What to do about Mary Mac?

If you don't live in Australian, you may not be aware about the brew-ha-ha that has been sweeping this sun burnt land. Last weekend Australian got their first Saint, Mary MacKillop. As a Christian, a Protestant, I'm torn about how to deal with the whole thing.

On face value, the raised awareness of faith and spirituality has been a good thing. For once, Christianity has been getting good publicity.

I should be clear. From my Internet searching, Catholics don't pray TOO Saints, but call upon them to pray with them to Jesus. This isn't about worship, but about prayer.

But, the idea of canonisation of saints and asking those who have passed to intercede to Jesus on your behalf, grates me.

First, the practice isn't specifically mentioned in the bible. When Jesus taught His disciple how to pray he didn't teach his followers to pray through believers who have "run the good race."

Second, I'm convinced that the bible calls all followers of Jesus saints. Example? "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 1:7 (There are a stack others, probably better verses, but this was the first to spring to mind).

Thirdly, my greatest problem is encountered by the book of Hebrews and the idea that others should/need to intercede to Jesus on your behalf. The book of Hebrews has the clear message that Christ is superior to any other way of approaching or revealing God. Jesus is better than the Angels, Moses or any High Priest (who would themselves intercede on behalf of Israel at the temple).

Hebrews 7:26-25 makes the point that there is no more need for a middle man, and any substitute would be inferior.

Elsewhere, Paul states that "there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" 1 Timothy 2:5.

Fourth, if there is anything that helps us pray, it is the Spirit of God! Through the Holy Spirit, which lives in all believers, we can pray. Surely, this is adequate...

Fortunately, God grants us the blessing to be a part of ministry and what he is doing in the world whilst alive. I'm just not convinced that this extends once one has passed away.

Finally, can saints be of any use?

Absolutely! This is part of the reason to study church history? The Christian God is a God who is based within history. We can learn from the past faithfulness of both God and His followers. They can be inspired in our own journey of faith. We can learn from their mistakes. We can be encouraged by their examples. This is a massive reason why Hebrews 11 is in the bible.

But what about the miracles attributed to Mary?

I'll end with my greatest concern. I can live with God doing miracles in the world. I believe they happened in the bible and can today. If God exists, He can break into human history and do extraordinary things. But, the credit should go where it is due. To God, not any person.