This article came through with kindness and truth. Thanks. I missed some of the previous articles. I will have to go back and read then. God bless as these continue.
Thanks for the encouragement, Larry. This was the 4th. I'm trying to keep them short and just one point at a time. Eventually I hope to combine these thoughts in one longer piece.
My understanding is that Miriam, Queen of Heaven was a goddess in Egypt, and syncretists adopted this cult's worship into Roman Catholic tradition. I hope I am wrong about this. I'm afraid that many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have failed to investigate this and think critically about spiritual things, including prayer and the nature of the incarnation. (It is also confusing for Muslims and others who say they think Mary is one of the three gods of Christian belief, which is far from Christian belief in one and only one God.
Yes David, ancient history has a pagan queen story relating to the gods and goddesses, starting in Babylon, and then in Egypt and then in Rome. 'Catholic Answers' explains all the Catholic logic behind their saying Mary is the queen of heaven. They mention that historically, kings' mothers were considered to be queens in the days of the kings. However, there is no example or command in the New Testament that tells us or even implies that we should ever pray to Mary. We pray to God the Father through Jesus, or to Jesus, who is part of the 3 in 1 Godhead - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Yes, during Jesus ministry on earth he graciously answered many requests from all sorts of people. He answered those requests with miracles. He healed the leper and the centurian's servant in Mt. ch. 8, raised the synagogue official's daughter from the dead, and gave sight to the blind in ch. 10, for example.
Jesus loves us and answers our prayers, and I've even seen miracles of healing today. We're saved by grace through faith.
This article came through with kindness and truth. Thanks. I missed some of the previous articles. I will have to go back and read then. God bless as these continue.
Thanks for the encouragement, Larry. This was the 4th. I'm trying to keep them short and just one point at a time. Eventually I hope to combine these thoughts in one longer piece.
My understanding is that Miriam, Queen of Heaven was a goddess in Egypt, and syncretists adopted this cult's worship into Roman Catholic tradition. I hope I am wrong about this. I'm afraid that many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have failed to investigate this and think critically about spiritual things, including prayer and the nature of the incarnation. (It is also confusing for Muslims and others who say they think Mary is one of the three gods of Christian belief, which is far from Christian belief in one and only one God.
Yes David, ancient history has a pagan queen story relating to the gods and goddesses, starting in Babylon, and then in Egypt and then in Rome. 'Catholic Answers' explains all the Catholic logic behind their saying Mary is the queen of heaven. They mention that historically, kings' mothers were considered to be queens in the days of the kings. However, there is no example or command in the New Testament that tells us or even implies that we should ever pray to Mary. We pray to God the Father through Jesus, or to Jesus, who is part of the 3 in 1 Godhead - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Remember when the guest at the wedding at Cana told Mary they were out of wine? Jesus will listen to Mary’s requests.
Yes, during Jesus ministry on earth he graciously answered many requests from all sorts of people. He answered those requests with miracles. He healed the leper and the centurian's servant in Mt. ch. 8, raised the synagogue official's daughter from the dead, and gave sight to the blind in ch. 10, for example.
Jesus loves us and answers our prayers, and I've even seen miracles of healing today. We're saved by grace through faith.