#76 A New Argument for Praying to the Saints - Joe Heschmeyer
May 9, 2024
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Author and apologist Joe Heschmeyer discusses a new argument for praying to the saints. Topics include the power and purpose of prayer, interconnectedness in Christianity, the role of saints, intercessory prayer, ancient royal authority, biblical intermediaries, and angelic intervention.
Prayer to saints emphasizes community prayer efficacy, not just individual connection to God.
Prayer as participation in God's plan highlights human involvement in divine workings.
Deep dives
The Efficiency of Prayer and the Role of Intermediaries
Prayer efficiency is questioned, focusing on why pray to saints or angels when a direct connection to God seems quicker. Drawing on the example of a Protestant questioning praying to saints, efficiency is compared to efficacy in prayer. Jesus' teachings also emphasize the importance of prayer not just for oneself but also for others, highlighting the powerful impact of righteous individuals' prayers.
The Dignity of Causality in Prayer
Prayer is seen as a participation in God's plan, reflecting on the concept of the dignity of causality that God bestows upon individuals. By comparing prayer to a child helping a parent, the role of prayer as a means for humans to participate in God's divine plan is underscored. Through prayer, individuals are invited to be active participants in God's workings.
Royal Authority and Intermediaries
Royal authority is illustrated through biblical instances where intermediaries are utilized by powerful figures. Examples include the Assyrian royal eunuchs and Joseph in Egypt, showcasing how intermediaries serve as extensions of authority. Jesus' delegation of tasks to servants and disciples further emphasizes the concept of utilizing intermediaries in demonstrating divine authority.
The Significance of Seeking Intercession
The act of seeking intercession through saints and angels is paralleled with historical examples of requesting intercession in ancient times. Jesus' teachings on celibacy and the use of eunuchs as royal imagery highlight the importance of seeking intercession. The concept of intermediaries and seeking prayerful assistance is viewed as a reflection of divine royal authority.
Asking Mary and the Saints to pray for us might seem (at best) inefficient or (at worst) like it undermines the sovereignty of God. But here’s an argument you may not have heard before about how the sovereignty of God is **better** revealed in the intercessory role of the saints and angels.
Transcript:
Welcome back to Shameless Popery, I’m Joe Heschmeyer. Today, I want to explore what is, at least to me, a new answer or a new argument that I’ve heard to a question that if you are a Catholic, I’m sure you’ve heard many times, “Why pray to Mary, why pray to th…
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