Distorted Devotions – 4

I just know that you worship the Bible instead of Jesus, and all your clever word play just goes to show how blind you really are.”

To prove his point, the critic then says, “I know you Evangelicals worship the Bible instead of Jesus. Just look at this quotation I found that proves it. This comes from an Evangelical one of your classic theological text books.

The Bible … has produced the highest results in all walks of life. It has led to the highest type of creations in the fields of art, architecture, literature, and music.… [Y]ou will find everywhere the higher influence of the Bible. … William E. Gladstone said, “If I am asked to name the one comfort in sorrow, the sole rule of conduct, the true guide of life, I must point to what in the words of a popular hymn is called ‘the old, old story,’ told in an old, old Book, which is God’s best and richest gift to mankind.” [iv]

“You see,” the critic continues with a flourish, “your famous Evangelical leader says that it is not Jesus, but the Bible that is his ‘one comfort’, his ‘true guide’, and ‘God’s best and richest gift to mankind’? It just shows that Evangelicals worship the Bible and not the Lord.”

Of course this is a ridiculous distortion of the Evangelical view, but the extended analogy may help Protestants understand how Catholics feel when they make similarly extreme charges about the Catholic devotion to Mary.

In the face of such charges Catholics reply, “Are you serious? How can you possibly make such a fundamental and basic mistake about what we believe? We don’t venerate Mary on her own, but because she has given us our Savior and because she constantly leads us to him. If you took time to study our whole teaching and practice you will see how this is true.”

In debate with non-Catholics we should admit that some Catholics may over-emphasize Mary, just like some Evangelicals may take extreme views on the Bible. But we should also admit that both Catholics and Protestants warn against such dangers, and as we ask them to understand our point of view we should also try to honestly understand theirs.

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