Are Catholics right about PRAYING to Mary? | Sam Shamoun

TL;DR

Sam Shamoun discusses the biblical basis for praying to Mary and the saints.

Transcript

praying to Mary or through Mary and the rosary okay now you said they what few who like few people I know they left uh Catholicism they left because they're ignorant they don't know their faith that's the sad thing you know most people that leave Orthodox or Catholic they do not know about the ancient church or no know the B... Read More

Key Insights

• Many people leave the Catholic or Orthodox Church due to a lack of deep understanding of their faith and church history.
• Sam Shamoun argues that praying to Mary and the saints is not condemned by the Bible, as absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
• The Bible encourages praying for one another, and this principle extends to the saints in heaven who are righteous and can intercede powerfully.
• Praying to Mary is not considered necromancy as it does not involve channeling spirits or contacting the dead in a pagan manner.
• The concept of one mediator in 1 Timothy 2:5 is explained as Jesus making prayers acceptable, not excluding others from interceding.
• The Rosary, while not explicitly in the Bible, is based on scriptural principles and does not contradict biblical teachings.
• Those in heaven are aware of earthly events and can pray for those on earth, as shown in various biblical passages.
• The idea that Mary and the saints are dead is refuted by biblical passages indicating they are alive in Christ.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do some people leave the Catholic or Orthodox Church?

According to Sam Shamoun, many people leave the Catholic or Orthodox Church because they lack a deep understanding of their faith, church history, and the Bible. They may have only a surface-level knowledge, leading them to misunderstand or misinterpret the teachings and practices of the ancient church.

Q: Is praying to Mary considered necromancy?

Sam Shamoun argues that praying to Mary is not necromancy. Necromancy involves channeling spirits or contacting the dead in a pagan manner, which is not the case with Catholic or Orthodox practices. Praying to Mary is about asking for her intercession, not about conjuring spirits or engaging in forbidden practices.

Q: How does the Bible support praying for one another?

The Bible supports the principle of praying for one another, as seen in passages like Ephesians 6:19-20 and James 5:13-16. These passages encourage believers to intercede for each other, and Sam Shamoun extends this principle to include the saints in heaven, who are righteous and can offer powerful prayers.

Q: Does 1 Timothy 2:5 contradict praying to Mary?

Sam Shamoun explains that 1 Timothy 2:5, which speaks of Jesus as the one mediator, does not contradict praying to Mary. He argues that Jesus as the mediator makes prayers acceptable to God, but this does not exclude others from interceding. The context of the passage encourages intercession and prayer for all people.

Q: Is the Rosary biblical?

While the exact form of the Rosary is not found in the Bible, Sam Shamoun explains that its components are based on scriptural principles. For example, the Hail Mary prayer includes lines from Luke 1:28 and Luke 1:42. The Rosary does not contradict scripture and is seen as a prayerful devotion.

Q: Are Mary and the saints dead or alive?

Sam Shamoun argues that Mary and the saints are alive in Christ, based on biblical passages like Luke 20:37-38 and John 11:25-26. These passages indicate that those who believe in Christ have eternal life and are not dead in the traditional sense.

Q: How can those in heaven be aware of earthly events?

Sam Shamoun cites passages like Revelation 6:9-11 and Luke 16:27-31 to show that those in heaven are aware of earthly events. He explains that God can make known to them what is happening on earth, allowing them to pray and intercede for those still living.

Q: Does asking Mary to pray for us constitute worship?

Sam Shamoun refutes the idea that asking Mary to pray for us constitutes worship. He explains that asking for intercession is not the same as worship, which is due to God alone. The practice is about seeking the prayers of the righteous, not idolatry or worship.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sam Shamoun addresses common objections to praying to Mary and the saints, explaining that such practices are supported by biblical principles. He emphasizes that absence of explicit mention in the Bible does not equate to condemnation.

• The discussion includes explanations on the power of intercession by the righteous in heaven, biblical references supporting the practice, and a refutation of the idea that praying to Mary constitutes necromancy.

• Shamoun also clarifies misconceptions about the Rosary and the role of Jesus as the one mediator, arguing that these do not exclude the intercessory role of saints and Mary, who are alive in Christ.