Fr MIKE Schmitz SHUTS down the PROTESTANT complaint about ONE Mediator between GOD and MAN
JD Catholic Engage・2 minutes read
Catholics believe in Jesus as the mediator between God and man while priests, saints, and the Church participate in enhancing Jesus' mediation, not replacing it, contrasting with Protestant beliefs in the either-or principle. The participation of humans in God's plan is likened to musicians in an orchestra enhancing the composer's work, enriching God's glory in the Catholic faith.
Insights
- Catholics believe in Jesus as the primary mediator between God and humanity, but priests, saints, and the Church play supportive roles, not as substitutes but as aids in facilitating this connection.
- The Catholic perspective on human participation in God's plan is likened to a symphony orchestra performing a musical piece, where individuals, like musicians following the composer's lead, enhance and enrich the overall work, illustrating how human involvement can elevate and glorify God's divine purpose.
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Recent questions
How do Catholics view Jesus' role in mediation?
Catholics believe Jesus is the sole mediator between God and man, but other human beings can support, pray, and exercise authority over us, not as replacements but as aids. Jesus instituted certain individuals in the New Testament to act as go-betweens, such as the Apostles who were given the authority to forgive sins, demonstrating a divinely established mediation. The Catholic Church emphasizes that priests, saints, and the Church do not replace Jesus' mediation but participate in it, with priests administering sacraments in the person of Christ, saints interceding as part of the body of Christ, and the Church teaching infallibly as an extension of Christ's truth.
How do Protestants differ from Catholics in mediation beliefs?
Protestants may struggle with the idea of human participation in Christ's mediation due to their adherence to the either-or principle, viewing God and humans as in competition, while Catholics embrace a both-and approach, recognizing human participation as enhancing God's glory. The analogy of a symphony orchestra performing a piece of music illustrates the Catholic perspective on human participation in God's salvic plan, where musicians playing under the composer's direction enhance the composer's work, similar to how human participation enriches God's glory in the Catholic faith.
What is the role of priests in Catholic mediation?
Priests in the Catholic faith administer sacraments in the person of Christ, acting as intermediaries between God and believers. While Catholics believe Jesus is the sole mediator between God and man, priests participate in Jesus' mediation by carrying out sacraments and providing spiritual guidance to the faithful. This role is seen as a way for priests to aid in the spiritual journey of believers and help them grow closer to God through the teachings and practices of the Church.
How do saints contribute to Catholic mediation?
Saints in the Catholic faith are believed to intercede on behalf of believers as part of the body of Christ. While Catholics recognize Jesus as the sole mediator between God and man, saints are seen as companions in faith who can pray for and support individuals on their spiritual journey. This intercessory role of saints is viewed as a way to strengthen the connection between believers and God, with saints serving as examples of faith and virtue for the faithful to emulate.
How does the Catholic Church view its role in mediation?
The Catholic Church sees itself as an extension of Christ's truth, teaching infallibly and guiding believers in their spiritual lives. While Catholics believe Jesus is the sole mediator between God and man, the Church plays a crucial role in mediating God's grace to the faithful through its teachings, sacraments, and spiritual leadership. The Church's authority is viewed as a way to help believers grow in their relationship with God and live out their faith in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
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Summary
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"Catholics Embrace Human Participation in Christ's Mediation"
- Catholics believe Jesus is the sole mediator between God and man, but other human beings can support, pray, and exercise authority over us, not as replacements but as aids.
- Jesus instituted certain individuals in the New Testament to act as go-betweens, such as the Apostles who were given the authority to forgive sins, demonstrating a divinely established mediation.
- The Catholic Church emphasizes that priests, saints, and the Church do not replace Jesus' mediation but participate in it, with priests administering sacraments in the person of Christ, saints interceding as part of the body of Christ, and the Church teaching infallibly as an extension of Christ's truth.
- Protestants may struggle with the idea of human participation in Christ's mediation due to their adherence to the either-or principle, viewing God and humans as in competition, while Catholics embrace a both-and approach, recognizing human participation as enhancing God's glory.
- The analogy of a symphony orchestra performing a piece of music illustrates the Catholic perspective on human participation in God's salvic plan, where musicians playing under the composer's direction enhance the composer's work, similar to how human participation enriches God's glory in the Catholic faith.
