Not true. That is absolutely NOT what I am arguing. (???I'm surprised you could even imagine such a thing.)
Obviously the Truth is One and is non-self-contradictory. The Church cannot contradict the truths of Scripture, which are the words of the Lord God.
"... Roman Church invented a process to create a new super-Christian title that is foreign to Scripture."
Not true, again. "Saint" just means "Holy," and in most of Europe's languages (the Romance languages) they are expressed by the same word (variations on Sancta) Like Spanish: Santa Cruz = Holy Cross.
Also in the Germanic languages (Heilig, etc.) So Christians can apply the word "holy" to any number of people, places, customs, or things, if they are sepecially associated with, or dedicated to, God.
Think of these terms: Holy Bible. Holy Night. Sacred Music. Holy Land. Sacred Cross. Holy Apostles. Sacred Art. Holy Books. Sacred duty.
None of those phrases are verbatim in the Bible,--- for that matter,the word "Bible" is not even in the Bible--- but we use them every day. Even if they ARE new super-Christian titles not found in Scripture. The canon (book-list) of the BIBLE is not fund in Scripture. So I do not think it unbiblical to speak of holy saints who hold up their holy hands, etc.
God makes things holy. That's it.
I appreciate your gracious and cordial tone, as always. No need to think that any of this is said, or perceived, disrespectfully. We know each other better than that, dear AMPU!
MDO,
“Not true, again. “Saint” just means “Holy,” and in most of Europe’s languages (the Romance languages) they are expressed by the same word (variations on Sancta) Like Spanish: Santa Cruz = Holy Cross.”
Saint means to be set apart. That is Biblical and is used by God to describe every true believer in Christ.
“Also in the Germanic languages (Heilig, etc.) So Christians can apply the word “holy” to any number of people, places, customs, or things, if they are sepecially associated with, or dedicated to, God.”
This is interesting, but has nothing to do with NT Greek usage of the word, which is inspired.
“None of those phrases are verbatim in the Bible,-— for that matter,the word “Bible” is not even in the Bible-— but we use them every day. Even if they ARE new super-Christian titles not found in Scripture. The canon (book-list) of the BIBLE is not fund in Scripture. So I do not think it unbiblical to speak of holy saints who hold up their holy hands, etc.”
Two points:
1. We are not talking about “speaking” of something, as in “holy saints who lift their hands. We are discussing the creation of a category of (we hope) Christians who are above all other Christians. This is unBiblical. It perverts the position of a man or woman in Christ by lessening it and exalting another without absolute knowledge.
2. The word “bible” isn’t in Scripture. Inspiration of certain writings is revealed by God in the Bible. As such, when we speak of the “Bible”, we know it is a collection of the inspired writings. It is short-hand for referring to the entire collection. The index of the Bible is not inspired. It is a listing of the writings that are believed to be inspired and is there for convenience. As you know, the same applies to verse numbers and chapters and the arrangement of the writings within the collection. “Trinity” is not found in the Bible, but we find the teaching of the Triune God in the inspired writings. What we don’t find is a teaching of a process to declare “Saints” - something that is foreign to Scripture. God declares all believers “saints”.
Best to you,
ampu