The veneration of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the saints in Catholic practice has long been a contentious issue, sparking significant disagreement between Evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics. This disagreement, which has persisted for centuries, centers around a fundamental question: Does the Bible endorse or even promote the act of praying to Mary and the saints, or is this a non-biblical tradition that contradicts the clear teachings of Scripture? Today, we will delve into this issue from an evangelical perspective, using the authoritative and inerrant Word of God as our compass.
The Uniqueness of Mary's Role
Before delving into the specific practice of Marian devotion and prayers to the saints, it is vital to acknowledge Mary's unique and esteemed position in the Bible. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Gospel writers devoted considerable attention to her role in the grand story of redemption. As the Evangelist Luke records in his Gospel:
"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary." (Luke 1:26-27)
Despite the potential social stigma and personal hardship, Mary's willing obedience to God's call upon her life is a testament to her remarkable faith and trust in the Lord. When the angel Gabriel announced the miraculous news of her impending pregnancy, Mary responded with humble submission: "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
Throughout the Biblical scripture detailing Jesus' birth, childhood, and ministry, Mary is portrayed as a devoted and loving mother, treasuring the words and actions of her Son in her heart (Luke 2:19, 51). She was present at the crucifixion, witnessing the sacrificial death of her Savior and Son (John 19:25-27). After Jesus' resurrection, she is mentioned as part of the gathering of believers, awaiting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14).
The Uniqueness of Mary's Role in God's Redemptive Plan
Mary's role in the narrative of redemption is truly exceptional. She was chosen by God to bear and give birth to the Messiah, the incarnate Son of God. As the Apostle Paul eloquently states in his letter to the Galatians:
"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." (Galatians 4:4-5)
Mary's willing obedience and submission to God's plan made her an integral part of the unfolding of salvation history. She is not just honored, but esteemed for her unique role, as Mary herself prophesied: "For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed" (Luke 1:48). Her role is not to be taken lightly, but to be deeply respected and acknowledged.
However, while acknowledging Mary's unique position and the honor due to her as the mother of our Lord, it is crucial to recognize the boundaries set forth by Scripture regarding her role and the appropriate response of believers towards her.
The Biblical Perspective on Praying to Mary and the Saints
Praying to Mary and the saints is a longstanding tradition within the Roman Catholic Church. Catholics often invoke the intercession of Mary and the saints, asking them to pray on their behalf to God. This practice is rooted in the belief that Mary and the saints, being in the presence of God, can hear and intercede for the prayers of those still on earth. However, this practice finds no support within the pages of Scripture. It directly contradicts the clear teachings of the Bible regarding the singular role of Jesus Christ as the sole mediator between God and humanity.
The Sole Mediator: Jesus Christ
The New Testament unequivocally affirms that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity. In his first letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul writes:
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
This verse explicitly states that there is only one mediator between God and humanity – Jesus Christ. The epistle to the Hebrews further reinforces this truth, declaring:
"But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." (Hebrews 10:12-14)
Jesus Christ, through His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, has made a way for believers to approach the throne of grace directly, without any intermediary or additional mediator. The Apostle John echoes this truth, stating:
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:1-2)
Jesus Christ is our advocate and intercessor before the Father. He made atonement for our sins, and through Him, we have direct access to God's presence.
The Clear Teachings of Scripture
Throughout the Scriptures, believers are consistently encouraged to approach God directly through prayer, without the need for any intermediary or "saint" to intercede on their behalf. Consider the following verses:
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16)
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26)
"And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:5-6).
This is the urgent call, to return to the sufficiency of Scripture, to the direct relationship with our Father in Heaven. These passages, among many others, direct believers to approach God directly in prayer, relying on the intercession of the Holy Spirit and the advocacy of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest.
The Importance of Sola Scriptura
One of the foundational principles of the Protestant Reformation, and a cornerstone of evangelical belief, is the doctrine of sola Scriptura, the belief that Scripture alone is the authoritative and inerrant source of divine revelation. As the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Scriptures, as the inspired Word of God, are sufficient to guide our beliefs and practices. They provide a complete and reliable source of instruction for a life of faith and godliness.
In light of this principle, any practice or tradition that finds no support or basis in Scripture must be carefully examined and, if necessary, rejected. The practice of praying to Mary and the saints, while deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, cannot be supported by the clear teachings of the Bible.
Mary's Role in Scripture
While acknowledging Mary's unique role in the redemption plan, it is important to note that the Scriptures never portray her as an object of worship or veneration. There is no record of Mary herself ever desiring or encouraging such devotion. When confronted with the adoration of others, Mary consistently redirects the attention and glory towards God.
For example, during the visitation of Mary and Elizabeth, recorded in the Gospel of Luke, Elizabeth exclaims:
"And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43)
Mary's response is a beautiful hymn of praise, known as the Magnificat, in which she exalts the Lord and magnifies His greatness:
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant." (Luke 1:46-48)
Mary's focus is not on herself but on the greatness and mercy of God. She publicly recognizes her position as a servant of the Lord, not one to be worshipped or venerated herself.
Similarly, at the wedding feast in Cana, as recorded in John's Gospel, Mary prompts Jesus to perform His first public miracle by stating, "They have no wine" (John 2:3). However, when the servants follow her instruction to "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5), the attention is shifted entirely to Jesus and His divine power, not to Mary herself.
Mary is portrayed as a faithful disciple of her Son, the Messiah, throughout the Gospels. She is never elevated to a position of worship or veneration, nor does she ever encourage such practices. While unique and esteemed, her role is ultimately defined by her relationship to Christ as His mother and a believer in His redemptive work.
The Role of the Saints in Scripture
The concept of "sainthood" and the veneration of saints is another significant disagreement between Protestants and Roman Catholics. In Catholic tradition, saints are those who have lived exemplary lives of faith and virtue and are believed to now reside in the presence of God, where they can intercede on behalf of those still living.
However, the Scriptures present a different understanding of the term "saint." In the New Testament, the word "saint" (from the Greek word "hagios") is used to refer to all believers in Christ, those who have been sanctified and set apart for God's purposes. Consider the following examples:
"To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1:1)."To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi" (Philippians 1:1)."Greet every saint in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:21).
In these verses, the Apostle Paul addresses the entire body of believers, not a select group of individuals who have attained the special status of "sainthood."
The concept of venerating or praying to saints is also absent from the pages of Scripture. Instead, believers are consistently encouraged to pray directly to God, relying on the intercession of Christ and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Sufficiency of Christ
At the core of the objection to the veneration of Mary and the saints lies a deep conviction about the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work and His role as the sole mediator between God and humanity. The Scriptures teach that through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus has fully and completely reconciled believers to God, providing direct access to the Father.
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18)."Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
The Apostle Paul emphatically declares in his letter to the Colossians:
"For in him [Christ] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority" (Colossians 2:9-10).
In Christ, believers have been made complete, lacking nothing. His finished work on the cross has provided full redemption and reconciliation with God. There is no need for additional mediators or intercessors, as Christ Himself is the perfect and sufficient Mediator, our great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).
The Exaltation of Mary and the Saints: A Distraction from Christ
The veneration of Mary and the saints, while well-intentioned, ultimately serves as a distraction from the central focus of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross. By directing prayers and devotion towards created beings, even those as esteemed as Mary and the saints, the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ can become obscured or diminished.
The Apostle Paul's words to the Colossian Church are particularly relevant in this context:
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8).
While veneration of Mary and the saints may be deeply rooted in human tradition, it finds no basis in Scripture's teachings. It can potentially lead believers away from the simplicity and sufficiency of the Gospel of Christ.
The Call to Worship God Alone
Throughout the Scriptures, there is a consistent and unwavering call for believers to worship and serve God alone. The first of the Ten Commandments, as recorded in Exodus 20:3, states: "You shall have no other gods before me." This commandment is reiterated in the New Testament, where the Apostle John writes:
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21).
While the veneration of Mary and the saints may not be intended as outright idolatry, it can nonetheless become a form of misplaced devotion and worship, detracting from the exclusive worship and adoration due to God alone.
The book of Revelation provides a powerful example of the appropriate response to any attempt at human veneration. When the Apostle John falls down to worship the angel who has been revealing these visions to him, the angel responds:
"You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God" (Revelation 22:9).
This passage emphasizes the distinction between the worship due to God alone and the honor and respect that may be given to fellow servants or created beings.
The Evangelical Call to Return to the Sufficiency of Scripture
In conclusion, the practice of praying to Mary and the saints finds no support in Scripture. Instead, the Bible consistently affirms the singular role of Jesus Christ as the one and only mediator between God and humanity and the sufficiency of His atoning work on the cross to reconcile believers to the Father.
While rooted in longstanding tradition, veneration of Mary and the saints can inadvertently diminish Christ's centrality and supremacy in the believer's life. It can also distract from the clear biblical mandate to worship and serve God alone, directing devotion and reverence towards created beings rather than the Creator.
Our call is to return to the supreme authority of Scripture and embrace the gospel message's simplicity and sufficiency. We honor Mary for her unique role in the redemption plan and her exemplary faith and obedience. We respect the saints before us, whose lives and testimonies continue to inspire and encourage us in our own walk of faith.
However, our worship, prayers, and ultimate devotion must be directed solely toward the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Christ, we have been granted direct access to the throne of grace, and through Him alone, we can approach the Father with confidence and assurance.
As followers of Christ, may we always maintain sight of the sufficiency of His atoning work and the exclusivity of His role as our great High Priest and Mediator. Let us pray directly to God, relying on Christ's intercession and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, avoiding any practices or traditions that could obscure or diminish the preeminence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
No comments:
Post a Comment