Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Religious Discussions (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=485)
-   -   What biblical support is there for asking saints to pray for us? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=331391)

  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:15 PM
    Tj3
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by arcura View Post
    Tj3,
    I saw quite a bit here on that subject and I am now convinced that asking the saints to pray for us id OK.
    To bad you could not see that evidence.

    Perhaps the quotes from scripture were in "white letter" font. :D

    Quote:

    Of course I suspected that YOU would not see anything that goes against what you believe.
    Always, the defense for unscriptural doctrine gets personal.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:16 PM
    Tj3
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    But not explicitedly stated as such.

    If you have not studied what scriptural backup there is for the trinity, that is not an issue to be resolved in this thread.

    Quote:

    And so go the dead in the flesh who are now alive in spirit in heaven.
    But still dead in the flesh and God's word has not changed with respect to speaking to the dead in the flesh being an abomination.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:17 PM
    Akoue
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tj3 View Post
    So do you deny that Jesus was both God and Man?

    Jesus was both man and God. Just as the Council of Ephesus said.

    Quote:

    Do you say that being transfigured into His glorified state as God makes no difference?
    I am saying that there no grounds, scriptural or otherwise, for thinking that his being transfigured makes a difference with respect to the issue of speaking to dead-in-the-flesh saints.

    Quote:

    Why do you mis-represent me? I never said that I did.
    And yet you prefer to adhere to Dt.18.11, as you understand it, than to follow the example of your Savior. Are you a Judaizer?

    Quote:

    Are you telling us that Jesus did away with the law?

    Or did he fulfill the law?
    In Mt. Jesus says that he came to fulfill the law. Hebrews 10.9 tells us that Jesus "abolished" it. Make of that what you wish.

    Quote:

    Does scripture tell us that we can do whatever we please? Or does it say that we are to abide by the spirit of the law?
    I'll go even farther. Scripture says that unless we obey God's law was cannot be saved.

    But, since that's another topic, I'll just say that we are not permitted to do whatever we please. One of the things we are to do is to imitate Christ.

    Quote:

    I'd be most interested to hear your answers if you dare to answer my questions.
    It would seem that I "dare" (I still can't believe you say things like that. Very junior high school.) I'll be interested to see if in the time that it's taken me to compose this post you have answered my questions. Do you have scruples about trimming you forelocks (an abomination) or sharing a chair with a menstruating woman (also an abomination). Oh, and that verse, the one that tells is that the Persons of the Trinity are homoousios, hypostases. Maybe even one that talks about the ekporeusis of the Holy Spirit. I bet you haven't.

    Quote:

    So do you say that the Bible erred when it says that God never changes?
    Nope, God doesn't change. He is outside of time. Change is a temporal process.

    Quote:

    I am disturbed to hear that you view scripture, and the understanding of death held by Christians throughout the centuries as "Un-Christian"
    Nope, just yours. In fact, you are WAY out of sync with most of Christian history on this one. Actually, not just this one, as I've pointed out many times before.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:17 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tj3 View Post
    I note that you are still avoiding my questions.

    Your questions had to do with my opinion. We are examining the Word of God here, not my opinion.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:26 PM
    Akoue
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tj3 View Post
    If you have not studied what scriptural backup there is for the trinity, that is not an issue to be resolved in this thread.

    Actually, it is relevant to the present discussion. You claim that there is no Scriptural support for praying to the saints in heaven. De Maria and I have offered lots of Scripture. You seem to think that what would be required is a verse that explicitly says, "Pray to the saints in heaven". That there is no such verse does not show that this practice is prohibited, nor indeed that it isn't of great benefit.

    There is not explicit affirmation in Scripture of the doctrine of the Trinity. That doctrine had to be inferred from a great many verses scattered throughout the Bible. So you seem to have a double-standard, since you are willing to accept the doctrine of the Trinity despite the absence of any explicit affirmation of that doctrine in Scripture.

    As for what is and is not an abomination: De Maria and I have both explained our reasons for taking you to be guilty either of misrepresenting or just misunderstanding the prohibition of Dt.18.11. You claim to have lots of scholarly support for your view, but you've yet to share any of it with us. A great many translations of the verse to which you appeal render the Hebrew thus: "necromancy".

    Moreover, you haven't acknowledged never having trimmed your beard or forelocks, so it appears that something's being said to be an abomination isn't sufficient to keep you from engaging in it. So why here? Do you avoid sharing a seat with a menstruating woman? Shall we canvass some of the other things that are said to be abominations?
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:26 PM
    Tj3
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Akoue View Post
    Jesus was both man and God. Just as the Council of Ephesus said.

    I am glad to see you agree. Jesus is the only one, so that is one difference between us and Him.

    Quote:

    I am saying that there no grounds, scriptural or otherwise, for thinking that his being transfigured makes a difference with respect to the issue of speaking to dead-in-the-flesh saints.
    So you are saying that there was no purpose for Him being transfigured or giving up His glory as God before coming to earth in the flesh.

    Clearly this is a point where we differ. I do not think that Jesus was into shock and awe entertainment, and there was a purpose for the transfiguration.

    Quote:

    And yet you prefer to adhere to Dt.18.11, as you understand it, than to follow the example of your Savior. Are you a Judaizer?
    Interesting position - trying to put Jesus in opposition to the law. Not a Biblical or Christian position, but I am interested to see you express it.

    Here are a couple of verses which you may find disturb your theology:

    Matt 5:17-18
    18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
    NKJV

    Rom 6:15-16
    15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16
    NKJV

    Because Christian are not under the law does not in any way give us licence to be lawless.

    Quote:

    Hebrews 10.9 tells us that Jesus "abolished" it. Make of that what you wish.
    I make of it that you are altering scripture:

    Heb 10:8-10

    8 Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
    NKJV

    This speaks to the fulfillment of the law not the abolishing of it.




    But, since that's another topic, I'll just say that we are not permitted to do whatever we please. One of the things we are to do is to imitate Christ.

    Quote:

    It would seem that I "dare" (I still can't believe you say things like that. Very junior high school.)
    Using the English language is not, but certainly the playground like snipes that we see coming on here trying to demean others are.

    Quote:

    Nope, God doesn't change. He is outside of time. Change is a temporal process.
    Good - then why do you think that God now endorses what he previously said was an abomination?

    Quote:

    Nope, just yours. In fact, you are WAY out of sync with most of Christian history on this one. Actually, not just this one, as I've pointed out many times before.
    This is perhaps a topic you may wish to study a bit more.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:28 PM
    arcura
    Wondergirl,
    Yes!!
    Fred
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:34 PM
    Tj3
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Akoue View Post
    Actually, it is relevant to the present discussion. You claim that there is no Scriptural support for praying to the saints in heaven.

    Because none has been presented.

    Quote:

    De Maria and I have offered lots of Scripture.
    Really? Perhaps you'd like to copy and paste those scripture references here.

    Quote:

    You seem to think that what would be required is a verse that explicitly says, "Pray to the saints in heaven".
    As I have said many times, show me a passage which says it, or an example in scripture where we see an exhortation to pray to the dead, or an example of something praying to the dead.

    Quote:

    That there is no such verse does not show that this practice is prohibited, nor indeed that it isn't of great benefit.
    I am sorry that your Bible omits so much.

    Quote:

    There is not explicit affirmation in Scripture of the doctrine of the Trinity. That doctrine had to be inferred from a great many verses scattered throughout the Bible. So you seem to have a double-standard, since you are willing to accept the doctrine of the Trinity despite the absence of any explicit affirmation of that doctrine in Scripture.
    Akoue, I suspect that you have not done a great deal of study for what scripture says about the trinity or I cannot see how you would be making so many comments opposing the Biblical basis for it.

    I'd be convinced of your position if there was even 1% of the support for speaking to the dead that there is for the trinity. But so far there is not a single verse.

    Quote:

    As for what is and is not an abomination: De Maria and I have both explained our reasons for taking you to be guilty either of misrepresenting or just misunderstanding the prohibition of Dt.18.11. You claim to have lots of scholarly support for your view, but you've yet to share any of it with us. A great many translations of the verse to which you appeal render the Hebrew thus: "necromancy".
    Akoue, I am surprised that you would suggest that there is no scholarly support and then put forward a word which refers to the dead in the flesh.

    Quote:

    Moreover, you haven't acknowledged never having trimmed your beard or forelocks, so it appears that something's being said to be an abomination isn't sufficient to keep you from engaging in it. So why here? Do you avoid sharing a seat with a menstruating woman? Shall we canvass some of the other things that are said to be abominations?
    Akoue, this has been addressed so many times, but no doubt you will continue because you are struggling with support for your position.

    If your position was so strong, surely we'd see the verses supporting it posted here and now!
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:36 PM
    Tj3
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    Your questions had to do with my opinion. We are examining the Word of God here, not my opinion.

    You asked my opinion many times, so it is good to see you admit that you will demand answers from others, but are unwilling to answer similar questions posed to you.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:41 PM
    arcura
    Tj3,
    As I said there has been a lot of evidence presented here and that it is sad that you could not see it.
    Fred
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:46 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tj3 View Post
    You asked my opinion many times, so it is good to see you admit that you will demand answers from others, but are unwilling to answer similar questions posed to you.

    Please quote my asking for your opinion. I couldn't care less about your opinion. Your belief, your proof, yes. Your opinion, no.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:46 PM
    Akoue
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tj3 View Post
    I am glad to see you agree. Jesus is the only one, so that is one difference between us and Him.

    There are lots of differences. That isn't the issue. You have yet to indicate a relevant difference. Jesus spoke to dead-in-the-flesh saints at the Transfiguration and you haven't given us any reason to suppose that we aren't to imitate him in this.

    Quote:

    So you are saying that there was no purpose for Him being transfigured or giving up His glory as God before coming to earth in the flesh.
    That's a rather dramatic non sequitur. I have said not that there was no purpose, but that there aren't any grounds, Scriptural or otherwise, for thinking that his speaking to them during the Transfiguration demonstrates that we are not to speak to them as well. This is your bias at work.

    Quote:

    Clearly this is a point where we differ. I do not think that Jesus was into shock and awe entertainment, and there was a purpose for the transfiguration.
    I believe there was a purpose. I suspect you haven't got the vaguest clue what that is, though. Be that as it may, it's not to the point. There is no indication that we are not to do as he has done by speaking to dead-in-the-flesh saints.

    Quote:

    Interesting position - trying to put Jesus in opposition to the law. Not a Biblical or Christian position, but I am interested to see you express it.
    Are you really as slow as you pretend, or are you purposefully caricaturing what I said? Never mind, don't answer that. You can whine about it later.

    Quote:

    Here are a couple of verses which you may find disturb your theology:
    I haven't espoused a theology on this topic. But you have. How long are your forelocks, Tom? You keep avoiding my questions, even as you've chastised Wondergirl for failing to answer yours. Do you avoid sitting where a menstruating woman has sat? That's an abomination too, you know.

    Quote:

    Because Christian are not under the law does not in any way give us licence to be lawless.
    So you are saying that we are not under the law?

    Quote:

    I make of it that you are altering scripture:

    Heb 10:8-10

    8 Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
    NKJV

    This speaks to the fulfillment of the law not the abolishing of it.
    I don't see the word "fulfill" in what you've quoted.

    Quote:

    Using the English language is not, but certainly the playground like snipes that we see coming on here trying to demean others are.
    I'm really glad to see you write that. Does this mean that you're going to stop doing it?

    Quote:

    Good - then why do you think that God now endorses what he previously said was an abomination?
    He doesn't. You have misrepresented Dt.18.11. It doesn't prohibit praying to saints. It prohibits necromancy.

    Quote:

    This is perhaps a topic you may wish to study a bit more.
    Some people may fall for this, but I actually have studied this very topic. That's how I know that you don't know what you're talking about. And this is, of course, why you have ever cited all the many scholars you claim agree with you--about this and a great many other topics. In fact, I seem to recall offering you a list of scholars--very well respected scholars, at that--who don't hold the view that the Catholic Church was founded in the fourth century by Constantine. I seem also to recall you claiming that many scholars agree with you... And yet you've never offered a list of well-regarded scholars who take your view to be correct.

    Would you like to reverse the trend and provide a bibliography in support of your claim?
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:58 PM
    Tj3

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Akoue View Post
    There are lots of differences. That isn't the issue.

    It is if you are claiming (as you did) that we are to do everything that Jesus did, even when He was transfigured into the glorified state as God.

    Quote:

    I believe there was a purpose. I suspect you haven't got the vaguest clue what that is, though.
    Like I said before, we are seeing the slow degradation into the abuse stage of this thread, just as has happened on there threads where your denomination's unique doctrine have been challenged from scripture.

    Of course by using abuse to distract from the topic, you avoid the issue.

    Quote:

    Are you really as slow as you pretend, or are you purposefully caricaturing what I said? Never mind, don't answer that. You can whine about it later.
    More abuse I see.

    Quote:

    I'm really glad to see you write that. Does this mean that you're going to stop doing it?
    Now false accusations.

    Really get your steam up again!

    Quote:

    He doesn't. You have misrepresented Dt.18.11. It doesn't prohibit praying to saints. It prohibits necromancy.
    You may wish to check what necromancy is before further comment heh heh!

    Quote:

    Some people may fall for this, but I actually have studied this very topic.
    Then please show us that you have a command of the topic rather than a talent for abuse and distraction.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 07:58 PM
    arcura
    Akoue,
    Yes I agree, on this topic Tj3 does not know what he is talking about.
    The saints ARE alive.
    Fred
  • Apr 4, 2009, 08:01 PM
    Tj3
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by arcura View Post
    Akoue,
    Yes I agree, on this topic Tj3 does not know what he is talking about.
    The saints ARE alive.
    Fred

    When scripture fails to support your position, fall back on abuse.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 08:02 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tj3 View Post
    It is if you are claiming (as you did) that we are to do everything that Jesus did, even when He was transfigured into the glorified state as God.

    Slippery, slippery! You are not speaking to the point that was made about imitating Christ.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 08:08 PM
    Tj3
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    Slippery, slippery! You are not speaking to the point that was made about imitating Christ.

    I did.I was quite specific.

    Perhaps if, instead of a "commentary" if you would discuss (this is a discussion area) what was said, we could avoid the slippery slop into abuse that seems to have started with yourself and Akoue.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 08:10 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tj3 View Post
    I did.I was quite specific.

    Perhaps if, instead of a "commentary" if you would discuss (this is a discussion area) what was said, we could avoid the slippery slop into abuse that seems to have started with yourself and Akoue.

    Slippery slop?? Lol

    No, you totally avoided the term and its meaning.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 08:10 PM
    Tj3
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    Slippery slop???? lol

    No, you totally avoided the term and its meaning.

    What term?

    Again, try to enter into respectful discussion.
  • Apr 4, 2009, 08:13 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tj3 View Post
    What term? Again, try to enter into respectful discussion.

    YOU said "slippery slop." I'm hoping that was a typo on your part.

    term = imitation of Christ

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:14 AM.