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The Seven Names of RC Blasphemy
Lou writes: The Seven Names Of Blasphemy The Biblical definition of blasphemy is for a mere mortal man to take on the attributes of God Almighty and to direct the worship therof away from Him. Leaders and dignitaries of the Roman Catholic church take names for themselves that are reserved to God, the Lord Jesus Christ: Andrew responds: It is erroneous to claim that the Catholic Church robs God of his attributes so as to give them (in expression) to men. We recognize that men can share in SOME of God's attributes ONLY in a participatory way. Thus, we have life only because God is existence, itself. We can be holy exclusively because the transcendent God imbues his disciples with the grace of his otherness. Indeed, God became a human being that we might possess the divine life, refashioned into the image of his Son. A quick look at Lou's references: (his words in italics) 1. Pontifix Maximus is a papal title meaning in Latin "chief bridge maker" between earth and heaven. However, Jesus Christ is the only One who can claim this title because "no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. This was a title of the Roman Caesars and of the Roman Emperors of paganism, thus showing how modern Roman Catholicism is of pagan origin. Pagan to the bone! You have misspelled the term. Catholic theology also refers to Christ as the divine PONTIFEX or bridge-builder between heaven and earth. Indeed, such a portrayal was made famous in a painting that portrays the Lord as a large CROSS with people traveling over it to the other side of a great canyon, the Promised Land. The title "Pontifex Maximus" or Supreme Pontiff was indeed a designation borrowed from ancient Rome. Originally it belonged to the chief priest of Rome but was later assumed by the emperors. The Emperor Gratian (367-383) was the last to use it and in deference to the visible head of Christianity he bestowed the title upon the bishop of Rome in 375. It became a common title for the papacy during the Middle Ages. The pagan understanding of the term was not translated with its Christian usage. Nothing is taken away from Christ. 2. Holy Father is a title the pope claims for himself. However, this title occurs only once in the Bible, and used when Jesus addresses His Heavenly Father in John 17:11 in His great prayer before His betrayal, arrest and crucifixion. It is blasphemy for any man to claim this title for himself. It belongs only to God, the Father. Actually, the proper title is "The Most Holy Father," a translation of the Latin, "Beatissimus Pater". It entered into usage around 1380. The Mass prayers, following the Scriptural lead, call God our "Holy Father" or "Father Most Holy." However, the Latin here is different from the papal title, it reads in the preface of the Second Eucharistic Prayer as "sancte Pater". God is properly holy. He is the Thrice Holy Trinity. The pope is called Holy, not because he is a perfect saint, although it is hoped that he will become such, but rather as a benediction upon his office. The expectation is that he will reflect through his teachings and moral life something of the loving fatherhood of God. As his title denotes, we pray that the pope will be "most blessed". Here is a recycled post: The Papacy is one of the favorite targets of anti-Catholics. I recently read one who contended that calling him "Holy Father" was the equivalent of calling him God. How anyone can give such silliness any credence is beyond me. The title signifies that the Pope functions as a father to God's family. He is a visible sign of the unity and authority of the Church founded by Christ. Even though Christ's true father was almighty God in heaven, is it not beyond a doubt that he treated his foster father Joseph with all the respect one would render such a parent? Sure. Similarly, the Pope functions as a kind of foster father over the People of God. He is the successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ. As the term of unity for the Church, the Pope's fatherhood is modified with the word holy. The Church is holy, not because of the presence of a sinful membership, but because Christ is holy. He sends his Spirit to sanctify the Church and to safeguard the authority he established. Turning to a more mundane level, all our men should function as holy fathers in their families and in the community. It is an element of male identity which can be amplified by the transformative presence of Christ. While it is true that the overture, "Holy Father," is noted in the Scriptures in reference to God, it appears in a passage stressing the unity of God's people who enter into the divine life and love itself. Christ is the ultimate term of our peace and unity; however, he has given us teachings, sacraments, and authority to manifest and express these sacred realities. We read in John 17:11-12: "And I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep in thy name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one even as we are. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name. Those whom thou hast given me I guarded; ...." Note that those who share in the one priesthood of Christ, from the lowliest clergyman to the greatest of bishops, accepts unto himself the title of father. This is the pattern given by Christ for his family of believers. Our fatherhood is to make real and to point to the one who is the Father of all. Following in the footsteps of Jesus, we still take seriously the charge of guarding those given to us by God. As Christians, we bear the name of our Lord in our identity and address all our prayers to the Father Most Holy-- God in heaven. There is no confusion in the affectionate titles of reverence given priests and Popes and the wondrous Fatherhood of almighty God. This same critic contended that Catholics look upon the Pope as the Holy Spirit. Absolutely crazy! He concludes this wild idea from the fact that the Pope and Bishops are protected by the Holy Spirit in offering authoritative teaching and interpretation of Scripture. However, even Protestants take sides between conflicting ministerial authorities and publish many tracts and books on religion, even on the Internet. If we are only to rely on the bible and personal interpretation, then logically they should have no books at all; indeed, other than quoting Scripture, it would seem that no minister, even an anti-Catholic one, could tell another believer what he can and cannot believe. Of course, such is not the practice. Every anti-Catholic bigot has made himself into his own Pope-- and without the universal authority given by God, I should add. In seeming opposition to the Catholic position of a divinely established authority to help us properly understand the Scriptures, anti-Catholics like to cite 1 John 2:27: "As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do NOT NEED anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him." The Catholic Church does not deny the value, even on a personal basis, of invoking the Holy Spirit so that we might remain in the truth. Indeed, there is even a traditional prayer to this effect often recited by Catholics before reading the bible. However, this in itself does not negate the presence and/or need for a universal authority to assist us in the truths of God. The words in this quotation were directed toward many in the Church leadership, too. The admonition of this letter is not against the teaching authority of leaders in the Christian community, after all, John himself who writes this letter under the inspiration of the Spirit is also exerting something of his own authority as an apostle. (Remember, the bishops are successors of these apostles!) The warning in John's words is to remain faithful to the truth given to you (plural), the Church, as opposed to the heretical teachings of the Gnostics who at that time sought to dilute the membership and to alter the Gospel. Gnostics were a false Christian sect who denied the humanity of Christ. They fail to understand how an earthly Jesus could be revelatory of the Father. John's words are in defense of the incarnation of Christ as one of us. There is nothing here contrary to Catholic faith. Mean-spirited, anti-Catholics insinuate that the Pope is the beast of Scripture prophecy and that he is an anti-Christ. This maligning of an office and the men who have filled it is quite tragic. If it were not for the strength of the Popes and the Catholic Church, we would be following the superstitions of the Mongul horde or the religion of the Islamic invaders. So much for thanks! The Popes and the Church have preached Christ crucified for two thousand years; and the price we receive in return, is a share in that crucifixion at the hands of people who claim to follow Jesus. Although originally referring to Gnostics, and not Catholic Christians by any standard, the letter reviewed here does offer some wisdom regarding anti-Christs who oppose the true Church and faith (1 John 2:18-19): "Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming, so now MANY ANTICHRISTS have appeared. Thus we know this is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of our number; if they had been, they would have remained with us. Their desertion shows that none of them was of our number." This "last hour" is literally the interim
between Christ's death and resurrection and his Second Coming. These "antichrists"
are adversaries of Christ, false teachers, who distort the faith handed
down to us in the Catholic community. Apostate teachers prove their faithlessness
by abandoning the true Christian community. Was this not what the original
Protestant reformers did a number of centuries ago? Is this not what a
number of former Catholics have done in our own day? Certainly it is. We
are the Mother Church going back to the early Apostolic community. Reformers
may have taken a few sacraments and our book, the bible with them, but
their breech was an assault upon the Church of Christ. Again, we find that
passages ignorantly quoted by the foes of the Church actually vindicates
her reality and mission. Charges of apostasy fall back upon the anti-Catholic
3. Father is a title that every Roman Catholic priest claims for himself and expects to be called. Jesus warns in Matthew 23:9 "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your father which is in heaven." The catholic priest is NOT anyone's spiritual father. This ground has been covered before. I will recycle a post for you: CATHOLIC PRACTICE - Priests are often addressed as Father. BIBLE CITATION FROM AN ANTI-CATHOLIC - "And call no one on earth your Father; for one is your Father, who is in heaven" (Matthew 23:9). CATHOLIC RESPONSE - This is an example of a Scriptural literary form known as Hebraic Hyperbole. It is like the passage that admonishes tearing your eye out or cutting your hand or foot off. It is a way of speaking to give heightened emphasis. The fundamentalist reads everything as if the primary language is English and the author contemporary. This is also an example of taking a verse out of context and distorting its meaning. Verse eight says to call no one Rabbi or teacher. However, do we not use this word all the time? Further, if this line is absolute against Catholic priests who possess a spiritual fatherhood, then what about our foster fathers and biological fathers? It would have to apply there as well. Almost no one would agree to this. It is a wonderful sign of respect and relationship. The matter about which the Lord is concerned is that his disciples not imitate the Pharisees in their pride and hypocrisy, lording their positions over others. God is the true and ultimate Father of all. If any fatherhood does not flow from and participate in divine fatherhood, then it is a lie and oppressive. St. Paul speaks of himself as a spiritual father in his first letter to the Corinthians and admits that there are other such fathers, although not many. The shortage of vocations to priesthood is still a matter with which we must deal. BIBLE CITATIONS OF A CATHOLIC - [In speaking of our priorities] "He who loves FATHER or mother more than me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37). [About marriage] "For this cause a man shall leave his FATHER and mother, and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh" (Matthew 19:5). [Placing discipleship to Jesus first] "And everyone who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or FATHER, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everalasting" (Matthew 19:29). {see also Mark 10:29} [Abraham is called father] "For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham who is the FATHER of all of us, ..." (Romans 4:16). {see also Romans 4:11-12,17} [Treatment of elders] "Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as a FATHER" (1 Timothy 5:1). [Enduring trials] "For what 'son' is there whom his FATHER does not discipline?" (Hebrews 12:7). {see also Hebrews 12:9} [My favorite and very similar to calling the priest, Father] "I am writing you this not to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. Even if you should have countless guides to Christ, yet you do not have many FATHERS, for I became your FATHER in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Therefore, I urge you to be imitators of me" (1 Corinthians 4:14-16). Taken from the GEHENNA Page 4. Monsignor This means "my Lord", and this clearly is a title belonging only to God, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is another name of blasphemy that Catholicism takes from God. Have you ever heard of the British House of LORDS? The titles, "Lords and Ladies" was and is quite common in certain royal circles. The word, "Monsignor," was originally a French title that was introduced into the Avignon Papacy. It is a special sign of honor and respect given by the Church to certain clergy. We do not use the word in reference to Jesus, but rather, in English, call Jesus/God LORD. There is nothing of blasphemy here at all. Context and intent means everything. 5. Reverend is a title of many Roman Catholic priests and Protestant ministers. This is also a title for God in Psalms 111:9 "Holy and Reverend is his name." It is always blasphemy for any man to take to himself a title of God. None of the apostles in the early church ever claimed "Reverend" as his title, nor can anyone today. And it's evident how some protestant churches are just a "chip off the old block" of the MOTHER church! Excuse me, but you are trying too hard. "Reverend" is a variation on the word REVERENCE. This, in turn, is a translation of the word "observantia," referring to the respect and obedience owed one with official dignity and authority. Your misconceptions here remind me of the little boy who told his teacher that Howard was God's name. "Howard?" she asked, "Why do you think that is God's name?" He answered, "Because that is what we pray, 'Our Father, Howard be thy name." The Scriptures are telling us that God is all holy and we are to use his name, call upon him, with holy fear and submission of self. The word translated in your text as "reverend" actually would be better rendered as "awesome" or "terrible". The archaic "reverend" fails to signify the holy fear that we should experience when calling upon the Almighty and Infinite God. Once more, Catholicism strips nothing from the throne of God. 6. "God himself on earth" is a title found in the various catholic articles. This is absolute silliness and there is nothing official about it. The Church has never taught that the popes are divine. You are confusing the emperor worship of pagan ancient Rome with the respect to God's shepherds in the Roman Catholic Christian Church. Typos and the ramblings of confused men do not constitute Catholic teaching. 7. "Mother of God" - Title given to Mary. Mary was the mother of Jesus Christ's humanity, but not the mother of Jesus Christ's divinity. Jesus is Mary's creator. Hence this may also come under the umbrella of blasphemy, for it diverts total worship from the Lord Jesus Christ. This title also puts Mary before God. God has no mother. God has always existed. Other Blasphemous titles given to Mary are Queen of Heaven, the Gate of Heaven, our life, Mother of Grace, Mother of Mercy, etc. Heaven has no Queen, only the King who is Christ. Christ is the Door, the Life etc. For Mary to hear all Catholic prayers she would need to have the omniscient powers of God. This is indeed blasphemy! You have espoused a form of NESTORIANISM and not orthodox Christian faith. Jesus did indeed take his humanity from his Mother. Mary is entirely a creature and not a goddess of any sort. The trouble with your denial of the title, "Mother of God" or "Theotokos" (God-bearer) is that it violates the Christological unity. You would inadvertently create TWO Sons. Calling Mary the MOTHER OF GOD speaks less about her than about her Son-- Jesus is whole and complete-- body, soul, and divinity. This re-posting will elaborate further: CATHOLIC BELIEF - Mary can be called the Mother of God. WHAT THE ANTI-CATHOLIC HAS TO SAY - Mary is only the mother of the mortal or human Jesus, not God. Jesus, as God, pre-exists, even before creation (note John 1:1). God has no beginning-- no mother. "He allowed himself "for a little while" to be "made 'lower than the angels,' that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9). BIBLE CITATIONS OF AN ANTI-CATHOLIC - [If Mary was actually God's mother-- giving birth to God himself-- she would be God] "You are my witnesses, says the Lord, my servants whom I have chosen to know and believe in me and understand that it is I. Before me no god was formed, and after me there shall be none" (Isaiah 43:10). "Your throne stands firm from of old; you are from everlasting, Lord" (Psalm 93:2). "But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times" (Micah 5:1). "Who [Christ Jesus], though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, ..." (Philippians 2:6-7). CATHOLIC RESPONSE - The anti-Catholic who made this argument against the title Mother of God did not do his homework. He failed to properly define the title, he failed to appreciate the Catholic position regarding Christ as divine, and he fell into an ancient heresy against the identity of Christ himself. It is a perfect example of the old cliche, "Those who do not know the past are doomed to repeat it." A response is difficult, because it is hard to take such a stab at Catholic faith regarding Mary seriously. Catholic school children could see the holes here. The heresy espoused here is known as Nestorianism after Bishop Nestorius who rejected the term Theotokos or God-bearer (Mother of God) for Mary. He argued that she was only the bearer or mother of Christ's human nature. To his credit, Nestorius was concerned that the title was too similar to that which had belonged to goddesses, like Isis and Diana, called the mother of the gods. Ultimately, what was at stake was more than an honor for Mary. The real issue was who is Jesus? Yes, he was God and yes, he was a man. However, the position of Nestorius tended to divide Jesus into two sons. The unity of Christ was endangered. Never did the title Mother of God imply that she was divine or a goddess. Mary was and always will be purely a human creature. This is the Catholic position. The title Mother of God does not have ontological properties regarding her identity. Christ is the pre-existent Logos, the Word, and author of life. This is the Catholic position, lost in the drivel of an ignorant anti-Catholic. According to Roman usage, the title Mother of God represents a particular form of speech known as communicatio idiomata-- the communication or exchange of idioms. Another example would be the expression that in Jesus, "God died on the cross." Obviously, as a perfect Spirit, God as God cannot die. However, because of the inseparable identity of Christ as the God-Man, his death by virtue of his human nature can be ascribed to him according to his ultimate identity-- the Son of God. Similarly, while the Lord only takes his human nature from Mary, she, like all mothers, is the mother of the whole identity of her child. The only difference is that her child happens to be God. The anti-Catholic posited a metaphysical meaning to the title Mother of God which the Catholic Church had never given it. This title protects the unity between the divine and human natures of Christ, one divine person. BIBLE CITATIONS OF
A CATHOLIC - [Elizabeth's greeting] "'And how have I deserved that
the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:43). {See also John 2:1;
19:25; Matthew 13:55} [Unity in Christ] "For in him dwells the whole fullness
of the deity bodily, ..." (Colossians 2:9).
Lou writes: Is this the church of Jesus Christ? No it is the church of AntiChrist! Study the Bible and history for yourselves and make your own determination. It will lead to but one conclusion. Andrew responds: I have studied the bible and the long history
of the Church. Many of my friends have done the same and they are
now convinced, as I am, that the Catholic Church is true Christianity--
the house Christ built.
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