So right now there are tears, sorrow, pain in Heaven? I don't believe this scripture changes the promises of Heaven now or the new Heaven to come.
Even the most observant eyes can be fooled, when speaking of human nature or otherwise. Even your answer implies you have 1 of 2 conclusions, only...
Why do we assume the foundation of the argument is why not? rather than Why?
Either way we presume to know the Mind of God, right?
Only that this was not given as one of the gifts? And which is based on presumption rather than scripture. (or history if you don't like abiding by scripture...
I'm taking the facts, and from that, can make an educated guess.
If I'm praying to a saint, and at the same time you are praying to the same saint, it would imply that that saint is able to hear both prayers at the same time which is an attribute given to God.
Not so much about biased belief...
No,
My prayer life is good (if I can say that without sounding boastful) and I believe wholeheartedly that Jesus hears my prayers and answers them. So I don't believe the issue is with my prayer, but to whom my prayer is to?
I guess you could say it is a faith matter, or lack thereof. I don't...
I guess for the same reasons we offer our condolences and prayers to a grieving widow, or childless father? Noone wants to feel as if their struggle is completely isolated, We sympathize for one another, we care, we show compassion. When someone I love hurts, I hurt. If they are full of Joy, I'm...
Interesting. With that being said, and without taking the topic off subject too long, what's your current viewpoint on the Apocrypha? Do you still accept it as the word of God?
True, but was always clearly marked as "Apocrypha" and never accepted as the infallible Word of God.
It was completely set apart between the books of the Old an New Testament. They were not considered in the realm with the canonical books, and therefore used mainly as historical reference...
Then why do we not see it throughout the history of not only Judaism, but also early Christianity? Wouldn't the Patriarchs or Father Abraham be a prime candidate to act as an intercessor? Even the Prophets?
I can understand that, but my question would be why? If we have access now to the throneroom of God through His son Jesus Christ, why not go directly to the source?
Again, the premise would be that I believe in God and accept the attributes of God. Therefore it would not be considered odd or weird to speak to God. But I also believe the Bible as it states there is one intercessory between God and Man......Jesus Christ. So are we attributing the same...
With that basis, wouldn't speaking to yourself or your conscience be on the same scale? Does that logic also include inanimate objects?
The premise obviously being that you believe in something other than yourself.
A question born from honest curiosity. I am not nor have I ever been a member of the Catholic Church and this question has always intrigued me as to how prayer to the saints can be explained as anything but speaking to the dead?
Agreed, but this was not a governing body in the sense we apply to Socialist Countries now. This was the teachings of Jesus to "sell all that you have and follow me".....which is a far cry from the Socialism being sold in society today, which is no longer about the following of Christ, but the...