Newmans answer to those that accuse us of idolatry

[Contrabass101]

I am currently reading J.H. Cardinal Newman’s “Development of Doctrine”, and I found this rather neat argument, that I’d like to share.

Arius, it is generally believed, was a heretic. His heresy consisted in saying that Jesus was not God. That Jesus was not divine. Yet, he didn’t say that Jesus was just a man, but he said that he was the greatest of created beings, created as the first and most glorious. But still made, not born.

Arius was found wanting. The Church ruled, that honoring - even in great measure - is not the same as worshiping as true God. Great glory and divinity are not the same thing. That is the core of the condemnation of Arius.

Now, the Fundamentalists claim, that we worship Mary. But clearly, we do not believe her to be co-eternal with the Father, we do not believe her to be un-created. Newman argues, that even though Arius said greater things about Christ, than any Catholic has ever said about Mary - he was still found wanting.

So if the honor paid to Mary by Catholics is idolatry, then the honor paid to Christ by Arius is orthodoxy…

• CB

 

[moen]

This is really good. Boy, if there’s more like this about other difficult doctrinal issues, I’d love to hear of them. Don’t have time to sift through heavy books.
Other forum cites here sometimes end up being combative and people so defensive that it’s hard to get to the real point. I am not yet a Catholic, and I’ve had simple, honest questions—which were responded to with slams, badgering, and downright meanness…it’s sad…because I think of, for instance, Mother Teresa, honored the world over-----she worked amongst Muslims and Hindus, etc. She simply LOVED (not trying to convert anyone to Catholicism…and she’s changed the world! She’s my hero!