"Why Do Catholics Bow to Statues?" Theologian Responds

Summary

Dr. John Bergsma from the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology answers several theological questions in this video. He explores the biblical basis for the Holy Trinity, emphasizing the presence of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in scripture despite the term 'Trinity' not being explicitly used. He also discusses the significance of the Transfiguration, the Catholic practice of kneeling before statues, and the Catholic Church's stance on speaking in tongues. The video highlights Catholic beliefs, scriptural interpretations, and encourages deeper engagement with faith through theological exploration.

Takeaways

• 😀 The word 'Trinity' is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but the concept is present in passages such as Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14, where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are referred to together.
• 😀 The doctrine of the Trinity means that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal and divine, even though the term 'Trinity' itself is not used in the scriptures.
• 😀 The Catholic Church allows for the use of non-biblical terms like 'Trinity' to describe theological realities found in scripture, as it avoids committing a 'word thing fallacy'.
• 😀 The Transfiguration of Jesus serves as an anticipation of the glory revealed at the crucifixion, where Jesus is surrounded by two figures in both events—Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration, and two thieves at Calvary.
• 😀 The Transfiguration highlights Jesus' divine glory, but the full significance of his glory is more profoundly revealed during the crucifixion, requiring the eyes of faith to recognize it.
• 😀 Catholics do not bow down to statues as idols but kneel in front of statues of saints as a sign of humility and reverence towards God, with the statue serving as a reminder of the saint's holy life.
• 😀 Kneeling in front of a statue of a saint is an act of prayer and respect to God, and not worship of the statue itself.
• 😀 Catholics believe in the communion of saints, meaning that saints in heaven can intercede on behalf of the faithful on Earth, and asking them to pray for us is similar to asking a friend to pray for us.
• 😀 Speaking in tongues is not required for all Christians, as St. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30 that not all believers have the same spiritual gifts, including the gift of tongues.
• 😀 The Catholic Church is open to the supernatural gift of speaking in tongues but does not consider it a necessary sign of holiness for all believers.

Q & A

Why is the word 'Trinity' not explicitly found in the Bible?

The word 'Trinity' is not explicitly found in the Bible because it was a term developed later in church history to describe the reality of God being one in essence but three in persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While the Bible does not use the term, the concept of the Trinity is present in various passages, such as Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14.

How does Matthew 28:19 support the concept of the Trinity?

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands his disciples to baptize 'in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.' This mention of all three persons together in a single act of baptism implies their co-equality and shared divinity, which is a foundational aspect of the doctrine of the Trinity.

What is the significance of the word 'name' in Matthew 28:19?

In Matthew 28:19, the use of the singular word 'name' is significant because it implies a unity of essence between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Jewish thought, 'name' represents the essence and authority of the person, indicating that the three persons share a divine nature.

Why is it acceptable to use terms like 'Trinity' that are not directly found in the Bible?

The early Church recognized that it was permissible to develop new theological terms, like 'Trinity,' to describe biblical realities. These terms help clarify and more accurately express the truths found in scripture, even though the words themselves might not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible.

What is the 'word thing fallacy' mentioned in the script?

The 'word thing fallacy' is the idea that if a specific word is not used in scripture, the corresponding reality does not exist. The example given is that ancient people did not have a word for electricity, but that did not mean electricity did not exist. Similarly, just because the word 'Trinity' isn't in the Bible doesn't mean the reality of the Trinity is not present.

What is the connection between the Transfiguration and the Crucifixion?

The Transfiguration (on Mount Tabor) is seen as an anticipation of the Crucifixion (on Mount Calvary). Both events involve Jesus being lifted up and surrounded by figures, with the Transfiguration revealing his glory to Peter, James, and John, while the Crucifixion, though more profoundly glorious, requires the eyes of faith to recognize God's greatness in Jesus' death for humanity.

What is the purpose of statues in Catholic worship?

Statues in Catholic worship serve as reminders of holy individuals, such as saints, who have gone before us. Catholics do not worship the statues themselves but use them as visual symbols to aid prayer, as a way of focusing on the divine presence they represent. Kneeling before a statue is a sign of reverence to God, not to the statue.

What is the Catholic Church’s stance on speaking in tongues?

The Catholic Church teaches that speaking in tongues is a legitimate spiritual gift but not required for all believers. Saint Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12, makes it clear that not everyone has the gift of tongues. While the Church supports those who receive this gift, it does not mandate it as a sign of holiness.

What does 1 Corinthians 12:29 teach about spiritual gifts?

1 Corinthians 12:29 teaches that spiritual gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit according to God's will, and not everyone possesses the same gifts. Saint Paul emphasizes that not everyone is called to be an apostle, prophet, teacher, or speaker in tongues, highlighting the diversity and complementarity of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ.

Why does Dr. Bergsma believe the Transfiguration is significant?

Dr. Bergsma believes the Transfiguration is significant because it provides a glimpse of the glory of Christ, foreshadowing the greater glory that would be revealed at the Crucifixion. It also reinforces the connection between Jesus' death and the ultimate victory over sin, death, and the devil, which becomes visible only through faith at Calvary.