Do Catholics Believe that Mary has the Power to Save?
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ps139
Ab omni malo, libera nos, Domine!
We believe that Mary (as well as the other saints) are praying for us, that we may be led to Christ. These prayers have REAL POWER, and are effective. So in that sense, Mary or a saint can contribute toward leading someone towards Jesus, who can then save them.
But absolutely no one can take the place of Jesus as the Savior.
John 14:6 "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
But absolutely no one can take the place of Jesus as the Savior.
John 14:6 "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
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The Lord is a consuming, eternal fire that brightens the darkness and chases it away.
But far away from this light, there is darkness.
So let's take an analogy:
God is like a big bonfire. If you stand near the bonfire you are warmed and given light in an otherwise pitch-black forest.
If you touch a stick to the bonfire it burns brightly too.
You can take that stick into the dark forest, bringing light to the darkness.
This light on the torch is bright and reflects the same light of the bonfire, though not as big and not as intense; still the torch's light comes directly FROM THE BONFIRE.
Mary is like the torch; her "light" is like any saint; from "touching" the source of the light, the fire which is GOD, we too are "on fire" yet of course we are no where NEAR to the light, warmth, immensity and intensity of the source of the Light.
So just as a torch can lead one through the darkness, that torch owes its light to the bonfire. And until you're back to the bonfire, you are not in the fullness of life.
Mary or any saint can "help you" with their prayers in Heaven, just as Christians on earth "help" or "save" us by their prayers or aid. Yet God is the source of the love, God is the salvation. Without that bonfire, where could you light the torch?
But far away from this light, there is darkness.
So let's take an analogy:
God is like a big bonfire. If you stand near the bonfire you are warmed and given light in an otherwise pitch-black forest.
If you touch a stick to the bonfire it burns brightly too.
You can take that stick into the dark forest, bringing light to the darkness.
This light on the torch is bright and reflects the same light of the bonfire, though not as big and not as intense; still the torch's light comes directly FROM THE BONFIRE.
Mary is like the torch; her "light" is like any saint; from "touching" the source of the light, the fire which is GOD, we too are "on fire" yet of course we are no where NEAR to the light, warmth, immensity and intensity of the source of the Light.
So just as a torch can lead one through the darkness, that torch owes its light to the bonfire. And until you're back to the bonfire, you are not in the fullness of life.
Mary or any saint can "help you" with their prayers in Heaven, just as Christians on earth "help" or "save" us by their prayers or aid. Yet God is the source of the love, God is the salvation. Without that bonfire, where could you light the torch?
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Benedicta00
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Bulldog said:
Have you ever felt that you have saved a person by bringing them to Christ?
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ps139
Ab omni malo, libera nos, Domine!
James 5:16 talks about the power and effectiveness of the saints' prayers.
I think Bastoune's analogy is pretty obvious to Scripture-informed common sense.
The Trinity is never mentioned in Scripture, but if you know Scripture, you can figure out the Trinity. Same with the roles of the saints in Heaven.
I think Bastoune's analogy is pretty obvious to Scripture-informed common sense.
The Trinity is never mentioned in Scripture, but if you know Scripture, you can figure out the Trinity. Same with the roles of the saints in Heaven.
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ps139 said:
This is true. I am always amazed when people ask for scripture to back this up and scripture to back that up when there is NOTHING scriptural to support the trinity and still people believe in it. It is a faith story. Like doubting Thomas, seeing isn't always believing...
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Benedicta00
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blackwasp said:
Sure. What ever the scripture you use to support you going out and helping lead others to Christ.
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BAChristian
Discerning the Diaconate. Please pray for me.
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Very nice Tim. BTW, I was praying for you the other day about your Dad. Hope you and your family are doing well.
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blackwasp
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James 5ps139 said:
16 Therefore, (1) confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be (2) healed. (3) The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
That verse doesn't say anything about dead saints (Mary). Also, it says to pray for one another so that you can be healed, not to accomplish salvation, which really wouldn't make sense considering the letter is to believers who are already saved; they wouldn't need to pray for one another's salvation!
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ps139
Ab omni malo, libera nos, Domine!
That verse doesn't say anything about dead saints (Mary).blackwasp said:
There is no such thing as a "dead saint." The saints are alive in Christ, more alive than we are. They are with Him.
If you take the passage is context, it is not talking solely of praying to heal sick people. See James 5:13 - "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray."
Trouble can mean not being right with God. And we do not believe in "once saved always saved," so we should pray for each other at all times. And the saints - the ones who have been saved - are praying for us as well.
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blackwasp said:
BlackWasp, as a Protestant you are not allowed by forum specefic rules to debate in the OBOB.
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[B said:
blackwasp said:
Blackwasp, You seem to assume that the members of the Mystical Body in heaven are "DEAD" but they are very much alive.
blackwasp said:
(1) They can pray that other Christians remain saved.
(2) They can pray for healing or anything else.
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