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I'm going to give you one of the least sublime reason's it's ok.Also, and I will direct this at no on in particular as it's only to make a point, and not to goad, but I see no one has explained how it is OK to bow to Mary when the Bible is very specific on the issue.
Dont want no part of this. Wont be joining Catholicism or Protestantism. No one would listen to my protesting anyway, so i wipe my feet and walk away.
Im not concerned with what Luther says. I follow the Lord and His apostles. Their words lead me to simplicity.So a one man sect with your own doctrine?
That's the alternative. Luther deplored it.
" as many doctrines as heads" he said.
And if you reject all others... the question is by what authority?
At the heart of all this is authority ( e.g. to decide what scripture means )
You should be concerned.Im not concerned with what Luther says. I follow the Lord and His apostles. Their words lead me to simplicity.
The idolatry of the OT was a deception grounded in the concept of nations and gods restricted by localities.
So by what authority do you think you are right?
That single question is what separates Christians.
By what authority?
The short of it is that diabolical deception has had to take on a more sublime form since their defeat on the cross. Christ's followers are not easily deceived. Idolatry is very much a sin widely committed but not because we are being tricked to worship them as gods. People were committing idolatry by worshiping the powers of nature thinking they were worshiping gods, now people are committing idolatry because they are worshiping the powers of nature thinking it is their salvation. Both are deceptions to cause people to replace God with an idol. In the OT the idol was in the heart and made visible in a graven image. Today the idols are not made visible but the same demons are deceiving people to worship the same powers.Let me stop you right there...are you saying the second commandment holds no water now?
That's one long and I'm afraid twisty/stretchy post, still, trying to give it benefit of the doubt, and I'm working on it, but need to take it a little at a time.
The short of it is that diabolical deception has had to take on a more sublime form since their defeat on the cross. Christ's followers are not easily deceived. Idolatry is very much a sin widely committed but not because we are being tricked to worship them as gods. People were committing idolatry by worshiping the powers of nature thinking they were worshiping gods, now people are committing idolatry because they are worshiping the powers of nature thinking it is their salvation. Both are deceptions to cause people to replace God with an idol. In the OT the idol was in the heart and made visible in a graven image. Today the idols are not made visible but the same demons are deceiving people to worship the same powers.
It's like their search for the highest power or greatest power is really a search for God. I think the power of fertility was mistaken for the creative power of God and IMO that mistaken identity was made first by Eve. That false reality colored the maternal environment of Cain and his line begins the ancient matriarchy that opposes God.That is something that one notices about Paganism, universally. They all worship aspects of nature as seperate gods and goddesses. Rain, sun, snow, oceans, greenery. This is perhaps why Jonah pointed out to the sailors making sacrifices to their gods, "I am a Hebrew, and I worship the God of Heaven, who made the earth and the sea". And intuitively, instinctively, these men knew who and what he was talking about. Pretty cool.
Have also noticed that Catholic missionaries, in translating God into local languages, generally instead of trying to use the name of the nearest-equivalent deity will often translate or create a new title, which often literally means "King / Chief / Lord of / in Heaven". Nearest equivalent gods can often have multiple wives, consorts, ride elephants, demand prisoners of war as sacrificial victims, or be known to eat the sun.
That's Mary body and soul in heaven.I suggest you read Revelation 12:1 and decide who is the woman being referred to.