[PetroniusMaximus]

*****"As is often asked on these threads"

I have heard it asked exceedingly often also. :)


*****"what is the difference between asking living saints(persons of merit in the Church) to pray for us and asking the saints in heaven?"

One is living and the other is dead. (and lets not quibble about the word "dead" - they are inaccessible). Added to this is the fact that the Bible is quite clear that it is an abomination to seek anything from the dead. So we have

1. No example of the practice
2. A positive example of EVERY Biblical figure addressing their prayer to God
2. Verses stating the practice of seeking anything from the dead is an abomination



*****" Are we to forget them when they are dead?Do they forget us? "

It not an issue of "forgetting", but the fact that no where in Scripture are we authorized to communicate with the dead.



*****"We believe in a single communion of the living and the dead."


Look at this verse...

" Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, "There is no resurrection of the dead"? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is without foundation, and so is your faith.... And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Therefore those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished."

- 1 Corinthians 15

Paul's knowledge that the dead in Christ have not perished is knowledge he derives from the fact that Jesus was resurrected - NOT from his personal communication with them.

Do you see that point?

[RobbyS]

Reference to a Jewish custom of reverencing the dead is found in Maccabees, which Protestants disregard by removing it from the canon (By what authority? ) Where in the New Testament is there any prohibition for asking something of the dead?
In Revelation John describes the martyrs wonders about the injustice that has been done to them. Are they only "accessible" to the mystic? They are "dead" but presented to us through a vision of the apostle,. Or do you think it all an allegory? As for Paul's remarks, they speak to the distinctive Jewish and Christian notion of the resurrection of the body. He is not addressing our subject at all.