Then if Jesus is "clearly" unrelated to any existing human, in what way does He "redeem" humanity?
SD
Human nature requires that he be genetically related to Adam and Eve. That's practically the definition of "human nature". Sorry.
The idea that Mary was just Jesus' surrogate mother is as toxic and unBiblical as the Mormon idea that she had physical intercourse with God the Father.
I have been raised a Catholic and I have assimilated over the years that... Catholics study the "WORD" whom is Jesus... It seems those that study the "words" seem th be very judgemental, they have all the answers..hmmmm
I think a preschool child that opens a pictoral Bible to look at the pictures of Jesus will be touched as profoundly by the HOLY SPIRIT as any so called human "Bible Scholar". "Judge not lest you be judged."
Hmmm I wonder where I read that? Can you enlighten me?
the second part is an acknowledgement of the communion of saints ... those of us alive or those in Heaven...we ask Mary, the mother of God to pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death... we consider those we believe to be saints in heaven no differently than those of us on earth.. At the hour of my death I would certainly want the mother of God to be praying for me... especially if I can't pray for myself.
Finally... Jesus gave Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven... "You are "ROCK" and upon this "ROCK" I will build my Church...Whatever you loose on earth with be loosed in Heaven, whatever you hold bound will be held bound." (Confession? hmmm maybe...)
Peter..the first Pope consecrated Bishops and priests from the very beginning with the laying on of hands ..from Pope Peter 1 to John Paul 2 today... and unbroken chain of "tradition" and consecration from the "ROCK" (incidently...I believe Martin Luther was a monk..not a priest).
Tradition was the early Church...the first books of the New Testament weren't written until about 60 AD.
By the way..."The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it" Pedophile priests included.