How do Catholics explain 1 Timothy 2:5 and Hebrews 7:26?

[Arglaze]

…Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce to you, the author of Revelation.

So understanding what someone else writes makes me the author?
lol.

 

[Rocky]

There are many terms you can use for the “mediator” word. I was born and raised in the SDA church, then wondered to other churches to learn what they believe, then through study of the scriptures came back to the SDA church.
In school I was also made to take Catholic and learn all the prayers, doctrines, etc.
Paul converted to God through work of the Holy Spirit. God is not restricted to human channels to witness, but he allows us to take part in the blessing of sharing the gospel.

You can give anyone the Bible, but that person comes to Christ by work of the Holy Spirit. Thats why you have so many people in churches that don’t even follow God, they are just members.
We are not mediators between God and men, Christ is. We are God’s witnesses to men.

Even Paul was familiar with what the Apostles were preaching about Jesus—he just didn’t choose to believe them before he was knocked flat on his rear by God.

 

[Believe_85]

I thought someone said the woman was Mary?

If you believe the woman in Revelation was the Catholic Church, then you are not far from the truth.

That’s what I’ve been taught, what it says in the Catholic study Bible, and what is painted in the Archdiocese Cathedral in Portland. I think someone else might have said otherwise, but I’ll let them clarify.

 

[adstrinity]

I thought someone said the woman was Mary?

If you believe the woman in Revelation was the Catholic Church, then you are not far from the truth.

Mary, The Catholic Church, and The Jews. All apply.

 

[mercygate]

That’s taking prophecy out of Context and literal.

The woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet with a crown of 12 stars, is symbolic of the Chuch of God. Its normal in prophetic interpretation to see God’s people as a woman.

Christians see this “Woman” as Israel, as the Church, and as Mary. It is an apocalyptic image with manifold significance.

Mary was not given the wings of an eagle to fly into the wilderness where she stayed at for 1260 days, and no dragon spewed water out of her mouth to drown her, not the earth opened to save her.

But the beast is out to get her offspring. And come to think of it, how long was the Holy Family in Egypt? Could have been just about 3 and a half years or 1260 days . . . . [disclaimer: I just made that up]

That would be taking Revelation out of context. and I don’t see how from that verse you see the last claim that she became the mother of all living. Its prophecy taken out of context.

In fact the mother of all the living statement is only attributed to Eve. in Genesis 3:20

We don’t take Revelation out of context. Eve, the “mother of the living” turned out to be “mother of the dying” when she sinned. In typological reading of Scripture, the fulfillment of the type is always greater than the type. So when Mary said “Fiat” she becomes greater than Eve and becomes the true mother of the truly living – those who live eternally in her Son.

 

[Arglaze]

…Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce to you, the author of Revelation.

The author of the book of Revelation is Jesus, and John is the editor and publisher.
Revelation 1:1 - “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John”

 

[Arglaze]

We don’t take Revelation out of context. Eve, the “mother of the living” turned out to be “mother of the dying” when she sinned. In typological reading of Scripture, the fulfillment of the type is always greater than the type. So when Mary said “Fiat” she becomes greater than Eve and becomes the true mother of the truly living – those who live eternally in her Son.

Your interpretation of that typology. But I will leave that to your discretion and investigation of the scriptures.
I’m just amazed at how people attribute so much to her, when even Jesus himself pointed in a different direction every time someone try to give her credit for anything.
Why did Jesus do that, instead of agreeing with them and saying “Hail the my mother, the Mother of God, and all the Living.”

We do something that God nor him ever asked us to do. Why be more religious than God by adding more stuff that what the scriptures point clearly?
She’s gone from a simple servant of the Lord, to an object of devotion for an entire church.

 

[adstrinity]

So understanding what someone else writes makes me the author?
lol.

The author of the book of Revelation is Jesus, and John is the editor and publisher.
Revelation 1:1 - “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John”

Only the author of a letter knows the full context. If one is not the author, one cannot claim to know the context, not even if the letter is addressed to that person.

 

[Arglaze]

Even Paul was familiar with what the Apostles were preaching about Jesus—he just didn’t choose to believe them before he was knocked flat on his rear by God.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Paul believed the Apostles were preaching heresy, that’s why he was persecuting them and having them killed, he saw what they taught in the wrong light.
After his experience with Jesus in Damascus, then he was converted and learned of God directly, not from man.

Galatians 1:11-12, 16-19
"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. “… immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.”

 

[Arglaze]

Only the author of a letter knows the full context. If one is not the author, one cannot claim to know the context, not even if the letter is addressed to that person.

So you’re saying that Jesus gave us a message that he didn’t really intend for us to understand in its full context. Which makes him an ineffective communicator.

 

[adstrinity]

So you’re saying that Jesus gave us a message that he didn’t really intend for us to understand in its full context. Which makes him an ineffective communicator.

No. We just don’t get it all. Same applies to human authors. …But, Jesus is better than President Reagan (and if Reagan was the Great Communicator…)…though, it’s hard to imagine.

 

[SenorSalsa]

Negative. That’s not what I’m saying. What I’m saying is that that line of thought would lead you then to say that anyone in Mary’s line are somehow something of Jesus.

Jesus saw Mary just the way he sees you and me.
Matthew 12:47-50 - “Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

This has nothing to do with denying Mary as his mother. He didn’t say that Those outside were not his Mother and brethren, but rather that everybody was part of his family. I will admit that I have always found it strange that he includes mother, as none of us can lay claim to that, but rather can only lay claim to being Brothers and Sisters in Christ. My guess, which is just that, is that mother is added simply because they tell Jesus that his Mother and Brethren are outside, so for an effective contrast, he would have to say both mother and brethren when referring to the gathered disciples

I again would like to draw your attention to the Angel of God who told Joseph to take Jesus and His Mother, not Jesus and his wife, into Egypt, and then back into Israel

 

[sola_scriptura]

This has nothing to do with denying Mary as his mother. He didn’t say that Those outside were not his Mother and brethren, but rather that everybody was part of his family. I will admit that I have always found it strange that he includes mother, as none of us can lay claim to that, but rather can only lay claim to being Brothers and Sisters in Christ. My guess, which is just that, is that mother is added simply because they tell Jesus that his Mother and Brethren are outside, so for an effective contrast, he would have to say both mother and brethren when referring to the gathered disciples

I again would like to draw your attention to the Angel of God who told Joseph to take Jesus and His Mother, not Jesus and his wife, into Egypt, and then back into Israel

Man this is the most far fetched explanation I’ve ever heard. Those outside were His family and none other. The context doesn’t allow for anything else? Geez.

I have a bridge for sale in Brooklyn – you interested?

 

[mercygate]

Man this is the most far fetched explanation I’ve ever heard. Those outside were His family and none other. The context doesn’t allow for anything else? Geez.

I have a bridge for sale in Brooklyn – you interested?

Huh? His mother and his brother come to take Jesus away and He responds that his mother and his brothers are those who hear the word of God and keep it. This can ONLY mean that he is extending “kinship” beyond his blood family to those who follow Him. I have known non-Catholics use this passage to dismiss Our Lady. I have never known a non-Catholic who denied that Jesus was embracing as brothers those who “hear the word and keep it.”

 

[Arglaze]

Huh? His mother and his brother come to take Jesus away and He responds that his mother and his brothers are those who hear the word of God and keep it. This can ONLY mean that he is extending “kinship” beyond his blood family to those who follow Him. I have known non-Catholics use this passage to dismiss Our Lady. I have never known a non-Catholic who denied that Jesus was embracing as brothers those who “hear the word and keep it.”

thank you for this explanation!

 

[HamtramckSteve]

Why be more religious than God by adding more stuff that what the scriptures point clearly?

The beauty of scripture is that it’s a living document. The longer you look, the more there is to see. If it’s not clear, maybe you haven’t been looking long enough or maybe you need glasses.

 

[Chancellor]

A couple of facts that might help in this discussion:

1. It is more appropriate to say that the bible is based in Catholicism than that Catholicism is based in the bible. The Catholic Church preceeded the bible by hundreds of years. The bible was assembled by Catholics as teaching aids to teach future generations of Catholics about the Catholic faith.
2. All of what Christ and the apostles taught is not in the bible. The bible says this.
3. No book could ever contain all that God has to tell us.
4. Although we all do it, it is technically inappropriate to refer to the New Testament as the “Word of God”, As the gospels and other writings abundantly report, Jesus Christ is the Word of God. Word of God is aptly applied to the Pentateuch especially because of Jewish belief inherited by Christians, but Christians are not properly refered to as people of the bible, we are Christs alone. The bible is a good and faithful guide book on matters of faith and morals. To refer to the bible as “the Word” is in the technical sense (in my opinion) idolatry, because as we all know, Christ himself is the word.
5. I think it is ridiculous for Catholics to think they have to justify anything to those who worship our bible instead of our Lord. Our faith and practice derive from direct relationship with Christ and the Apostles in an unbroken line to the present. Catholics all live in the body of Christ and share in His life through the sacraments and traditions that He gave us. We don’t live in a book.
6. The ultimate reason that protestants cannot find the full Catholic faith written in a book is that it isn’t all there. I think God probably wants it that way.

So, for your consideration:

How do Catholics explain 1 Timothy 2:5? “For there is one God: there is ione mediator between God and mankind, Jesus Christ, Himself human, who gave Himself as ransom for all”.

Answer: Galatians 2:20 “and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me”.

The reason that Mary, the Saints, the faithful departed and all those alive in Christ today can mediate for each other with God is that Christ lives in us. The incarnation of Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit means that all who are alive in Christ can fearlessly approach the throne of God. As Catholics we fearlessly pray for each other believing that God hears. We also know that some have entered into a depth of understanding and relationship with Christ to a greater extent than others, some have proven ministries of mediation with God through Christ. We call these saints and appreciate their continuing ministry to the human race. The greatest of the Saints is Mary herself, the first human being to be filled with Christ and the only human being ever to give human birth to God.

Father God, I ask you now to open the eyes and the heart of everyone who has been drawn for whatever reason to the Catholic Answers Forum. Let every one known you, not just through the words on a page but in the reality of our being. We pray in confidence knowing that Christ in us intercedes with you and that we are your beloved children. Amen

Mary, Mother of Mercies, pray for us.

The Chancellor

 

[CentralFLJames]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Paul believed the Apostles were preaching heresy, that’s why he was persecuting them and having them killed, he saw what they taught in the wrong light.
After his experience with Jesus in Damascus, then he was converted and learned of God directly, not from man.

Galatians 1:11-12, 16-19
"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. “… immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.”

Consider yourself corrected. So now you are teaching that Paul is superior to all the other apostles since after He persecuted The Church Jesus gave him direct private revelation that was superior to what he gave the other 12?

Hahaha … who writes your comedy for you? Mr Chick?

James

 

[CentralFLJames]

A couple of facts that might help in this discussion:

1. It is more appropriate to say that the bible is based in Catholicism than that Catholicism is based in the bible. The Catholic Church preceeded the bible by hundreds of years. The bible was assembled by Catholics as teaching aids to teach future generations of Catholics about the Catholic faith.
2. All of what Christ and the apostles taught is not in the bible. The bible says this.
3. No book could ever contain all that God has to tell us.
4. Although we all do it, it is technically inappropriate to refer to the New Testament as the “Word of God”, As the gospels and other writings abundantly report, Jesus Christ is the Word of God. Word of God is aptly applied to the Pentateuch especially because of Jewish belief inherited by Christians, but Christians are not properly refered to as people of the bible, we are Christs alone. The bible is a good and faithful guide book on matters of faith and morals. To refer to the bible as “the Word” is in the technical sense (in my opinion) idolatry, because as we all know, Christ himself is the word.
5. I think it is ridiculous for Catholics to think they have to justify anything to those who worship our bible instead of our Lord. Our faith and practice derive from direct relationship with Christ and the Apostles in an unbroken line to the present. Catholics all live in the body of Christ and share in His life through the sacraments and traditions that He gave us. We don’t live in a book.
6. The ultimate reason that protestants cannot find the full Catholic faith written in a book is that it isn’t all there. I think God probably wants it that way.

So, for your consideration:

How do Catholics explain 1 Timothy 2:5? “For there is one God: there is ione mediator between God and mankind, Jesus Christ, Himself human, who gave Himself as ransom for all”.

Answer: Galatians 2:20 “and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me”.

The reason that Mary, the Saints, the faithful departed and all those alive in Christ today can mediate for each other with God is that Christ lives in us. The incarnation of Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit means that all who are alive in Christ can fearlessly approach the throne of God. As Catholics we fearlessly pray for each other believing that God hears. We also know that some have entered into a depth of understanding and relationship with Christ to a greater extent than others, some have proven ministries of mediation with God through Christ. We call these saints and appreciate their continuing ministry to the human race. The greatest of the Saints is Mary herself, the first human being to be filled with Christ and the only human being ever to give human birth to God.

Father God, I ask you now to open the eyes and the heart of everyone who has been drawn for whatever reason to the Catholic Answers Forum. Let every one known you, not just through the words on a page but in the reality of our being. We pray in confidence knowing that Christ in us intercedes with you and that we are your beloved children. Amen

Mary, Mother of Mercies, pray for us.

The Chancellor

Well said. Christ is the Living Word of God - the very same word made flesh that Catholics commune with each time we receive Him in the Eucharist. Protestants see less that 1/3 of the word of God (they miss apostolic tradition and the magisterium) and in some degree practise idolotary by worshiping words on paper and their own frail intellects rather than the living word of God.

The word “bible” does not appear anywhere in scripture. I want to know why Protestants reverence the bible like a relic more so than they reverence and worship The Living Word of God in Holy Eucharist?

The answer is in John 6:66:
66As a result of this [ed: teaching on the Holy Eucharist] many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.

It takes more that talking the talk - one must also walk the walk all the way to the promised land and live by every Word of God - and every word of God is to be found in the Living Eucharist - not the bible.

James

 

[Bill_Cherry]

You are dodging the point here. Where do you prove the things not contained in Scripture? Tradition must adhere to and parallel Scripture in which in the case of Catholicism it does not.

Wow.Y’know,In some nighborhoods,them’s fightin’ words!
The Catholic church has been around for an awful long time!
ACTS 5:38,39
Everything else branched out from from there.
You see,we accept all who profess the Gospel.or at least,I do…
Galations 1:6-10 is pretty much the way I feel about it.
Just because you were some designer brand of jeans doesn’t mean you got the absolute last word on jeans.Some folks wear wranglers,Some wear Guess(?){he who hath understanding…}
The Catholic Church is the original levis.
Tradition is what got translated into what we call our Bible.
John 21:25
Blow the dust off your Bible!