it. It is infra dig to be considered a matter of concern. For those who are there excoriating catholic out of their own ignorance, I tell you that dogma as you refer to as "man made" is the authentic teaching that made the bible itself authentic for all generations and deeply rooted in the sacred scriptures whether it is believed by every person or not does not make or mar the authenticity of it, after all, you claim to be a Christian and someone is their a Muslim, another a Hindu,etc. Their belief has not hindered your understanding of the bible as the only authentic word of God, neither does yours hinder theirs, & so on. Well, the earlier authority of God to man through bible is the later authority of the same God to man through the dogmas. How you will tell a Judaist that the new testament bible is not man made is the way you can explain a dogma to non catholic Xtian, the same way you also explain the bible itself to a Muslim, Hindus, Shinto…..The authority of the word is given to man—- the bible, the dogma and there is no bible nor dogma thrown to every generation like a manner- they are all "man-made" .
Totally against the scripture, this shows us how the Catholic Church is in the wrong ways, for me it is a shame to share God’s glory for creatures. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 no one can change this truth.
The only blood that cleanses us from our sins is the blood of Jesus,1 John 1:7, my prayer for the pope is to repent from this heresy teachings.
Jude Ndi Diyen I hope you see the truth brother, because now the Catholics are trying to make the Trinity into a quartet and it's utter Blasphemy! We should all love Mary and she was the mother of Jesus. She was chosen by God to be His vessel, He could have chose any in the line of David, He chose her, anything is possible with GOD! When you go beyond what is written you enter shark infested waters dripping blood, not a good thing! Jesus said to have faith and obey Him. this other stuff goes way beyond what Jesus taught, and what the apostles taught, so if it's not in the bible then its not biblical and is adding to the written word of GOD Almighty!
The anti Christ is on the scene readying the world for his rule, the new world order and one religion, Satanic worship.
One thing I ask those who will "not bow the knee" here in this world is this, if you do worship the Christ now when you can not see Him in faith, why will you do in then in heaven? The change that one needs to happen to know who Jesus is needs to happen here in this world so that you become prepared to enter the next realm without sin, which is the only way to enter Gods kingdom. There are no guilty sinners i heaven.
This man is Satan's puppet and I say good! That means we are closer to my Lords coming back,
COME LORD JESUS, COME QUICKLY! AMEN!
"Who is the Lady of Guadalupe? Were the apparitions of Mary at Guadalupe real?"
Answer: In Catholicism, Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico, pictured as a woman in a blue mantle. Her hands are folded, her eyes are cast downward, and she is surrounded by a radiant glow. She is standing on a crescent moon supported by an angel underneath. This image is based on a series of five supposed appearances of the Virgin Mary in Mexico in the sixteenth century.
There are many different accounts of the Lady of Guadalupe, but what follows are the aspects of the story that appear most consistently. On December 9, 1531, a man named Juan Diego, an Aztec convert to Catholicism, was walking on Tepeyac Hill near Mexico City when he saw an apparition. Before him was a young Aztec girl. In the native Nahuatl language, the girl requested that a church be built on that hill in her honor. According to Diego, the girl was the Virgin Mary. When Diego told his story to the archbishop of Mexico City, Diego was instructed to return to the hill and ask for a sign to prove that she was indeed the Blessed Virgin.
When Diego returned to the place, the same girl appeared again and instructed him to gather flowers from the hill. The hill was normally barren, but at this time Diego found Castilian roses, which are not native to Mexico. The girl took the roses and placed them in Juan Diego’s cloak. When Diego returned to the archbishop and opened his cloak, the flowers fell to the ground. To their amazement, the inside of the cloak bore an image of the girl. Diego claimed he was visited by the girl three more times. She is now known as the Virgin of Guadalupe. The image imprinted in Diego’s cloak is on display now in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
The veneration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is widespread. Various popes since 1531 have declared her the patroness of not only Mexico but of all Latin America and then of all the Americas. Every year millions of faithful Catholics visit the basilica in Guadalupe to view her image enshrined there. Her feast is on December 12.
The apparitions seen by Diego have been questioned many times throughout history because of the lack of any documentation of the event prior to 1648. Critics also point out that the archbishop who spoke with Juan Diego failed to mention the accounts in his writings.
Catholic tradition relays many accounts of Mary, angels, or saints appearing to people. It is possible that some of these people did in fact witness supernatural events. It is the true source of these visions that is in question.
It is important to note that just because an apparition is authentic does not mean it brings a message from God. Having a genuine spiritual encounter does not mean the entity encountered was actually Mary, an angel, or a saint. Demons are called “lying spirits” (1 Kings 22:23), and one thing they do well is lie. Second Corinthians 11:14–15 says, “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.” A possible explanation for apparitions of Mary, such as the young woman Juan Diego saw, is satanic deception.
We also know that a genuine message from God would not contradict the Word of God. Did the Lady of Guadalupe say anything that was inconsistent with the Bible? We have no exact quotes. However, one thing is sure—the Lady of Guadalupe asked for a church to be built in her honor.
Here is our evaluation of the apparition:
• Juan Diego said that the young girl looked as if she was of Aztec descent. Mary was Jewish, from the line of David.
• Many accounts claim that the girl said, “I am the ever-virgin Mary, Mother of the true God.” Catholics believe Mary to have an exalted place in heaven, with the most direct access to Jesus and God the Father. They also believe Mary was a perpetual virgin. Such a concept is nowhere taught in Scripture. Also, the Bible never calls Mary the “mother of God.”
• The young girl that Diego saw asked for a shrine to be built in her honor. The biblical Mary would never ask for anything to be done in her honor. Rather, she would instruct people to honor and worship God (see Luke 1:46).
• In some accounts of the story, the lady says she would answer prayer. This is also unbiblical. God alone answers prayer.
Did something supernatural occur on Tepeyac Hill and witnessed by Juan Diego? Yes, probably. Did Mary actually appear to him? No. Was the message from God? Based on its disagreements with the Word of God, no.
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Lady-of-Guadalupe.html#ixzz3DTlNDELf
The pope is not elevating Mary to the status of God. He said that we like Mary must be obedient in our faith to God. Mary has always been considered to be the first among the saints (which include us) because she said yes to God and trusted that God would protect her. Joseph could of had her killed at her father's door step but she trusted God. That is what the pope is declaring not her being a part of the Trinity but her being obedient to the Trinity and a model for the church to follow.
I read these comments and they are pretty scary to me. Some border fanaticism and the arrogance of thinking that one's religion negates all others is pure ignorance.
"Is worship of saints / Mary biblical?"
Answer: The Bible is absolutely clear that we are to worship God alone. The only instances of anyone other than God receiving worship in the Bible are false gods, which are Satan and his demons. All followers of the Lord God refuse worship. Peter and the apostles refused to be worshipped (Acts 10:25-26; 14:13-14). The holy angels refuse to be worshipped (Revelation 19:10; 22:9). The response is always the same, "Worship God!"
Roman Catholics attempt to "bypass" these clear Scriptural principles by claiming they do not “worship” Mary or saints, but rather that they only "venerate" Mary and the saints. Using a different word does not change the essence of what is being done. A definition of "venerate" is "to regard with respect or reverence." Nowhere in the Bible are we told to revere anyone but God alone. There is nothing wrong with respecting those faithful Christians who have gone before us (see Hebrews chapter 11). There is nothing wrong with honoring Mary as the earthly mother of Jesus. The Bible describes Mary as "highly favored" by God (Luke 1:28). At the same time, there is no instruction in the Bible to revere those whom have gone to Heaven. We are to follow their example, yes, but worship, revere, or venerate, no!
When forced to admit that they do, in fact, worship Mary, Catholics will claim that they worship God through her, by praising the wonderful creation that God has made. Mary, in their minds, is the most beautiful and wonderful creation of God, and by praising her, they are praising her Creator. For Catholics, this is analogous to directing praise to an artist by praising his sculpture or painting. The problem with this is that God explicitly commands against worshipping Him through created things. We are not to bow down and worship anything in the form of heaven above or earth below (Exodus 20:4-5). Romans 1:25 could not be more clear, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised. Amen." Yes, God has created wonderful and amazing things. Yes, Mary was a godly woman who is worthy of our respect. No, we absolutely are not to worship God "vicariously" by praising things (or people) He has created. Doing so is blatant idolatry.
The major way Catholics "venerate" Mary and the saints is by praying to them. As the following article demonstrates, prayer to anyone other than God alone is anti-biblical – praying to saints and Mary. Whether Mary and/or the saints are prayed to, or whether they are petitioned for their prayers – neither practice is Biblical. Prayer is an act of worship. When we pray to God, we are admitting that we need His help. Directing our prayers to anyone other than God is robbing God of the glory that is His alone.
Another way Catholics "venerate" Mary and the saints is by creating statues and images of them. Many Catholics use images of Mary and/or the saints as "good luck charms." Any cursory reading of the Bible will reveal this practice as blatant idolatry (Exodus 20:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:1-2; 1 John 5:21). Rubbing rosary beads is idolatry. Lighting candles before a statue or portrayal of a saint is idolatry. Burying a Joseph statue in hopes of selling your home (and countless other Catholic practices) is idolatry.
The terminology is not the issue. Whether the practice is described as "worship" or "veneration," or any other term, the problem is the same. Any time we ascribe something that belongs to God, to someone else, it is idolatry. The Bible nowhere instructs us to revere, pray to, rely on, or "idolize" anyone other than God. We are to worship God alone. Glory, praise, and honor belong to God alone. Only God is worthy to "…receive glory and honor and power…" (Revelation 4:11). God alone is worthy to receive our worship, adoration, and praise (Nehemiah 9:6; Revelation 15:4).
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/worship-saints-Mary.html#ixzz3DTnHUGen
"Does the Bible promote or prohibit praying to angels?"
Answer: While there is no verse which explicitly states, “You shall not pray to angels,” it is abundantly clear that we are not to pray to angels. Ultimately, prayer is an act of worship. And, just as angels reject our worship (Revelation 22:8-9), so they would also reject our prayers. Offering our worship or prayer to anyone but God is idolatry.
There are also several practical and theological reasons why praying to angels is wrong. Christ Himself never prayed to anyone but the Father. When asked by His disciples to teach them to pray, He instructed them, “This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven…’” (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2). If praying to angels were something we, as His disciples, are to do, this would have been the place for Him to tell us. Clearly, we are to pray only to God. This is also evident in passages such as Matthew 11:25-26, where Christ's prayer introduction begins with "I praise thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth…." Jesus not only begins His prayers by addressing the Father, but the content of His prayers usually requests assistance that could only be granted by someone with omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent powers. Praying to angels would be ineffective because they are created beings and do not possess these powers.
The case against praying to angels can also be made by reviewing John 17:1-26 where Jesus prays on behalf of His followers, requesting multiple blessings on them from God the Father, including sanctification, glorification, and preservation of the saints. These three blessings can only come from the source that presently holds them, and again, angels simply do not have this power. Angels cannot sanctify us, they cannot glorify us, and they cannot guarantee our inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Second, there is an occasion in John 14:13 when Christ Himself tells believers that whatever we ask in His name, He will accomplish because He pleads directly with the Father. Offering a prayer up to angels would fall short of an effective and biblically guided prayer. A second occasion in which Christ mentions that prayers must be offered up in His name alone occurs in John 16:26. This verse conveys the message that, after Christ's ascension to heaven, He acts as an intercessor to the Father for all believers. Neither angels nor any other created being is ever depicted as an intercessor with the Father. Only the Son and the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26) can intercede before the Father’s throne.
Last, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells the believer to pray without ceasing. This would only be possible if a believer has access to a God who is always present and available to listen to the pleas of every person at one time. Angels do not have this ability—they are not omnipresent or omnipotent—and as such are not qualified to receive our prayers. Prayer to the Father through Christ is the only necessary and effective means by which we can communicate with the Father. No, praying to angels is absolutely not a biblical concept.
You people make me puke.
Give it up already , folks . One can not argue with a true believer what ever his/ her stripe .You will have more success nailing Jello to the wall .
Abbey Thompson Who said "Hail Mary"? A being greater than you.
I have said all I am going to say about this false religion. I pray that all those who have been deceived will have eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. The body of Christ! Not a man-made institution. I continue to intercede for all the lost who will make up the end-time harvest.
I think it's great he said that Mary is more important than Jesus…Now I'll know for certain if anyone stays in that denomination is a complete False prophet a Liar & the Truth is not in them!. Catholic leaders are Blind & it's followers Blind they Both shall Fall into the Pit!. Lol See sometimes is good to permit evil to raise it's head so that everyone in the room can know it's there..Come out come out Satan demons where ever you are in the churches….Come out in name of Jesus the Christ! and go back to where you came from! Jesus is asking people Today do you Love me more than these? More than man more than the Pope & your leaders? There are real saints who are Catholic unfortunately they add on to the gospel with that Catechism doctrine…praying to Mary.,, forbidding priest to marry..If a man want to be a eunuch by choice it's OK..it's not sinful to marry.
?? The Black Pope is respected??? Look at his face?? Really?? If you don't see PURE EVIL, you are blind! Catholicism is as bad as Islam. They both worship worthless Idols!
Catholics do not worship Mary, they honor her. We never have nor will worship saints, we study them. Like I said before where in your Bible does it say you learn by the Bible alone ( Sola Scriptura) Catholic orthodoxy is the fullness of faith. Catholics know and are taught that no one gets to the Father except through Jesus Christ. More for you to try and understand. What did the angel say to Mary, at the Annunciation, What did Elizabeth say to Mary at the Visitation, What did Simeon say at the Presentation at the temple. Do not disregard Mary's role in salvation history. Who was at the wedding feast at Canna and what was Mary's request and reply. Who was at the foot of the cross and what did our Lord say. Who watched him throughout his agony and met him carrying his cross. Take a good long look at a crucifix with the corpse on it. That is love pure love. You need to educate yourself, and stop your hating on catholics, because you do not know what you are talking about.
No, ’Spray-on-Jeebus illiterates.
JC never said what he was supposed to have said. He was ‘created’ by evangelical tele-crooks and health n wealth greedsters.
Bro what do you just said, you honour tell me who you need to be honour that mopre than God, and the image of mary you bow down to and worship is the part of the honour, anyway I pray may God have mercy, bro that shall not have any other God beside me do not make for yourself image of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth, do not bow to them and do not worship them because I am the Lord your God and I tolerate no rival, now you can see it that Catholic are not on the doctrine of truth
"What does the Bible say about praying to / speaking to / talking to the dead?"
Answer: Praying to the dead is strictly forbidden in the Bible. Deuteronomy 18:11 tells us that anyone who “consults with the dead” is “detestable to the Lord.” The story of Saul consulting a medium to bring up the spirit of the dead Samuel resulted in his death “because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance” (1 Samuel 28:1-25; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14). Clearly, God has declared that such things are not to be done.
Consider the characteristics of God. God is omnipresent—everywhere at once—and is capable of hearing every prayer in the world (Psalm 139:7-12). A human being, on the other hand, does not possess this attribute. Also, God is the only one with the power to answer prayer. In this regard, God is omnipotent—all powerful (Revelation 19:6). Certainly this is an attribute a human being—dead or alive—does not possess. Finally, God is omniscient—He knows everything (Psalm 147:4-5). Even before we pray, God knows our genuine needs and knows them better than we do. Not only does He know our needs, but He answers our prayers according to His perfect will.
So, in order for a dead person to receive prayers, the dead individual has to hear the prayer, possess the power to answer it, and know how to answer it in a way that is best for the individual praying. Only God hears and answers prayer because of His perfect essence and because of what some theologians call His “immanence.” Immanence is the quality of God that causes Him to be directly involved with the affairs of mankind (1 Timothy 6:14-15); this includes answering prayer.
Even after a person dies, God is still involved with that person and his destination. Hebrews 9:27 says so: “…Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” If a person dies in Christ, he goes to heaven to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:1-9, especially verse 8); if a person dies in his sin, he goes to hell, and eventually everyone in hell will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15).
A person suffering in agony will not be able to hear or answer a prayer, nor will a person who is living in heavenly bliss with God. If we pray to someone and he is in eternal agony, should we expect him to be able to hear and answer our prayers? Likewise, would a person in heaven be concerned for temporal problems on earth? God has provided His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the mediator between man and God (1 Timothy 2:5). With Jesus Christ as our mediator, we can go through Jesus to God. Why would we want to go through a sinful dead individual, especially when doing so risks the wrath of God?
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/praying-to-the-dead.html#ixzz3DTpwZKWU
It´s a matter of history. When Roman Emperor Constantin declared Christianity as the official religion of his kingdom, many people replaced their pagan goddesses (usually idol women) by the figure of virgin Mary. It could not be the "best" selection!!. The same thing happened with men gods idols, they were replaced by christian apostles. Latter all this "replacement" was made official by catholic popes and cardinals. That´s the big difference with Christian Protestant church, which belief is based on Biblical fundamental teachings. What even many catholics do not know is that about 70% of their practices come from mere TRADITIONS (starting with cross signaling) that were created along long centuries. When God in the Bible says "I am the alpha and omega…" means he always existed. So, to state that virgin Mary is the mother of God is abomination. Therefore pope Francis is totally wrong about his last (non Biblical) statements. All this makes a difference like oil and water between roman Catholics and Evangelical Christians.
The "Black Pope" is finally coming out and saying what we all knew all along. Catholics worship Idols! They elevate Mary….and it doesn't matter if they elevate Mary over Jesus, NO HUMANS ARE INTENDED TO BE ELEVATED AT ALL. That is Idolotry!
The devil is trying harder to deceive more souls to focus on (dead) humans more than on God and Jesus. The same serpent as in the garden of Eden will never change.
"Will there be a second chance for salvation after death?"
Answer: While the idea of a second chance for salvation is appealing, the Bible is clear that death is the end of all chances. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that we die, and then face judgment. So, as long as a person is alive, he has a second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. chance to accept Christ and be saved (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 16:31). Once a person dies, there are no more chances. The idea of purgatory, a place where people go after death to pay for their sins, has no biblical basis, but is rather a tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.
To understand what happens to nonbelievers after they die, we go to Revelation 20:11-15 which describes the Great White Throne judgment. Here takes place the opening of the books and “the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” The books contain all the thoughts and deeds of those being judged, and we know from Romans 3:20 that “by the works of the Law is no flesh justified.” Therefore, all who are judged by their works and thoughts are condemned to hell. Believers in Christ, on the other hand, are not judged by the books of works, but their names are found written in another book—the “Lamb’s Book of Life” (Revelation 21:27). These are the ones who have believed on the Lord Jesus, and they alone will be allowed to enter heaven.
The key to understanding this is the Lamb’s Book of Life. Anyone whose name is written in this book was “saved before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4) by God’s sovereign saving grace to be part of His Son’s bride, the church of Jesus Christ. These people need no “second chance” at salvation because their salvation has been secured by Christ. He chose us, He saved us, and He will keep us saved. Nothing can separate us from Christ (Romans 8:39). Those for whom He died will be saved because Jesus will see to it. He declared “all that the Father has given me will come to me” (John 6:37), and “I give to them eternal life, and they shall never ever perish, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28). For believers, there is no need for a second chance because the first chance is sufficient.
What about those who do not believe? Wouldn’t they repent and believe if they were given a second chance? The answer is no, they would not because their hearts are not changed simply because they die. Their hearts and minds “are at enmity” against God and won’t accept Him even when they see Him face to face. This is evidenced clearly in the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. If ever someone should have repented when given a second chance to see clearly the truth, it was the rich man. But although he was in torment in hell, he only asked that Abraham send Lazarus back to earth to warn his brothers so they didn’t have to suffer the same fate. There was no repentance in his heart, only regret for where he found himself. Abraham’s answer says it all: “And he said to him, If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded, even though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31). Here we see that the witness of the Scriptures is sufficient for salvation for those who believe it, and no other revelation will bring about salvation to those who do not. No second, third or fourth chances would be enough to turn the heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
Philippians 2:10-11 declares “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” One day, everyone will bow before Jesus and recognize that He is the Lord and Savior. At that point, though, it is too late for salvation. After death, all that remains for the unbeliever is judgment (Revelation 20:14-15). That is why we must trust in Him in this life.
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/second-chance-salvation.html#ixzz3DTrIOQJ0
The Pope is finally saying what we already knew all along. Catholics worship Idols. It doesn't matter if Mary is Elevated above Jesus or not, the fact that Catholics elevate Mary at all is a SIN!
Shirley Rowlin You believe in Jesus right, that means you are a Trinitarian. You delve into the Catholic or Christian history you do not understand. So as a Trinitarian you believe in three Gods, apology to any "witness", and Arius has not told you there is no mention of the word trinity in the bible but Constantine has boasted to you he is the founder of Catholicism…arrant ignorance!
Behold the false prophet.
Abbey Thompson Like to know your take on Numbers 21:8-9, I know what it means but wonder if you do.
You must be Catholic!
Here we go…Pope Francis was doing sort of good and now has fallen back on what God abhors the most…Idolatry.. People should realize that the Roman Catholic Church was founded on the roots of Paganism…all these "saints"and "virgins" were Roman gods and godesses included in "christianity " just to populate the early church with bodies. All that was changed were the names Mithras was the sun God popular with Roman soldiers and its birthday was celebrated On Dec. 25. How to add all those people to the catholic ranks? Just keep on celebrating the holiday, just a different name… Anyway, this was about "the Virgin"…the virgin was used by God to carry his Son because of her virginity and her righteousness…once she gave birth, she CEASED being a vigin and became a regular woman who gave birth to more sons and daughters, half-brothers to Jesus. But she was no virgin anymore! As a matter of fact, nowhere in the Bible does it say that we should honor Jesus' mother nor pray to her nor do anything invoking her because the ONLY way to the Father is through Jesus. Period. No argument there. Now comes this Idolater, man-proclaimed pope, saying those things? He is definitely wrong and should watch his steps…God is all seeing and knowing. I don't think Francis is cool any more. Had a shot but blew it with this idea, this HUMAN idea.
Again do your homework, read about the studies done on the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, I would suggest you also study the Shroud of Turin.
who wrote this junk?
catholisim is a pagan religion,it has in actuality nothing to do with christ,it tricks it adherents to unwittingly practice idoletry
You Paul Gabriel must be roman catholic idol worshiper, same as pope Francis. So you two are actually MORONS. It seems that you´re so far away from Biblical fundamentals.
Catholics believe that the only way to the father is thru Christ. Protestants are heretics, they read a Bible that was changed by Luther, he added words and removed books, to suite his agenda. Where in the Bible does it say Sola Scriptura?
Is Mary Going to bring you home to your Mansion?
For your information, "the woman" referred to in Revelation is the Church, which is Christ's bride. The church (read the Catholic Church) is the harlot for it has diluted His teachings with idolatry and disobedience and MAN-made decrees.
The pope is a false prophet, who supports and teaches heretical fallacies regularly. I don't know why anyone would be surprised to find bad fruit on the Roman Catholic tree.
Junk? Catholics worship Idols! Period!
Bath tub Mary's adorn the area I live in. Ain't seen no Jesus statues.
There will be a day, when you will reach out for Jesus!
First off learn to spell and/or edit before publishing. It’s nearly impossible to take you seriously if you don’t proof read your work.
"God is able, of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham" and in like manner, God is able to choose any woman of "low estate" to Mother His Only Begotten Son. Mary is not accorded any high position according to my KJV Holy Bible.
Christianity as practiced by Catholics, was invented by a council of men to hash together all the more popular beliefs of Pagan, Jewish, Baptists, and other religions at that time into ONE Universal Church. The Roman-Catholic Universal Church was invented by MEN to Appeal to MEN. The Only TRUE RELIGION is between You and Your GOD. PS: Protestants separated from the main body because before that, Bibles were written Only in Latin, so Only the Clergy could read the Word and tell you what it said, as they got Richer and more powerful. PS#2: Baptists are Not Protestants. They are an offshoot of John the Baptist' ministry, the one that had the honor of Baptizing Christ, although they too have strayed far from Original Teachings. You might not LIKE the Facts, but they ARE Indeed FACTS. Pray for the Truth, as told Only by GODS Word, NOT MEN, to be seen by those you love.
As I read through some of these comments, those of which attack the Church and the Virgin Mary, I have but one question to ask. If Mary is the evil incarnate as many of you describe, "Why did our Heavenly Father" choose her to be the mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior?
The Pope is just saying what we already knew….Catholics worship Idols, and they are not the worlds church. Christianity is the World's church.
Ellen Casper McMahon I have to disagree, I believe the way to Jesus (the narrow gate) is through conviction of sin via the Holy Spirit of God. Godly sorrow leads to repentance. Christ then becomes the gateway to God according to scripture. Jesus said "you must be born again". I have never heard of a person coming to Christ by an invitiation of Mary but I suspect God can do what he wishes with a person. Did you come to know Christ via Mother Mary? http://billmuehlenberg.com/2014/09/14/the-gospel-cheap-grace-and-a-lost-eternity/
Andrew Robinson I know the truth is bitter but I will only tell you the truth nothing but the truth
Maybe from reading this we should look at why the Gospel – What Jesus taught us and why we should obey Him. The devil is very subtle he can make our minds think that what is wrong may actually be okay i.e. Adam and Eve. We must grow in wisdom and understanding through the Word of God, The fear of God is the first step to true wisdom –
True Wisdom
Holy Bible Wisdom begins with living according to what God says is right:
"The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His Commandments" (Psalm 111:10 KJV)
(see The First Commandment, The Second Commandment, The Third Commandment, The Fourth Commandment, The Fifth Commandment, The Sixth Commandment, The Seventh Commandment, The Eighth Commandment, The Ninth Commandment and The Tenth Commandment)
With the beginning of wisdom (i.e. "The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His Commandments") will come more wisdom:
"For The Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of Judgment [see When Will You Be Judged?], and preserveth the way of His saints [see What Is A Saint?]." (Proverbs 2:6-8 KJV)
The difference between true wisdom and worldly wisdom is that the first is of God, the other is of the Devil:
"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the Truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." (James 3:14-17 KJV)
True wisdom (keeping in mind that wisdom means "to see"), based solely upon the spiritual Light of God's Word, is not widely appreciated in the world (for the reason why, see Who Still Rules The World Today?). It never has been, and never will be until What Satan Fears Most, The Return Of Jesus Christ happens and Christ will rule the world, all of it, in Truth and Righteousness. Until then, the wicked will hate God's Truth and Wisdom, like jackals lurking in the darkness, ever more fearing the Light as it grows brighter and brighter as the Day approaches:
"The fear of The Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7 KJV)
"The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The Law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him." (Psalm 37:30-32 KJV)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth Truth cometh to the Light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:16-21 KJV)
Jesus Christ was filled with God's Wisdom, as was John The Baptist, The Elijah To Come, who prepared the way for His first coming:
"And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias [see The Spirit and Power of Elijah], to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for The Lord." (Luke 1:17 KJV)
"And when He was come into his own country, He taught them in their Synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?" (Matthew 13:54 KJV)
Jesus Christ warned and encouraged His people, then, and now, that their God-given wisdom could not be overcome, even though they would face tribulation because of it:
"Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake." (Luke 21:14-17 KJV)
Dear Konchog Jimpa I hate to break it to you but Christianity was not created by the Catholic Church. Jesus is the source of Christianity and if you read your Bible carefully and especially those four gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John you can get the definition of Christianity. The Catholic Church is so far from fitting that description they sit right next to Satan as being the opposite. You really should learn more about your Bible and Jesus. The Catholic Church engages in so many practices condemned by God it would be easier to name those few things they do that is in accord with God laws and standards. That isn't even to speak of the fact that they are not only guilty of the adding to or taking away from the words of the scrolls. They have added several books that don't even belong in the Bible. Any questions? I can prove what I said and do so with the Bible.
nope…Methodist.
Konchog Jimpa I hate to break it to you but it was created by Jesus. The disciples followed Jesus not Catholic Church.
Paul Schmidt now with this scripture are you telling is this one that motivate the Catholic to warship Idols, listen this was done cos God was annoyed with the Isreal, and he allow snake to bitte them, after moses have pray to God he ask him to make an image of snake with mettal and place it up who ever look up to see it will be heal from the bite of the snakes, dont you see it that, this is instruction from God not from man, and its temporary, and God never ask moses to worship it, so waterver that is not from God is evil the image in the Catholic church are not from God but pure evil, and Idolatry is a curse, so be warn
Lynn Terry If you think you are right, look at all those catholic third world countries like Mexico, Philippines,central and south American countries, all of them catholic, corrupted, with no hope of progress. I´m sure you would not stand to live in one them not even a week with your catholic "brothers and sisters". That's why the Bible states: You will know them by their fruit…
Abbey Thompson Abbey, I am sorry to say but you are one of these ignorant and illiterate people that call themselves Christian and take things out of scripture that they dont understand. I doubt that you had any kind of true formal religious or theological education. I can tell by the way you "speak" that you have no idea what you are talking about. Being a Christian does not mean that you make stupid ignorant and illiterate remarks about things that you do not understand. If you actually want to make literate remarks in a conversation, then go research certain things. Catholics do not look upon Mary as a God, she is a human that IS to be revered for her service to God and that is what she has always been and nothing more and nothing less. It is the ignorant so-called Christians that have no idea what anything is about or means in the Catholic Faith that make these asinine and stupid comments. I do not take away your opinion, because you have a right to whatever opinion you have, but you need to research and find out the truth about what is taught and believed before saying dumb stuff that truly makes you look very uneducated and illiterate.
A dead woman cannot be your mother! Mary is sleeping, awaiting the resurrection by Jesus Christ. If there was a special ressurection for Mary, it is information The Lord has not chosen to give us. Prying into secret things is a dangerous work – a work of self righteousness.
Gary Allgood Jesus sometimes does raise one person up & brings down another. The Lord raised up Pharaoh to bring glory to himself…for all to see…I believe the Lord is doing it again..giving people the free will to worship the True Living God or false prophets like the Pope. When I was child I visited a Catholic church several times the Spirit of Lord showed me looonngg time ago that Idols are not God & we shouldn't bow down to them…I never did. If a child can see truth adults can too…problem is adults Lie for political gain & profit.
Why is it that Catholicism haters tire themselves making up ways to demote the church, now they can't stand the fact that Pope Francis has made a huge impact worldwide like no other religious leader has. They don't need to bother, the one true Church, the one founded by Jesus Christ himself has been alive and well for over 2,000 years and it's here to stay till he comes back at the end of times.
The sad thing is ignorant people are going to read this article and think there's a shred of truth contained in there somewhere…this is worse than the national enquirer…complete waste of 2 minutes reading it…
Day doesn't go by that a media outlet lies about what the said, did or is going to do. This is nonsense.
No author name is listed, but the person responsible for writing this article is being completely inappropriate and irresponsible in their content. Ignorant assertions are stated as if they were all encompassing, researched facts in an attempt to create a backdrop from which to project pseudo sophisticated musings of what the pope intends. It's an insult to both Catholics and the Catholic belief system for which the author obviously has nearly no grasp whatsoever. The Catholic Church cannot accurately be treated as a political entity without any deference to the deeper spiritual reality for which it stands and exists. Too much media hype from those who haven't a clue, and for which I suspect having a clue is largely irrelevant to their purpose anyway.
The origins of Christianity at least the modern day Christianity was created by a Pagan Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (274-337 CE) who paid money to the Christian churches to come up with an original canon that would unify the churches and reduce the violence among the various factions of the Christian church. The original books that made in into the canon where than further edited by the churches after a vote on the books of the canon at the Council of Nicaea declared the canon to be closed. After the final editing of the books it was The Emperor Constantine that gave the final approval.
The worship of any deity or supernatural being is inclined to attract the attention of the multitude of crazies among us. It would seem par for the course.
John P. Herling, Mary did consent. She said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." We give honor to Mary because it is the example Jesus set. Jesus followed the Law perfectly, correct? The Law is summed up for us in the ten commandments. The first commandment that deals with human relations is to honor thy father and thy mother. We imitate Christ. The Church wasn't the first to honor Mary. Jesus beat us to it. And to those becoming angry at the posts here, do not respond to ignorance with hate.
The True origin Of The Catholic Church!
http://www.gotquestions.org/origin-Catholic-church.html
Stephen Conner is clearly stated in the christian tradition that Mary was taken by Christ in heavens.
Maria Carlsen: What a judgmental attitude to those that have different views than yourself. You say "I doubt that you had any kind of true formal religious or theological education." Guess what, neither Jesus or the apostles. I will say that I have studied the Catholic faith, even sat down with them at their church…and I will say the Catholic Church is wrong. Wrong! And I don't need theological knowledge to know that, just the Bible. Same Bible–mostly!–as you may use…
Jude Ndi Diyen brother you need to know that mary is dead and nothing she can do for us cos she is dead, and bible warn us about it by consulting the spirit of dead, as long you call upon mary you call upon spirit of dead which actually have nothing to do for you, infact am just imagen why all this so call Catholic wanted to die in ingnorant, ok come to see it for you to know trully you are call upon the spirit of dead in the book of 1Samuel 28-10-15 after Samuel have died then Soul went and vork out his spirit to talk to him, so its the same thing you people are praticing in the Catholic by consulted the dead, because mary is dead, so why are you still calling upon her to what for you, she no nothing again she was only favour when she was on earth that do not mean she is the one you should direct your prayer to, many prayer of catholic go to mary, now tell me why are will praying to the dead
Funny… Because, These Very Same Points Were Brought To Jesus, The Son of God, Equal to God The Almighty Father and Holy Spirit !!! So, They Misunderstood The Meanings as We Still Are… How Sad !!!
This is the Achilles Heel of Christianity. The outrageous claim of the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION is an old myth that was inserted into the story of Jesus, after he was dead and buried, without a 3 day reprieve. The story starts with the impregnation of an uneducated, VIRGIN, woman by A FLYING SPIRIT. Hmm? Then the virgin (???) convinces her future husband that the child in her belly is not the result of playing around with a neighbor. Anyone gullible enough to not laugh at that claim will believe anything. Christianity was a LIE at the beginning and is the root of the other rehashed religious myths that were constructed by Greeks and Romans in the story of an obscure Judaic street preacher, at best.
First of all, this article is very stupid and totally taken out of context and I am sure with a certain purpose behind it. I have read a lot of the comments on this string and it is sad how many people are so illiterate in the Christian Faith and the development of the church – which can be traced directly back to Jesus Christ himself. There were many wrongs done in the process and that is because humans are the ones doing them. God gave people free will and therefore there will always people that will do things that are not according to the will of God. There are too many people on here that call themselves "christians" but certainly are not. They have absolutely no idea of the history of the church, any of the theology and meaning behind it. 2ndly: people will read scripture and come up with the craziest things because they try to interpret passages according to their own world experiences and what they at one time or another have been wrongly taught by someone else, that also had no idea what they were talking about. This whole article is totally false and spews with lies. And to the people on here that come from their own perspective and make false, idiotic remarks about things they know nothing about, because they have never researched it, stop your comments and falsifying because YOU might be responsible for another's destruction.
There are people here that call themselves Christians and all they are doing is putting others down and making ignorant remarks.
I just love it when even the religitards can't agree on anything…no wonder there are hundreds of sects of Christianity…none of you agree on your book…this is why science and critical thinking will be the death of religion.
Ah so FINALLY! They are admitting that there IS a Goddess because it is the mother who is the creator. Taking away the Mother from humanity was the worst crime committed by Abrahamic religions so if this article is true than we can see a more balanced world
Reading people's comments here I just feel sad for humanity, how they can reject the Mother because they have been brainwashed by humanity to do so. Even the the Jews recognize the Shekinah (Holy Spirit) as being the Mother which Christianity manifested from.
The Pope can change anything he pleases because he is believed to be a representative of Christ on Earth. The title of the article is misleading; the Mother will not take the place of the son but she will be recognized as the divinity that she is
Michael Kezelevich I'm sorry if you did not receive a proper education in the Catholic faith. How unfortunate because then you had to convert to find something that conveniently "suits you".
I think this rate is a bunch of nonsense.
The author knows NOTHING about the Catholic Church. He certainly doesn't know and understand our devotion to the Blessed Mother. Most non-Catholics don't get it because they don't want to.
Ok pope francis.
Michael Kezelevich Well if your are Jewish you would put your emphasis on the Old Testament, Christianity in the Bible starts with the Gospel of Mark, and the prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled by Christ. How many missionaries are in those countries, many. The governments are corrupt like most governments, many of the people are corrupt, but many are not. Who builds the schools and hospitals for the most part, the Catholic church. Look at the USA, many have fallen away from God, because of greed and materialism and govt. indoctrination. May have not succumbed to that. I give to charity, I cloth and feed the poor as does my church. What do you do? Many Christian demoninations aid third world countries. Poverty is driven by corrupt governments not the church.
Lynn Terry I suggest to you that I am not bigoted, I am genuinely concerned with the truth, and the Catholic Church is made up of manmade tradition that has nothing to do with the word of God. I suggest that you actually do some research, because I get this all the time. I was a Catholic, I was proud of it. until I actually started researching and seeing so many falsehoods claimed by the Catholic Church, not to mention how the Papacy hunted down Christians for belieing the Bible, millions were tortured and burned at the stake just because they believed what Christ taught. Then I get this thing about how protestants took books out of the bible, it's complete rubish. I have never met a Catholic who could defend his faith through the use of scripture and never will, because there is no biblical verse anywhere that supports Catholic Doctrine and tradition, take a look at this, about your Catholic Bible, and the lies you believe about how Christians changed the Bible – http://www.gotquestions.org/Catholic-Bible.html
You have,earned an A+!
Abbey Thompson you re a very, very stupid person!!! you clearly know NOTHING about Catholicism. Do some studying before you open your mouth…
William Scanlon Then maybe you could explain the obsession with Mary, when Jesus Himself denied her as his mother, figuratively. She was "blessed among women" but not God. Then, there is the other thing that Catholics do. Calling a person "father", other than one's heavenly Father or his "earthly" (biological) father, is prohibited in the King James version of the Bible, I read. It was a fairly good interpretation of the Greek Interlinear Bible, I read, as well! I also have a problem with the clergy thinking they alone have the best interpretation of that which is written in the Bible. I read the Bible, after I had been raised in the Catholic church. it amazed me the truths that were not told to me! I also read those with authority would be held more accountable for what they taught the flock. But, in the end, my concern is with my relationship with the Creator, through His son. I am not to judge others. That is makes it easy on my conscience, and my self esteem.
There is one reason why they titled it this way. They hate the Church and want those who don't like the Church, hate the Church , or don't understand the Church to despise Her. We faithful Catholics are once again left to defend Her and Our faith. You can see the hatred spewing forth. They hate what they do not understand. Many have said that Catholics put Mary first. That is WRONG. However, this author wants you to think this and many have fallen for lies. Not just now, but throughout history. They have hated the Church, but like Our Blessed Lord said, The gates of hell will prevail against Her. She is still here and the gates of hell have not prevailed. I suggest those who "think" they know what the Church teaches, go ask a priest and go to Fisheaters website. If you really want to know.
Wayne A. Sluiter lol believe in the lies if u want to lol it will only make it that much sweeter when it happens.
He never was Pope material. Hopefully he'll be out of the way, and put out of his misery on his Albanian Trip.
You are 100% wrong for without Mary the program of God will still come to pass. The bible only called her blessed among women which means there are other women among whom she was choosen. God can also choose you for his work if you makeyourself available like mary as she did.
Ellen Casper McMahon Said like a good Catholic! What man made up that rule?! Never read that in my Bibles! And, I have read them cover to cover! The Holy Spirit is what draws man to God! That is the reason blasphemy of the Holy Spirit keeps man from being saved. That is the "unforgivable sin"!
Jesus said I Am the way -so what you have stated is saying there is another way–That is Apostate;
The Harlot in Revelation is global Government controlled by a "Religious System" :
Seriously? The author of this article is absolutely a MORON! Read the quote from the Pope!!! How does the author get that the Pope wants the Blessed Virgin to be as important as the Holy Trinity? Idiots! You can't trust the mainstream media. It's why we have a Socialist in the White House!
Seriously? The author of this article is absolutely a MORON! Read the quote from the Pope!!! How does the author get that the Pope wants the Blessed Virgin to be as important as the Holy Trinity? Idiots! You can't trust the mainstream media. It's why we have a Socialist in the White House!
It's amazing to me just how many catholics proclaim they have never heard of the petition that was circulating back in 2000. It was sign by just a little more than a million catholics expecting the vatican to offically declare that Mary is a co-redeemer to Christ Jesus. While there are some catholics who proclaim that the catholic church does not teach Mary to be a co-redeemer, the petition proves otherwise. It was sign by 60 cardinals and over 600 bishops from around the world. IF anyone has doubts in what I'm writing, then write the vatican and ask them!
Gary Allgood 67% of the humans on Earth do NOT believe in your particular brand of mythology.
Well the attacks are just getting stronger by these twisted so called reporters. they do get Hilarious trying to make a dollar. as the scriptures says: They think themselves wise to their own destruction.
Mary cannot make intercession for anyone. Anyone who prays to Mary has made her an idol. She was all human, yes blessed, but that's it. Also, all Christians are saints. The catholic church naming particular people as saints is wrong. Saved by grace through faith, not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, so no one can boast.
Chritianity was not created by any man. Jesus said I will build my church. HE created the church on the day of penticost. you better know the truth so that the truth can make and set you free.
Inquisitr is a provocational propaganda machine. The harlot in revelations is islam. They are full of abomination. The pope only preaches love and peace. Obviously whoever wrote this piece of garbage hates catholicism. Inquisitr reports on RUMORS, nothing more.
This is what the Catholic Church Did to Christians That Obeyed The Word Of God And Who Refused To Call The Pope God !
The Death Of Thomas Crammer
A brief sketch from the pages of Reformation history.
Four hundred fifty eight years ago, a crowd of curious spectators packed University Church in Oxford, England. They were there to witness the public recantation of one of the most well-known English Reformers, a man named Thomas Cranmer.
Cranmer had been arrested by Roman Catholic authorities nearly three years earlier. At first, his resolve was strong. But after many months in prison, under daily pressure from his captors and the imminent threat of being burned at the stake, the Reformer’s faith faltered. His enemies eventually coerced him to sign several documents renouncing his Protestant faith.
In a moment of weakness, in order to prolong his life, Cranmer denied the truths he had defended throughout his ministry, the very principles upon which the Reformation itself was based.
Roman Catholic Queen Mary I, known to church history as “Bloody Mary,” viewed Cranmer’s retractions as a mighty trophy in her violent campaign against the Protestant cause. But Cranmer’s enemies wanted more than just a written recantation. They wanted him to declare it publicly.
And so, on March 21, 1556, Thomas Cranmer was taken from prison and brought to University Church. Dressed in tattered clothing, the weary, broken, and degraded Reformer took his place at the pulpit. A script of his public recantation had already been approved; and his enemies sat expectantly in the audience, eager to hear his clear denunciation of the evangelical faith.
But then the unexpected happened. In the middle of his speech, Thomas Cranmer deviated from his script. To the shock and dismay of his enemies, he refused to recant the true gospel. Instead, he bravely recanted his earlier recantations.
Finding the courage he had lacked over those previous months, the emboldened Reformer announced to the crowd of shocked onlookers:
I come to the great thing that troubles my conscience more than any other thing that I ever said or did in my life: and that is, the setting abroad of writings contrary to the truth, which here now I renounce and refuse, as things written with my hand [which were] contrary to the truth which I thought in my heart, [being] written for fear of death, and to save my life.
Cranmer went on to say that if he should be burned at the stake, his right hand would be the first to be destroyed, since it had signed those recantations. And then, just to make sure no one misunderstood him, Cranmer added this: “And as for the pope, I refuse him, as Christ’s enemy and antichrist, with all his false doctrine.”
Chaos ensued.
Moments later, Cranmer was seized, marched outside, and burned at the stake.
True to his word, he thrust his right hand into the flames so that it might be destroyed first. As the flames encircled his body, Cranmer died with the words of Stephen on his lips: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. I see the heavens open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”
I just have a problem with EXCESSIVE honor. Honor that is being taken away from Jesus and given to a mortal woman, though she was obviously a great woman, she is still mortal. I just think the saint system in general lends itself to people coming to worship the saints and not Jesus. I dunno, I'm not a catholic so I don't claim to know all the details. Just from the outside looking in, I see the excessive honor of Mary and the rest of the saints as a slippery slope.
Wow …. THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE IS A JOKE….. He is hearing but not listening… I'm not catholic and can clearly see that that isn't what the pope is saying…. I agree MORON!
Christian tradition? Is that like "Thus saith The Lord"?
Abbey Thompson I was raised Catholic and my Catholic grandmother was a true Christian. That is the only way I differ in your evaluation. A Christian should know salvation is a free gift and cannot be bought. There is no way to be good enough or rich enough to buy one's way into heaven. The Pope cannot control who is saved. John 3:16 says it all!
How do you mean
Really? Then learn about the petition that was circulating back in 2000 asking the vatican to finally declare Mary to be a co-redeemer to Christ Jesus. It was sign by 60 cardinals and over 600 bishops from around the world, etc, etc. If your preist has never heard of it, demand that he writes the vatican. Because most people in the US have never heard of it.
Mary is the Arc of the New Covenant. John the Baptist leaped for joy before the Arc just like David. The Arc of the New Covenant contained the word of God, the Rod of Jesse, and the bread from heaven just like the old. But Mary is Human and has no power except from God! Her son will deny her nothing, but we need to remember her words, ":Do what he tell you!" We can learn a lot from Mary. Her words "Let it be done to me according to thy word."
Why 'Black Pope'? All Catholic Popes have been 'white' all along.
Heresy is heresy, no matter what gender it takes on.
This is what you get when you are ignorant of the matter you are talking about. This article without a doubt establishes you are clueless about the Catholic faith. I suggest you stick to writing your hallow sensationalism tabloid articles unless you labor to learn first what you venture to talk about so you won;t sound exactly a complete moron.
Basil Obiekee No I am a follower of Christ, you can call it whatever you like. I am a disciple of Christ!! According to the Word of God, not some dogma created by Satan through men to deceive many. One thing is for sure, the truth will prevail!! It is the name of Jesus that saves, that delivers, that set's us free. You can say all the hail Mary's you want and it won't help you in any way. Just as the pagans made an idol, setup the idol, and began praying to the idol as if it had some power. It is idolatry to use Mary's name in any way. If you don't understand this, you don't know the gospel of Christ. Just because Mary accepted the call of God does not elevate her to any position of praise or worship. Mordecai told Ester if you don't go to the king God will use someone else. God used Rehab a harlot, without her there would be no David. Does that mean we exalt and worship her. Christ existed before time began, without Mary. You believe what you want, I choose to believe the Word of God. God is using me through His Son by His Spirit. Nothing to do with Mary.
The least Catholic of Catholic leaders, which is why everyone loves him
Konchog Jimpa …. with all due respect , brother …. the Church and the 4 gospels were organized in the 4th century by Constantine because he was successful in battle with the Cross at his Flag.There were dozens of gospels and he and the many cardinals in the area chose the 4 ….
Before that , the followers of Christ were known to the Romans as just another Jewish sect .
The word catholic is translated to mean "universal" …. Now , about Mary … without her being chosen on the temple of the Essene's , there would be no Jesus …. However the Essenes prepared for centuries for the messiah to be born ….
Cardinal Gibbons said it best when he stated that the RCC hasn't changed a single doctrine of their teachings in the history of the Church. It has been nearly 2000 years. This writer is trying to stir up hatred for God's church among his followers. How sad to hate Jesus.
It is a truth
William Scanlon … I have 3 degrees: Associate in Computer Programming and Operations, Bachelors in Mathematics with a specialty Statistical Analysis, minor in Physics, and a Masters in Mathematics. I also have studied many languages over my life: English, French, Spanish, German, Latin, Greek, and over 100 computer languages, plus specialty languages like Shorthand, Egyptian Hieroglyphics and a life time as an avocational artist. I also had classes in Hypothesis Testing, Formal Logic and Reasoning, enough to make another degree, but chose to NOT take that degree, since it would have made me over-qualified for most jobs to which I applied.
I have over 15 years in constructing, maintaining and publishing technical information databases for the Federal Government, over 20 major corporations and a slew of lesser companies. That work was for automating pre-press publishing activities.
I have studied about 10 different religious denominations, including Christian evangelical fundamentalism, Baptists, Presbyterian, Zen Buddhism, Jehovah Witnesses, Sikh and Hindu. I was raised as a Christian evangelical fundamentalist.
I believe I am capable of evaluating the content, intent and implications of written language.
Is that specific enough for you?
Not what he said, just another attack on the Catholic Church trying to stir up trouble. We go to GOD the Father through His Son Jesus and we go to Jesus through His mother Mary.
Abbey Thompson Luther did remove books from the Bible and alter words. Sorry do your homework.
Abbey Thompson You need to learn that you are judging, if you tell anyone they are not going to heaven. We all sin, daily! Not one of us is perfect. If you get mad at another driver, at a street corner, you have sinned. If you call someone a fool, you have sinned. As it says in the Bible, all of us "have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God"! (Jesus)! "Judge not, lest you be judged, in the same manner as you dole out!" (paraphrased)
''Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" Luke 21:28
Danny Maynard anytime a christian reads a critical article they don't like the first thing out of their mouths is "the author just doesn't understand the bible" or "the author is a moron because he is misinterpreting what the [Pope, Scriptures, Bible, et. al] is saying". It's an out. An excuse. It moves to create an argument that is winnable because it makes all the facts subjective. For some unknown reason the religious, more than anybody, think they are the only ones that can understand the written language….as if plain English is code that only they can decipher.
The Catholic Church will prove to be the Anti-Christ in the end days. Not Catholics, but the Church who usurps the authority of God and places itself in His place to decry all manner of faleshoods and lies in order to deceive people into worshipping it above God. It will happen, watch and see. Don't be fooled people, actually read the Bible yourselves – don't put faith in what this church and any of it's popes tell you.
The RCC doesn't name anyone saint. Only God names them saints. If you would review the process you would see that the RCC makes every effort to keep from naming anyone a saint just because others think they should be held out as an example to follow. Jesus said not everyone that calls out Lord, Lord will make it to heaven, but you claim all calling out Lord, Lord are in heaven. You are not of Jesus when you make that statement!
This a total misread of what the Pope is saying. Not this Pope – nor any Pope – would name Mary as equal to God in some sort of "Quartet." The writer is a moron.
Abbey Thompson that is moronic.
I'd like to invite the author to actually do some research on these subjects. The only reason Mary is honored is BECAUSE of Jesus. The headline is laughable.
Jude Ndi Diyen Mary is dead, Christ is alive. There is nothing a dead person can do for you. That's the difference between all idols and Christ, Christ is alive all the idols of man are dead with no power or ability to intervene or intercede on anyone's behalf. I pray you wake up to this truth. Jesus is alive!!
Jude Ndi Diyen Mary is dead, Christ is alive. There is nothing a dead person can do for you. That's the difference between all idols and Christ, Christ is alive all the idols of man are dead with no power or ability to intervene or intercede on anyone's behalf. I pray you wake up to this truth. Jesus is alive!!
You are more humorous than the author of the article. You no nothing of what you talk. Do you know a single Cardinal or better yet, does any Cardinal know your name?
Konchog Jimpa YOU ARE WRONG. Jesus created it, not the Catholic Church. A bunch of mean created the Catholic Church, and it is NOT the ONE TRUE RELIGION. It is made up by a bunch of greedy, hypocritical men, who made the choice to throw out what they didn't want and put it what they did want. Example: Mary Magdalene – no prostitute. It is largely based on fraud.
Abbey Thompson you are good brother,you are blessed
jward_506 Yet, if you read your Bible, there is a verse where Jesus denies Mary as His mother. On the cross, he asks one of His disciples to care for His mother! His mother is not an idol! She was a very fortunate woman to be so blessed by God. Only an idiot would not think she was honored by God. She , still, is not one who should be idolized by any church. She was a very faithful and strong woman. And, if you think about it, she was the first, and only person, to be a Christian by birth! Jesus's birth, that is! She knew he was a divine gift!
The author of this article is just twisting words to start trouble.
The "POOP" needs to read his Bible. Mary is just a person, period.
Totally agree.!!
Jesus could have appeared on earth without a mother. Why did God, in His infinite wisdom, choose Mary to be the Mother of the Incarnate Word? If you have a problem with the importance of the Blessed Mother, take it up with God Himself.
Way to go Michael.
Mary accepted God's Will to use her body to give Jesus His human form. This is what the Pope meant when he said that without Mary there would be no Jesus. While Jesus was dying on the cross, He said to John (who was at the foot of the cross with Mary) "son, behold your mother." He said to Mary: " Woman, behold your son." Mary followed the path of obedience to God. When we follow the same path, we will be in Heaven.
Catholics don't realize that when they pray to Mary, they are treating her as if she is God because according to the Bible, God is the only Being who is omnipresent who is able to hear everyone's prayers.
To elevate Mary to the Godhead is blasphemy and idol worship and will keep many from eternal reward. God has warned us so many times in the Bible about the danger of blasphemy and idol worship. He will not reward those who give His glory to mere human beings but Catholics shun studying the Bible so they don't know.
According to the Bible, Mary was only a mere woman chosen to be Jesus' earthy mother, she is NOT DIVINE, she cannot hear anyone's prayers because she's NOT GOD, and she surely can't answer anyone's prayers. The RCC's teaching about Mary is totally FALSE and Catholics better study the New Testament to see for themselves that it's totally false. No one will be able to claim ignorance as an excuse when they stand before Jesus at Judgment because everyone, including Catholics, had access to a Bible to find out the truth of what's required to know for everyone hoping for eternal reward. —— a former Catholic born again under the true faith Jesus Christ founded as it's taught in the New Testament.
1. "Behold your mother", said Jesus Christ on Good Friday.
2. "Honour your father and your mother".
Danny Maynard Please don't agree with the author. I'm sure you are much more intelligent than any reporter who says the Pope will elevate the Blessed Virgin Mary above Jesus. This article is pure nonsense sensationalism. It's one more example of amoral reporters (the vast majority of reporters today) wading in way over their heads because they are clueless when it comes to reporting and even more so reporting on religion.
Why do you follow her teaching??
Michael Kezelevich HAHAHAHa, no not fact just a misguided conception that you follow.
Why is it the RCC hasn't changed a single doctrine in 2000 years but all main stream protestant churches have changed their basic teachings numerous times??
When Christ said, destroy this temple, He was referring to his body, and in 3 days He will rise, read your bible don't be deceived, Jesus was not talking about a building! Has a church building ever gone to heaven?No, because a building doesn't save you, Jesus is the only way the truth and the life! According to Psalm115: the words says God is a jealous God, you are not to bow down to idols, Palms, it in the all the bibles, this the word of God and can' t be changed ,by pope, pastor anyone!
Really? What an idiot…
Abbey Thompson I'm sure Jesus was devoted to and honored His mother. She was the greatest creature of God and holiest Christian of all time.
i recommend u guys read the bible.mary is sleeping the sleep of death as david and the old time patriarchs and prophets.and as Ecclesiastes 9:5 says…the dead know nothing.there is only one mediator between God and Man and that is JESUS CHRIST.mary is not divine.the bible is an inspired word of God,study the bible and u will find all the answers u need.God Bless u as u search HIS word for the truth ur soul needs.
Lynn Terry You look arrogant when you think your round about interpretation at the wedding miracle was anything more than instruction to a person to do what Jesus said! No one expressed disdain for Mary. As an ex-catholic, who has read the Bible all of the way through, there is nothing, in it, that says Mary is the intercessor. It is, truly, a man-made ideology.
Pater Kloster … NO religion == NO sin
Atheists can NEVER sin. They are always sinless!
Sin is the sole soul domain of the religious fanatics; they sin every single day. It is your and their chosen lot in life.
Do NOT cast your silly sins onto me. I will never accept your accusations, disparaging remarks and overt persecutions. Your superstitious magical incantations, religious spells and dogmatic witchcraft do not work on me. I am immune to your irrational hysteria.
Please, please, please take a Catholicism 101 before making wild speculations on what the Pope is going to do. Most everything he has said has been believed for centuries upon centuries, and only those ignorant of the Apostolic Tradition would think them innovations that do any of the above.
To say that there would be no Gospel and no Church without Mary is the long-held belief that her assent was necessary to Christ's ministry. Without a woman like her, Christ would not have taken flesh, and without that flesh, there would be no salvific sacrifice for the souls of men. Of course, God could have chosen anyone, but that's the point: He prepared Mary from her very conception for this holy cause. Thus, without her, Christ would not have been incarnate because it was His will that he be incarnate through her, and without Christ, there would be neither salvation nor the Church to practice His ministry of salvation.
Accordingly, Christians since the beginning of the Church have honored her as a special form of glorifying God, giving praise "ad Iesum per Mariam" as the Scriptures prophesy, "All generations shall call me blessed." She is not divine, she is not the end of our worship, and she is not greater than Christ. Such things are opposed to the Catholic faith, and those who profess them are anathema to the Church of God as much as those who refuse to honor her as God did. Any Pope who taught otherwise would be no Pope, but a heretic masquerading as a Catholic, a usurper of the worst kind (indeed, the Anti-Christ may indeed be such a "Pope" who denies the Catholic faith).
As to other points raised in the article:
Regarding those of other faiths or none at all, Pope Francis has articulated nothing more than a liberal interpretation of the "Virtuous Pagan;" wherein one who has no knowledge of the Gospel but earnestly seeks out the truth and has failed to find Christ in this life through no fault of his own, may be saved by an extraordinary grace of God – still through Jesus, still through His Church. There is no other way.
And that all men who are saved are saved through the Catholic Church? This does not in any way whatsoever deny that Jesus Christ is the one and only path to God. But the Catholic Church is the way to Jesus – it was founded for this, and shall always be this until He comes again. All schismatics only have the truth insofar as they have failed to deny the whole Catholic faith their fathers inherited. Those saved are saved precisely because faithful baptism put you in communion, however imperfect, with the Church, and it is only by this that you have any ordinary hope of salvation. As all the fathers attest from the beginning, "extra ecclesia nullus salvus."
This is the faith of the Church, this is the faith of the Apostles, this is the faith of the Holy Scriptures. Any who deny it are welcome to tell me when the "Great Apostasy" occurred. Give me a date, and I shall show you that Christians before then believed in the Apostolic Tradition, the power of the Sacraments, the Authority of the Church (including Bishops and their Petrine Leader), the intercession of Saints, and everything else heretics have found troublesome since the beginning of this age – including the honor due to the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God by His Grace:
"What is greater than the Mother of God? What more glorious than she whom Glory Itself chose?"
– St. Ambrose of Milan, 377 AD.
Shirley Rowlin would you ask another human to pray for your daughter or son if they were sick? Why can't we ask our heavenly mother. Do you love your earthly mother than why can't we love our heavenly mother. Don't you think that Jesus would want us to love and honor our heavenly mother? It is one of the 10 commandments to honor our mother and father. Why shouldn't we honor and love Jesus' mother?
Konchog Jimpa Do you really believe that statement, cuz I believe Christianity was invented by Jesus Christ. And he sent his Apostles out to spread this good news, At least that's what I thought. The Gospel kinda paints a picture of Jesus Dying for our sins, but I could be wrong. Is that what the Catholic Church teaches, that they invented Christianity, because if they did I can see why they can change it all around so much from what the Gospel teaches us, because they invented it they can do whatever they want with it. Makes sense now. Thank you for clarifying that. Is that why the papacy killed all those Christians, they were still using the older texts, the abrogated ones after the Catholic Church changed them and forgot to let them know?
This of that the catholic church is nothing but a Cult and a dangerous one at that. This LIE that Mary is more important than Christ is STUPIDITY at its worst. It is a belief that Christ dies for OUR SINS and rose again is in their hearts is what gets one saved from Hell. This man is a FOOL and His LIE about Mary will condemn millions to the Lake of Fire. Christ is the way the TRUTH and the Life he is also the only way to GOD. Mary is a nobody when it comes to Salvation though she is a part of Christ's life. If she had not carried Christ so other female would have so the argument that Mary is more important than Christ is a LIE. It is LIES like this and other things that make Catholics a cult and not a church.
Sorry about the first line it was to say that this proves that the Catholic church is nothing more than a cult.
Well this just lends to my theory that the pope is fighting for the beast and not God.
I'll weigh in on this as a priest and something of a theologian:
This author simply doesn't understand what the pope is saying.
In that first statement, there is no mention of the Godhead, nor any indication that Mary or anyone else is being mentioned as equivalent to either Father, Son, or Holy Spirit.
What is being referred to is this: God decided to use a human being's consent to bring the second person of the Trinity into the world (discussed in Luke). in this sense, she is first of the faithful, the first to believe that this person was the Son of God in flesh. In other words, she believed what was being communicated to her about his identity via the angel.
Motherhood comes through this: Her motherhood was a true motherhood of her son. Jesus was Mary's son. However, all believers have a unity with her son. They become one body with him. In other words, Christian salvation is a share in Christ's own personhood, and Mary gave birth to the person who was fully both human and divine (save sin). In no way, however, was Mary's motherhood abrogated. Mary is still the mother of Jesus and Mother of God in that she gave birth to a person.
That unity of believers is the unity of people in Christ. That is the Church. Again, she hasn't quit being Jesus's mother and that makes her motherhood extend to the unity taking place in him. It doesn't make her God. It means that spiritual adoption takes place that integrates a believer into Christ's humanity. That humanity (as well as the divinity) is part of Jesus' person, and Mary gave birth to that person.
As far as the Old Testament, one can get hints of the Trinity, but it isn't delineated in any way until the New Testament–and there's much left unexplained about it.
Genesis 1 could just as easily be interpreted as God speaking with the angels and not necessarily as a conversation among members of the Trinity. in fact, I once listened to a rabbi speak on this passage and that's precisely how he interpreted it. I'm guessing that's Jewish tradition.
Lynn Terry the funny thing is that they only read the King James Bible but google King James, he converted to Catholism on his death bed.
The message of Frannie One is a social one. Benedict rode the "rocket of doctrine". My concern is just how Francis was able to push Benedict out of the way. The current pope was the "runner up" to Benedict. He was part of a coup to put him in the "engine room". Doctrine is on its way out. Archbishop Raymond Burke was removed from St. Louis by the Vatican for his criticism of the abortion policies of Catholic politicians who surrounded then Senator Obama. There is grave concern among Catholics that this is a socialist pope. He stated in an interview with La Repubblica later denied by the Vatican that he "no longer believes in sin because of the vast mercy of God". Since he also wrote that "all violence is caused by economic disparity", this is essentially the same message. Man is conditioned and controlled by his environment. There is no personal responsibility for one's actions. Without sin, there is no need for Redemption. Without Redemption and the cross, there is no need for Jesus Christ.
Luke Jolly If you read your Bible, as many of us do, you know that we are all declared saints! I was raised in the Catholic church and found it to be lacking, for me. My grandmother was a wonderful Christian woman, as many other Catholics are. They just have been doing things that were not ordered in the Bible. I have read my Bible through, completely, and studied it for years. Sadly, there are still many Christians, not just Catholics, who don't know that the Bible tells them that they are not to judge! I find your response very refreshing in that you are judging no one!
Pure headline grabbing stupidity. I wish this rag would hire some intelligent staff writers.
Helen Demetriou No, he CANNOT change whatever he wants. He CANNOT put in place ANYTHING that EVER goes against the primacy of GOD. This article is nothing but yellow journalism.
The word of the MOST HIGH ELOHIM makes clear what the Rome Catholic church really is which is the great harlot . And the pope is doing nothing that is not already foretold in the word of the MOST HIGH ELOHIM. This is not what I say but rather the scriptures. The Roman Catholic church is the evil harlot and the various different branches of christianity are her daughters . That is why it is written with the exception of the elect the whole world has been deceived . And anyone who doesn't like or disagree with what I've said here and wish to challenge it then your argument is with YAH not me.
I think anyone who believes any of this nonsense is a total idiot!
News flash: Mary is no virgin anymore. She is not God, either is Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God and lived. God cannot die. Jesus and Mary both died. Mary was a sinner just like all of us. Jesus was the only person that never sinned on earth. Jesus had fleshly brothers and sisters that was born through Mary. Mary was a good person very humble and blessed to give birth to Jesus and should be admired for her strong faith and is a good example to follow. She is a fellow worshipper like we are. She is only Mother to Jesus and his siblings, and no one else. She was never meant to be worshipped or to be represented by statues, or any other person for that matter including Jesus (Idol worship, which is condemned by God). This message was brought to you by the Bible.
It is indeed a lie – about what the Catholic faith teaches. Christ is the salvation of men, God incarnate. No creature, even one so specially chosen as Mary, could ever be more. This is the Catholic faith – any other is a lie. Consider also for a moment which church the media is always eager to misrepresent – could that not be a sign of a Satanic siege directed at the True Church of Christ?
It is indeed a lie – about what the Catholic faith teaches. Christ is the salvation of men, God incarnate. No creature, even one so specially chosen as Mary, could ever be more. This is the Catholic faith – any other is a lie. Consider also for a moment which church the media is always eager to misrepresent – could that not be a sign of a Satanic siege directed at the True Church of Christ?
Your link is nothing but false teaching it makes me laugh. Its nothing more then these wacko sites saying the pope is the anti christ. Do you even know the mysteries of the Rosary. They are about the life of christ. you meditate on a mystery like the carrying of the cross, and say ten Hail Marys, a Rosary consist of 50 Hail Marys, not 200. Was Mary not there when her beloved Son went through his Passion, did she not share in his grief, pain and his rejection. Yes she did. As far as other children If Jesus had other brothers and sisters and he begin a good Jewish man, His mother would not have gone to live with the Apostle John. It just was not done, she would have gone to live with one of her supposed children, plus there is no Aramaic word for cousin and all relatives were referred to as brother or sister. Now get real. Your letting hate control your thinking. Plus Every time a catholic goes to communion they can receive the SacredHost and the Sacred Cup. The wine and the bread are the same Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Remember what Jesus said and many walked away when he said it. " Unless you eat my flesh and drink my Blood you have no life in you." You may pick and choose what you want to believe but the truth is your church would not even exist without the Catholic Church, and the Catholic Church is the fullness of faith. We have so much more then you.
This author’s article is deceptive and misleading! The Roman Catholic Church (aka the magisterium, the pope and the bishops in union with him) cannot add to or subtract from the “Deposit of Faith” which it received from God, but under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it can reveal a clearer and fuller understanding of what has be given from the beginning. The Magisterium has the obligation to safeguard and authoritatively interpret that which it has been given from Christ to the apostles . The Roman Catholic Church, in its defining of a variety of issues clarifies this deposit of faith and does not add or subtract from it. The Roman Catholic Church, which is Christocentric, worships God alone, but offers special honor and veneration to the saints, and particularly the Immaculately conceived, ever-virgin, Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, who was assumed body and soul into heaven and the end of her earthly life. The RC Church will issue its final teaching of the BVM, as co-redemptrix, mediatrix, and advocate. This does not elevate her above God or equate her with God, because she is a creature who had to be saved by the passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ! The BVM has a unique role in the divine plan of salvation history and she is rightly given the honor and veneration that she deserves, in spite of no-nothing, johhny-come-lateley’s, who have no authority and yellow journalists who have no clue of what they are writing for the purpose of readership and economics!!!
Here's how you can tell the pope is addled. The passage of scripture that is used from Revelation is talking about the Great Whore of Babylon riding the Beast which is the anti-Christ. The Catholic Church will be the vehicle which the anti-Christ uses to create the worldwide religion to worship himself. Read Dave Hunt "A Women Rides the Beast".
Stop right there – that's exactly what the beast wants you to think! He uses the media – surely you understand this – so don't believe what he tells you about any church! Look at what the Catholic faith actually teaches, and has taught, since the Great Commission, and you will find we still fight for Him who established and died for us.
Whoever wrote this comment is a retard. The RCC venerates Mary because Jesus does. They don't worship her. If you say they do, show me where in the Catechism.
Basil Obiekee And you circumvent the entire subject of the article by using a single word?! Now that is arrogance, not accompanied by ignorance. At least the ignorant have a reason! Referring to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as the trinity does nothing to decrease the importance of each and every one of them, in the "Godhead" which is not in the Bible, either! It is still commonly used in the vernacular of many denominations of Christianity, today, referring to the divine three.
Million dollar question…What does it take to inherit eternal life? Scripture teaches that we are saved by GRACE, through FAITH in the LORD JESUS CHRIST…plus nothing! if you are depending upon a little bit of Jesus plus a little bit of works plus a little bit of Mary…Paul says that is NO GOSPEL at all…salvation is by faith in Jesus alone!
Romans 13:7 "Pay everyone what is owed: ………., respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due."
Mary is given respect and honor in the Catholic Church as it is required according to scripture. If others can't swallow this fact, then too bad, too sad.
And just as Jesus said to his disciples when they couldn't handle his teaching on eating his flesh and drinking his blood…John 6:66-67 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?".
Jesus was controversial, so is Pope Francis. If people can't take it, then so what. Why do they care? They aren't Catholic. Why do they care so much?!
All of what you said above is true – those dead in Hell know nothing (those in heaven are living more so than we – God is God of the living!), Jesus is the one mediator, Mary is not divine, the Bible is the inspired word of God, profitable to the soul and truth. But all these truths you only know because the Holy Catholic Church has preserved them from her founding – her earliest leaders wrote the New Testament, their heirs compiled them, and the whole Church has agreed on those truths handed down from the Apostles. If not for what Catholicism retained for the sake of all Christians, these truths would be lost, but the Spirit has guarded them carefully through her – is this the mark of any church but the Church Christ calls all believers to join?
Michael Langley. As an ex-Catholic, it seems as if you have come to hold the Bible as the pillar of truth and not the Tradition of the Church with the Bible. You have said that you have read the Bible all the way through; how then, did you miss 1 Timothy 3:15? How ironic is it that the Bible being the pillar and foundation of truth is not in the Bible. You speak of man made ideology, yet, if you hold that only the Bible is the pillar of truth, you are following man made ideology (Martin Luther, John Calvin).
Now, are we the self-appointed kind of prophet, or did He Himself anoint you for such a cause? Go ahead, tell us: how does the Lord God make it clear that the Holy Catholic Church is the great harlot in the Scriptures? After all, most of the blood of martyrs on which she gets drunk was the blood of Catholics – those weren't Baptists or Methodists in the Coliseum.
Again — non Catholics putting words into the mouth of the POPE. Anything to stir up anti Catholic sentiment… when will it end… It will end when Jesus returns and he will set ALL of you Catholic Bashers straight.
Hay Folks, the world has enough problems with the Mid East, Israel and Hamas, Iraq, Iran, India and Pakistan and the NFL…please don't start a religious controversy.
@ W Dale Cebula the passage “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.” deals with The Mother of Harlots which is the Vatican (the Roman Catholic Church).
He is only magnifying Catholic doctrine. The Angry Catholics on this page simply don't know their own religion. And to say that Catholics don't worship Mary is simply denial.
Lynn Terry We ALL receive grace when we give our lives to Jesus, not just Mary. Without God's grace, given to us freely because of our belief in Jesus, no one would ever have eternal reward, we'd all be in eternal damnation because of the fall of Adam and Eve. If we believe in Jesus, we, too, are full of grace. Go to Gateway Concordance website and put in the word "grace" and read all the scriptures containing that word and you'll see that grace is what's given freely by God to ALL who believe in Jesus and follow His teachings. Mary being "full of grace" is no different than anyone else believing in and following Jesus.
According to the New Testament, Mary was chose as the Earthly mother of God not because she was sinless as the RCC claims, but because she "found favor" with God because of her devotion to God. It's important to note that Noah, Abraham, and a host of other Jews in the Old Testament also "found favor" with God. Mary was NOT SINLESS as the RCC claims. She herself referred to Jesus as "her Savior". If Mary was sinless, she wouldn't have need of a Savior. Holy Scripture. inspired entirely by the Spirit God, says that NO ONE born into the world since Adam and Even was ever sinless…… except Jesus. Catholics have to decide if they're going to follow what the Spirit of God teaches in scripture or follow what the RCC teaches which so often contradicts what the Spirit teaches. Catholics, you'll be stunned by what you'll learn if you get involved with an in-depth Bible study. There are free ones online. A Christian who hopes for eternal reward from God who doesn't study the Bible is like someone who thinks they're going to graduate from medical school without ever having studied medical books. – a former Catholic
"Without Mary, there would be no Jesus Christ." That is one of the most ignorant statements ever made.
Maria Carlsen , Then why do Catholics pray to her…she is only a person.
This Pope has false prophet written all over him! The Catholics of the world are going to have to open their eyes and see that he is NOT God's voice on Earth! I'm not going to tell you what he is.. Do some research and figure it out people!
How sad that with all that is going on in the world the author want to cause division among Christians everywhere! I am Catholic and proud of it but those who are not Catholic and have never studied Catholicism do not understand what the Pope is saying. When he says that Jesus would not be here except for Mary, he simply means in human form. We do not believe that Mary is a god. She is a simple, loving Mother who we can ask to pray for us to her Son, Jesus but we don't have to if we are uncomfortable doing so. I often ask others to pray for me and it is no different to ask Mary. who is loved by her Son, to also pray for us.
Those who want to point fingers at the Pop should take the time to learn through legitimate sources about Catholicism first. if for no other reason than to keep from looking foolish. Jesus died for all humanity and all have the opportunity to be saved through Him. God. our Father. loves everyone. They are all created by Him and He loves each one equally! The question is do they love Him? When we spread hate, we do not understand unconditional love and are not following the path of Jesus who said to the Father from his cross, " Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do!" They simply do not know what true love is.
Rita Opoku Of course the HOly Spirit is the advocate. Mary is an intercessor. Mary is no way equal to the Triune Godhead. You know how you have prayer chains and you ask people to pray for you. Asking the Mother of Christ to pray for us is the exact same thing.
Henk Muller 7th Day Adventists?! I agree it would be better, but… I am still happy to see that we live in a country that still honors a day of rest. Rest from work to observe our faiths, in this great country. It was established as a personal amendment (the first) in the Constitution to allow us all to gather together and worship freely!
Wow. So glad to be far away when the bolt of lightning hits him at the Vatican. LOL Talk about antagonizing the Creator!
She is not a heavenly mother, you don't ask dead people to pray for you. Why would I ask my dead grandmother to pray for me? When the rich man asked Abraham to send someone to warn his brother's, Abraham told him if they did not believe the prophets or Moses, they would not believe. If Jesus did not use His mother's name in His example, why would I pray to her to ask her anything. It's a ridiculous dogma and defies all logic. The catholic church is riddled with mythology and idolatry praying to dead people, making dead people saints. It's heresy!! Jesus is alive, He hears me when I call, He answers me, He responds because He lives. God is God of the living not the dead!!
She is not a heavenly mother, you don't ask dead people to pray for you. Why would I ask my dead grandmother to pray for me? When the rich man asked Abraham to send someone to warn his brother's, Abraham told him if they did not believe the prophets or Moses, they would not believe. If Jesus did not use His mother's name in His example, why would I pray to her to ask her anything. It's a ridiculous dogma and defies all logic. The catholic church is riddled with mythology and idolatry praying to dead people, making dead people saints. It's heresy!! Jesus is alive, He hears me when I call, He answers me, He responds because He lives. God is God of the living not the dead!!
a deceived soul. try to repent or hell waits for you. be a true christian not a pseudo christian
I'm kinda relieved by this new observation weather the media or the Pope are clearly understanding each other or not. I think most biblical people have a misunderstanding of the role Jesus played and continues to play in our lives. I believe God wants us to worship "God". He sent Jesus to show the people that He was "God", and that there is only one "God". He didn't send Jesus have people worship Jesus or call Jesus their savior. Jesus was our gift from "God" and Jesus followed through with God's will for him, but he was God's gift, God is our savior for sending Jesus, God encouraged Jesus to do His will. Jesus is not God, and if they are one and the same it doesn't matter… God is our creator and the creator of Jesus so ALL glory belongs to God. All prayers go to God… all thanks goes to God.
As a Roman Catholic who has concluded that ALL organized religion is fabricated, I will say that the pope's logic on this matter is convoluted, but totally in keeping with the way most organized religions are run. I maintain a membership in the Church for a couple of reasons, one being that it is my birthright; another being that I admire the fact that the Church is the mother of Western Civilization. I ceased most active participation with the Church in the mid 1960s, as the effects of Vatican II began to become noticeable. However, I married within the Church, had my chilldren baptized in the Church – like I said, because it is my "club". All the folderol over the Holy Trinity and Mary's place therein, is just that. God is not to be found in ANY church. Organized religions – ALL of them – are simply shadow governments, designed to keep their followers in check – and – need I mention – the coffers full.
No Mary, no Jesus.
Know Mary, know Jesus.
The pope is correct.
Saying that without Mary, there would be no Jesus is not demoting Jesus. It is merely elevating Mary and Mothers in general to get the respect they deserve
Danny Maynard because the author shows little knowledge of Catholic beliefs. Catholics, including Francis do not put Mary at Godhead level.
Abbey Thompson and the Pope is against God in what way?
Nice One…Mary was chosed by god to be a vessel for the birth of Jesus..End of Story for her…Salvation is through Jesus and any devotion you give other than to the son and god and his spirit is idolatry. Therefore, do not be deceived….remember how many times in the bible Jesus warned us about this things and false prophets…You have no excuse on Judgment day because he clearly told you he is the way(no one else) and that there is no other name(NO MARY NO POPE…ETC) by which we must be saved. Please understand this, don't be blinded and fooled by precepts of men rather warn others about this deception that seeks to steal you salvation.
Maria Carlsen your a fool. then they pray they pray to marry… that will get them a ticket rite to hell. praying anyone but God is a SIN. letting gays stay preasts is a SIN knowing they are sinning and NOT stoping it.
Abbey Thompson your Bible comes from the Catholic church, sorry to disappoint you. Your bible was altered by Luther. The Catholic church has never added one word to the Bible, Your church has.
Lynn Terry And yet, it has been reported on the learning channel that one book in particular, had Peter going to heaven where he found out we would ALL get there! There is also another book, the book of Enoch, that was not included in modern Bibles. That is why it takes faith to believe. The full story has not been told!! And, that same learning channel was also, seemingly, trying to destroy our faith by linking worship to pagan rituals. When your faith is built on sand, it will not last. When it is based on the rock, it will sustain. Was that rock Peter? (petra=rock) Maybe, originally. But many things were changed after the apostles all died.
Michael Langley For a Christian to insist that "Jesus denied Mary" is wrong. That would make Jesus a bad son. So, with that premise, Jesus could not be divine or he is, then, an evil god.
mmmmhh… Whom shall we choose to worship more between these two characters from the Bronze Age? The vainglorious, deluded preacher, or the horny, lying teenager…?
This pope is NOT well-liked in my neck o'the woods. n fact,he's nothin but a despicable liberal who will ultimately bring ruin to the Church's stature. He's gotta go !!
Amen! Well said
Pope comments just say one thing….. he is of his father the devil. Read your Bible's cover to cover, even your catholic Bible. What's it about? Jehovah saving his people through the blood and sacrifice of his son. WHERE IS THIS MARY DOCTRINE COMING FROM. The scriptures is NOT focused on her but that God redeeming man through the prophesized messiah. Its so easy to understand a child could understand, that's why Jesus said you have be like a child to enter. Catholics be born again, as Jesus commands. In the Gospels Mary was honoured that she being a LOWLY handmaiden can bring forth the messiah!! Read Luke 1:46-9. I'm an EX-Catholic by the way. We'll all saints who are born again and live lives of repentance, holiness, righteousness, not wilfully sinning and clinging to the salvation of God through Jesus Christ. Read Paul letters about what a saint is. There is no other name to be saved. Jesus said before Abraham I AM, he knew Mary before she was born.
Totally agree with you Paul. The author has no clue whatsoever what the Catholic teaching is.
Abbey: Right on!
Olga Kuznetsova Yes, correct Thank you…
rcc tell me about puratory as I cant find it in my KJV bible !!!
NONE OF THIS CRAPPY ARTICLE IS TRUE!!!
Devotion to God, not the vessel in which he chose. Jesus said who is my brother, mother etc but those who do the will of the father. She wasn't a perpetual virgin. Read Matthew 1-25, KING JAMES VERSION.
Understand people…Mary needs not special devotion…Only Jesus and god and his spirit are all the ones who were in the beginning of creation. So read the bible…and see that Jesus warned us about false prophets…this is what's happening so don't trust this people or their dogma because they won't stand for you on Judgment day if you aren't saved….Will mary intercede for you on Judgment day..I tell you she won't…that was never mentioned in the bible…We just know she is the mother of Jesus in the flesh….Remember he existed in the beginning with the father…so other devotion except from the trinity is idolatry…and it's a sin you will pay for heavily. Therefore, do not believe this people who you don't know what their hearts are planning or where they are leading you…but if you follow the bible you don't have to be deceived by anyone since you are following the word of god…Listen to me…I know getting out of any religious dogma is hard…but you need too realize that the bible doesn't give devotion to Mary and no many can start giving devotion and have the original gospel but would be preaching another gospel the paul warned about. So DONT BE DECEIVED
I had no idea my 9 words would start such a fire storm. I wish I had nothing to do today, so I could keep reading and replying, but…have lots to do. Those of you who do not BELIEVE period, or those who do not live a Catholic Faith, that is your right. I for one and I would think most of the others here who are, are not trying to persuade you otherwise. It doesn't matter who you are, what you do, how many degrees you hold. You will believe WHATEVER you want to believe. Be it because it's easier, sometimes because you are looking for a change, sometimes because of :evidence". But to make it simple, let's start at the beginning, with the author….who is so proud of their work, they didn't even take credit. So, whomever he/she is, asked a question. "Pope Francis About To Decree Virgin Mary To Be More Important Than Jesus Christ?
No, the answer is "NO"
Mary was a human being just like you and me. An angel of the Lord came to Mary and said, "greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you." Because of her faith and obedience, she carried the Savior that would redeem mankind back to God. Mary should be recognized and respected for her obedience but not worshiped. Jesus the Christ, is God that came to earth in human form through Mary to give His life as the payment for our sins, that separated us from God. You can only go to God, through God himself. Mary cooperated with God to make it happen, but if she would not have cooperated, God would have found someone else to accomplish His purpose. (not Marys) God had wonderful plans for mankind, but very few cooperate with Him to get things accomplished, that is why the world is in such a mess, mankind is doing their own thing, not Gods. Worship "God" who is the creator, don't worship things HE created, or things man has made.
Bwhahahahaha!!! Really?? How in the name of Jehoshaphat did you get that the Pope was elevating Mary above Jesus with his statement? Dude, it's THE OPPOSITE, genius! The Pope was saying that Mary is a HUMAN we can relate to, because through understanding her role of freely choosing to do God's will, even though it could've been a detriment to her according to the mores of her society, she brought Christ into herself and the world. If we choose to listen to God, we can also bring Christ into our hearts and into the world, by our example of living a good life. He's saying that we as a church carry her spirit because we're choosing to let God and Jesus into our lives and have him change the world through us. It's SUPER EASY to come to this conclusion, I'm not any sort of theologian. It's basic READING COMPREHENSION. But when you have an agenda that demands you demonize a faith that's different from yours, you can read into it any way you wish. Sorry, this time, man: WRONG ANSWER.
I am all for Christ and his mom….But, why isn't Vatican ever mention GOD??
Which according to Vatican teachings, Christ himself pointed only towards….GOD.
Abbey Thompson, the fourth commandment says "to honor thy Father and Mother". If Mary is the mother of Jesus (God), and if Jesus honors her mother,then we, as followers of Christ, should honor Mary. Simple as that. To follow Jesus is to do what He does. Peace be with you Abbey.
That is why i will never follow men, Only God.
The Pope is an asses hole !
Just because the Pope has acknowledged the importance of Mary doesn't mean that he is conferring Godhead status to her. This article only serves to underscore the misogynistic views of some church leaders and their fear that women may assume roles of power in the church. Equating Mary and women in the church with the Whore of Babylon (which is what this article clearly attempts to do) is the last link in the inherently flawed logical chain that the author seeks to construct.
Konchog Jimpa "Christianity", as you call it, was not a product of the Catholic Church, which can't trace it's lineage to anywhere further back than ~300AD. Before that, you had the Apostles teaching and traveling between the "7 churches". Now that can be understood to be "congregations", but there is no "unifying parallel" defining them all as 1 church unless you look to the teachings of Jesus Christ, who said "if ye are not one, ye are not mine." This is direct proof that Christianity is not a product of the Catholic Church any more than it is a product of the Baptists, etc.
Christ is the creator of Christianity, for it was He who said, "my sheep know the name by which they are called."
Lynn Terry, the ridiculous thing about the bible the Catholic's use is that it condemns the CC, but since Catholics only read certian verses, you miss much, it's right under your nose.
The simple devastating truth about the CC and the Bible is if you are Catholic- you cannot say you have salvation, you cannot be saved while you are living– which is a completely, unequivocally opposite of what God says– you must be saved before you die! Or hell 1.0 and 2.0 awaits. There are many other points of difference too.
This is all so silly. The Romans wrote the first bible.
@Paul Gabriel…..WHAT IF all that Vatican/ Catholic Institution teaches (and maybe even other religions) are just stories made up by some humans in order to stay in power and profit.
You don't have any proof that all that they claim to happened actually did, do you?
And please don't point towards some holy books, because personally, I don't know who wrote, re-wrote for centuries, and why.
Personally, I don't see any connection between religions and GOD.
For what reason? The Bible is clear who we are to worship. Look in the book of acts who all the people praised in one accord.
Abbey Thompson………..YOU ARE CRAZY.
mary is not the creator of Heaven an earth. you are lost
Dennis Chapman You are crazy, read your Bible, its where Christians get there faith from. Catholics are contrary to scripture. And I was one myself
Michael Kezelevich :Great response
What a new LOW for Yahoo News. INTERPRETATION as news fact. Religion have split up over interpretation for centuries. And now Yahoo is contributing to division in the worst possible way by stating one man's interpretation as factual news.
Abbey Thompson, you seem to have a wrong understanding of Catholicism. If you really want to know what the Catholics believe and teaches, please read the Catechism of the Catholic Church available here online http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM . Please read it first before you start making unfounded remarks about us. Thank you and may God enlightened you. Peace!
Tiffany that is a bold statement. One I don't think I would ever make. At the same time I too am a bit confused about all the attention that the Catholic religion gives to Mary. They seem to me to add a whole lot to her that I find no where in the bible. I just choose not to step on any toes with commentary. I attend a non denominational church. I believe that religion is nothing more than ritual and that a relationship with Jesus is what is most important.
This is all so silly, and the main reason we can't take religion seriously.
Jesus is given power over all of heaven and earth and beneath. God is judge, Jesus is high DA, the angels are witnesses and jury, and we are the defendants. this is a divine and earthly courtroom with one verdict! guilty without Christ, Free and saved with him! Mother mary is a defendant a human defendant who is no greater than king David, prophet Samuel or me. She was specifically anointed to bear Jesus just as much as his specific grave was anointed for his burial. God uses earthly things to move his work here and that's exactly what he did with mary. Read the Word of God and the Truth will set you free. All glory to God and the Lamb!
Abbey Thompson What's so hilarious about your rants is that Mary is in your favorite Bible book: Revelation. She's the woman who gives birth to the son the dragon wants to kill. She was a pretty cool HUMAN who is a good example of how to follow CHRIST. That's how we "devil-worshipping" Catholics see her, as a strong example of how to embrace Christ. We see her and saints as friends who can help us gain a deeper perspective of Christ and God, the same as you see living friends who pray with you in bible study. They're obviously not God, but with their support and perspective you can deepen your relationship with God, because COMMUNITY. So basically our community extends beyond this life. Jesus is the pastor, the Word, and his saints are the members of his church.
Ooh, someone's just itchin' for a facebook fight today
Jola Salis … Religion is all about commerce, and the religious shëëplë are buying some silly insurance policy from their local religious cleric, who takes the money in turn for them to receive a reward, to own just the "bill of goods" after you die. Religious addicts are being sold a "bill of goods".
No one has yet returned from Hell; it was invented by the Catholics, as part of the Catholic and Spanish Inquisitions beginning about 1250 CE. They sold "Indulgences", as a "promise on paper" for the traveler not to be tortured by the clerics at a neighboring parish. They also created the need for those, just like Al Capone did for selling "protection insurance", and moreover, providing the need for that insurance.
We call that extortion, and it is illegal now in the USA. It is criminal and illegal.
Until you become educated in the teachings of the Catholic Church.. Why do you care what our Pope, or any of us for that matter, believe. Perhaps it is just that I don't understand your "English"…..
Jola Salis … The very first time Hell appears in writing is in the King James Version published in 1611.
Abbey Thompson it is so interesting that American "Christians" have diverted a belief in God to the cult of worship of "Jesus".
This is the false prophet of Revelations
Of course the Pope is a Humanist! He's a Jesuit! As for everybody liking him, well that's his plan. I'm OK you're OK etc etc. The psychology of Rome! Kinda sounds like Obama! There is only ONE way to the Father and that's in and through Jesus/Yahshua the CHRIST! The world's Messiah!
john2:3-5,"they have no more wine!Jesus replied,"Woman why do you involve me?"Jesus replied "My hour has not yet come" His mother said to the servants,"do whatever He tells you."
Virgin Mary is our intercesor in our prayers and above is a good example of intercession prayer toward Jesus through Her,She is the one who tells us,"do whatever Jesus tells us"
Shirley Rowlin, have you ever asked someone to pray for you? Have you ever prayed for someone? If your answer is YES, then all of us are intercessors. Asking the Saints and especially blessed Mother Mary does not take away anything from Jesus. As Christians, we are all in this TOGETHER. We help each other out and I firmly believe that is what God wants for all of us. To help one another, through corporal works of mercy and through prayers. Peace be with you.
Mary is not your intercessor; no one but Jesus Christ alone is your interecessor. Mary was highly favored because of her obedience to God's word; please do the same. She was a faithful wife, a faithful mother, and a faithful Christian; however, at this time, she is in the tomb awaiting the second coming of our Lord and SaviorJesus-Christ. Are you faithful to God's word or to the fables of a mortal man like you and me? Please, study scriptures and learn for yourself as did the reformers.
Pater Kloster You are of your father the devil, but you don't have to be. Be born again, you talk about Jesus honouring his mother, yes he obeyed God commandments to honour your mother and father but your taking it to another level. Mary was the greatest Christian you say?? What about John the Baptist what did Jesus say about him…. oh something like from those born of women there is none greater than John. Read your bible for your self don't let a priest fool you.
rodgeradrodri: You are correct. And can you imagine of Mary's reaction if she were to see all these people worshipping and idolizing her and not her son? I would imagine her saying, "what are they doing?" Nooo don't do this! Stop! it's Not me! My Son ONLY, My Son ONLY!
The Catholic church has ALWAYS taught that salvation is through the church. Nothing new if y have read your history.
Olga Kuznetsova, the Catholics never claimed that salvation is through Mary, the Pope or any holy icons. I'm sorry that you have a wrong understanding of the Catholic faith. If you really want to know what we believe in, please read the Catechism of the Catholic Church here: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM and then let me know where we are wrong. Otherwise, please keep your misguided understanding of Catholics to yourself. Bearing false witness is a sin, and if you're truly Christian, you should know this. Peace and God bless you.
I"M a believer of mother Mary.she been seen all over the world.helping on both-side the living and the after life.And as for jesus he stay at the right hand of GOD.up in haven.helping children.in the afterlife. Jesus is bast seen throw people.
Whoever wrote this,is a clueless secular idiot and knows zero about Catholic theology!
Lynn Terry A few matters of historical and biblical correction. First, your comment, "Mary is an intercessor," is nowhere found in the bible. In fact, the only one mentioned as an intercessor is Jesus. I can think of 1 John 2:1-2 which says, "If anyone does sin, he has one who speaks to the father on his behalf, Jesus Christ the righteous one." Also, Romans 8:34 says, "Christ Jesus who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of … who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Mary is never placed in a position at the right hand of God and never died for sins. She also is never anywhere said in the bible to have lived a sinless life. Thus, her ability to intercede on behalf of us does not exist.
The second issue is that of scripture. Luther did not exclude the Apocrypha from the bible because he was making it out to be what he wanted. He excluded them because they were not in the original canon. In Jerome's Latin translation of the bible in 405 AD, he distinguished between those books that should be used as canon and those that were just written by godly men and useful in some way. He described the books of the Apocrypha on a lesser than scripture. This is why Luther took them out, because they were never meant to be in there in the first place.
Overall, in regard to Mary, I think she is cool, and she is a great example of faith and obedience in the midst of a difficult situation. However, she didn't die for me. Jesus did. At the end of time, every knee will down and tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. It will be neat to talk with Mary in heaven as well as other great men and women of God, but they lived and died. Jesus died, lived, and sits at the right hand of God. He alone is worthy of honor and glory. Jesus is the one who has the power to intercede on behalf of us. He is the only one that can forgive sins. He is the source of salvation. Without Jesus we would have no hope. God could have used another human girl to bring Jesus into the world. But, he only had one divine son to send. Mary was blessed to be chosen and used by God, but God could have used another. Jesus was the only one that could save us of sin. Thus, he is the only one worthy of honor and worship.
This is a really, really stupid article. The person who wrote it has no idea what he is saying, and has no concept of Catholic theology. Complete moron.
Helen Demetriou, the Pope cannot change anything as he pleases. The Pope and the Magisterium must agree before anything can be changed… peace and blessings upon you.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6
The person who wrote this does not have any knowledge of the theme, neither bible studies, only through faith eyes you can understand what the Pope is telling the church. I'll pray for the author of this article.
The person who wrote this does not have any knowledge of the theme, neither bible studies, only through faith eyes you can understand what the Pope is telling the church. I'll pray for the author of this article.
Michael Kezelevich you say " How do you know that it's really the Virgin Mary at these apparitions when it says all through the bible do not talk with the dead" Well that would mean Jesus would be guilty of this since he did speak to Elijah and Moses? (Matt 17:3)..right…?
"the bible strictly says that Jesus Christ is the "Only" mediator between Him and the Father. " thats fine…but what about when St. Pauls says "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:1–4).? Is this not mediating for others? Also, Revelation 5:8, where John depicts the saints in heaven offering our prayers to God under the form of "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.?
"all the traditions the Catholic church practices are against what Jesus taught and the scripture that proves it, and the only argument that you have is that a man taught all of you these traditions."-Ok…first of all Jesus was not only God but he was also man so what he did at the last supper was the main focus for all faithful Catholics…the institution of the Eucharist(Thanksgiving) in which he commanded us to "do… in remembrance of me.." (Matt Chapter 26,Mark Chapter 14, Luke Chapter 22, John Chapter 6,St. Paul speaks of it in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29.) All these Sacred Traditions have been linked as far back as 70 years after Christ' death and resurrection.
All of these objections towards the Catholic Church have already been answered by apologist….I wont go into detail because it would be VERY lenghty…I am proud of my Catholic Faith…I believe in one God the Father Almighty and in Jesus Christ his only our Lord and the Holy spirit…I will not attempt to force you or anyone else to believe in what I believe but I will not stay quiet when my faith is attacked and misunderstood. God bless each and everyone of you and Peace be with you.
Michael Kezelevich you say " How do you know that it's really the Virgin Mary at these apparitions when it says all through the bible do not talk with the dead" Well that would mean Jesus would be guilty of this since he did speak to Elijah and Moses? (Matt 17:3)..right…?
"the bible strictly says that Jesus Christ is the "Only" mediator between Him and the Father. " thats fine…but what about when St. Pauls says "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:1–4).? Is this not mediating for others? Also, Revelation 5:8, where John depicts the saints in heaven offering our prayers to God under the form of "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.?
"all the traditions the Catholic church practices are against what Jesus taught and the scripture that proves it, and the only argument that you have is that a man taught all of you these traditions."-Ok…first of all Jesus was not only God but he was also man so what he did at the last supper was the main focus for all faithful Catholics…the institution of the Eucharist(Thanksgiving) in which he commanded us to "do… in remembrance of me.." (Matt Chapter 26,Mark Chapter 14, Luke Chapter 22, John Chapter 6,St. Paul speaks of it in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29.) All these Sacred Traditions have been linked as far back as 70 years after Christ' death and resurrection.
All of these objections towards the Catholic Church have already been answered by apologist….I wont go into detail because it would be VERY lenghty…I am proud of my Catholic Faith…I believe in one God the Father Almighty and in Jesus Christ his only our Lord and the Holy spirit…I will not attempt to force you or anyone else to believe in what I believe but I will not stay quiet when my faith is attacked and misunderstood. God bless each and everyone of you and Peace be with you.
Misleading headlines are almost as annoying as fake fan (movie) trailers.
Misleading headlines are almost as annoying as fake fan (movie) trailers.
Let Catholics declare Mary more important than Jesus, this religion started in paganism, so it should be only fit it ends that way.
Let Catholics declare Mary more important than Jesus, this religion started in paganism, so it should be only fit it ends that way.
Abbey Thompson Catholicism isn't wahhibist Islam, it's a religion that attracts over 1 billion people to different degrees of faithfulness and unlike Islam that forced people to convert by the sword, while there were forced conversions to Catholicism in the Middle Age they were more willing to "bend" some of the beliefs to attract new converts. The only reason most of Latin America is still catholic is because the Catholic church allowed them to worship their favorite saint(s) as holy people but never at the same level of godliness as Jesus and the Holy Trinity. Indians worshipped many gods and instead of forbidding worship of several gods alltogether they made this impassé which worked very well.
Catholicism unlike wahhabist Islam allows you to worship your favorite saint just as long as you worship the Passion of the Christ during Easter. Most mexicans worships the Virgin Mary as she appeared in front of an Indian in the 1600's as a vision and imprinted her image on his clothing. Juan Diego (who is now a saint himself) gave his shirt to the church with the image printed on it and amazingly it's still in perfect condition almost 500 years later. It's one of the most treasured Catholic holy artifacts in the world.
I believe this article was foolishly written by an obvious non Catholic or at least a gringito that doesn't understand how the majority of humanity practices Catholicism. To the majority of catholics around the world they will probably find increasing the importance of worshipping the Virgin Mary as something more obvious than obvious and it's about good time.
Abbey Thompson Catholicism isn't wahhibist Islam, it's a religion that attracts over 1 billion people to different degrees of faithfulness and unlike Islam that forced people to convert by the sword, while there were forced conversions to Catholicism in the Middle Age they were more willing to "bend" some of the beliefs to attract new converts. The only reason most of Latin America is still catholic is because the Catholic church allowed them to worship their favorite saint(s) as holy people but never at the same level of godliness as Jesus and the Holy Trinity. Indians worshipped many gods and instead of forbidding worship of several gods alltogether they made this impassé which worked very well.
Catholicism unlike wahhabist Islam allows you to worship your favorite saint just as long as you worship the Passion of the Christ during Easter. Most mexicans worships the Virgin Mary as she appeared in front of an Indian in the 1600's as a vision and imprinted her image on his clothing. Juan Diego (who is now a saint himself) gave his shirt to the church with the image printed on it and amazingly it's still in perfect condition almost 500 years later. It's one of the most treasured Catholic holy artifacts in the world.
I believe this article was foolishly written by an obvious non Catholic or at least a gringito that doesn't understand how the majority of humanity practices Catholicism. To the majority of catholics around the world they will probably find increasing the importance of worshipping the Virgin Mary as something more obvious than obvious and it's about good time.
Maria Carlsen I was Catholic and I tell you I know, your WRONG. She has an image, and you pray to someone that is dead, and can't redeem us. Mary was Declared a virgin by some early catholic, its not scripture, its man made. What's the Gospel, Repent and trust in Jesus so that we can be reconciled onto the father, live holy and righteous, the church is those who are doing this, the saints according to Paul. Read your Bible… please.
Talk about a misinterpretation!!! Once again, the media is attempting to create more controversy and anger among Christians. Haven't they done enough already by their constant hyping of articles? Their whole purpose is to lure people into responding to their abysmal reporting as journalists. Let's get rid of them along with our present phony in the White House whom they seem to idolize. Shame on you!!
Karen Ruth Farley You have no idea what 'Virgin' means in theology…
More proof religion has nothing to do with any god. Keep your faith; keep your man-made mythology to yourself.
The person who wrote this can't spell.
If the writer is basing his thesis on the quote, " Without Mary, there would be no Jesus Christ; " then it is a bit far fetched and his interpretation is wacko. The Pope was simply extending the "mother " metaphor that he used through out the entire passage. As with all humans, an individual would not exist without a mother. While Jesus – who was ALWAYS part of the tri-une godhead — may not have existed in the human form without Mary, He existed through out eternity. If Mary had not been utilized as a vessel of human birth for Christ, God would have chosen someone else. I have never understood the worship of Mary or any of the Saints by Catholics – which certainly resembles pantheism – I think this author is way out there in this assertion…..but protestants have been accusing the Catholic church of being the great whore in Revelation for eons.
Catholicism is just pure silly.
Linda Pitcher Really? Is this why Jesus appointed Mary Magdalene to lead the movement but the Patriarchs decided to ignore Jesus' wishes? The more comments I read here the more I see just how ignorant many people are to the true HISTORY of Christianity or even WHY it was created by men.
This is pure malarky
Michael I can go head to head with your incorrect assertions, but do you dare to say the Bible is not a Catholic Book. Where did the Bible come from. It is the divinely inspired word of God. given to the world by the Catholic Church, translated by monks from the Aramaic, Greek and Hebrew writings. Now your understanding is that which is skewed. I would like you to answer your own questions with an explanation of each. It does nothing of that in which you ask. Why Why Why they are all your interpretations, and wrong may I say.
Helen Demetriou mmm…no.
Stephen Conner, during the transfiguration of Jesus, who did Peter, John and James saw? Wasn't it Elijah and Moses? Were they dead or alive? Didn't the dead rose up during Jesus' death (Matthew 27:52) Now tell me, is Mary the mother of Jesus sleeping? By the way, Jesus has already resurrected… Peace and blessings upon you.
Frater Aser Nox yes 100% true but obviously the people here don't even know the faith they are having spaz attacks right now over
You mean the apostle Paul, preached the gospel about mary, or other saints? Because I read in the book of acts 11:19-26 when believers in Christ were first called Christians, are we reading the same Bible, Christianity began in the book of acts. Catholism is a perversion of the Gospel Paul, Peter and the others preached.
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!
Is this how people can foolishly misunderstand a statement? So where in this statement is the Pope promoting Mary to be more important than Jesus? Why are people always concerned with who is more important than who? Every being in heaven are one. One and indivisibly one. If you think God will chase down Mary from heaven because catholics honors her, then you misfired!!!!You will die arguing who is greater than who. Concentrate on how Obama is greater than Hillary Clinton and leave the heavenly beings alone.
This religion is ridiculous. This is not monotheism, you have your main god, your god of evil (Satan), you have god jar (jesus), you have multi-personality god (the trinity) and then you have a pantheon of gods out there casting miracles ( the saints). Heck, the bible even has Jesus visiting the greek god of the underworld (hades).No wonder nobody can get along, your mythologies are too complex.
The church is the body of Christ as St. Paul writes. Without Mary Jesus would not have His humanity. He obtains his humanity through the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary,Jesus has no biological Father. Therefore Mary is the mother of the church. She had free will and gave her consent to God to be the Mother of Jesus and in doing so became our mother, the mother of eternal life the new Eve who had been complicit in our death in allowing sin to enter the world. All grace flows through the body of Christ His Church a body which came from Mary.
You are correct, let's worry about reality and let other bozos worry about mythology.
BLECH! IT IS ONLY YOUR OPINION!
This is a terrible work of ignorance.
I don't believe people are saying shes evil. Its where man makes her purpose evil
If God the Father has sent an Angel down on the knees to honor Mary by greeting her with the message from God Almighty saying "Hail FULL of GRACE" Grace means full of God. Who are we not to honor or venerate the mother of God; spouse of HolySpirit. She intercedes for us just like she told Jesus that "there is no wine" for the newly married couple in the wedding at CANA.
"As for me, I don't know nothing"—Socrates.
Abbey Thompson is a hater and belongs on the Inquisitor with Newsmax Advertizing. Pure Evil
Michael Kezelevich , without the Catholic or the Orthodox, you wouldn't have known Jesus. The Hebrews don't use the Apocrypha books because they know that Christians use it. Jesus even quotes from those books. Please read the Catechism of the Catholic Church to have a better understanding of our faith. You'll find plenty of references their re the Bible and the early Church Fathers. You can access that here: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM. Please read and after you've read it, come back to me and let me know where we are wrong. Thank you and God bless you. Peace
Abbey Thompson pls try to understand the bible b4 u judge the pope.
The next pope will be the last pope, the evil pope spoken of. He will rule in conjunction with the European union until the antichrist kicks him out and then all hell breaks.
Serge V Flo hmmm yeah…go and study the mysteries and mystic Christianity which is the true basis of church teachings and then come back with your 'hmm'
Read your Bible
only way to heaven is through Jesus
Hell is filled with cries of regret anguish torment and disappointment. But only Jesus promised eternal life from that place. You can only find the truth until you look yourself in the mirror. What man can save your soul? don't live to impress men. God sees and he reigns with or without you!
Shirley Rowlin You are right why would we go through Mary to get to Jesus when we can go to Jesus directly. I was raised Catholic and I went to Catholic Schools and I asked my mother why doesn't the Catholic Schools not have us read the Bible and she said they teach Bible History so we are getting there interpretation instead of the word of God.
Neither the writer of this article or the anti-Catholic post-ers are Catholic theologians. This posit has been integral in the Universal Church since the time of Jesus. It is unfortunate that when he speaks, the Pope does not consider the education of those to whom he speaks.
I believe that we give honor to Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. There is nothing that our Lord, Jesus Christ wouldn't do for His Mother, Mary. However, that is where I draw the line. Jesus is, and will always be the Son of God in the three persons in the trinity. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. No matter what changes in the Catholic Church that should not be that we add a 4th, our Blessed Mother Mary. I love Mary dearly, she was humble, she kept things in her heart, and had thorns in her heart when her Son, Jesus was crucified on the cross. We still honor her and that's the way she would like it.
ALL RELIGIONS are like ever changing fashions.
Neil Klein Well facts, history and Scripture support my opinion. Interesting that Paul should write to the fledgling church at ROME … 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen , being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful ; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened . 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools , 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator , who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:20-25)
Helen Demetriou give me info! Convince me!
Konchog Jimpa Sorry Konchog, the First Christians were Hebrew , the Bible was written Hebrews, The Apostles were Hebrews, the Early church was all Hebrews Apostles and the epistles of the apostles , the first churches Hundreds of Years before the catholic institution were in Asia Minor around Turkey Read the seven churches in Revelations. there was also Clement of Alexandria and Agion in Egypt , Paul was the evangelizer of the Gentiles. so your claim does not fit Biblical History , also there IS no Historical evidence that Peter was ever in Rome, Paul was a Roman citizen However, there is no other name under Heaven By which we are saved, But I will say I do not think this age is the Final Age I Believe what many verses say { Christ will save and bring All to the Father But each in His own season, and the Father shall be ALL IN ALL} I do not think He will fail to do the Fathers WILL
But Catholics don't even obey the Bible
Abbey the next pope is the evil one (113) and the last one
This is not the first pope to try to elevate Mary higher than she was intended to be. Many have tried to add the doctrine of Co-Metriax (sp?) so that you are not saved just through Jesus Christ but by Jesus and Mary. The bible says there is only mediator between God and man and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Anything or any doctrine that takes away from Jesus Christ as being God, Lord, and Savior will be judged in the last days as apostate. Mary was a blessed woman by God but even she said, Praise be to God my SAVIOR. She knew she was still a normal human who needed saved from sin just like everyone else. She I believe would be appalled by what the church is trying to do with her.
What are the facts about Mary, Jesus Christ, God and the holy spirit ? For starters, the highest personage in the universe is God, for he is the creator of all life and the universe. At Isaiah 45, it says: "For this is what Jehovah says, the Creator of the heavens, the true God, the One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else."(Isa 45;18)
Jehovah is God's personal name, for Exodus 3 says: "Then God said once more to Moses: “This is what you are to say to the Israelites, ‘Jehovah the God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered from generation to generation."(Ex 3:15)
Who is Jesus Christ ? Jesus said to Nicodemus: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life."(John 3:16) The word "only-begotten" is from the Greek word monogenes that means "single of its kind; only".(Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, pg 417)
Hence, Jesus Christ (Christ meaning "anointed one") is Jehovah's "only-begotten Son" or the only son that Jehovah created directly, without any assistance from anyone else. He is unique in this manner, for all the others "sons of God" were created by God with the assistance of Jesus as his "master worker".(Prov 8:30) Jesus calls himself "the beginning of the creation by God" at Revelation 3:14. Thus, Jesus had a beginning while Jehovah is from "everlasting to everlasting", without beginning or end.(Ps 90:2)
And of Mary, she served as the means for Jesus Christ to be born on the earth in order for Jesus to "give his life as a ransom in exchange for many."(Matt 20:28; Luke 1:30-33) Was she considered as " extra special" ? Because she and her husband to be, Joseph, were loyal to Jehovah, they were chosen as the couple with the privilege of being Jesus "parents".(see Matt 1:18-23)
But Mary was not considered as someone "extra special". How do we know this ? When Jesus was teaching, a woman from among the crowd spoke up and said: "Happy is the womb that carried you and the breasts that nursed you !” Did Jesus commend the woman and then give accolades to his mother ? He said: "No, rather, happy are those hearing the word of God and keeping it !”(Luke 11:27, 28)
Instead of praising his mother, which this surely would have the opportune time to do so, rather he redirected the focus on "hearing the word of God and keeping it." Mary played no other role other than bearing Jesus and raising him to adulthood, which was surely a privilege. At John 2, when performing the miracle of turning water into wine, he addressed his mother as, not "mother", but as "woman".(John 2:4) The apostles give no more mention to Mary than anyone else, in which she is mentioned only once after Jesus death.(Acts 1:14)
Of the holy spirit, it is not part of a "Godhead", but instead God's active force that he used in creating the universe.(Gen 1, 1, 2) At Isaiah 44, God says: "For I will pour out water on the thirsty one and flowing streams on the dry ground. I will pour out my spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants."(Isa 44:3)
Just as water is not a person, neither is the holy spirit. Just as a blessing is not a person, neither is the holy spirit. Just as water can be "poured out" on someone, so likewise God's holy spirit can be "poured out" on loyal ones who then become empowered to accomplish that which can be likened to moving a mountain.(Matt 17:20)
At Luke 4, it says of Jesus after his baptism: "Then Jesus, full of holy spirit, turned away from the Jordan, and he was led about by the spirit in the wilderness."(Luke 4:1) Was Jesus full of a person, another part of the "Godhead" ? No. Rather, he had the full force of God's active force at his disposal to accomplish his critical role as the Christ or Messiah.
Just as gravity or magnetism is invisible, but produces visible effects, so likewise God's loyal servants have access to the most powerful force in the universe, God's holy spirit, that can make them able to fulfill the most important work of making disciples of people of all the nations……teaching them to observe all the things (Jesus) commanded in these "last days".(Matt 28:19, 20; 2 Tim 3:1)
Serge V Flo I don't know if they allow links here but go to sacred texts dot com and look on the left for Christianity. It is an online library of ancient works and writings. Also go to Youtube and type in Manly P Hall Christianity and you will find many seminars by this well known and well respected philosopher and scholar
The bible says Mary was most blessed among women, after all she born the Christ baby. But Jesus, said who is my mother, brother, sister, They are the ones who know and do God will.
Moron and idiotic , completely ignorant , you don't have a clue,God is God , The virgin is a creature, this are the teachings of catholic church, but thanks to Mary,Jesus became man and God's plan was Possible thanks to Mary's YESSSSSS, and thanks to Mary's Yes You and me are now save, no one in any giving moment compare Mary to God the Father The Son and Holly Spirit. GOD is GOD. and if ,if one day a POPE or any one dares to compare Mary or any Creature to GOD, will be WRONG no mater who says that, but this is not what is been said here, please don't twist the facts or misinterpret things.
Liar, Liar, pants on fire. Who ever wrote this needs to take an inquiry class before reporting on any Catholic Church stories. If this continues with this writer, he or she should be fired. Gross incompetence!!
The writer got this completely wrong. The Pope did not say anything new. He stated teachings that have been around since the early Church. Even if he declared her "co-redemptorix" it would not make her "a fourth member of the Trinity" nor make her equal to Jesus. It is obvious that the writer lacks any theological training or upbrining in the Catholic faith as I know third grade Sunday school students know better.
Catholicism.. the the most ridiculous fairy tale religious sects of them all. Carry on your debates, my devolved human brethren.
I am a born and raised Roman Catholic. I have always honored Mary as the Mother of Jesus, and without her, as with any son and mother, we would not have had the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. With that being said, it is the same as any mother and son. The mother protects her son, and the son protects his mother. I have an only son and although I am nowhere near the sanctity of the Blessed Virgin, I know there is a special relationship like no other. It is NOT that there is going to be a "fourth member of the Trinity," but in my point of view, Mary is a channel of one of the Third. I pray to her daily, as an honor and a thanksgiving for having said "yes" to God, giving us Jesus. I have actually lost good friends over this concept, and it saddens me that people are so misguided when wanting to be critical of what they don't know or understand.
white people need to just put the bible down and run as far as they can from it.
Yahoo should be ashamed of running this story which is false and full of disinformation.
The Holy Spirit has been referred to as female part of God. "Sofia" is Wisdom, Holy Spirit. Father Son & holy Spirit make the Holy Trinity. Mary the Mother would not have beenJeses' mother if not for the. Holy Spirit. Mary the Mother ought. To be remembered, but not revered as though she were God. Unless you want to make her so. But that certainly would fly in the face of Holy Trinity. Catholic "vs." Protestantism again? No more "religious " wars, please.
Obvious Brenton never read the bible nor really understands what Catholicism actually teaches. I doubt his claim that he was Catholic or else he would know it was the Catholic (East and West Church) that determined Scripture and the teaching on Mary pre-dates Scripture. His claims are one given by pagans and/or one who has never studies theology or Scripture.