Relics

[markguitar_1]

I am having a talk with a Baptist friend and we are on the topic of veneration of saints. And he asked me about relics. He believes that relics are biblically based but he thinks Catholic worship relics.

And he also says that people are willing to travel around the globe in order to see, or touch an item, not because of thing itself but because they believe the object can do something for them and that is idolatry.

I am not sure how to answer these two claims. I could use some Suggestions. thanks

 

[AshleyBelle]

I am having a talk with a Baptist friend and we are on the topic of veneration of saints. And he asked me about relics. He believes that relics are biblically based but he thinks Catholic worship relics.

And he also says that people are willing to travel around the globe in order to see, or touch an item, not because of thing itself but because they believe the object can do something for them and that is idolatry.

I am not sure how to answer these two claims. I could use some Suggestions. thanks

He’s right about one thing. Faithful Catholics do travel around the globe to see or touch a relic Not because the thing itself can do something for them, but because GOD can work through them! We believe the Saints lived exemplary lives of holiness, and that because of their great faith, God did great things in their lives!
Just as the woman in scripture who reached out through the crowd to touch Christ’s cloak was healed… not of her own power but because of her great FAITH!

So, we turn to the saints because of their examples of faith, and reaching out to their relics, is like an act of faith from the woman in scripture who touched Christ’s cloak. It is not the saint we are reaching out to, but Christ, in faith, through them

Mathew 17:20

20
17 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

 

[gookykookypig]

The Catholic view on relics is always God giving its grace on it. If we worship the relic, that is idolatry. If the relic has a power that can do something for us, that’s superstition. If by relics it is believed that God’s grace extend even to things or beyond death, then, that is faith. I’ve read the same argument from an apologist here in CA.

 

[Todd_Easton]

Catholics can hardly be blamed for having an interest in relics since the Bible itself tells us that touching the bones of a dead saint or touching a cloth that a saint has touched has cured diseases, expelled demons, and even to raised the dead. (2 Kings 13:21; Acts 19:12)

 

[thistle]

I am having a talk with a Baptist friend and we are on the topic of veneration of saints. And he asked me about relics. He believes that relics are biblically based but he thinks Catholic worship relics.

And he also says that people are willing to travel around the globe in order to see, or touch an item, not because of thing itself but because they believe the object can do something for them and that is idolatry.

I am not sure how to answer these two claims. I could use some Suggestions. thanks

oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Relics

 

[Spirithound]

I am having a talk with a Baptist friend and we are on the topic of veneration of saints. And he asked me about relics. He believes that relics are biblically based but he thinks Catholic worship relics.

And he also says that people are willing to travel around the globe in order to see, or touch an item, not because of thing itself but because they believe the object can do something for them and that is idolatry.

I am not sure how to answer these two claims. I could use some Suggestions. thanks

The problem here is one of the broad brush. He is painting all Catholics with the same brush regarding their view of relics. I’m sure it’s probably true that “some” Catholics do worship relics, and travel for that reason, objectively committing idolatry, however, I’m equally sure that the majority of those people are simply poorly catechized. There is a temptation now on your part to also use a broad brush and say that NO Catholics worship relics. I can’t recommend that course until you first find out what his definition of “worship” is. Then get him to produce an example of a Catholic worshipping a relic. Also present yourself as an example of a Catholic who has great respect and friendship to these friends of God, but doesn’t worship them.

 

[CentralFLJames]

It might be fun to ask your Protestant friend if he considers it idolatry to swear on the bible just to see what extent and hyperbole he goes through to proclaim “that’s different”.

James

 

[Thing]

15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that when Peter came, his shadow at the least, might overshadow any of them, and they might be delivered from their infirmities.

Even his shadow cured people. The early christians carried their sick over distances to be cured, even by this unusual relic of St. Peter.

 

[prodromos]

And he also says that people are willing to travel around the globe in order to see, or touch an item, not because of thing itself but because they believe the object can do something for them and that is idolatry.

Goodness, people are willing to travel halfway around the world so they can be treated by a specialist surgeon. Ask your friend if that is idolatry.

John