Framework for Revival Project

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Framework for Revival Project Unity Getting
Back Together Again As A Catalyst For Revival
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In the Gospel accounts, we see people get
converted. In the book of Acts, we see Gods
people get together. Even to the point of sharing
everything in common, which included the apostles
teaching (Acts 242). Throughout the book of
Acts, we see Gods people get going. And as Gods
people were going with the Christian message, we
see them getting back together again to resolve
doctrinal disputes (Acts 15)particularly how
Gods grace (v.11) and Gods law (v.20) work out
in the salvation of mankind. Notice that Peter
and the Church leaders address these issues.
Someone has once said, if we are always worried
about getting together, well never get going and
if were always concerned about getting going,
well never get together. Certainly getting going
and getting together are two sides of the same
coin. These are not mutually exclusive concepts.
We must get together as we are getting going with
the gospel message.
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• One of my favorite mentors, Dick Woodward,
  makes the point that, We cannot win a lost world
  if we lose each other! The high priestly prayer
  of Jesus in John 17 expresses that those who
  belong to Christ should be one in the same way
  that Christ, the Son, is one with His
  Fatherhaving the same doctrinal and missionary
  heart.
• Since unity was the catalyst for the
  spiritual life recorded in the book of Acts,
  unity is also the springboard for revival today.
  I have listed a series of prayers that I trust
  God would answer, even using this projectmy very
  small lunchto feed thousands.
• Prayers
• That the Great Commission would be realized as we
  are faithful to teach and obey everything the
  Lord has commanded (Matthew 2818-20). In the
  same vein, may we guard our doctrine closely.
  Jesus expresses in his high priestly prayer,
  Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is
  truth (John 1717). To be ignorant of the
  Scriptures is to be ignorant of Christ to be
  ignorant of Christ impedes our worship, confuses
  our mission, and robs God!

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2. That Christians united in the apostles
teaching rejoice in Gods truth (John 179-14),
so that the world would know full well that we
are sent from God (John 178). 3. That the Lord
would add to the number of those being saved
(Acts 247). 4. That Catholics would know and
live their faith. 5. That Catholics and
Protestants would seek unity (not well meaning
but misguided ecumenism where agreeing to
disagree out of love is just another name for
tolerance or indifference. Bad theology
cannot masquerade as charity). 6. That
non-Christians would be attracted to the joy
found in a unified body of believers. 7. That the
Church would have a renewed and restored
relationship. Note This PowerPoint
presentation runs most effectively with the Greek
font (Bwgrkl) installed on your computer. If you
do not have the Greek font you can download it
at http//www.bibleworks.com/fonts.html
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1 The Question of Authority Scripture (The word
of God written) alone Protestant OR Scripture
and Tradition (The word of God spoken, The Word
of God living) Roman Catholic? 2 A
Conversation About the Pope Is the notion of the
Pope biblical? 3 The Question of
Justification What is the difference between the
Catholic and Protestant understanding of the
doctrine of Justification? 4 The Question of
Mary Something about MaryJust another woman or
something greater? Note from author It is my
intention to grow the number of subject headings
as I add to this project over time.
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Sola Scriptura and Tradition? Is Sola Scriptura
scriptural? What role should Tradition play?
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Protestant Sola Scriptura over and against
Tradition. -Interpretation A The Bible alone is
our sole basis for faith and practice. -Interpreta
tion B The Bible is our final basis for faith
and practice. -Luther Scriptura sui ipsius
interpres or in English, The Bible is its own
interpreter(Commentary on Psalms,
Luther). Catholic Sola Scriptura is unbiblical
and nowhere taught in the Bible or in the life of
the early Church. The Bible and Sacred Tradition
together are taught as authoritative. -Interpretat
ion A The Holy Spirit guided the biblical
authors to write what he wanted them to write.
The inspired books teach the truth. Since
therefore all that the inspired authors or sacred
writers affirm should be regarded as affirmed by
the Holy Spirit, we must acknowledge that the
books of Scripture firmly, faithfully, and
without error teach that truth which God, for the
sake of salvation, wished to see confided to the
Sacred Scriptures (CCC 107, citing Dei Verbum
11).
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-Interpretation B The Bible is not all I need.
The Bible actually teaches the contrary. And, the
bible alone theory was not believed by anyone
in the early Church. St. Irenaeus As I said
before, the Church, having received this
preaching and this faith, although she is
disseminated throughout the whole world, yet
guarded it, as if she occupied but one houseFor,
while the languages of the world are diverse,
nevertheless, the authority of the tradition is
one and the same. (Against Heresies, 180
AD) St. Irenaeus What if the Apostles had not
in fact left writings to us? Would it not be
necessary to follow the order of tradition, which
was handed down to those to whom they entrusted
the Churches? (Against Heresies, 180
AD). Origen The teaching of the Church has
indeed been handed down through an order of
succession from the Apostles, and remains in the
Churches even to the present time. That alone is
to be believed as the truth which is in no way at
variance with ecclesiastical and apostolic
tradition. (The Fundamental Doctrines, 220 AD).
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What the Catholic Church Teaches And such is the
forces and power of the Word of God that it can
serve the Church as her support and vigor and the
children of the Church as strength for their
faith, food for the soul, and a pure and lasting
font of spiritual life. Hence, access to Sacred
Scripture ought to be open wide to the Christian
faithful. The Church forcefully and
specifically exhorts all the Christian
faithfulto learn the surpassing knowledge of
Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of divine
Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scripture is
ignorance of Christ. Sacred Scripture is the
speech of God as it is put down in writing under
the breath of the Holy Spirit. And Holy
Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of
God which has been entrusted to the apostles by
Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit As a result
of the Church, to whom the transmission and
interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, does
not derive her certainty about all revealed
truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both
Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and
honored with equal sentiments and devotion and
reverence The task of interpretation has been
entrusted to the bishops in communion with the
successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome Yet this
Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God,
but is its servant. It teaches only what has been
handed on to it (CCC, 131, 133, 81, 82, 85, 86).
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• Common Protestant Objections
• How can Catholics teach that Scripture and
  tradition must be accepted and honored with
  equal sentiments of devotion and reverence when
  Jesus himself condemns tradition? For example,
  Jesus is outraged that You disregard Gods
  commandment but cling to human tradition. How
  well you have set aside the commandment of God in
  order to uphold your tradition (Mark 78-9).
• Catholic Response
• What the Catholic Church means by Tradition is
  not corrupt traditions taught by men, rather
  Tradition is the sacred faith of the apostles
  that has God as its source of revelation. In Mark
  78-9, Jesus is condemning the Saducees and
  Pharisees for following corrupt traditions of men
  that nullify the Word of God.
• In numerous places in the New Testament,
  Christians are exhorted to closely adhere to the
  sacred Traditions handed down by the Apostles.
• Scriptural Evidence

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1 Cor 112 Paul refers to Sacred Tradition when
he writes NIV 1 Corinthians 112 I praise you
for remembering me in everything and for holding
to the teachings, just as I passed them on to
you. NAS 1 Corinthians 112 Now I praise you
because you remember me in everything, and hold
firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered
them to you. RSV 1 Corinthians 112 I commend you
because you remember me in everything and
maintain the traditions even as I have delivered
them to you. BNT 1 Corinthians 112 VEpainw/ de.
uma/j oti pa,nta mou me,mnhsqe kai,( kaqw.j
pare,dwka umi/n( ta.j parado,seij kate,ceteÅ NAB
1 Corinthians 112 I praise you because you
remember me in everything and hold fast to the
traditions, just as I handed them on to you.
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2 Thess 215 Paul again refers to Sacred
Tradition NIV 2 Thessalonians 215 So then,
brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we
passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by
letter. NAS 2 Thessalonians 215 So then,
brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions
which you were taught, whether by word of mouth
or by letter from us. RSV 2 Thessalonians 215 So
then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the
traditions which you were taught by us, either by
word of mouth or by letter. BNT 2 Thessalonians
215 Ara oun( avdelfoi,( sth,kete kai.
kratei/te ta.j parado,seij aj evdida,cqhte eite
dia. lo,gou eite diV evpistolh/j hmw/nÅ NAB 2
Thessalonians 215 Therefore, brothers, stand
firm and hold fast to the traditions that you
were taught, either by an oral statement or by a
letter of ours.
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2 Tim 22 Paul to Timothy regarding oral
passing of Apostolic teaching NIV 2 Timothy 22
And the things you have heard me say in the
presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable
men who will also be qualified to teach
others. NAS 2 Timothy 22 And the things which
you have heard from me in the presence of many
witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who
will be able to teach others also. RSV 2 Timothy
22 and what you have heard from me before many
witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be
able to teach others also. BNT 2 Timothy 22 kai.
a hkousaj parV evmou/ dia. pollw/n martu,rwn(
tau/ta para,qou pistoi/j avnqrw,poij( oitinej
ikanoi. esontai kai. ete,rouj dida,xaiÅ NAB 2
Timothy 22 And what you heard from me through
many witnesses entrust to faithful people who
will have the ability to teach others as well.
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1 Cor 151-2 Paul again urges the oral
transmission of apostolic teaching NIV 1
Corinthians 151 Now, brothers, I want to remind
you of the gospel I preached to you, which you
received and on which you have taken your stand.
2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold
firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise,
you have believed in vain. NAS 1 Corinthians 151
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel
which I preached to you, which also you received,
in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are
saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached
to you, unless you believed in vain. RSV 1
Corinthians 151 Now I would remind you,
brethren, in what terms I preached to you the
gospel, which you received, in which you stand, 2
by which you are saved, if you hold it fast --
unless you believed in vain. BNT 1 Corinthians
151 Gnwri,zw de. umi/n( avdelfoi,( to.
euvagge,lion o euvhggelisa,mhn umi/n( o kai.
parela,bete( evn w- kai. esth,kate( 2 diV ou-
kai. sw,zesqe( ti,ni lo,gw euvhggelisa,mhn
umi/n eiv kate,cete( evkto.j eiv mh. eivkh/
evpisteu,sateÅ NAB 1 Corinthians 151 Now I am
reminding you, brothers, of the gospel I preached
to you, which you indeed received and in which
you also stand. 2 Through it you are also being
saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to
you, unless you believed in vain.
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2. What about 2 Tim 316-17 as a proof text for
Sola Scriptura? NIV 2 Timothy 316 All Scripture
is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in
righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be
thoroughly equipped for every good work. Catholic
Response This passage correctly points out,
and Catholics believe, that Scripture is
profitable for equipping one for good works.
However, this passage does not say anywhere that
Gods complete revelation concerning Christian
belief and practice is to be found only in the
written Bible. In fact, numerous times in
Scripture the reader is given the disclaimer that
not every important theological and spiritual
truth appears in written form in the Bible.
Scriptural Evidence
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John 1612-13 NIV John 1612 "I have much more
to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But
when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will
guide you into all truth. He will not speak on
his own he will speak only what he hears, and he
will tell you what is yet to come. NAS John 1612
"I have many more things to say to you, but you
cannot bear them now. 13 "But when He, the Spirit
of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the
truth for He will not speak on His own
initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak
and He will disclose to you what is to come. RSV
John 1612 "I have yet many things to say to you,
but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit
of truth comes, he will guide you into all the
truth for he will not speak on his own
authority, but whatever he hears he will speak,
and he will declare to you the things that are to
come. BNT John 1612 Eti polla. ecw umi/n
le,gein( avllV ouv du,nasqe basta,zein arti\ 13
otan de. elqh evkei/noj( to. pneu/ma th/j
avlhqei,aj( odhgh,sei uma/j evn th/ avlhqei,a
pa,sh\ ouv ga.r lalh,sei avfV eautou/( avllV
osa avkou,sei lalh,sei kai. ta. evrco,mena
avnaggelei/ umi/nÅ NAB John 1612 "I have much
more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. 13
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will
guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his
own, but he will speak what he hears, and will
declare to you the things that are coming.
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2 John 112 NIV 2 John 112 I have much to write
to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink.
Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you
face to face, so that our joy may be
complete. NAS 2 John 112 Having many things to
write to you, I do not want to do so with paper
and ink but I hope to come to you and speak face
to face, that your joy may be made full. RSV 2
John 112 Though I have much to write to you, I
would rather not use paper and ink, but I hope to
come to see you and talk with you face to face,
so that our joy may be complete. BNT 2 John 112
Polla. ecwn umi/n gra,fein ouvk evboulh,qhn
dia. ca,rtou kai. me,lanoj( avlla. evlpi,zw
gene,sqai pro.j uma/j kai. sto,ma pro.j sto,ma
lalh/sai( ina h cara. hmw/n peplhrwme,nh
hÅ NAB 2 John 112 Although I have much to
write to you, I do not intend to use paper and
ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and to speak
face to face so that our joy may be complete.
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3 John 113 NIV 3 John 113 I have much to write
you, but I do not want to do so with pen and
ink. NAS 3 John 113 I had many things to write
to you, but I am not willing to write them to you
with pen and ink RSV 3 John 113 I had much to
write to you, but I would rather not write with
pen and ink BNT 3 John 113 Polla. eicon
gra,yai soi avllV ouv qe,lw dia. me,lanoj kai.
kala,mou soi gra,fein\ NAB 3 John 113 I have
much to write to you, but I do not wish to write
with pen and ink.
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NIV John 2030 Jesus did many other miraculous
signs in the presence of his disciples, which are
not recorded in this book. NIV John 2125 Jesus
did many other things as well. If every one of
them were written down, I suppose that even the
whole world would not have room for the books
that would be written. NIV Malachi 27 "For the
lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and
from his mouth men should seek instruction--
because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty.
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When the phrase the word of God or the word
of the Lord appears in the Bible it does not
refer only to written Scripture. The word of
God/the Lord often refers to verbally
transmitted Divine revelation (Gen 154),
verbally given Divine instruction (Num 1531),
verbally communicated Divine commands (Deut
1818), preached Divine proclamations (2 Kings
71), and finally, the Word of God refers not
only to the word of God written, but also, to the
Word of God living, the Divine Flesh and
Bloodthe Incarnation (John 11, 14). NIV 2
Peter 120 Above all, you must understand that no
prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's
own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its
origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God
as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
After all, according to the Bible, What is the
pillar and foundation of truth? A. The Bible B.
The Church C. God D. All of the above
21
Answer B. The Church NIV 1 Timothy 315 if I am
delayed, you will know how people ought to
conduct themselves in God's household, which is
the church of the living God, the pillar and
foundation of the truth. NAS 1 Timothy 315 but
in case I am delayed, I write so that you may
know how one ought to conduct himself in the
household of God, which is the church of the
living God, the pillar and support of the
truth. RSV 1 Timothy 315 if I am delayed, you
may know how one ought to behave in the household
of God, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and bulwark of the truth. BNT 1
Timothy 315 eva.n de. bradu,nw( ina eivdh/j
pw/j dei/ evn oikw qeou/ avnastre,fesqai( htij
evsti.n evkklhsi,a qeou/ zw/ntoj( stu/loj kai.
edrai,wma th/j avlhqei,ajÅ NAB 1 Timothy 315
But if I should be delayed, you should know how
to behave in the household of God, which is the
church of the living God, the pillar and
foundation of truth.
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• 3. Name one Tradition that is necessary for my
  salvation that is not contained in the Bible?
• Catholic Response
• There are at least two
• The declaration of which books belong in the
  Bible and which do not. Since the Bible does not
  have an inspired table of contents, it was the
  Catholic Church in the 4th and 5th centuries who
  decided, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
  which writings conveyed Apostolic truth and were
  inspired by God and which were not. This is part
  of the Apostolic Tradition of the early Church
  that is not contained in the written Bible.
• The authentic and true interpretation of the
  various passages contained in the written Bible.
  Since the Bible is not self-interpreting, we look
  to the Tradition of the Apostlescommunicated in
  the writings of the early Church Fathers and
  present in the teachings of the Churchs
  Magisterium throughout the course of history, for
  the correct interpretation of crucial Biblical
  texts in order to formulate doctrine.

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4. What about Acts 1711 as a proof text for Sola
Scriptura? NIV Acts 1711 Now the Bereans were of
more noble character than the Thessalonians, for
they received the message with great eagerness
and examined the Scriptures every day to see if
what Paul said was true. Catholic Response If
you follow the argument, you will see that if the
Bereans were proponents of Sola Scriptura, they
would have ended up like the rest of the
Thessalonians! Searching the Scriptures was not
enough by itself for the Bereans. They were
different in that they eagerly welcomed the
spoken word of Paul. NIV Galatians 32 I would
like to learn just one thing from you Did you
receive the Spirit by observing the law (Torah),
or by believing what you heard? NIV John 539
You diligently study the Scriptures because you
think that by them you possess eternal life.
These are the Scriptures that testify about me,
NIV Luke 2427 And beginning with Moses and all
the Prophets, he explained to them what was said
in all the Scriptures concerning himself. NIV 2
Thessalonians 215 So then, brothers, stand firm
and hold to the teachings we passed on to you,
whether by word of mouth or by letter.
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NIV Acts 830 Then Philip ran up to the chariot
and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do
you understand what you are reading?" Philip
asked. 31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone
explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come
up and sit with him. NIV 2 Timothy 314 But as
for you, continue in what you have learned and
have become convinced of, because you know those
from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy
you have known the holy Scriptures, which are
able to make you wise for salvation through faith
in Christ Jesus. MORE QUOTES FROM CHURCH
FATHERS St. Hippolytus of Rome Let us
believe, then, dear brethren, according to the
tradition of the Apostles. (Against the Heresy
of a Certain Noetus, 200 AD) St. Irenaeus
The path of those, however, who belong to the
Church, goes around the whole world for it has
the firm tradition of the Apostles, enabling us
to see that the faith of all is one and the
same. (Against Heresies, 180 AD).
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INTERESTING FACTS In Luthers Commentary on the
Psalms, Luther wrote, Scriptura sui ipsius
interpres, or in English, The Bible is its own
interpreter. It is not difficult to see where
this idea has led. Which one of the twenty five
thousand denominations ascribing to sola
scriptura has the right interpretation of the
Bible? Wait! Here is another denomination that is
perhaps a little more faithful to teaching the
Biblical text. That makes twenty five thousand
and one. Surprisingly, Luther laments division in
the Church. Just one year after his reaction,
Luther lamented the wreckage his movement created
and wrote this to Pope Leo X I never approved
of a schism, nor will I approve of it for all
eternityThat the Roman Church is more honored by
God than all others is not to be doubtedThough
nowadays everything is in a wretched state, it is
not ground for separating from the Church (The
Facts about Luther, P. OHare, 356).
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Furthermore, Swiss Reformer John Calvin wrote to
Philip Melanchthon (Luthers theologian) It is
indeed important that posterity should (not) know
our differences for it is indescribably
ridiculous that we, who are in opposition to the
whole world, should be, at the very beginning of
the Reformation, at issue among ourselves (The
Facts about Luther, P. OHare, 293). My
assessment Although I enjoy singing A Mighty
Fortress Is Our God and appreciate the positive
contributions Luther has made to the Church, not
the least of which is the corruption that Luther
rightly despised. However, this was no excuse for
theological wreckage. Luther was not kicked out
of the Catholic Church anymore than the prodigal
son was kicked out of his Fathers house. Under
pressure for his theological wreckage, Luther ran
away.
27
The Catholic position restated through the
Structure of the Church and How God speaks to
us from Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth Jesus
chose the apostles to be the early leaders of the
Church. He gave them his own authority to teach
and to governnot as dictators, but as loving
pastors and fathers. That is why Catholics call
their spiritual leaders fathers. In doing so we
follow Pauls example I became your father in
Jesus Christ through the gospel (1 Cor 415).
The apostles, fulfilling Jesus will, ordained
bishops, priests, and deacons and thus handed on
their apostolic ministry to themthe fullest
degree of ordination to the bishops, lesser
degree to the priests and deacons. As from the
first, God speaks to his Church through the Bible
and through sacred Tradition. To make sure we
understand him, he guides the Churchs teaching
authoritythe magisteriumso it always interprets
the Bible and Tradition accurately. This is the
gift of infallibility. Like the three legs on a
stool, the Bible, Tradition, and the magisterium
are all necessary for the stability of the Church
and to guarantee sound doctrine.
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Papal Succession and the Pope? (AND BONUS
MATERIAL!)
29
To Friend regarding our discussion  Peter is the
first Pope? 1. Roman Catholic Church is the
authoritative structure that will remain until
the Kingdom is fully achieved?  As I understand
you, you are arguing for local bishop authority
similar to the infant 1st Century church where
bishops exercised divine authority where there
is little or no distinction between Peter and
Paul, and for that matter the rest of the
apostles who held the position of bishop
(pastoral role) and where you see the Orthodox
Catholics having a more ideal bottom level
system. My comments In brief, it appears you
correctly point to the authority given to all the
apostles (Mt. 1818, note that there are no
keys given here) and incorrectly neglect the
specific scriptural references to Peter as a
chief or prime minister (Mt 1617-19 Is
2220-24 Jn 2115-17 Acts 21-41, 157-12) and
being set apart from the beginning as the leader
of the 12 apostles as the rock (Jn 142)the
only apostle given the keys to the kingdom (Mt
1618).
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What makes the fact that the RCC is
authoritatively linked to Peter more
surprising -        The unbroken succession of
the RCC for 2000 years! This certainly speaks to
divine origin and guidance for my money.
-        As for the comment Absolute power
corrupts absolutely. This is true from a human
standpoint, except in a divinely orchestrated
system where God gives his unfailing promise to
uphold the RCC despite human corruption. -       
RCC claims that the deliberate use of Pe,troj and
pe,tra (Mt 1618) by Jesus points to the attempt
to translate an Aramaic pun into Greek.
Considering Peters name change in Jn 142, and
the name changes of Abram to Abraham and Jacob to
Israel in the OT, this too is a call to a
specific vocation and shows a special intimacy
with God. -        Peter is the only apostle to
be prayed for by Christ so that his own faith
may not fail (Lk 2232a). After praying for
Peter specifically by name, Jesus gives him the
commission you must strengthen your brothers
(Lk 2232b). -        RCC highlights that even
though Peter was not the first apostle to be
called by Jesus, Peter is first in every listing
of the names of the Twelve Apostles (Mt 102-4
Mk 316-19 Lk 612-19 Acts 113).       
31
In 1 Pet 513, Peter does refer to himself as
the chosen one at Babylon (Babylon is code for
city of Rome). This appears to be a probable case
against your assumption that Peter never referred
to himself the way the RCC sees him. Considering
the monumental scriptural and church history
evidence for Peter as the first Pope, I find it
impossible to be intellectually honest and argue
against the RCC.   Even though The Church
knows that she is joined in many ways to the
baptized who are honored by the name Christian,
but do not profess the Catholic faith in its
entirety or have not preserved unity or communion
under the succession of Peter (CCC 765, 767,
834, 838). Indeed, from the incarnate Words
descent to us, all Christian churches everywhere
have held and hold the great Church that is here
at Rome to be their only basis and foundation
since, according to the Saviors promise, the
gates of hell have never prevailed against her.
32

• Friend The down-up voice is not heard and the
  top down voice is given the wrong kind of
  power. Actually, the key error in the RCC is
  the abuse of power.
• My Response
• There is an abuse of power in the RCC in every
  generation. The Archbishop of Paris responded to
  Napoleon when he lamented the fact that if he had
  just a little more time, he would have completely
  wiped out the Church. The Archbishop of Paris
  said that if the Church could be wiped out,
  priests would have done it long ago!
• The top-down structure (servant leadership) is
  necessary especially as we live in a world
  culture or global village. Furthermore, if we
  have several autocephalous churches, who is to
  keep a bishop from doctrinal error (such as Gene
  Robinson)? The answer is no one! Obviously
  foreseeing this, Christ ordained Peter as the
  first supreme bishop (pope) and was the only
  apostle who received the keys and was
  individually prayed for by Christ so that His
  faith would not fail (Lk 2232).

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• Friend Ek cathedra is unscriptural.
• My Response
• Moses had a unique relationship with God and
  actually spoke ek cathedra (literally from the
  chair, a divinely instituted position of
  authority). God, on certain occasions, kept the
  writers of Scripture from doctrinal error. Peter
  certainly was infallible when he wrote 1 and 2
  Peter and gave his sermons in Acts.
• One key against papal infallibility claims it
  cannot be an apostolic doctrine since it was not
  dogmatically defined in the first century. Those
  who make this claim stop short of reaching the
  same conclusion when it is a question of the
  canon of the New Testament or the doctrine of the
  Blessed Trinity, though neither of these was
  clearly defined until the 4th Century. (Upon
  This Rock, 146).
• Like God and Moses, Christ and Peter also have a
  unique relationship, which in this case, includes
  the keys to the kingdom as prefigured by
  Eliakim (Is 2220-24).

34

• Friend Late 5th C introduction to priestly model
  alongside the cultural feudal system affiliation
  proves the unscriptural nature of the RCC and its
  proclivity toward unfaithful abuse of power.
• My Response
• This priestly model flows from the OT into the NT
  and is recognized by the early church Fathers as
  ordained by Christ and his apostles. Again,
  corruption in every generation should not
  minimize the authority given to these venerated
  offices (bishop, priest, deacon) and the witness
  of the Church.
• In the OT, even though there was a kingdom of
  priests (Ex 196) there was also certain members
  of the faith community set aside for a
  specialized priesthood (1921-22). In exactly the
  same way, the NT has this distinction. All
  Christians are priests (Rev 16) and also,
  certain members of the faith community are set
  aside for a specialized priesthood (Lk 221-19
  Acts 1423 Rom 1515-16).

35
What did the early Christians believe about the
Primacy of St. Peter and His Successors? St.
Clement Our Apostles knew through our Lord
Jesus Christ that there would be strife for the
office of bishop. For this reason, therefore,
having received perfect foreknowledge, they
appointed those who have already been mentioned,
and afterwards added the further provision that,
if they should die, other approved men should
succeed to their ministry (Letter to the
Corinthians, 80 AD). St. Irenaeus The
successions of the bishops of the greatest and
most ancient Church known to all, founded and
organized at Rome by the two most glorious
Apostles, Peter and Paul, that Church which has
the tradition and the faith which comes down to
us after having been announced to men by the
Apostles. For with this Church, because of its
superior origin, all Churches must agree, that
is, all the faithful in the whole world and it
is in her that the faithful everywhere have
maintained the Apostolic tradition (Against
Heresies, 180 AD).
36
St. Irenaeus The blessed Apostles Peter and
Paul, having founded and built up the Church of
Rome, they handed over the office of the
episcopate to Linus. Paul makes mention of this
Linus in the Epistle to Timothy. To him succeeded
Anencletus and after him, in the third place
from the Apostles, Clement was chosen for the
episcopate. He had seen the blessed Apostles and
was acquainted with them. It might be said that
he still heard the echoes of the preaching of the
Apostles, and had their traditions before his
eyesTo this Clement, Evaristus succeeded and
Alexander succeeded Evaristus. Then, sixth after
the Apostles, Sixtus was appointed after him,
Telesphorus, who also was gloriously martyred.
Then Hyginus after him, Pius and after him,
Anicetus. Soter succeeded Anicetus, and now, in
the twelfth place after the Apostles, the lot of
the episcopate has fallen to Eleutherus. In this
order, and by the teaching of the Apostles handed
down in the Church, the preaching of the truth
has come down to us. (Against Heresies, 180 AD)
37
St. Cyprian of Carthage Our Lord, whose
commands we ought to fear and observe, says in
the Gospel, by way of assigning the episcopal
dignity and settling the plan of His Church I
say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock
I will build my Church, and the gates of hell
will not overcome it. And to you I will give the
keys of the Kingdom of heaven and whatever
things you bind on earth will be bound also in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth, they
will be loosed also in heaven . From that time
the ordination of bishops and the plan of the
Church flows on through the changes of times and
successions. (Letters to the Lapsed, 250 AD)
St. Cyprian of Carthage But primacy is given to
Peter, whereby it is made clear that there is but
one Church and one chairIf someone does not hold
fast to this unity of Peter, can he imagine that
he still holds the faith? If he desert the chair
of Peter upon whom the Church was built, can he
still be confident that he is in the Church?
(The Unity of the Catholic Church, 251 AD)
38
Tertullian Like the Church of the Romans
where Clement was ordained by PeterTherefore,
they will be challenged to meet this test even by
those Churches which are of much later datefor
they are being established dailyand whose
founder is not from among the Apostles nor from
the apostolic men. (The Demurrer Against the
Heretics, 200 AD).
39
IN BRIEF, THE PRIMACY OF ROME? St. Ignatius of
Antioch To the Church also which holds the
presidency in the place of the country of the
Romans, worthy of God, worthy of honor, worthy of
blessing, worthy of praise, worthy of success,
worthy of sanctification, and, because you hold
the presidency of love, named after Christ and
named after the Father her therefore do I salute
in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the
Father. (Letter to the Romans, 110
AD). Eusebius, Tertullian, etc.
40

• IN BRIEF, INFALLIBILITY OF THE POPE IN MATTERS OF
  FAITH AND MORALS?
• Infallibility does not mean Impeccability.
  (Notably Peters run in with Paul (Gal 211)
  Pope Gregory XIs run in with Catherine of Siena
  (1376 AD). In essence, the Pope is no more
  perfect than Peter himself. If Popes are guilty
  of imprudent or immoral conduct, they can be,
  should be, and often have been reproved.
• Qualifications for Infallibility
• The teaching must involve matters of faith and
  morals (it cannot be a personal opinion in some
  other realm or field).
• The teaching must be definitively proclaimed by
  the Pope to be Divinely revealed and, therefore,
  binding upon all of the faithful.
• The proclamation of the infallible teaching is
  done ex cathedra and appeals to the Popes
  Apostolic authority.

41
Scripture NIV Luke 2231 "Simon, Simon, Satan
has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have
prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not
fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen
your brothers." NIV John 1416 And I will ask
the Father, and he will give you another
Counselor to be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit
of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it
neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him,
for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I
will not leave you as orphans I will come to
you. NIV John 1618 They kept asking, "What
does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't
understand what he is saying." 19 Jesus saw that
they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to
them, "Are you asking one another what I meant
when I said, 'In a little while you will see me
no more, and then after a little while you will
see me'?
42
Church Fathers on the Infallibility of the
Pope? St. Irenaeus For the Apostles, like a
rich man in a bank, deposited with her most
copiously everything which pertains to the truth
and everyone whosoever wishes draws from her the
drink of lifeIf there should be a dispute over
some kind of question, ought we not have recourse
to the most ancient Churches in which the
Apostles were familiar, and draw from them what
is clear and certain in regard to that question?
(Against Heresies, 180 AD) Tertullian Grant,
then, that all have erred that the Apostle was
mistaken in bearing witness that the Holy Spirit
had no such consideration for any one Church as
to lead it into truth, although He was sent for
that purpose by Christ, who had asked the Father
to make him the Teacher of truth that the
Steward of good and Vicar of Christ neglected His
office, and permitted the Churches for a time to
understand otherwise and to believe otherwise
than He himself had preached through the
Apostles now, is it likely that so many and such
great Churches should have gone astray into a
unity of faith? (The Demurrer Against Heretics,
200 AD)
43
Catholic Church teaching on Infallibility
restated It is the Magisteriums task to
preserve Gods people from deviations and
defections and to guarantee them the objective
possibility of professing the true faith without
errorTo fulfill this service, Christ endowed the
churchs shepherd with the charism of
infallibility in matters of faith and morals. The
exercise of this charism takes several forms
The Roman Pontiff, head of the college of
bishops, enjoys this infallibility in virtue of
his office, as supreme pastor and teacher of all
the faithfulwho confirms his brethren in the
faithhe proclaims by a definitive act a doctrine
pertaining to faith or moralsThe infallibility
promised to the Church is also present in the
body of bishops when, together with Peters
successor, they exercise the supreme
Magisterium, above all in an Ecumenical Council.
When the Church through its supreme Magisterium
proposes a doctrine for belief as being divinely
revealed, and as the teaching of Christ, the
definitions must be adhered to with the
obedience of faith. This infallibility extends
as far as the deposit of divine Revelation
itself (CCC, 890-891).
44
Response Questions to Reformers In the Gospel
of Luke, Jesus tells His 72 disciples Whoever
listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you
rejects me (Luke 1016). If this is true about
Jesus 72 disciples how much more would this be
true of the prime minister chosen by our Lord
Himself (Mt 1618-19)? And, since the Church is
the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim 315)
and Christ claims to be with us always until the
end of the age (Matt 2819-20), could the prime
minister of the Roman Catholic Church (the Pope)
be capable of making an error in essential
matters of faith or morals and the Church still
be considered to be the pillar and foundation of
truth? In trying to reform the Church, did the
Reformation throw out the baby with the
bathwater? And if so, was that baby in many
respects the Christ child Himself?
45
Justification? What is the difference between
the Catholic and Protestant understanding of the
doctrine of Justification?
46
Protestant Grace alone through faith alone
(through Christ alone based on the Bible
alone) Catholic Grace alone through faith
(working itself out through love i.e. good deeds)
47
Catholic Teaching on Justification Justification
has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ
who offered himself on the cross as a living
victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood
has become the instrument of atonement for the
sins of all menOur justification comes from the
grace of God. Grace is favor, the free and
undeserved help that God gives us to respond to
his call to become children of God, adoptive
sons, partakers of the divine nature and of
eternal lifeWith regard to God, there is no
strict right to any merit on the part of man.
Between God and us there is an immeasurable
inequality, for we have received everything from
him, our CreatorThe merit of man before God in
the Christian life arises from the fact that God
has freely chosen to associate man with the work
of his grace. The fatherly action of God is first
on his own initiative, and then follows mans
free acting through his collaboration, so that
the merit of good works is to be attributed in
the first place to the grace of God, for his good
actions proceed in Christ, from the
predisposition and assistance given by the Holy
SpiritThe merits of our good works are gifts of
the divine goodness. Grace has gone before us
now we are given what is dueOur merits are Gods
gifts (CCC, 1992, 1996, 2007-2009).
48
Common Protestant Objections 1. Arent we
justified apart from works of the law? After all,
Paul clearly says For we hold that a man is
justified by faith apart from works of law
(Romans 328) and, For by grace you have been
saved through faith and this is not your own
doing, it is the gift of God -- not because of
works, lest any man should boast (Eph 28-9).
Martin Luther popularized the Biblical doctrine
of faith alone (sola fide) and this means that by
faith alone in Jesus Christ, a Christian is
immediately eligible for admittance into heaven
with absolute assurance. You Roman Catholics, on
the other hand, believe that you can work your
way to heaven through your un-Biblical system of
salvation that is based heavily upon the
accomplishment of good deeds apart from the
freely-given grace of God.
49
Catholic Response Rom 328 needs to be
balanced with James 224 You see that a person
is justified by what he does and not by faith
alone. These verses appear to be opposite
teachings and diametrically opposed. However,
they are not and fit nicely together. Although
the same Greek word for works (ergwn) is used
in both verses, they refer to two totally
different things. When reading the context of
Romans Chapter 3 and 4 we find Paul speaking
about the works/observances of the Jewish
religion (i.e., circumcision, dietary
regulations, purification rituals, etc.). Paul is
telling Jewish Christians that following Jewish
religious practices does not place them in a
right relationship with God. On the other hand,
James is not speaking about Jewish religious
observances taught by Moses but about the
Christian corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
James teaches that after the free gift of grace,
the Christian is called to serve God in concrete
ways with tangible spiritual works consistent
with invisible and internal faith.
50
Scriptural Evidence NIV James 214 What good
is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith
but has no deeds (erga)? Can such faith save
him? NIV James 217 In the same way, faith by
itself, if it is not accompanied by action
(erga), is dead. NIV James 218 But someone
will say, "You have faith I have deeds (erga)."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show
you my faith by what I do. NIV James 222 You see
that his faith and his actions (ergoij) were
working together, and his faith was made complete
by what he did. NIV James 224 You see that a
person is justified by what he does (ergwn) and
not by faith alone.
51
NIV 1 Corinthians 132 If I have the gift of
prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all
knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move
mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. NIV
Galatians 69 Let us not become weary in doing
good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up. NIV Revelation
2212 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is
with me, and I will give to everyone according to
what he has done (ergon). RSV Romans 25 But by
your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up
wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's
righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 For he
will render to every man according to his works
(ta. erga) 7 to those who by patience in
well-doing seek for glory and honor and
immortality, he will give eternal life NIV
Galatians 56 For in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.
The only thing that counts is faith expressing
itself through love.
52
NIV Matthew 2531 "When the Son of Man comes in
his glory, and all the angels with him, he will
sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the
nations will be gathered before him, and he will
separate the people one from another as a
shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33
He will put the sheep on his right and the goats
on his left. 34 "Then the King will say to those
on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my
Father take your inheritance, the kingdom
prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to
eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick
and you looked after me, I was in prison and you
came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will
answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and
feed you, or thirsty and give you something to
drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and
invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go
to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell
you the truth, whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41 "Then he will say to those on his left,
'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the
eternal fire prepared for the devil and his
angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me
nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me
nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did
not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did
not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you
did not look after me.' 44 "They also will
answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or
thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick
or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 "He will
reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did
not do for one of the least of these, you did not
do for me.' 46 "Then they will go away to eternal
punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
53
NIV Matthew 721 "Not everyone who says to me,
'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father who is
in heaven. NIV Philippians 212 Therefore, my
dear friends, as you have always obeyed-- not
only in my presence, but now much more in my
absence-- continue to work out your salvation
with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who
works in you to will and to act according to his
good purpose. NIV 1 Peter 117 Since you call on
a Father who judges each man's work impartially,
live your lives as strangers here in reverent
fear. RSV Luke 962 Jesus said to him, "No one
who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is
fit for the kingdom of God."
54
Early Church Witness St. Clement of Rome Why
was our father Abraham blessed? Was it not
because of his deeds of justice and truth,
wrought in faith? (Letter to Corinthians, 80
AD) St. Clement of Alexandria When we hear,
Your faith has saved you, we do not understand
the Lord to say simply that they will be saved
who have believed in whatever manner, even if
works have not followed. (Stromateis, 202 AD)
St. Augustine paraphrase Concerning the
importance of an active, alive faith God made
us without us but He wont save us without us.
(400 AD) Origen, St. Cyprian of Carthage, etc.
55
Justification Mere imputed righteousness (Prot)
vs. Sonship (Cath)? A Father demands more from
a Son than a Judge demands from a convicted
criminal set free! Roman Catholics promote Family
Room language rather than merely Courtroom
language. As a staunch spiritual daughter of
Calvin, I believed that the unregenerate man is
ever in a state of rebellion against God,
incapable of doing anything right and good but
are merely clothed in the robe of Christs
righteousnessa righteousness that is merely
imputed to them they are not intrinsically made
righteous by Gods sovereign grace. I believed
Luthers bleak dictum that We are dunghills
covered over with snow. No matter how pure we
might appear on the outside, were not really
purewe remain wretched sinnersThe Lord began to
show me that this view was a twisted combination
of truth and error. It is true that I desperately
need the grace of Christ to buoy me up above the
inclination of sin that threatens to draw us all
downward into ruin, but I also realized that
Gods grace in not to be presumed upon. God
created me a responsible, rational person who
must continually reach out for his grace and,
aided by that grace, turn away from sin in order
to be saved (Julie Swenson, Surprised by Truth).
56
In September of 1530, Luther writes the following
stinging letter to his friend Wenceslaus Link in
a tract entitled Sendbrieff von Dolmetzschen
concerning his addition to the words of Paul in
Romans 328 You tell me what a great fuss the
Papists are making because the word alone is
not in the text of Paul. If your Papist makes
such an unnecessary row about the word alone,
say right out to him Dr. Martin Luther will
have it so, and say Papists and asses are one
and the same thing. I will have it so, and I
order it to be so, and my will is reason enough.
I know very well that the word alone is not in
the Latin or the Greek text, and it was not
necessary for the Papists to teach me that. It is
true those letters are not in it, which letters
the jackasses look at, as a cow stares at a new
gateIt shall remain in my New Testament, and if
all the Popish donkeys were to get mad and beside
themselves, they will not get it out.
57
The Council of Trent (Session VI, Chapter IV) on
Jan. 17th, 1547 defined Justification as Divine
Sonship, which captures the heart of Pauls
teaching on Justification CHAPTER IVA BRIEF
DESCRIPTION OF THE JUSTIFICATION OF THE SINNER
AND ITS MODE IN THE STATE OF GRACE In which words
is given a brief description of the justification
of the sinner, as being a translation from that
state in which man is born a child of the first
Adam, to the state of grace and of the adoption
of the sons of God through the second Adam, Jesus
Christ, our Savior. This translation however
cannot, since promulgation of the Gospel, be
effected except through the laver of regeneration
or its desire, as it is written Unless a man be
born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot
enter into the kingdom of God.
58
Catholic Position Restated Justification is by
grace alone, but not by faith alone. It is by
grace alone through faith expressing itself with
love, or in other words, good deeds of love. In
Justification, a child of God is not merely
declared righteous, but also made righteous
through the cooperation of his or her free will
with Christian action.
59
The Question of Mary Something about MaryJust
another woman or something greater?
60
Some Protestant Objections Honoring Mary like
Catholics do dishonors Christ! Christ died on the
cross, not Mary. Christ is unique and
all-sufficient, not Mary. She is just another
woman God decided to use! Catholic Response All
Her beauty comes from His grace. Christ and Mary
are not in competition. To deny Marys place of
honor is to deny the work of Christ. We should
honor Mary no more and no less than Christ
himself honors his Mother, for we imitate Him.
Mother Teresa put it this way Know Mary, Know
Jesus.
61
How do the names and events ascribed to Mary
reveal Her beauty and Christs work? New Eve New
Queen Mother New Ark Mother of God Virgin
Birth Coredemptrix, Helper, Benefactress,
Advocate, Mediatrix of All Graces Immaculate
Conception Perpetual Virginity Assumption New
Daughter of Zion
62
How do the names and events ascribed to Mary
reveal Her beauty and Christs work? New
Eve Against Mary as a new Eve is a Catholic
invention. The words new Eve never appear in
the Bible. In Support The words new Eve do not
appear in the Bible. However, words such as new
Adam, new Israel,and new Promised Land, do
not appear in the Bible either, yet we believe in
the reality of the concept. Mary as the new Eve
is revealed in the Scriptures and historically
supported by the Church.
63

• How do the names and events ascribed to Mary
  reveal Her beauty and Christs work?
• New Eve
• Biblical Evidence
• Eve gave God her No (Gen 31-6), while Mary
  gave God her Yes (Lk 138).
• Eve conceived the word of the serpent (Gen
  31-6), while Mary conceived the Word of God (Lk
  1-2 Jn 114).
• Eve was the wife of Adam, while Mary is the wife,
  as a foretaste of the Church, of the new Adam,
  Jesus Christ. Notice that the bride and groom are
  never mentioned by name at the wedding at Cana
  (John 2), but Jesus, Mary (as woman and
  mother), and the disciples are the central
  feature of John. Also, consider Isaiahs
  prophecy As a young man marries a virgin, so
  shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom
  rejoices over the bride, so shall your God
  rejoice over you (624-5).

64

• How do the names and events ascribed to Mary
  reveal Her beauty and Christs work?
• New Eve
• Eve came from Adams side (Gen 222), while Mary,
  as a foretaste of the Church, comes forth from
  the New Adams side (Jn 1926-35 1 Jn 56-8).
  Prior to this, Adam and the new Adam, Jesus
  Christ, were tested in the garden (Eden and
  Gethsemane), both led to a tree (at Eden and at
  Calvary), both fall into a deep sleep of death
  (Gen 221 and Jn 1933-34).
• Eve is mother of all the living (Gen 320), while
  Mary is mother of all the Church (Rev 1217).
• Death through Eve (Gen 3), life through Mary (Gen
  315, Jn 114).
• Behold, I make all things new! (Rev 215).

65
How do the names and events ascribed to Mary
reveal Her beauty and Christs work? New
Eve Early Church Witness Christ became man by
the Virgin, in order that the disobedience that
proceeded from the serpent might receive its
destruction in the same manner in which it
derived its origin. For Eve, who was a virgin and
undefiled, having conceived the word of the
serpent, brought forth disobedience and death.
But the Virgin Mary received faith and joy when
the angel Gabriel announced the good tidings to
her that the Spirit of the Lord would come upon
her wherefore also the Holy Thing begotten of
her is the Son of God and she replied, Be it
unto me according to Thy word (Lk 138). And by
her has He been born, to Whom we have proved so
many Scriptures refer, and by Whom God destroys
both the serpent and those angels and men who are
like him (Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho,
160 AD).
66
How do the names and events ascribed to Mary
reveal Her beauty and Christs work? New
Eve Early Church Witness The knot of Eves
disobedience was untied by Marys obedience what
the virgin Eve bound through her disbelief, Mary
loosened by her faith (St. Irenaeus, Against
Heresies 3224, 180AD). As Eve believed the
serpent, so Mary believed the angel. The
delinquency which the one occasioned by
believing, the other effaced by believing
(Turtullian, On the Flesh of Christ 17, 220
AD). St. Augustine, St. John Damascene, St.
Thomas Aquinas, etc.
67
How do the names and events ascribed to Mary
reveal Her beauty and Christs work? New Queen
Mother Against Again, Catholic invention we
cry! Mary as a queen never appears in the
Bible. In Support The word queen does not
appear in the Bible in connection to Mary.
However, words such as Trinity, Incarnation,
and Omnipotence do not appear in the Bible
either, yet we believe in the reality of the
concept. Mary as a new Queen Mother is revealed
in the Scriptures and historically supported by
the Church.
68

• How do the names and events ascribed to Mary
  reveal Her beauty and Christs work?
• New Queen Mother
• Biblical Evidence
• The promise of the Messiah was to come from king
  Davids line, who will establish the throne of
  his kingdom forever (2 Sam 712-14). Jesus is
  often referred to as the Son of David (Mt
  2242). Fittingly, Jesus is the new Davidic King.
• Israels kingdom was a type of the kingdom of God
  (1 Sam 87) -- As David established a holy city
  in Jerusalem, so his ultimate successor, Jesus
  Christ, would establish a heavenly new Jerusalem
  (Rev 212).
• The queen of the Davidic king was never his wife,
  rather, the queen was his mother (1 Kings 219).
  In a polygamous society, the queen mother was
  wife to the former king and mother to the present
  kingshe embodied the continuity of dynastic
  succession benefiting dynastic stability.

69

• How do the names and events ascribed to Mary
  reveal Her beauty and Christs work?
• New Queen Mother
• Biblical Evidence
• The office of the queen mother is clear by the
  abuse of the power given to those in office.
  Maacah, queen mother to king Asa, had an
  extensive influence on the people in the royal
  kingdom (1 Kgs 1513). Athaliah, queen mother to
  king Ahaziah, easily seized power upon her sons
  death (2 King 111).
• Hear then, O house of David!The Lord Himself
  will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall
  conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name
  Immanuel (Isaiah 713-14). A virgin pledged to
  be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of
  David. The virgin's name was Mary (Lk 127).

70

• How do the names and events ascribed to Mary
  reveal Her beauty and Christs work?
• New Queen Mother
• Biblical Evidence
• The queen mother position in the Davidic kingdom
  was an official place of honor and influential
  position, while the mother, Mary, of the new
  Davidic king, Jesus, also holds a place of honor
  and influence in the new kingdom of God,
  evidenced by Marys intercessory role in the
  wedding at Cana (Jn 2).
• Speaking against the pride of Judah and the great
  pride of Jerusalem, Jeremiah proclaims what the
  Lord said to him, Say to the king and to the
  queen mother, Come down from your thrones, for
  your glorious cr