For our purposes on Earth, the Saints are dead people...we know by faith their spirits are with the L-rd, and that they will eventually be reclothed in transformed bodies...but they do not have interaction with G-ds people on earth now despite teaching that says they do...it just isn't true.
I'm not trying to accuse the brethren....but I am trying to point out that all the so-called proof in the world means nothing if it goes against what has been taught in Scripture....that is the final arbiter. Stories of Saints shoes being worn etc etc do not impress me...I don't need to hear miraculous stories to know that G-d performs healings and miracles...and yes, maybe some of the things that have happened through relics are possible...but Saints thenselves have no personal interaction with G-ds people on earth....the Bible does not teach it, or intimate at it, and therefore I choose not to follow that tradition or custom, I don't think it is right.
Death & the Future Life
Ok, thanks for clearing that up
I can't really argue against what happened to your father...all I say is that dreams and visions have to line up with G-ds truth.
Never doubted every departed Believer is with the L-rd..I believe it.
I just finished listening to all three Youtube vids.
I liked most of what the Archbishop said, but I have never said that Orthodox pray to Saints instead of Jesus, as he was saying these Baptists wrongly accused them of doing. I believe it is a dilution of our faith to incorporate prayer to Saints and Mary.
He said the souls of Saints draw divine eregies from G-d and thus can be used by G-d to aid those of us on Earth....sound interesting, but really has no biblical basis whatsoever.
He also said prayerful communication with Saints brings us closer to Jesus...again I do not see it demonstrated, taught or even touched on in the Bible...nor in the Old Testament, so I will not go down that road...our closeness to G-d develops out of relationship, through holiness, and by the communication of the Holy Spirit showing us the Fathers ways, and revealing the Father heart of G-d.
1 Cor 5:4 is hardly a proof text for communicating with departed Saints
3 For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
It just shows Paul prayed about the situation, and made a decision as if he was there amongst them.
I think in this day and age, we have to be especially careful in what we believe, and the only real safe-guard is to see what Scripture says, and to always seek the guidence of the Holy Spirit.