Scripture on the Theology of Relics and the Intercession of the Saints
Sep 29th, 2010 | By Bryan Cross | Category: Blog PostsMarcus Grodi interviewed David Anders today on the Deep in Scripture radio program, focusing particularly on what we can learn from Scripture about the theology of relics and the intercession of the saints. David shows from the Old and New Testaments that the Catholic belief and practice concerning relics and the intercession of the saints did not come from the pagans, but from the faith and practice of the Hebrews even before the birth of Christ.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all the other evil spirits, who wander throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
The point that Marcus makes at 50:00 is very good, I think. I have an older brother in heaven who died shortly after birth, and it is very consoling to know that he is praying for me. I can’t wait to meet him!
This is excellent. Thanks for this gift on my name saint’s day.
At around 30:00 Dr. Anders talks about the Jewish doctrine of the merits of the ancestors, and builds the scriptural case for that particular Jewish doctrine. The Catholic understanding of merit is built upon the Jewish doctrine of merit, and the biblical understanding of merit is the basis of the doctrine of indulgences. I never saw a connection before between the Catholic doctrine of indulgences and the Catholic practice of the veneration of relics, but after listening to Dr. Anders on this radio interview, the connection now seems so obvious that I wonder how I missed it in the first place.
What a great interview! I hope that sometime in the future I can hear Dr. Anders speak on the topic of indulgences.
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