We Catholics do something that most Protestants think is quite strange: we pray to saints. That is, we plead the intercession of Christians who have died and gone to heaven before us (and angels, too). Our separated brethren often see this as unbiblical — a disservice to God. The objecting Protestant typically holds that this practice attributes to mere creatures what should only be attributed to the Creator – the ability to intercede for others before God. It is also seen as communicating with dead people, an abomination(Deut 18:11). In objection they quote the bolded portion of the following passage:
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus…” (2 Tim 2:1-5 RSV)
How would you respond?
Matt is the Assistant Director of the Word on Fire Institute, and author of Just Whatever: How to Help the Spiritually Indifferent Find Beliefs that Really Matter
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