Originally posted by Scrawly
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STM that it is not really fair to the OP to ask him about the CC. From a Catholic POV, it is not remotely excessive, and in no way transgressive. The cultus of the Saints in the CC is a recognition that “certain individuals as blessed and greatly used by God”.
Of course it was God doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul; and of course Paul recognized that, ensuring God was magnified. Do you think if the residents of Ephesus in Acts 19 turned their attention in a state of veneration magnifying Paul as well, that perhaps he might have rebuked them?
Saints deserve to be held in honor and respect, love and esteem, being vehicles God used here on earth, but praying to departed saints seems excessive, falling into the category of human tradition at best.
Wrongful honour to the Saints is a danger, to be sure: but if we abstained from all devotional behaviour because human frailty and the malice of the devil made it perilous, we would not worship God at all. If the soul of man is kept from straying, the honour we pay to God’s Saints will not stray either.
Besides, all Christian prayer is prayer to God. Prayer to the Saints is an element in Christian prayer. It is therefore prayer to God. It is not “addressed” to God - but neither are the words we address to our fellow-Christians on Earth. Prayer addressed to God’s Saints in Heaven, has no meaning or value unless it is part of our life in Christ - and exactly the same is true of our dealings with our fellow-Christians on Earth. If it is not departing from God for Catholics in the US to avail themselves of the help of their fellow-Catholics on Earth, it is not departing from God for them to avail themselves of the help of the Saints. For God helps us through our fellows on Earth, and also through His Saints in Heaven. The help is always God’s, whether given through the Saints in Heaven, through other Catholics on Earth, through anyone else, or without any mediation at all.
This seems sufficiently vague and reminiscent of language used by those in cults when they lack biblical justification for their doctrines and practice.
Of course this anecdote has more to do with you than any actual shortcomings of Protestantism, which you seem to acknowledge.
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