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Critics of Protestantism/Belief in Mary
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Question
Although, I do not believe any particular denomination has got the perfect interpretation of the bile, I have the impression that the Catholic Church has got it slightly more wrong than Protestants (especially the belief that dead people listen to our prayers). From this point of view, I would like to ask you the following question:
I have a Catholic friend whose belief in Jesus is as good as any other Christian’s I know. I can see that his life has been changing in line with the word of God except for one thing which is his belief in Mary as an intercessor and miracle worker. He gets offended when the subject of Mary is brought up for scrutiny. Can you tell me what difference does his belief in Mary make to his eternal destiny?
Lenin
Hello and thanks for writing. Well, in the first place, I think it would be worthwhile for you to examine your assumption that the communion of the saints and the intercession of the saints are unbiblical beliefs. I think that if you really study the issue you will discover- even if you don't end up believing in them- that they are beliefs which have been held by Christians since the earliest times, and aren't in fact as antithetical to Christianity as you think. But that isn't your question. You ask what difference does your friend's (and by extension, all Catholics') belief in Mary make to his eternal destiny. And the answer is: absolutely nothing.
)
Mary has no direct role in the salvation process. Jesus Christ, by His Death and Resurrection, offered eternal life to undeserving Man. And in the lives of individuals, it is our Faith in Him and our obedience to His commandments that are the salient factors in the question of our individual salvation. There is no question that a person is saved without recourse to Mary. A person can go his whole life without even so much as saying a Hail Mary, and still go to Heaven. Now, with all this being acknowledged, we still must say that we believe that Mary is a powerful guide to Christ, an intercessor of inestimable influence, a loving Mother to the Church, the faithful Christian par excellance, and that to ignore Mary is to reject abundant spiritual benefits. I hope that answers your question.
Obviously, this issue is a vast and complex one, so if you would like to explore some particular facet of it with me, please write back.
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Answers by Expert:
Andrew Foley
Expertise
Although, as an American, I am a great admirer of the Protestant-influenced culture which created this country, as well as the zeal and Biblical scholarship of many Protestant denominations and individual Protestants, I am forced to conclude that the Protestant Faith is based on faulty and selective Biblical interpretation as well as erroneous reasoning. While Protestants can of course be good Christians, at its heart Protestantism is religious anarchy which will lead many devout souls to perdition. Jesus prayed that we may "all be one"(JN 17:21) and that there may be "one flock, one shepherd" (JN 10:16). I believe that He established a Church against which "the gates of Hell shall not prevail" (MT 16:18). I don't believe Jesus intended for Christianity to be an eternal debating club, which is the condition to which Sola Scriptura relegates our religion. I'll be glad to try to answer any questions you have, although my special interest is in the Faith/Works question, the question of the Bible's authority, and the dangers of Pentecostalism
Experience
Lifetime interest in comparative religion, especially among Christians.
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