['The Virgin Mary is the Greatest Source of Hope' Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "Cardinal Antonio Canizares, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, called the Virgin Mary the "greatest source of hope" during the economic crisis now facing most of the countries of Europe. His remarks came during the largest celebration in honor of the Blessed Mother at Virgin Mary Square in Valencia, Spain. During his homily, the cardinal said devotion to Mary is especially important "during the difficult times of our life. His message echoes the messages from heaven given by apparitions of Mary [see pro-gospel.org]. They are some of the lying signs and wonders Satan is using to deceive the world. This Cardinal would do well to read the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote, "I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:3). How blessed is he whose help is God, whose hope is in the Lord his God (Psalm 146:5)." Read more

See:

No Mary Worship

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "It’s just another sin that will be paid for by them!?"

Worshipping anyone other than God is wicked (Deut 30:17; Ps 81:9).

"...[G]iven that this has been explained to you repeatedly by the Catholics here on TOL, such continuing false statements on your part must at this point simply be considered examples of deliberate lying..."

Mary worship is wicked idolatry.

See:

No Mary Worship

No Praying the Rosary

[Prov 19:5]

You're projecting again. Matt. 15:9, Gal. 1:6–8, Eph 4:14

Response to comment [from a Christian]: The greatest source of hope is Jesus Christ.  Colossians 1.  27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Check and mate!

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "Catholics generally no longer use the language of "worship" to describe the pious honor given to the Saints..., mostly because anti-Catholic individuals like HS and serpent are apparently simply unable to mentally grasp the basic difference in word meanings involved."

"The Roman Catholic Church can indeed trace its roots to the church Christ established. However, as it departed from the Word of God and began following traditions of men, it became more and more corrupt. It now submits to its head, the pope, who stole the title "Head of the Church" from Jesus. Rome condemns with anathema anyone who does not embrace the "infallible dogmas" of the church. None of the members of this church are promised eternal life in heaven. They submit to what they believe to be three equal authorities: the Magisterium of Bishops, Tradition and Scripture. Catholics worship the Eucharist, pray to Mary and the Saints and die with a hope of making it to the purging fire of an unbiblical purgatory after they die. These are two different churches on two different paths to two different destinies. One is apostolic, the other is apostate. One contends for the faith, the other has departed from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1)." Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries Newsletter Vol 20 No. 3. Full text: No Idolatry & False Teaching

Response to comment [from a Christian]:  "...[P]rotestant fundamentalists have this same kind of passion for the Bible; and it is just as idolatrous..."

God's word is the final word (2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:18). Men lie (2 Cor. 4:2). God does not (Jn 1:1).

Response to comment [from a Christian] [Cruciform quote: I sometimes pray to Mary...] "The term "pray to Mary" I understood by Cruciform to mean a sense of "asking"..."

If Mary could hear Cruciform's prayer, that would make her something other than a human being. Men are not to worship: images (Ex 32:4-6; Ps 106:19,20), angels (Col 2:18), the host of heaven (Deut 4:19; 17:3), demons (Mt 4:9-10; Re 9:20), or dead men (Ps 106:28).

Mary was a sinner in need of a savior (Lk 1:47).

Idolatry is forbidden (Ex 20:2,3; De 5:7).

Mary was a godly woman but we were were never meant to worship her (Ex 20:2,3; Deut 5:7).

Idolatry consists in: bowing down to images (Ex 20:5; Deut 5:9), worshipping images (Isa 44:17; Da 3:5,10,15), sacrificing to images (Ps 106:38; Ac 7:41), worshipping other gods (Deut 30:17; Ps 81:9), swearing by other gods (Ex 23:13; Jos 23:7), walking after other gods (Deut 8:19), speaking in the name of other gods (Deut 18:20), looking to other gods (Ho 3:1), serving other gods (Deut 7:4; Jer 5:19), fearing other gods (2 Ki 17:35), sacrificing to other gods (Ex 22:20). Torrey, R.A.: The New Topical Text Book : A Scriptural Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos research Systems, Inc., 1995, c1897

[Mary was a godly woman but we were were never meant to worship her (Ex 20:2,3; Deut 5:7).] "Amen."

Amen means we agree. We do not (Mt 15:9, Ga 1:6-8, Eph 4:14.

Jesus, not Mary is the sinless redeemer.

"Bible: "For you know it was not with perishable things...that you are redeemed...but with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Pe
1:17-18).

RCC teaches that Mary is the sinless co-Redeemer. "Without a single sin to restrain her, she gave herself entirely to the person and work of her son; she did so in order to serve the mystery of redemption with Him...being obedient, she became the cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race" (494)..." Full text: Roman Catholicism Compared To Biblical Christianity

"1985: Pope John Paul II recognized Mary as co-redemptrix" during a speech in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He said, in part:

"Having suffered for the Church, Mary deserved to become the Mother of all the disciples of her Son, the Mother of their unity...In fact Mary’s role as Co-redemptrix did not cease with the glorification of her Son." John W

Response to comment [from a Christian]: "Jesus, by placing Mary in the keeping of one of His most trusted followers was protecting His mother."

Who was that? If Jesus appointed Peter as the head of the church (Eph 1:22; 5:23) then surely he must have put him charge of his mother's care, too? Jn 19:27

See:

A Scriptural Response to: Biblical Evidence or Catholics St. Joseph Communication

"Serpentdove,

We know one thing for sure. If Jesus had any half brothers and/or sisters He did not want them to tend to His mother's care. Roman Catholics are not really expected to delve into such fine points of Protestant doctrine. They rather would be expected to just say Jesus had no siblings and leave it at that. So really someone with a broader brush than that of a normal Catholic is going to have to take up the challenge.

Are there any abnormal Catholics in da house?

Glew"

Dear Glew,

Mary had normal marital relations after the birth of Jesus. She was not a perpetual virgin as Roman Catholics teach (see: Siblings of Jesus).

Jesus never gave his headship to another person (Eph 1:22, 5:23, Col 1:18) and John cared for Mary (Jn 19:27).

All CaTHolics in this place are normal (spiritually abnormal ) [Is. 57:7–9; Rev 17:1–18].

Sincerely,

SerpentDove, the one Jesus loved

"The surviving siblings taking care of their mother would be normal. Going around them and bringing in an outsider is not normal. Therefore something about the idea of Jesus having half siblings is wrong or something about the siblings is wrong."

[Mary's New Caregiver John 19 Grace to You] "When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. (Jn 19:26–27).

The only man among the group gathered at the foot of the cross was John himself, the disciple whom Jesus loved (cf. 13:23; 20:2; 21:7, 20 and introduction: “The Authorship of John’s Gospel,” in John 1–11, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary [Chicago: Moody, 2006]). His presence led to an important relationship established by the Lord. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” Even as He was dying, bearing man’s sin and God’s wrath, Jesus selflessly cared for those whom He loved (cf. 13:1, 34; 15:9, 13). Evidently His earthly father, Joseph, was already dead. The Lord could not commit Mary into the care of His half brothers, the children of Mary and Joseph, since they were not yet believers (7:5). They did not become believers in Jesus until after His resurrection (Acts 1:14; cf. 1 Cor. 15:7, though the James referenced in that verse may be the apostle James). Therefore He entrusted her to John; he became as a son to her in Jesus’ place, and from that hour he took her into his own household. This may seem a very mundane thing to be concerned about in the hour of His greatest sacrifice, but the beauty of the Savior’s love and compassion for His widowed mother, in the midst of His own excruciating pain, reflects His love for His own (cf. John 13:1)." Mary's New Caregiver John 19 Grace to You

"I am going to try and bust every single one of the points that you offer..."

"Go for it." ~ Rocky

Strawman

Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18, 20; Luke 1:31–35). Joseph raised Jesus as his earthly father.

"...A little known fact about Jesus of Nazareth is that Jesus was an ancestor of King David. And being the oldest son that would have made Jesus heir to David's throne if such a throne had been there for Jesus to inherit. There were two problems with the idea of Jesus inheriting David's throne-1 The throne of David was no longer to be found in Israel 2 Jesus died before He could inherit it..."

See:

Isa 9:6-7, Lk 1:32 J. Vernon McGee

J. Vernon McGee's full name is John Vernon McGee by the way. It is not "The J. Vernon".

Do you deny the virgin birth of Jesus?

"You come to me with J. Vernon McGee? What bible did he teach out of?"

KJV

"Nice try..."

You did not answer this question: Do you deny the virgin birth of Jesus?

"Now a Catholic at this thread does not want to speak to me. Just because I agree with Martin Luther and not with the Catholic. Imagine that..."

Stop blathering (Ec 10:14). When you make a claim, support it with scripture.

"I just know that this information is really going to help you and your pet, "The MacArthur"."

Ad hominem. John MacArthur is a fine servant of the Lord (Ac 20:20).

Response to comment [from a Catholic]:  [John MacArthur] "...[E]xcept regarding his false claims about the Catholic faith, anyway..."

John MacArthur has not misrepresented Roman Catholic teaching.

"...To put it simply, because the Roman Catholic Church has refused to submit itself to the authority of God’s Word and to embrace the gospel of justification taught in Scripture, it has set itself apart from the true body of Christ. It is a false and deceptive form of Christianity..." Full text: Roman Catholicism

[John MacArthur: Roman Catholicism is a false and deceptive form of Christianity, he has not misrepresented Roman Catholic religion ] "Already categorically refuted..."

Non causae ut causae (claiming victory despite defeat)

"Sister Teresa of Calcutta. What a wonderful lady."

She believed a lie.

See:

I just don't believe that Jeffrey Dahmer could go to heaven and Mother Theresa could go to hell

Response to comment [from a Catholic]: "...[D]o you possess some sort of authority here on TOL that we should all know about...?"

"Respect my authoritah!" ~ Eric Cartman

“[T]he Bishop of Rome represents God before men.”

SD: [Christ is the head of his church….The statement is true or it is false.]

Cruciform: "It's false..." link Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18

"...[S]erpent is a liar (Prov. 19:5), and here is the proof."

You're projecting again (Eph 4:14).

"Already answered (Post #228)."

Non causae ut causae (claiming victory despite defeat)

RMA!

"Post #228."

Non causae ut causae (claiming victory despite defeat)

RMA!

"Post #228"

Non causae ut causae (claiming victory despite defeat)

You have zero authoritah. The Word of God has all authoritah.

You have magnified Your word above all Your name (Ps 138:2).

"Yes, "the Word"--not serpent's interpretations of the Word..."

Truth is truth independent from me (Ac 5:29, Mt 15:9).

"Good. Then you can simply be ignored."

Don't you ignore the Word of God every day?  Jn 1:1, 2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:18

"No, only serpent's interpretations of the Word of God."

Who cares what I say? What does God say? Jn 1:1, 2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:18

When I from the word of God, I speak with the authority of any apostle or prophet (Rogers). Lk 16:29,31, Pr 6:23; 2 Pe 1:19, 2 Ti 3:15-17.

"Every verse of the Bible means exactly what the author intended it to mean..." Full text: How to Interpret the Bible by Darrell Ferguson

See:

Hermeneutics

[ Who cares what I say? What does God say? Jn 1:1, 2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:18] "No one"

You speak for yourself (Psa. 50:16, 17; Prov. 1:7, 1:29, 30; Prov. 13:13; Isa. 5:24; Isa. 28:9–14; Isa. 30:9–11; Isa. 53:1; Jer. 6:10; Jer. 8:9; Hos. 8:12; Amos 2:12; Mic. 2:6; Luke 16:31; Luke 24:25; John 3:20; John 5:46, 47; John 8:37, 45; 1 Cor. 1:18, 22, 23; 2 Tim. 3:8; 2 Tim. 4:3, 4; 1 Pet. 2:8; 2 Pet. 3:15, 16; Rev. 22:19) not everyone (Matt. 13:3–8, 18–23, 37, 38; Mark 4:3–20, 26–32; Luke 8:5–15). Apostates do not respond to the truth (1 Jn 2:4). They have a spirit of antagonism.

We give out the Word of God (Jn 1:1, 2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:18). What men do with it is their business.

"...[Y]ou misinterpret and/or misapply it [scripture]..."

You're projecting again (1 Cor. 2:4, 13, 2 Cor. 4:2, Rev. 22:18, 19). Scripture should be compared with scripture (not man's opinion) (1 Co 2:13).

See:

Roman Catholic Traditions

[We give out the Word of God (Jn 1:1, 2 Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:18).] "You give out your preferred interpretations..."

Truth is truth independent from me (Ac 5:29, Mt 15:9).

[What men do with it is their business.] "...[W]hat men do with your interpretations..."

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means, what you think it means." ~ Inigo Montoya

"Already answered above."

Non causae ut causae (claiming victory despite defeat)

Why would God give words to men that mean the opposite of what they say?

Roman Catholics teach:  a false Jesus (1 Ki 8:27), a false gospel (Mt 15:9, Ga 1:6-8) and a false way of salvation (Jude 11). 

Love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Mk 12:30).

See:

A Scriptural Response to: Biblical Evidence or Catholics St. Joseph Communication

Vid. Catholicism vs Christianity by Mike Gendron

"Apostates reject: the inerrancy, the infallibility, the immutability, the impeccability, the authority of the Word of God--that this book is God's inerrant, infallible word. Now, apostates do not like those truths..." Full text: The Portrait of an Apostate

Response to comment [from a "Christian"]: "So, it looks like Catholics put their trust in a woman who cannot hear them and is sleeping and snoring away..."

Ga 5:9 Soul sleep is unbiblical.

See:

What does the Bible say about soul sleep? Do our souls sleep until our bodies are resurrected?

What does it mean to be absent from the body? Why did Paul say that it would be better to be absent from the body and present with the Lord?

"Post #239."

Non causae ut causae (claiming victory despite defeat)

Jesus loves you (Jn 3:16). Jesus is willing to save you (2 Pe 3:9). Repent (Eze 18:30-32; Ac 17:30). Believe (Mk 9:23).

[The Authority of Our Message 1 Kings 17:1 In Touch] "King Ahab's first thought after encountering the prophet Elijah may well have been, Of all the nerve! Just who does this guy think he is? Bursting onto the scene out of nowhere, Elijah confronted Israel's' wicked king with a message that would soon disrupt life throughout the entire region.

The validity of the revelation rested with the Source, not the mouthpiece. Elijah was a man of great faith who believed what God told him; he could boldly speak with authority because he knew and trusted the One who have the message. He spent time along with the Lord and listened as he stood before Him.

Our Father doesn't speak to us in exactly the same manner that He spoke to the Old Testament prophets, but the process of receiving His message hasn't changed. It begins with being alone in His presence and involves listening as He speaks though His Word. But it shouldn't end there.

Prophets had the responsibility of telling the people what the Lord revealed to them. Similarly, we are to share with others what we learn from God's Word. Devotional time with the Lord is not just about our own interests and needs. The Father reveals His treasures to us so that we can share them with others...

...Begin each day alone with God in His Word and in prayer, listening as He speaks to your heart. Believe what He says in Scripture, apply it to you life, and then share with someone else what He as revealed. Be bold and remember that the authority of your message comes from Him."

The Virgin Mary is the Greatest Source of Hope