Finally, you're getting to the meat of the argument. You claim, without Scriptural evidence, that Mary and the Saints (terrible name for a rock band) are divinely empowered to hear millions of prayers simultaneously. Good, that's what I've been asking about this whole time. It's not Biblical that they have been so empowered, it's a church tradition, and when tradition meets Scripture, tradition takes a back seat. If I recall correctly, you don't agree with that. And, of course, if they have been so empowered, do ALL those who die in Christ also get the same power to hear and discern such prayers from everyone, and if so, why do you not call on the ENTIRE body of Christ, including ALL those who have passed on, instead of just Mary and the Saints? This is not asked mockingly, it is asked sincerely, because you keep claiming the entire body of Christ includes those who have passed on. You also say that they communicate with you, so why do you focus only on a handful instead of all of them? It would seem to me FAR more powerful to call on the ENTIRE body to pray instead of just your congregation and M&S.
No, I ask for Scriptural evidence that God has so empowered people. I know, for example, that the apostles raised people from the dead. Obviously, they were empowered to do so, and equally obviously, God can and does grant people power to do His will. That does not translate, however, into an entire belief system being valid without Scriptural backing. Now, I expect you to read that and NOT come back claiming that I don't believe God grants people power to do His will.
I DO argue the limits of those who have passed on, because there is no Scriptural backing for the idea that they are not completely overwhelmed in the presence of Christ and therefore not listening to the prayers of millions. God could easily grant them the power to do anything He wants them to do, but it's not limiting Him to ask for Scriptural backing for the idea.
You have to understand something about me. I was raised in a church environment that included a LOT of traditions, traditions that were acknowledged as such, yet unconsciously sometimes given the same level of authority as the Bible. As a result, portions of Scripture were either ignored or rarely talked about because they were inconvenient to those traditions. I have been on a life-long quest to understand and embrace the bedrock truth of Christianity, and that requires looking at everything I believe and holding it up to Scripture for either validation or rejection, as well as being willing to be humbled by the Holy Spirit in understanding what God wants me to hear from it. In so doing, I have found things that were GOOD, and served a GOOD purpose to someone in a by-gone era, but were not commanded by God, and sometimes hinder His will from being done today. That means when I look at a heavily tradition bound body such as the Catholic Church, where tradition can easily over-take Scripture in importance and authority, I am skeptical, and I extend that skepticism to every denomination. I've not found one yet that is completely and totally true only to Scripture and the Holy Spirit. Until we can openly and honestly acknowledge that God's kingdom extends far beyond man-made denominational barriers, we artificially limit His kingdom.
One very basic thing that has to do with Mary, her virginity. Catholic Church tradition (to the best of my knowledge) holds that she was a virgin her entire life. That's not only an extra-Biblical idea, but one that flies in the face of actual Scripture. When you have to explain away actual Scripture or invent from nothing other children from another mother to hold onto a tradition, there is a problem. That is why I find it extremely difficult to accept your traditions as more authoritative than actual Scripture and am very skeptical that Mary is somehow elevated to the level of super-intercessor. Again, I ask, why do you only ask HER to pray with you and not ALL those who have passed on?
