And This statue of Hera
are totally unlike
This statue:
So, while it is fair game to say that Greeks worshipped statues, do not suggest that the same is true of Catholics.
Got it?
Of course, I speak tongue in cheek.
The Apostle John had simple instructions: Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Moses had simple instructions: Thou shalt not make unto thyself any graven image.
Has the point been made? Do you see where this use of idols came from? Do you see that it's wrong? Does my pointing this out, make you angry with me? I'm not that concerned about whether you will be angry with me or not, if you will turn from your idols to worship the living and true God in spirit and in truth.
We preach to you a gospel different from that which is preached by the man in third picture above. He labels his message "Christ Our Hope" - but he preaches a different Christ than the Christ that the Apostle Paul and we preach. The message of the man pictured above is dangerous for it encourages many souls to trust in religion and religiosity for salvation, rather than in Christ.
If there is a difference between the gospel of Rome and the gospel of the Reformation, to whom will you turn to resolve the matter? To your bishops? To our elders?
The only answer can be that we must turn to the Scriptures to see which group of men have the same gospel that Paul preached. Anyone can use the label "Christ our hope" (taken from 1 Timothy 1:1), but it is important to know the true Christ.
You may realize that simply reading the Scriptures will not be enough to ensure you get it right, for many before you have read the Scriptures and arrived at differing conclusions. What's missing, then, from my advice? Prayer. Pray to God to send His Holy Spirit upon you to give you wisdom to understand whether the religion of Rome or of the Reformation is true. Seek wisdom earnestly, for only a fool thinks he already knows all.
Many will say, "Lord, Lord," but will not enter into the kingdom. Do not be one of them. Take heed to your souls!
-Turretinfan
11 comments:
Lucian,
I got your comment. I wonder whether you have bothered to find out why Orthodox churches do not have statues like those shown above?
There is a reason, and it's not that Italians are better at art than Russians.
Maybe you should rethink your attitude, and try to learn a little.
-Turretinfan
Lucian,
Got your other two comments, and no that's not the explanation. It's not the explanation in either case.
-Turretinfan
Got it?
I do believe I got it!
thanks
michael
Turretin,
Let me share what I have seen. Here in my country, the Philippines, we have lots of those dead idols. This is the most popular.
The Black Nazarene: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Nazarene
Roman Catholic officials not only tolerate the worship of this statue, but they encourage it. Its devotees think that touching the statue can bring cures to certain diseases.
Pleas pray for the Christians here, especially the Reformed ones. Thanks.
Turretinfan, if they're wrong, and full of attitude, you waste an opportunity in not posting them (wholely). For one thing, it removes any hint at all that you might either be wrong or misrepresenting him.
That is very sad, Albert. I will keep the Reformed churches of the Philippines in my prayers.
-Turretinfan
Hidden One,
Thanks for your input.
I wonder whether you believe that John the Apostle reads your blogger profile? At least you did him the courtesy of phrasing your request, "ore pro nobis," in a language he might potentially understand, were he to read it.
-Turretinfan
If you have any actual proof that Catholics worship statues, I'd love to see it.
Pax Christi,
phatcatholic
PC:
I've got the photographic evidence above. Or do you think that is Photoshop-ed?
Alternatively, just follow the URL Albert thoughtfully provided.
-Turretinfan
phatcatholic,
If you want proof, watch the videos here:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Black+Nazarene
There are 20 videos in that search that I made, 13 deal with the Black Nazarene. Tell us if the people are not worshiping a dead statue.
Lucian,
Rather than me explain it to you, since you appear to be a member of an EO church, why not just ask your local priest or bishop? They should know the answer.
-Turretinfan
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