Brief Summary
This video addresses common Protestant objections to Catholic and Orthodox practices, particularly the perception of these groups as not adhering to salvation by grace alone. It explores the historical context of the Protestant Reformation's antagonism towards the Catholic Church, the role of ignorance and misinformation in perpetuating negative stereotypes, and the theological justifications used by some Protestants to exclude Catholics and Orthodox from salvation. The discussion also covers the practice of praying to Mary, addressing scriptural arguments and historical evidence to defend its validity within Catholic and Orthodox traditions.
- Protestant objections to Catholic and Orthodox practices stem from historical antagonism and misinformation.
- Some Protestants believe Catholics and Orthodox add to Christ's finished work, thus preaching a false gospel.
- The practice of praying to Mary is defended through scriptural interpretation and historical evidence of early Christian practice.
Misconceptions about Catholicism and Orthodoxy
Many Protestants view Catholicism with suspicion, similar to how some Jewish people view Christianity, questioning why the concept of salvation by grace alone isn't extended to Catholics and Orthodox Christians. This stems from the Protestant Reformation's historical opposition to the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the spread of negative stereotypes, such as accusations of paganism, idolatry, and Mary worship. Often, these criticisms are based on a lack of understanding of Catholic and Orthodox beliefs and practices. While some informed Protestants avoid blatant accusations, they argue that Catholic devotion to Mary implies her deification, and that the Catholic Church's view on salvation contradicts the "faith alone" doctrine.
Theological Justifications Against Catholics and Orthodox
Some Protestants argue that Catholics and Orthodox Christians add to the finished work of Christ by emphasising the need to maintain righteousness through faithful actions, which they see as a form of blasphemy. They believe that any addition to Christ's sacrifice undermines its completeness. While acknowledging that blaspheming the Holy Spirit is the only unforgivable sin, they contend that failing to repent of other sins invalidates one's salvation. This perspective forms the basis for their rejection of Catholic and Orthodox Christians as truly saved.
Catholic vs Orthodox: Bridging the Gap
Choosing between a Catholic and an Orthodox church doesn't resolve the core doctrinal differences, such as the filioque and the papacy. Attending a Byzantine Catholic Church, while visually similar to an Eastern Orthodox church, doesn't negate the need to address these fundamental disagreements. The key issues separating the two churches are the authority of the Pope and the procession of the Holy Spirit, which require individual wrestling and conviction.
Praying to Mary: Scriptural Basis
The question of whether it is acceptable to pray to Mary is addressed by arguing that the Bible doesn't provide an exhaustive list of Christian practices. Instead, the validity of praying to Mary is established through several points: the dead in Christ are alive and aware of earthly events; the Bible encourages prayer for one another; and there is a church in heaven where perfected, sinless individuals continue to love and pray for those on earth. Hebrews 12:22-24 is cited to support the existence of a church in heaven.
Historical Evidence of Praying to Mary
Praying to Mary is not a new practice, with evidence dating back to early Christianity. A papyrus fragment from around 250 AD contains the oldest surviving prayer to Mary, still used by Orthodox and Catholic Christians today. This demonstrates that asking Mary and other deceased Christians to pray for those on Earth was a widespread practice in the early church. The prayer, "Beneath your tenderness of heart, we take refuge, O bearer of God," illustrates the early Church's devotion to Mary.
Addressing Objections and Scriptural Support
While some Christians object to praying to Mary, it's important to note that the majority of Christians worldwide, including Catholics, Orthodox, and Eastern Orthodox, have no issue with it. The claim that scripture prohibits praying to the dead is countered by the assertion that those in heaven are not dead but more alive than those on Earth, as supported by Luke 20:37-38, where Jesus states that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-5 are cited to show spirit creatures in heaven offering the prayers of the saints to God, indicating their awareness of and mediation in those prayers.
Old Testament and Isaiah
The passage in Isaiah where Isaiah speaks as Yahweh is addressed. It's clarified that Isaiah is presented as Yahweh's representative, delivering Yahweh's message, not as Yahweh himself. This is contrasted with how the Old Testament speaks of the angel of the Lord and Jesus, where the identification is much stronger. The example from Judges 13:21-22 is used to illustrate this point, highlighting that Manoah's recognition of the angel as God is distinct from recognising a prophet as God's representative.
