Why is it wrong to love Mary?

[cradlecathlic26]

Jimmy B didn’t finish the verse.

How is St. Elizabeth not venerating Mary in this passage? She essentially says “Blessed are you! Who am I that you would visit me?”

The Bible says “Everyone should call her Blessed” Whats wrong with that?

 

[Gara3987]

Dont worry, they share your concerns. For protestants they are sad that you cant appreciate how they devote their full attention to Jesus, instead of dividing their time between God and the saints…like you do.

to each his own.

to each his own.

har har har.

For one The Blessed Virgin Mother is the Mother, Daughter, and Spouse of God. As Catholics we love Our Mother as Our Lord Jesus loves His Mother, we pray to and venerate the Blessed Virgin who is perfect and pure for Her intervention for us, to pray for us, and ask Our Lord Jesus to have mercy on us. For it is known that Our Lord will do anything His Mother asks of Him.

[John 2: 3-5 DRB] And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.

4 “What is that to me”… These words of our Saviour, spoken to his mother, have been understood by some commentators as harsh, they not considering the next following verse: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye, which plainly shows that his mother knew of the miracle that he was to perform, and that it was at her request he wrought it; besides the manner of speaking the words as to the tone, and the countenance shown at the same time, which could only be known to those who were present, or from what had followed: for words indicating anger in one tone of voice, would be understood quite the reverse in another.

"The saints, who reign together with Christ, offer up their own prayers to God for men. It is good and useful suppliantly to invoke them, and to have recourse to their prayers, aid and help for obtaining benefits from God, through His Son Jesus Christ, who alone is our Redeemer and Savior. Those persons think impiously who deny that the saints, who enjoy eternal happiness in heaven, are to be invoked; who assert that they do not pray for men; who declare that asking them to pray for each of us in particular is idolatry, repugnant to the word of God, and opposed to the honor of the One Mediator of God and men, Christ Jesus’’ (Sess. xxv.).

The Old and New Testament plainly teach the principle and the practice of asking the prayers of our brethren, especially of the just (James v. 16-18). God commanded Abimelech to ask Abraham’s prayers: “He shall pray for thee and thou shalt live” (Gen. xx. 7, 17). God had mercy on the sinful children of Israel in the desert because Moses interceded for them (Ps.
xv. 23). God said to the friends of Job: “My servant Job shall pray for you; his face I will accept” (Job xliii. 8). St. Paul in his letters continually asked the brethren to pray for him (Rom. xv. 30; Eph. vi. 18, 19; 1 Thess. v. 25).

In a sense it is also like asking a Saint who is already in heaven and without sin (who is now pure), to deliver your prayers to God on your behalf who is with sin and unworthy to approach God.

 

[Jimmy_B]

… I can’t see how if Jesus was an only child would have any impact on salvation for both of us.

Hello justaskin4,

*There exist only two “James” in the entire New Testament; *

One, James the son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21)

*And *

Two, the Apostle James, the son of Alphaeus (Matthew 10:3)

So clearly, the “James” referred to in Matthew 13:55 is neither the “James” found in Matthew 4:21 (Zebedee) nor the ‘James” in Matthew 10:3 (Alphaeus) and they are not the biological brothers of Jesus.

Moreover, “Joseph, Simon and Judas” are not the biological brothers of Jesus.

*Then again, Matthew 13:55 states at the beginning of the verse, that the “father” of Jesus is “the carpenter (Joseph)”? We all know that God is the Father of Jesus. *

This is important, because many “Protestants” have misused this verse (Matthew 13:55*) for many years to try to disprove the “Perpetual Virginity of Mary” and thereby disprove Catholicism. *

*This same “Protestant” argument, using Matthew 13:55 , could also be used in error, to wrongly assert that Joseph is the biological father of Jesus, which he (Joseph) is not. *

*I think Mary may have good cause to sue some individuals for liable and slander. If she (Mary), is a virgin and did not have “relations” with Joseph,; isn’t anyone who states otherwise guilty of “slander”? *

This “misunderstanding” is important, because it goes directly to “authority” given by God to His Church, in Mathew 16:18* , where is states,”the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it (His Church).” *

*Also read, Matthew 7:17, “Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bear’s bad fruit.” *

And Matthew 12:33, "Either declare the tree good and its fruit is good, or declare the tree rotten and its fruit is rotten, for a tree is known by its fruit.

*Clearly, if a “religion” is wrong when it comes to the *“Perpetual Virginity of Mary” and whether or not Jesus had biological brothers, how can anything that follows be trusted; It can’t, at least not according to Mathew 16:18 , Matthew 7:17 and Matthew 12:33.

*Doesn’t this discussion, fall under *“the fruit of the poisonous tree” rule?

*Finally, the formation of the Bible occurred many years after many Catholic beliefs were clearly defined. If the Catholic Church was wrong regarding early Christian (Catholic) beliefs, before there was a Bible, then how can you today, trust the Bible? The Bible was put together by Catholic hands and passed down by the Roman Catholic Church? The Bible did not magically appear. *

 

[Jimmy_B]

Jimmy B didn’t finish the verse.

How is St. Elizabeth not venerating Mary in this passage? She essentially says “Blessed are you! Who am I that you would visit me?”

Hello twf,

You are correct, I tried to add it, and I exceeded the maximum amount of characters allowed to post, so I had to cut it out in order to post my remarks. Thank you far mentioning this.

Jimmy

 

[Jimmy_B]

The Bible says “Everyone should call her Blessed” Whats wrong with that?

 

[Roy5]

HONOR MARY BUT DON’T VENERATE HER

  Obviously Christians should honor Mary. She was the mother of Jesus. We all should call her blessed, as she certainly was. 

   But to venerate her, pray to her, elevate her in the way Roman Catholicism does? If Catholics want to do that, fine. Freedom of religion. And I respect Christians who may not agree with one another. I find no problem with honest differences of opinion among fellow Christians. God gave us brains to use and not to follow the dictates of some arrogant church or preacher. After all, only God knows the full truth and the rest of us should be humble. As St. Paul said: "for now we know in part...." We walk not by knowledge but by faith. And God certainly is merciful enough to overlook our 'theological errors' if we make them. 

    Now, speaking of St. Paul, if Mary merits all the adulation promoted by Catholicism, and if early Christians prayed to her, how come he never even mentions her in all of his letters of instruction to those early churches? That seems to me to be a convincing argument that Mary-adoration came later, when Christianity was competing with the mystery cults and their various goddesses.

    Moreover, it seems to me that the two times Jesus speaks to Mary as recorded in the gospels - between his birth and his death on the cross - he treats her in such a way as not to promote adoration. Reread John 2:4 and Luke 8:21 with an open mind. 

    Happy Valentine's Day!

 

[guanophore]

No one needs my permission to hold to any belief. I can’t see how if Jesus was an only child would have any impact on salvation for both of us.

Great!

How about you stop badgering us about it, then?

i’m passionate about the truth just as i see many here. The catholics i have dialogued on this issue have been just as strong for it as i have been against it. No one wants to give an inch so far that i know of. Who knows about those who i don’t know.

My point is, ja4, that this is a Catholic forum, and you are on here trying to pursuade Catholics (and anyone else who will listen) to abandon the Teachings of the Church. You are not here to get answers, which is the purpose of the forum. You have already made up your mind about the Marian doctrines. For some reason, you seem impelled to badger us about our beliefs.

 I have learned so much from dialoguing with you and others on this kind of thing. You claim there is some Tradition for this. Where can i find this?

As I have told you, the Sacred Traditions can only be accessed by people who believe they exist. Since you have already made up your mind they are “speculations of men”, you will not find them. If you come across anything that is Sacred Tradition (such as the perpetual virginity of Mary) you will not recognize it as such, because you have already made up your mind that Sacred Tradition does not exist. Does that make sense? That is what I mean about the blinders.

 No. One of the questions though is this true.

I don’t believe this is a question for you, ja4. You have already made up your mind that it is not true. What I am asking is if you can tolerate other people belieiving something different, without badgering them. This would require you to grant permission.

Much of catholic theology is part of an “organic” whole. i have found there are so many related issues to catholic theology that its near impossible to ignore when discussing. I really don’t understand how a catholic can truly love Mary since she is no longer part of this world nor do the Scriptures exhort us to do so. Who we are to love is God and God alone.

That is because you reject the communion of saints, another element of Sacred Tradition, attested to in scripture, that you cannot “see” because you have separated yourself from the Apostolic Succession that was given the duty to preserve and protect these teachings.

 

[guanophore]

How does counting her blessed translate into venerating her?

Only in your mind, ja4. Catholics see scripture full of commands to give honor where honor is due.
“There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for every one who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.” Rom 2:9-11

“love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” Rom 12:10

" Pay all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due." Rom 13:7

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” Eph 6:1-3

" So receive him in the Lord with all joy; and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete your service to me "
Phil 2:29-30

“Honor widows who are real widows.” 1 Tim 5:3

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching;” 1 Tim 5:17-18

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.” Heb 13:7

These are 2 different concepts.
I’m not aware of any verse or passage that tells us to honor or venerate her. No doubt she was blessed by God in being the mother of Jesus but the scriptures never exhort us to go beyond considering her blessed.

It is the same to us. Those to whom we give honor have been blessed by God.

 

[guanophore]

i just happen to like catholics and talking with them about their beliefs.

Let’s be honest, now, ja4. You don’t like Catholics. In fact you have stated that you are glad you are not Catholic, and that Catholics have fallen into error, and embrace “speculations and doctrines of men”.

What you seem to enjoy is badgering Catholics, and in fact you have stated that you never get tired of it!

You could look at this as a good place to learn about our differences and how to articulate them. At least here you get a chance to see counter arguments against your beliefs and look for more effective ways to respond. You also have a large body of catholics that you could go to that can help you. Your not alone here like most protestants are here.

Why not start your own forum, then, and you can invite Catholics in for bashing? Maybe there are some maschistic souls that would enjoy it!

Think about the real world outside where many people are extremely hostile to the faith. Look at this as a training ground.

So, you believe your God given mission on CAF is to provide hostility to the faith of Catholics so that we will have an effective training ground to learn apologetics?

The other thing i have learned from this is to stay civil when someone is attacking me. That has not always been easy and one of my greatest challenges. i still have much to learn…

Don’t we all! however, your framework here is a bit lacking. From reading your posts, it is clear that you are the one doing the attacking, and your readers are defending. This does not negate that there are some times when people have been personally hostile to you, but I think you pull for that reaction by how you conduct yourself here.

What kind of response did you expect to get, bringing anti-Catholic hostility and teachings to a CAtholic forum?

 

[guanophore]

Your explaniation is one possiblity but there are others. I suspect His brothers were not even in the city on that Friday and would have been totally unaware of the events that were transpiring. This would explain why Jesus gave His mother to John who was the only disciple at the cross.

It might, but then, why didn’t He say “take her home” or, “take her to my brothers”?

 

[guanophore]

Dont worry, they share your concerns. For protestants they are sad that you cant appreciate how they devote their full attention to Jesus, instead of dividing their time between God and the saints…like you do.

I am not sure what is the significance of these smileys. Do you believe in God at all?

It is silly to think that. if we are praying with others, it somehow “subtracts” full attention from Jesus. Actually, if anything, praying with others helps the focus more!

i said ‘some kind’ of ominiscience. catholics dont say it outright, but thats what it logically amounts to: millions of catholics praying to her all at the same time…you’ll need some kind of ‘all knowing’ powers in order to recieve and understand all those simultaneous messages coming long distance from earth.

It is odd to have a non-Catholic define what Catholics think.

Mary has no powers that are not granted by God. However, if you think that God does not give mothers a special ability to know the needs of their children, then you either did not have a very attentive mother, or you have not been around any mothers and children.

 

[Jimmy_B]

Thank you Roy5 for your comments.

“HONOR MARY BUT DON’T VENERATE HER”

*“*Obviously Christians should honor Mary. She was the mother of Jesus. We all should call her blessed, as she certainly was.” - Posted by Roy5

“But to venerate her, pray to her, elevate her in the way Roman Catholicism does?” - Posted by Roy5

*You have combine two issues here involving Mary (venerate and pray). That’s ok though, this is easy; *

*First, “honor” and “venerate” are one and the same thing when applied to Mary (not the same “honor” given to God), most Catholics understand this. It is only some of our “Protestants friends who convolute this issue (not you specifically) and play games; “semantically” and often times, make the false claim that Catholics “worship” Mary and additionally, that, to Catholics, “venerate” and “worship” mean the same thing. Thank you for not making that mistake. *

Catholics believe in One God, we belong to a monotheistic religion. Only God is to be “truly” honored, worshiped and glorified, He (God) has no equal; this is covered in the First Commandment. We believe in, and obey the Ten Commandments.

Second, “praying to her (Mary)”; We not only pray to Mary, Catholics pray to Saints as well, this is covered in the Nicene Creed and a belief in “the Communion of the Saints”. If you have a problem with this belief, your “beef” isn’t just with “today’s” Catholics, it is also with all early “Christians (Catholics)”. Well before the formation of the Bible and any “Protestant” religion.

*Catholics both venerated Mary and prayed to Saints. Early Christians (Catholics), during the First Second and Third Centuries, use to pray at the grave-sites of early Christain martyrs (Saints), on the anniversary of their martyrdom. *
*

“If Catholics want to do that, fine. Freedom of religion. And I respect Christians who may not agree with one another. I find no problem with honest differences of opinion among fellow Christians. God gave us brains to use and not to follow the dictates of some arrogant church or preacher. After all, only God knows the full truth and the rest of us should be humble. As St. Paul said: “for now we know in part…” We walk not by knowledge but by faith. And God certainly is merciful enough to overlook our ‘theological errors’ if we make them.”

• • Posted by Roy5
    Paul’s comments were made, in the context of a “Church”. The Pauline Letters were written, in order to define a single belief, a single religion (Christianity/Catholicism). We may have free-will, however it is “free-will” to do the right thing, in the context of our single belief. We as Christians are not permitted to have 36,000 different beliefs or rules-sets. One change to a single belief or rule-set is by definition the creation of different and separate (outside the one Church) “religion” or faith…

“Now, speaking of St. Paul, if Mary merits all the adulation promoted by Catholicism, and if early Christians prayed to her, how come he never even mentions her in all of his letters of instruction to those early churches? That seems to me to be a convincing argument that Mary-adoration came later, when Christianity was competing with the mystery cults and their various goddesses.”

• • Posted by Roy5
    Apparently, it wasn’t a problem back then (this is something that the Protestants invented 1500 years after the fact), the lack of documentation is never direct evidence of anything.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

[justasking4]

**
Originally Posted by justasking4
The problem is that there is not just one verse that shows she had her own children via her relationship with her husband but serveral passages.

peary
If you read your Bible as carefully as you say and put who belongs to who, you will see that there is nothing in scripture that ‘proves’ at all that Jesus had blood-related siblings through his mother Mary.**

What are your top 2-3 reasons from Scripture that makes you think Jesus did not have blood brothers and sisters?

 

[justasking4]

Originally Posted by justasking4
Your explaniation is one possiblity but there are others. I suspect His brothers were not even in the city on that Friday and would have been totally unaware of the events that were transpiring. This would explain why Jesus gave His mother to John who was the only disciple at the cross.

guanophore
It might, but then, why didn’t He say “take her home” or, “take her to my brothers”?

Good question. Scripture doesn’t say what happened when the rest of His family became aware of what happened. Are you aware of any traditions?

 

[justasking4]

Jimmy B didn’t finish the verse.

How is St. Elizabeth not venerating Mary in this passage? She essentially says “Blessed are you! Who am I that you would visit me?”

How are you defining “venerating”?

 

[Gara3987]

+++The enemies of the Holy mother Church, often attack the one true church on the practice praying to Mary and the Saints. They shout the claim that this ancient practice is " Unbiblical and was not held by the early Christians ". A quick reference through scripture and the historical writings of the early Christians more than vindicates Catholics of these false charges. First is important for us to define the term PRAYER: the act of asking for a favor with earnestness. A petition (Webster’s living encyclopedic dictionary of the English language).

+++Even in the old Testament we read biblical proof for this practice. Thus in Psalm 103, we pray, “Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his will!” (Ps. 103:20- 21). And in Psalm 148 we pray, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host!” (Ps. 148:1-2)

+++The new Testament also bears the truth on the subject we know that those in heaven (angels, and saints) have the power to intercede with God on our behalf “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 18:10). Not only do those in heaven pray with us, they also pray for us. In Revelation, John sees that “the twenty-four elders [the leaders of the people of God in heaven] fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Rev. 5:8). Thus the saints in heaven offer to God the prayers of the saints on earth. Angels do the same thing: “[An] angel
came and stood at the altar [in heaven] with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God” (Rev. 8:3-4).

+++Unlike what many Protestants would like to believe, the Catholic biblical practice of asking saints and angels to pray for us. does not eliminate Christ’s position as the only Mediator between man and God. (1 Tim. 2:5), the Church has always taught that Christ alone holds this special position. but this in no way means we cannot or should not ask our fellow Christians to pray with us and for us (1 Tim. 2:1-4), including those Christians in heaven, who have already had their sanctification completed, for “[t]he prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects” (Jas. 5:16). We see that asking God’s friends in heaven (the saints and angels) to intercede with Christ (God) through their prayers on our behalf is not only biblical, but proper.

**Now, we have already biblically shown above that

1. Those in heaven (the angels and Saints including Mary Christ’s mother) can and
   do hear us.
2. Those in heaven (the angels and Saints including Mary Christ’s mother) can and
   to present our prayers before the throne of Christ (God)

****The information that is provided before you has been taken directly from CatholicApologetics.net Prayer**, unfortunatly the site is currently down.

 

[fbl9]

hi all when verneration is given to a saint or Mary it not because of who or what they have done. it is due to them because of what God has done in them and with them.therfore all the glory is given to God not to the person.

 

[Gara3987]

We shall now look at why this ability is such a great gift. In the Bible we read of the most powerful example of Christ’s mother Mary going to her son and interceding on the behalf of the wedding couple at Cana. We also see two important facts first instead of going straight to Christ with their problem the wedding couple goes to his mother to ask for help. Second Mary then proceeds with his petition for help to her son. Third Christ loved his mother so much he could not/would not refuse her request even though granting this request would start him (Christ) on his path to his death on the cross." And the wine failing, the mother (Mary) of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, And saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. But thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him. "(John.2:3-11)Because, this the request of his mother Mary Christ preformed is **FIRST **This incredible love Christ shows for his mother is the best example of why this ability to go to Mary and the Saints with our petitions for them to lay at the foot of the throne of Christ. A beautiful and wonderful privilege !!!

The early Christians who received their faith directly from the apostles understood this biblical teaching and practice it Their writings show this…We find early Christian writings on this biblical fact dating all the way back to the first century (A.D. 80) there were still some of the original 12 Apostles alive at this time, revelations was not written until 100 A.D. and they (The Apostles) DID NOT contest this biblical belief that the early Christians taught. (**SURELY **if this was against Christ teachings they would have warned as against it in their writings). Allow me to cite a few of these early church fathers to show that indeed the early Christians did in fact pray to the saints of and angels and heaven asking their intercession and
help in obtaining favors from Christ (God).

+++Hermas

“[The Shepherd said:] ‘But those who are weak and slothful in prayer, hesitate to ask anything from the Lord; but the Lord is full of compassion, and gives without fail to all who ask Him. But you, [Hermas,] having been strengthened by the holy angel [you saw], and having obtained from Him such intercession, and not being slothful, why do not you ask of the Lord understanding, and receive it from Him?’” (The Shepherd 3:5:4 [A.D. 80]).

+++Anonymous

“Hail, Mary!” (inscription at the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth [A.D. 200]).
**
+++Clement of Alexandria

**“In this way is he [the true Christian] always pure for prayer. He also prays in the society of angels, as being already of angelic rank, and he is never out of their holy keeping; and though he pray alone, he has the choir of the saints standing with him [in prayer]” (Miscellanies 7:12 [A.D. 208]).

The information that is provided before you has been taken directly from CatholicApologetics.net Prayer, unfortunatly the site is currently down.

 

[Roy5]

Hi JimmyB

 Your surname name sounds mighty French. My family, too. My great-grandparents separated from Catholicism up in Quebec. They never quite told us why, but it seemed to concern a priest. I have wondered in recent years whether it involved a predatory priest. I only know that my paternal grandparents were very much against the Roman Catholic Church, though they had a great affection for French-Canadians and French Canada. In visiting kinfolk in Quebec in recent years, it seems that Catholicism has lost its grip. I recall when the clergy there ruled the roost.

 Anyway, thank for your civil response. I'm more a student of any and all religions than a strong advocate of any one. Back to Mary. It seems that devotion to her is out-of-proportion. I watch EWTN fairly often and the Rosary seems to focus so much more attention upon the 'Hail Mary' even than upon "Our Father" given us by Christ himself. Protestants object to the latter half of the Hail Mary, as the first part, of course, comes from scripture. I don't find anywhere in the Bible that we are instructed to recite it over and over. In fact, Jesus seems to speak against such repetition in our praying.

  As for saints, Protestants use the term mainly to include all Christians in our redeemed stage. ("When the saints go marching in....") I'm well-aware that Catholics have several thousand of them, saints for coopers and chandlers, paratroopers and the possessed, silversmiths and swordsmiths. I have a little trouble with the paratroopers and swordsmiths, as I see Christ as the Prince of Peace. I agreed with the Pope, by the way, that the invasion of Iraq was wrong. Oh, and I am not sure about the possessed. I noticed in today's paper that the Pope seems to be encouraging some new exorcism venture centered in Poland. Sounds like a return to medievalism to me.

   You can see that I am a liberal Christian, appreciative of everybody from the Catholics to the Congregtionalists, with a special affection for Quakers, the Amish and a few other such smaller groups. Not that I would join them necessarily, but I do admire them. My biggest problems with Catholicism are that (1) it is too authoritarian (I like to investigate and explore ideas and spiritual truths without feeling hemmed in) and (2) too hierarchical (I'm strongly democratic, with a small d). I do like that ecumenical wing of Catholicism - e. g., Fr. McBrien of Notre Dame - which has tried hard to broaden the church's perspective. Some of us are waiting to see how Benedict XVI leans. He seems to send mixed signals, though his statement last summer that Protestant churches were "ecclesial entities" and not legitimate churches wasn't very cordial. It even sounded like bigotry.  

    But keep your faith. Fine with me. It must give you a sense of certainty (I hope not of spiritual superiority), and I understand that. I am very comfortable learning more and more about different religions, hoping that someday they will serve as bridges and not as barriers. Surely the merciful Lord will forgive me if my open mind leads me a bit astray. When the lawyer asked him how to gain eternal life, I notice that he said nothing about doctrine or a church, but simply love God and your neighbor. That I work at doing.

    Keep smiling.

 

[Jimmy_B]

What are your top 2-3 reasons from Scripture that makes you think Jesus did not have blood brothers and sisters?

Hello justaking4,

I’ll provide your the answer but as a Roman Catholic, I do not “sum-up” beliefs using a “handful of verses”.

*Go here and you can read the article I wrote, addressing this subject, using bible verses. *

Christianity cannot be and should not be “summed –up” using a “handful of bible verses”.

*Note: please forgive any “typos”; I haven’t finished working on this article/post. *