What do Protestants think of these things?

[Harpazo]

I’ve often wondered what Protestants think of miracles such as Padre Pio (Capuchin Friar bearing the wounds of Our Lord) and also the Incorruptibles (bodies of Saints that do not corrupt).

These two things are rarely heard about, even within Catholicism. I believe things like this make the Catholic faith so wonderful, because they always bring us closer to Christ.

So what do Protestants think about this? I must also ask, assuming there will be objections: Is it so far fetched for God to send such miracles?

Thoughts?

In Pax Christi
Andrew

 

[RNRobert]

As a former Protestant, I used to consider them the works of the devil. Many fundamentalist authors I’ve read consider them that too (On TBN, there was a minister that claimed Fatima was part of the deception of the last days, or something like that). I think part of it has to do with the unwillingness of many Protestants (including myself, before I converted) to consider the claims of the Church. After all, if these were God-given miracles, then perhaps we’d be forced to look at Catholicism a little bit deeper.

However, I think this just confirms the truth of the Catholic Church, for Jesus himself was accused of conducting miracles by the power of Beezebul.

 

[Chris_LaRock]

Why do we need an earthly organization in any form to bring us to Christ?

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

 

[water]

Why do we need an earthly organization in any form to bring us to Christ?

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Absurd - if you consider the Catholic church is an earthly organization, what do you call your own church? or you never have a church to go to perhaps?

 

[Chris_LaRock]

I don’t belong to a church.

 

[water]

I don’t belong to a church.

The Church is not a building as you think it is.

“You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18)

 

[RNRobert]

I don’t belong to a church.

Why not?

The Church is NOT the US Army, as I see nothing in Scripture that we are to be a “denomination of one.”
Instead, we are told “not to give up meeting together, as some have done” (I can’t find the B/C/V at the moment, I think its in Hebrews). Hebrews 13;17 tells us to “obey your leaders and defer to them.” Christianity is more, much more, than “Me and Jesus.”

 

[RNRobert]

Why do we need an earthly organization in any form to bring us to Christ?

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Paul was referring to the Old Testament Law. If Paul was saying we don’t need a church, then why would he tell the Corinthians to kick out the man shacking up with his stepmom (1 Cor 5:1-5)?

 

[gcnuss]

Andrew,

I’ve often wondered what Protestants think of miracles such as Padre Pio (Capuchin Friar bearing the wounds of Our Lord) and also the Incorruptibles (bodies of Saints that do not corrupt).

My own take on these things is that I have no way of knowing if they are truly miracles or if they are something else. I don’t think that belief or disbelief in them is a factor in whether one is a Christian or not. If God chooses to use such phenomena, whatever they may be, to lead people into a closer relationship with Christ, that is a good thing.

Peace,
Pastor Gary

 

[BrianH]

I find the Saint Pio wounds interesting and compelling.
I find the pictures of the bodies which are “incorruptible”, not very compelling at all.

 

[mozart-250]

Whether these are true miracles I don’t know.

I do believe that God does perform miracles within Catholicism today. He also performs miracles outside of Catholicism.

Miracles do not validate theology however.

 

[happygal]

I’ve often wondered what Protestants think of miracles such as Padre Pio (Capuchin Friar bearing the wounds of Our Lord) and also the Incorruptibles (bodies of Saints that do not corrupt).

These two things are rarely heard about, even within Catholicism. I believe things like this make the Catholic faith so wonderful, because they always bring us closer to Christ.

So what do Protestants think about this? I must also ask, assuming there will be objections: Is it so far fetched for God to send such miracles?

Thoughts?

In Pax Christi
Andrew

**Hi Andrew

Although i’m not sure what is that you mentioned here about the those uncorrupted bodies of the Saint, but i believe in miracles via Holy Spirit. That is the power of God which all Christ believers should be proud of!! **

 

[UBERROGO]

Why not?
**
The Church is NOT the US Army, as I see nothing in Scripture that we are to be a “denomination of one.”**
Instead, we are told “not to give up meeting together, as some have done” (I can’t find the B/C/V at the moment, I think its in Hebrews). Hebrews 13;17 tells us to “obey your leaders and defer to them.” Christianity is more, much more, than “Me and Jesus.”

funniest thing i read all day.

 

[water]

funniest thing i read all day.

I think for the sake of the OP’s thread, I would leave this thread alone …otherwise, it might even get funnier.

 

[flameburns623]

I’ve often wondered what Protestants think of miracles such as Padre Pio (Capuchin Friar bearing the wounds of Our Lord) and also the Incorruptibles (bodies of Saints that do not corrupt).

These two things are rarely heard about, even within Catholicism. I believe things like this make the Catholic faith so wonderful, because they always bring us closer to Christ.

So what do Protestants think about this? I must also ask, assuming there will be objections: Is it so far fetched for God to send such miracles?

Thoughts?

In Pax Christi
Andrew

I Corinthians 1:22-23

22: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness.
**
Basically, such things are a distraction from the Person and Work of Jesus Christ and from the preaching of His Gospel.

 

[RNRobert]

I Corinthians 1:22-23

22: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness.

Basically, such things are a distraction from the Person and Work of Jesus Christ and from the preaching of His Gospel.

So the miracles worked by Peter and Paul in the book of Acts were distractions? Then why did Jesus even bother wth miracles and not content himself with preaching?

 

[Mary3]

I
So what do Protestants think about this?

With roughly 30,000 denominations, I doubt there is a unified Protestant opinion on miracles.

 

[JWilson]

I totally believe in miracles but to believe that Jesus’ face was on the side of a tree???Not sure if you saw that bit on the news.No one will see Jesus till He returns or unless you die before then and make it in to heaven.I really have to question some of these obsurd sightings.

 

[Allweather]

I’ve often wondered what Protestants think of miracles such as Padre Pio (Capuchin Friar bearing the wounds of Our Lord) and also the Incorruptibles (bodies of Saints that do not corrupt).

Andrew

In my final Protestant configuration, which followed a stint with pentecostals, I was brought into a non-denom group by one of my friends, neighbors, and colleagues. He was/is (I haven’t seen him in over 20 years, so I don’t know where, spiritually, he is today) a fairly conservative sola scriptura type, who was looking for a denomination to attach to because he wanted to be an Army chaplain, which required a denominational affiliation.

I describe him to set the framework for his views on things like Padre Pio and Fatima, because while most Protestants would reject such phenomena as outside the realm of true faith, there is a variety of opinion among them.

As my conversion to Catholicism was progressing during the mid-80s, my friend was in close proximity, and observing this take place, day by day, and I frequently posed questions to him, which brought about some long discussions and sometimes heated debates. Once, I attended a weekend seminar at a nearby Catholic parish centered on Fatima. I believe there was a connection to the organization Blue Army, but I’m not sure. I picked up some literature, and brought it back to my friend, who spent a couple of days reading it. When he came back to me with it, the main comment I recall is him saying, “I think numbers are important. I keep seeing various numbers mentioned in these pamplets (at this he mentioned two or three examples, none of which I can recall now, so many years later) which I find alarming. I think this whole Fatima thing is of the Devil.”

My friend was college educated, and at that time was in a seminary of Christian and Missionary Alliance. I suspect that his opinion would be shared by most conservative evangelicals, and even lots of moderate and liberal Protestants as well.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say that, if it weren’t for things like Fatima, Lourdes, Padre Pio, and some other things that Protestants view as being “odd,” we’d probably be seeing many more evangelicals convert to Catholicism. These things are a real stumbling block for Protestants.

 

[wcknight]

…

. I think this whole Fatima thing is of the Devil."

My friend was college educated, and at that time was in a seminary of Christian and Missionary Alliance. I suspect that his opinion would be shared by most conservative evangelicals, and even lots of moderate and liberal Protestants as well.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say that, if it weren’t for things like Fatima, Lourdes, Padre Pio, and some other things that Protestants view as being “odd,” we’d probably be seeing many more evangelicals convert to Catholicism. These things are a real stumbling block for Protestants.

Why would it be odd that God continues to interact with His people ???

Throughout the Old and New Testament, He revealed Himself to just about every major person in history. The prophets, the Apostles and just about everyone heard His voice, was visited by angels or performed miracles.

Why should miracle workers or apparations be any different after the Gospels as it was before the Gospels or during the Gospels. Jesus Himself tells us that many of His followers will do wondrous things even greater than He did. Should we not believe Him ???