Is veneration of saints Biblical?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
56,979
26,721
113
#61
Yes that’s exactly what I mean. And these folks in places like Greece or Italy for example think that all Americans are worshipping a book.
Yeah, I guess I can see that given how much they reject what that Book actually says/teaches ;)
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
3,571
1,259
113
46
#62
Yeah, I guess I can see that given how much they reject what that book actually says/teaches ;)
No no they think you’re literally worshipping a book, just like you think they’re literally worshipping an icon.
Humans are interesting, I wish we didn’t have free will. This is why I’d like to think “everybody’s right” when it comes to interpretations because we do have a unifying person at least , a common denominator : Jesus Christ. Despite many schisms and disagreements.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
56,979
26,721
113
#63
No no they think you’re literally worshipping a book,
I get that. To them, doing what the Book tells us to do is bad. Doing what the Book tells us not to do is good.

just like you think they’re literally worshipping an icon.
No, I think they are worshiping Mary. They cannot deny elevating her above what Jesus did.
And the tripe concerning her, honor your mother? She is not our mother. Just more of
their nonsense, according titles and duties to her that are an offense. They adore
her like any pagan worshiping their "queen of heaven."


Humans are interesting, I wish we didn’t have free will.
We don't, really.

This is why I’d like to think “everybody’s right” when it comes to interpretations because we do have a
unifying person at least , a common denominator : Jesus Christ. Despite many schisms and disagreements.
I understand that, as well.


1 Corinthians 11:19
:)
 

hornetguy

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2016
6,766
1,444
113
#64
I don’t think we will reach much agreement here because you and others think that others “worship” the dead, saint or icons and the other side thinks that you (plural) worship a book.
Really? I had not heard that.... what book?
 

hornetguy

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2016
6,766
1,444
113
#66
So, reading and trying to follow the word of God is considered worshipping it?
How strange that is.....
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
3,571
1,259
113
46
#67
So, reading and trying to follow the word of God is considered worshipping it?
How strange that is.....
Yes they think America is lost because you’re worshipping and dissecting a book which has resulted in many denominations. That’s the view of Americans on that side.
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
12,505
4,121
113
#68
Is the
Is veneration of saints Biblical


of saints Biblical?

the answer is yes it in context to the word veneration= meaning honor.

The word of God says
Rom13:7
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

1Sam 2:30
Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.’ But now the LORD says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.


Jesus honored John " said there was no greater man born of the womb," Mary the Mother of Jesus was to be honored for her faithfulness :)


So yes we are to do so.
 

hornetguy

Senior Member
Jan 18, 2016
6,766
1,444
113
#69
Yes they think America is lost because you’re worshipping and dissecting a book which has resulted in many denominations. That’s the view of Americans on that side.
So, what do "they" think should be done with the word of God? Lock it up, never read it?

That's just silly to the nth degree..... perhaps that silliness comes from worshiping "saints"...
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
7,687
3,244
113
#71
I don’t think we will reach much agreement here because you and others think that others “worship” the dead, saint or icons and the other side thinks that you (plural) worship a book.
They can make that argument all the want, but I've never burned candles or incense to the Bible. I've never made graven images of the Bible or decorated my home with them. I've never prayed to the Bible. I've never kissed the Bible.

I will say there's really no excuse for so much denominational division but that's not because people worship the Bible, it's because they worship themselves and don't really have a lot of respect for the Bible.
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
3,571
1,259
113
46
#72
So, what do "they" think should be done with the word of God? Lock it up, never read it?

That's just silly to the nth degree..... perhaps that silliness comes from worshiping "saints"...
I think that when your faith in Jesus is strong these things shouldn’t matter or bother anyone. Because Christ is the unifying figure.
Everyone is trying and as long as Jesus is the binding theme that’s all that matters. Because divisions only contribute to further extremism down the line.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
7,687
3,244
113
#73
I don’t think we will reach much agreement here because you and others think that others “worship” the dead, saint or icons and the other side thinks that you (plural) worship a book.
Just because Protestant groups in the West can seem to get together that's no reason to turn to false Christian idolatry. There are a lot of people who don't want anything to do with either one but neither Catholicism nor Protestantism wants to make it very easy for them. They seem to think you either have to join them or you're hopelessly lost. I hope and pray more people will start finding the courage to come out of these false religious systems.
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
3,571
1,259
113
46
#74
@ResidentAlien , despite your “hate” for Catholics I don’t think you’re too extreme in your views. I’ve talked to worse. :D
In another thread I ask for your opinion on Monks and you said that you didn’t have one. This is good because a true extremist becomes so extreme that is oblivious of the contradiction in his life.
‘for example:

‘I hate the church - they’re all wrong.
‘I study alone and only me alone can understand the Bible without being corrupted from the church.
‘Monks are selfish and arrogant because they isolate themselves and don’t spread the word of God.

And that’s the contradiction. You start hating everybody including yourself.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
7,687
3,244
113
#75
Venerate means worship, revere, adore. Synonyms include: Cherish, adore, exalt, hallow (to make holy), idolize, worship, glorify, deify, love, magnify.

Of course Catholics are the only ones who really know what it means so we can't rely on our own common sense but must believe them. This is just more Catholic smoke blowing.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
7,687
3,244
113
#76
:D
In another thread I ask for your opinion on Monks and you said that you didn’t have one.
In that thread you said:

What about Priests and Monks who study The Bible their whole lives, what do you make of them?
I resonded:

I don't know. What should I think of them?
Now I'll ask you again: Am I supposed to have an opinion on monks? I don't know what you're getting at. If you can't talk straight why should I play guessing games?
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
3,571
1,259
113
46
#77
In that thread you said:



I resonded:



Now I'll ask you again: Am I supposed to have an opinion on monks? I don't know what you're getting at. If you can't talk straight why should I play guessing games?
No no this is good. If you “hated” the monks you would have said so … all’s good. :)
 
Sep 6, 2014
7,034
5,435
113
#78
"The Concise Oxford English Dictionary records the following definition of “venerate”: “[R]egard with great respect,…from Latin venerat-venerari ‘adore, revere’” (Pearsall, 2002, p. 1590, emp. added). The Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language gives the following definitions for “venerate”: to worship, reverence…, to look upon with feeling of deep respect; regard as venerable; revere” (1964, p. 1616, emp. added). The Espasa Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms lists the following synonyms (among others) for the word “venerate”: Worship, honor, reverence, idolize, exalt, etc. (1996). Finally, the Catholic Cofrade Dictionary notes the following definition for the word “venerate”: “To worship God, Saints or sacred things” (2005, emp. added).


We can see easily, by its etymology and synonymy, that a primary meaning of the word “venerate” is simply “to worship or to revere.” Additionally, note that the Catholic Cofrade Dictionary applies the word “venerate” to God and “sacred things.” Therefore, when the supporter of Catholicism insists, “We do not worship, we only venerate,” he is actually confirming that Catholics worship images like they worship God.


The truth is that the word “venerate” has been deliberately substituted for the word “worship” to excuse the polytheistic practice of Catholicism. Since the meaning of the word “venerate” is unfamiliar to many, it has become a major argument in defense of religious iconography. But if the supporter of Catholicism would only open his dictionary, and look up the meaning of the word that he uses so casually, his favorite argument would soon disappear like the morning mist on a hot summer day. In fact, the very etymology and correct usage of the word “venerate” exposes the error of iconography. We completely agree that Catholics “only venerate” (i.e., they worship).


But what about respecting images? Are the images of the so-called “saints” and of other “sacred” objects, worthy of respect? What does the Bible say? In addressing images made for religious purposes, Exodus 20:5 warns: “You shall not bow down to them nor serve them [i.e., you shall not show them any kind of respect, service, or worship]” (cf. 1 John 5:21). In spite of the divine warning, some in the Catholic community insist: “f someone bows down, doing it only as an expression of respect and affection, there is nothing wrong with it” (Zavala, 2000, emp. added). It seems that some supporters of religious images read the verse in this way: “You shall not bow down to them, except in the case of giving them respect and affection.” However, such a statement is not in the Bible! Making images for the purpose of religious “veneration,” reverence, respect, or affection is condemned by God."

Source

Luke 4:8
And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.’”
 
Feb 24, 2022
1,346
288
83
#79
I don’t think we will reach much agreement here because you and others think that others “worship” the dead, saint or icons and the other side thinks that you (plural) worship a book.
No we don't, you're greatly mistaken. We worship God and God alone, and the book is the only way to know Him.
 

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
771
113
#80
No we don't, you're greatly mistaken. We worship God and God alone, and the book is the only way to know Him.
There are great flaws in your statement that the book/Bible are the only way to know God. How can that possibly be? In fact, when Jesus ascended to heaven, He didn't leave a book, He left a Church to spread the Word of God.

In fact, there was no accepted Bible until 300 years after Jesus ascended, Old Testament combined with the Canon of the New Testament. Even then Bibles were scarce and not available to but a handful of people because they had to be hand copied, a very tedious and elongated project to even copy one Bible. And you say this book is the only way to know God, you obviously aren't thinking clearly. There were few bibles, but the fact is that, until the early 18th century over 90% of the world's population couldn't read as they didn't have public schools then. Most people were peasant farmers and had no education.

Even at the advent of the printing press, when Bibles could be mass produced, few people could read.

So, for about 1700 years after Christ ascended, people didn't have access to a Bible and/or they couldn't read, and you say that the Bible is the only way to know God.

Your assertion lacks common sense.