The Role of Mary and Saints in Roman Catholicism vs. Significant Religious Figures in Islam
> The veneration of Mary and the saints is a distinctive feature within the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, but is generally opposed by evangelical Christians. In contrast, Islam also holds certain figures in high regard, but the nature of this respect differs significantly from the Catholic practice.
This article explores the roles that Mary and the saints play in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, compares them to the evangelical view, and lastly to the Islamic view of significant religious figures.
Mary and the Saints in Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy
– Mary’s Role
Mary, the mother of Jesus, holds a unique place in Christianity. She is honored as Theotokos, or God-bearer, in recognition of her role in bearing the incarnate Son of God. This honor is articulated in Luke 1:48, where Mary prophetically states, “All generations will call me blessed.” The reverence for Mary is particularly strong in Catholicism, which teaches the Immaculate Conception (her freedom from original sin) and the Assumption (her bodily taking up into Heaven).
In his book “Hail, Holy Queen,” Scott Hahn delves into the biblical and theological foundations for the veneration of Mary. Hahn explains that Mary is not worshipped but is revered as the highest of the saints and as a special intercessor with her son, Jesus Christ.
– The Saints’ Role
Saints in Christianity are men and women recognized for their holiness and virtuous lives. They are often canonized by the Church after their deaths, following a process that typically includes the confirmation of miracles attributed to their intercession. Saints serve as models of faith, and Christians may seek their intercession, believing that the saints in heaven can pray for them. However, it is crucial to note that saints are not worshipped; worship is due to God alone.
– Prayer and Intercession
The practice of asking for the saints’ intercession, including Mary, is based on the belief in the Communion of Saints—the spiritual solidarity between the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven. This is seen as a family relationship, where one can ask a family member to pray for them.
Evangelical Christianity’s opposition to venerating Mary and the saints
Evangelical Christians tend to oppose the veneration of Mary and the saints for several theological and doctrinal reasons, many of which stem from their interpretation of the Bible and the principles of the Protestant Reformation. Here are some of the key reasons:
- Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone): Evangelicals generally adhere to the principle of “Sola Scriptura,” which holds that the Bible is the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice. They do not accept any tradition or practice that is not explicitly grounded in the Bible. Since the veneration of Mary and the saints is not explicitly prescribed in Scripture, evangelicals often view it as an unbiblical practice.
- Christ-Centric Worship: Evangelicals emphasize worship that is focused solely on God and Jesus Christ. They believe that prayer and worship should be directed to God alone, as He is the only one worthy of such devotion. The veneration of Mary and the saints can be seen as detracting from the centrality of Christ and potentially leading to idolatry.
- Mediatorship of Christ: Evangelicals believe in the unique mediatorship of Jesus Christ between God and humanity, as stated in 1 Timothy 2:5, which says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” They argue that praying to saints or venerating them could imply that other mediators are needed besides Christ, which contradicts their understanding of the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement and intercession.
- Avoidance of Idolatry: Evangelicals are concerned with adhering to the biblical commandments against idolatry. They often interpret the veneration of saints, the use of icons, or the asking of saints to intercede with God as forms of idolatry or as giving honor that should be reserved for God alone.
- Historical and Reformation Concerns: The Protestant Reformation, from which evangelicalism is largely descended, was in part a reaction against what the Reformers saw as excesses and corruptions within the Catholic Church, including the veneration of saints and the Marian devotions. Evangelicals often maintain a cautious stance towards practices associated with the pre-Reformation church.
- Personal Relationship with God: Evangelicals emphasize a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, accessible to all believers without the need for intercessors. They believe that each individual can approach God directly through prayer, without the need to invoke saints or Mary as intermediaries.
It’s important to note that while evangelicals generally do not venerate Mary or the saints, they do respect them as important figures in Christian history. They may honor Mary as the mother of Jesus and acknowledge the saints as examples of faithful living, but they stop short of any practice that they perceive as elevating these figures to a status that could compromise the exclusive worship and adoration due to God.
Significant Religious Figures in Islam
– Prophets in Islam
Islam recognizes many of the same prophets found in Judaism and Christianity, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. However, Muslims believe that Muhammad is the final prophet and the “Seal of the Prophets.” Prophets in Islam are considered to be exemplary human beings, chosen by Allah to deliver His message. They are deeply respected but are not divine and should not be worshipped or prayed to.
– Mary in Islam
Mary (Maryam in Arabic) also holds a significant position in Islam. She is considered one of the most righteous women and is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran. The 19th chapter of the Quran is named after her, and it recounts the story of Jesus’s miraculous birth. However, the veneration of Mary in Islam does not include the doctrines of the Immaculate Conception or the Assumption, and there is no concept of her intercession.
– Veneration and Worship
In Islam, the line between veneration and worship is clearly drawn. Worship (ibadah) is reserved for Allah alone. While Muslims respect and honor the prophets, particularly Muhammad, they do not ask for their intercession in the way Roman Catholics may with saints. The veneration of any figure must not approach the level of worship, which is considered shirk (associating partners with Allah), a grave sin in Islam.
Conclusion
Mary and the saints play a significant role in non-evangelical churches as exemplars of faith and as intercessors, but they are not intended to be objects of worship. This practice is rooted in a tradition of respect for those considered to have led lives of extraordinary holiness. In contrast, Islam offers deep respect for its prophets, especially Muhammad, and for Mary as a righteous woman, but it maintains a firm distinction between veneration and worship, reserving the latter for Allah alone. Both Islam and the non-evangelical church have a profound respect for their significant figures, but the nature and expression of that respect differ markedly due to their theological foundations.
