The object of our worship: by Dave Hunt

“Christmas, with its emphasis upon baby Jesus, tends to perpetuate another serious Catholic heresy: the pernicious myth of Christís subservience to His mother which Roman Catholicism has deliberately promoted for centuries. Mary certainly should be called blessed as the mother of our Lord but she is not Co-Mediatrix and Co-Redemp…trix as Romanism teaches. In Catholic cathedrals throughout the world, for example, one quickly notices that the paintings, statuary and stained glass give Mary the dominant role. She is even at times shown on the cross as our Redeemer. Jesus is either a helpless babe on His mothers breast, a small child between her knees, or a lifeless victim of the Cross in her arms. Never is she in subjection to Him, and rarely if ever is He shown in the triumph of His resurrection. She is the Queen of Heaven, where Jesus remains a child subject to her direction.

Typical is the beautiful thirteenth century stained-glass window we recently observed in a church in France. At the top are the words Le Pergatoire, indicating that it is a depiction of purgatory. Mary and Jesus are shown on a cloud (i.e., in heaven), with the tormented souls in the flames of purgatory below them, arms extended upward in supplication. Are they crying out to Christ for help? No, they are appealing to Mary. She wears the regal crown.

And Jesus, the Lord of Glory, who triumphed over Satan at the Cross and now sits at the right hand of the Father how is He depicted? As a child about seven years old, standing between the Queen of Heavenís knees! No wonder the souls in ìpurgatory do not appeal to Him for help. At the bottom of the beautiful stained-glass depiction of this abomination are the words: MËre Marie, sauvez nous! (Mother Mary, save us!)

Such heresy does not originate in the imaginations of the artists but in tradition and dogma not only tolerated but promoted by the Roman Catholic Church. The fear of purgatory is very real to a Catholic, and Mary has provided an escape for those faithful to her. She allegedly appeared to St. Simon Stock on July 16, 1251 and gave him what is known as The Great Promise: Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular [two pieces of brown cloth containing Mary’s promise on one, her picture with Baby Jesus on the other, worn one in front, one in back, connected over the shoulder by two strings] shall not suffer eternal fire. Like the Mormonís magic underwear, the Catholics scapular will supposedly accomplish what the death, burial and resurrection of Christ could not. In 1322, Pope John XXII received a further promise from Mary known as ìThe Sabbatine Privilege: ìI, the Mother of Grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in Purgatory [who died wearing the scapular], I shall free. St. Simon Stockís famous prayer ends thus: O Sweet Heart of Mary, be our salvation!

Christmas offers a rare opportunity to share the true gospel of Jesus Christ and to expose and correct the ecumenical and confused picture it presents annually to the world. Millions are seduced into thinking they are Christians because they have a sentimental feeling for the baby Jesus. Let us remember what Christ said to those who believed on Him: If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (Jn 8:31-32). It is that truth which we are called upon to proclaim in clarity and power.”

The truth of the Cross is that only through the Blood of Christ can a person be saved. God bless

The Complete Story of Paul: The Apostle to the Gentiles * https://youtu.be/LTBS0NMWSPY