Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 4/3/2007

Question
QUESTION: My question is this, why do Catholics hold Mary up along side  Jesus and God? Yes I know that she gave birth to Jesus and that should be respected, but to pray to her? And say she is the Mother of God? Is this right? And is it the right thing to do in the eyes of God. and does it even say that we should in the Bible?
ANSWER: Junior,

I apologize for the late reply.

You are correct in you evaluation of the catholic church's view of Mary. The RCC doctrine declares that catholics worship only God and that they venerate Mary and, to a lesser degree, the other saints. In practice, however, it is crystal clear that Mary figures quite prominently in Roman Catholic worship.

There is so much that I could say on this subject, but time and space would prevent me. I would like to suggest that you got to the following web site that will give you a detailed answer to your questions...

http://www.lazyboysreststop.com/mariology.htm

Please let me know if this helps, or if you have any further questions.
Elder Greg Madden



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok thankyou for your response, my next question is this. Is CATHOLICISM, the first Christian religion, the one that Jesus built his church? And also is Peter THE ROCK, That Jesus built his church on?

Answer
Junior,

You are welcome. I hope that the web site I suggested was informative.

Now to your next question...
"Is CATHOLICISM, the first Christian religion, the one that Jesus built his church?"

No, it is not. Christianity itself was established first. Then out of this came all
other denominations that would claim to fall under the Christian umbrella. The
Christian Church, the Body of Christ, is His church. All those who have truly been
saved/born-again are the church.

Now to your next question...
"...is Peter THE ROCK, That Jesus built his church on?"

Here is the Scripture you are referencing.

Matthew 16:15
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am ?  
16:16
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  
16:17
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and
blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  
16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  
16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou
shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven.  

Jesus said that Peter's (who's name is Petros meaning "a rock or a stone")
revelation of who Christ was would be the rock (pet'-ra meaning a "a large stone")
upon which Jesus would build His church upon. The Bible teaches us that it is this
revelation is what brings salvation. Peter used this revelation (which is the keys
of heaven) to unlock heavens door in the first sermon preached after the outpouring
of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2
2:14
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye
men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and
hearken to my words:
2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same
Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.  
2:37
(See how that Peter used the keys of revelation, that Jesus is Lord and Christ, to
bring about salvation)
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and
to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  
2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost.  
2:39
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off,
even as many as the Lord our God shall call.  
2:40

Junior, please let me know if this helps, or if you have any further questions.
Elder Greg Madden