therese

Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt (Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland
Pastor: Colin Maxwell. Email: colin.maxwell@fpcmission.org

This small publication intends to examine the whole exercise in the light of the teaching of the Roman Catholic Bible. The author is using the Douay Version, published by the Catholic Truth Society, although any translation of the Bible may be used. What constitutes the best translation of the Bible is not an issue here. Many readers will be of the Roman Catholic persuasion and so will be happier with a Roman Catholic translation. When Paul wrote to the Church at Rome, he asked the Christians there, "What saith the scripture?" We are only following in his footsteps. We have decided to follow the popular Questions and Answers method. Take time to consider carefully each answer. The author does not write to offend…but simply to examine all things by the light of God's word.

BRIEFLY, WHO WAS ST THERESE?
St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, as she is popularly known, was born in France in 1873. From an early age she wanted to dedicate herself to God. When she was ten years old, she was cured of a serious illness, which included hallucinations, through the 'smile of the Queen of Heaven'. She entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux when fifteen years of age and was given the name 'Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face'. She spent the next nine years of her life here, faithfully and heroically living the life of a Carmelite nun with great simplicity and humility. She discovered what she called her 'Little Way' - a way of confidence and trust and of total surrender to God's Merciful Love. At the end of her life she realised her mission was about to begin, and perceived that she would spend her heaven doing good on earth. Before she died, she began to write down the recollections and memories of her childhood together with her reflections on the religious life.

She died on 30 September 1897 at the age of 24 after eighteen months of great physical suffering and desolation of spirit. She was canonised in 1925. She has been proclaimed a Patroness of France and of the Missions and in 1997 was declared a Doctor of the Roman Catholic Church. Her autobiography Story of a Soul was published one year after her death and has sold millions of copies in over fifty languages.

WHAT IS THE ACT OF "PIOUS MUTILATION"?
This is the name given to the process of dissecting the corpse of a departed saint in order that the relics might be shared among various interested parties. In earlier days when relics proved to be a profitable commercial business, the head of the saint proved very popular, because the teeth could be extracted and sold on to other interested buyers. The separating of the arm and leg from St Thérèse's skeleton is a good example of pious mutilation.

WHAT ARE THE HOPES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH CONCERNING THIS VISIT?
The official website visit of the quotes the following:

"The church wants us and St. Thérèse wants us to be reminded that her coming to Ireland should be the occasion for a deep renewal of our Christian commitment which could be fully realised by earnestly seeking to learn and practice the elements of her 'Little Way'. All nine Popes since Thérèse first graced the earth have constantly reminded Christ's followers of the importance of Thérèse's message."
(J.Linus Ryan, O.Carm.)
"We are hopeful then, that the coming of these relics to Ireland will be a time of grace, a surge of hope and an inspiration to the New Millennium."
(Rev. Fr. Gabriel O'Brien, O.Carm)

We may interpret these statements to mean that the Roman Catholic Church is hoping for a widespread return of many of the lapsed to the fold once again. Elsewhere, the visit has been put on par with the Papal visit to Ireland in 1979.

BEFORE YOU GIVE YOUR BIBLICAL ASSESSMENT OF THIS VISIT...WHAT AUTHORITY DOES THE BIBLE CARRY?
This is a very fundamental question. Is the Bible just another book - just another object in an array of religious articles - or is the very inspired word of God? If it is indeed God's word, then its authority must be final. You cannot have a higher authority than God. This being the case, we must bring every doctrine or practice to the judgement of God's word. Paul's question to the Church at Rome, "What saith the scripture?" (Romans 4:5) was not asked out of mere curiosity, but with a view of getting a definitive answer. We are not at liberty to receive what God rejects. Historically, Christians have always made the Bible their final court of appeal. St. Chrysostom sums up the situation well:

"You have an exact standard and rule of all things. I beseech you, do not regard what this or that man thinks, but enquire all things of the Scriptures." (Homily 13)

This is what we are seeking to do and are committed to accepting the verdict of scripture - no matter what our own thoughts might be.

ARETHERE ANY EXAMPLE OF BONES BEING CARRIED ABOUT IN THE BIBLE?
Two scriptures come to mind.

[1] "And Moses took Joseph's bones with him, because he had adjured the children of Israel, saying, God shall visit you. Carry out my bones from hence with you." (Exodus 13:19) This was a straightforward command. We read later: "And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel had taken out of Egypt, they buried in Sischem…" (Joshua 24:32) There is no evidence that they were used for any pious purpose or that they were venerated in any way. We know from the actions of Moses over the Golden Cow incident (Exodus 32) that such would not have been tolerated.

[2] "And some that were burying a man saw the rovers, and cast the body into the sepulchre of Elisha, the man came to life, and stood upon his feet." (4 Kings [a.k.a.2 Kings]13:21) There is no evidence from this miraculous incident that such was planned nor sought for. There is no evidence that it was ever repeated or that any repetition was even attempted. It seems to be a one off incident, complete in itself with absolutely no precept to use it to sanction any other happenings.

It has been claimed that the concept of relics goes back even to New Testament times i.e. when the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of Christ's garment (Matthew 9:20) as did many others (Matthew 14:36) or when "there were brought from his [Paul's] body to the sick, handkerchief's and aprons" (Acts 19:12) with great spiritual and physical effect. We might add that the very shadow of Peter passing held great hopes to those who were sick (Acts 5:15)
To point out the obvious, the various pieces of cloth alluded to above did not belong at the time to any one who was dead. Both Jesus and Paul were very much alive! These miracles were used to vindicate both of them in their office of revealing God's word - which we now have in our Bible (Hebrews 2:3-4) Again, there is no command (unlike some of the other apostolic happenings) for us to seek to emulate them. In Peter's case, a shadow, of course, can never be called a relic. Again, note that there is no record that any thing miraculous followed, although it is assumed. The New Testament affords little comfort to relic lovers.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS OF THE MIRACLES WHICH HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO SAINT THERESE?
It is not my purpose to doubt the historical validity of these miracles. My concern is of their Biblical value. It is worth pointing out that Pharaoh's magicians were capable of performing great miracles (Exodus 7:22 etc.,) That dark figure of the Man of Sin who will arise in the last days will also be able to perform "signs and lying wonders" (2 Thessalonians 2:9) So a miracle in itself does not amount to much. It needs to be attested by the word of God. Again, the Lord Jesus said that even the performance of the greatest miracles would not entreat men to believe. "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, [i.e. the Bible] neither will they believe if one rise again from the dead." (Luke 16:31) Although they had their place in the Bible, they are evidently not the be all and end all of spiritual activity. Herod hoped to see some miracle performed by Christ (Luke 23:8) but he met with the silence of the Lord Jesus. Herod's great crime was that he had murdered John the Baptist - he had cut off the voice of God to his own soul - through the Biblical ministry of the man of God.

CAN DEPARTED CHRISTIANS GET US FAVOUR WITH GOD?
The only One who can bring us into favour with God is our Lord Jesus Christ. He pleads the merits of His own blood and those who are "justified by faith" (Romans 5:1) are made "accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6 - AV) There is no other merit acceptable with God than His merit. Even the holiest Christians are forced to admit that when they have done all that is commanded of them that: "We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do." (Luke 17:10) We are told of those Christians who pray before the altar in Heaven (Apocalypse a.k.a. Revelation 8:3) but there is nothing to suggest that they are pleading their own merits out of a supposed treasury and overabundance or that they are praying that their works or holy deeds would be credited either to themselves or others. This is a teaching that finds no warrant in the Scripture. We should always be careful of reading into scripture what is not there. This is to wrest the scriptures to our own destruction (2 Peter 3:16) The scriptures are sufficient to make the man of God perfect (2 Timothy 3:15-17) and therefore nothing else is needed.

ARE WE TO PRAY TO ST THERESE?
Although the official website includes a prayer commencing with these words: "St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus teach us to follow your way of confidence and trust…" yet we must observe that there is no warrant in the word of God to offer prayer to any one other than God through Jesus Christ. Read carefully the New Testament where we have the completed revelation of God's will for us. Look specifically for an example when any one prayed to or through a departed person. The silence is thundering.

Every New Testament prayer is offered to God through Christ who alone is the mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5) One day, Jesus declared Himself to be the way to God. "No man cometh to the Father, but by me." There is no evidence that we need any one to bring us to Jesus. He has never said so and we should be careful that we do not put words into His mouth or sanction procedures that He has not sanctioned. We may come to Him direct. There is every encouragement to do so. He said that He will never cast out those who come direct (John 6:37) The answer, then, to the question is: No. We honour no one when we disobey God's word.

HOW PRACTICAL IS THE DISTINCTION WHICH THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PUTS BETWEEN WORSHIP AND VENERATION?
Such distinctions only exist on paper. They are a human invention. The Bible, would have us honour our father and mother (Exodus 20:12) but we are not encouraged to pray to them or give them any religious veneration. There is no danger in this command. But to bring in the religious aspect with some finely tuned conditions attached - which are generally not understood or even known by the man in the street - leads to spiritual disaster. If these man made distinctions are not strictly observed, then you move from mere veneration to gross idolatry. It's as easy as that. No exaggeration. St Augustine observed that: "No man prays or worships looking on an image without being impressed with the idea that it is listening to him" (Epistle 49) God has outlawed idolatry warning us: "No idolaters… shall possess the kingdom of Heaven." (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) We can only worship God, God's way. He is not bound to accept anything else, no matter how sincere.

WHAT HAVE SOME OF THE CHURCH FATHERS SAID ABOUT RELICS?
The following incident, makes for interesting reading:

"I came to a villa called Anablatha, and as I was passing, saw a lamp burning there. Asking what place it was, and learning it to be a church, I went in to pray, and found there a curtain hanging on the door of the said church, dyed and embroidered. It bore an image either of Christ or of one of the saints; I do not rightly remember whose image it was. Seeing this, and being loathe that the image of a man should hang in Christ's church contrary to the teaching of the scriptures, I tore it asunder and advised the custodians of the place to use it as a winding sheet for some poor person. They, however, murmured, and said that if I made up my mind to tear it, it was only fair that I should give them another curtain in its place…I have now sent them the best that I could find, and I beg of you that you will order the presbyter of the place to take the curtain which I have sent from the hands of the Reader, and that you will afterwards give directions that curtains of the other sort - opposed as they are to our religion - shall not be hung up in any church of Christ. A man of your uprightness should be careful to remove an occasion of offence unworthy alike of the church of Christ and of those Christians committed to your charge."
(Ephiphanius in a letter to Bishop John of Jerusalem, and translated by St Jerome,)

DO OTHER RELIGIONS HAVE RELICS?
Yes.

"The same worship had flourished for ages before Christian saints or martyrs appeared in the world. In Greece, the superstitious regard to relics, especially the bones of the deified heroes, was a conspicuous part of popular idolatry…From the earliest periods the system of Buddhism has been propped up by relics [officially acknowledged on page 19 of the commemorative booklet] …In the Asiatic Researches a statement is made…The statement is this "The bones or limbs of Buddha were scattered all over the world like those of Osiris"…it is evident that the worship of relics is just a part of the ceremonies instituted to commemorate the tragic death of Osiris or Nimrod who…was divided into fourteen pieces which were then sent into so many different regions infected by his apostasy and false worship." (Hyslop's Two Babylons)

We may say with the old prophet: "Learn not according to the ways of the Gentiles" [Heathen: AV] (Jeremiah 10:2)

IS IT POSSIBLE FOR SO MANY TO BE WRONG?
Yes. The numbers argument is never the strongest argument to use. If you "went with the crowd" in Noah's day, then you would have perished in the flood. Only eight people had the spiritual wit to stand against the crowd when the crowd disobeyed God. If you "went with the crowd" in Christ's day, you would have stood and shouted: "Crucify him, crucify him" There are several world religions or worldviews which are mutually exclusive of each other. Each claims large numbers of adherents which means that vast multitudes of people have got it wrong. The argument should not be: "What saith the general consensus of opinion?" but (as quoted on the front cover) "What saith the scripture?"

IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE RELIGIOUS AND LOST?
Yes. Nicodemus was a very religious man. He was the Jewish equivalent of a Cardinal. His theology was Bible based. He was not even opposed to Christ, unlike the other Pharisees. Yet, when he spoke to the Lord Jesus, the Saviour told him: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3) You may say your prayers, attend sacraments, go into church orders etc., and yet fail to enter the kingdom of God. The new birth is not baptism. The New Testament records the experience of several who experienced regeneration without baptism. Jesus said: "Wonder not that I said to thee, You must be born again." (John 3:7)

WHAT IS A SAINT?
The Bible definition is far removed from the common understanding. Today, saints are perceived to be exceptionally holy people who have performed at least two miracles after their death. The Bible says that the term saint is just another name for a Christian. Paul wrote to the saints in Corinth etc., These folk were not exceptionally holy - indeed the Corinthians had big spiritual problems - and they were still alive and had performed no miracles in answer to prayer. The present practice of canonisation is another man made invention. We should stick with what the Bible actually teaches. We cannot be holier or wiser than God.

THE BIBLE TALKS ABOUT BEING "SAVED" - WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Salvation is a word that some people do not sit very comfortably with, and yet, as acknowledged, it is a Biblical word. We all acknowledge that we are sinners. "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8) Sin exacts an awful price. "The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23) and therefore we must seek to have this penalty removed. The gospel is this: "The Father hath sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world." (1 John 4:14) Jesus Himself said: "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10) (There's that word saved again) Christ did this by living for us and keeping the law of God perfectly on our behalf (something we can never do) and by dying for us on Calvary and by rising again to intercede for us in Heaven. To be saved means to be delivered by God from the wrath due for our sins (i.e. to be pardoned and declared righteous by God) and also to be saved from the stranglehold of our sins (an ongoing life long work) and one day (yet future) to be saved from the very presence of sin itself. Far from being an uncomfortable word, the word saved ought to be the most glorious word found in our language. Salvation is a free gift. It has been paid for in full by the Lord Jesus. It is something we might have here and now and be assured of. "He that hath the Son hath life." (1 John 5:12) No doubt about it. If we are not saved, then we should seek God's salvation immediately, The very word presupposes danger. The danger of remaining unsaved is a great calamity. The message of the Bible is that: JESUS SAVES! St Peter wisely observed concerning the Lord Jesus, "Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) "Believe [put your full and divided trust upon] the Lord Jesus Christ; and thou shalt be saved…" (Acts 16:31) Why not you? Why not now?

WHAT IF SOMEONE CHALLENGES ME ON THIS?
Tell them simply what you have come to understand. The views set forth in this small booklet are Bible based. You need not be ashamed of God nor His word. Better to hear the "Well done" of God than have the applause of sinful man. "He that feareth man shall quickly fall: but he that trusteth in the Lord shall be set on high." (Proverbs 29:25)

A TRUE STORY FROM IRELAND
A cold February evening in Kerry brought a knock to the rectory door. A stranger wished to see me and apologising for calling at such a late hour, he explained that his only son was dying. I arose immediately and followed him to an isolated cabin on a steep mountain side. An old woman arose as we entered and with the natural courtesy of the Irish, offered me a low chair. In the corner of the hut, on some straw, lay the dying boy. Only 17 years of age, his eyes were closed with exhaustion. He seemed to be in some pain.

As I approach, he opened his eyes and stared at me with a frightened look. I told him quietly who I was and why I had come.
"Have you had this cough long?" I asked.
"Oh yes, a long time - nearly a year"
"How did you catch it? A Kerry boy should be used to this cold air."
"Ah!" he replied, "so I was till that terrible cold night nearly a year ago when one of the sheep went astray. My father sent me to look for it. The snow was deep on the ground and the wind pierced me through, but I did not mind because I wanted to find the sheep."
"Did you find it?" I asked.
"Oh, yes, I never stopped until I did. When I found it, it was so tired that I laid it on my shoulders and carried it home."
I enquired further "Were they not glad to see you?"
"Yes they were" he replied, "My father, mother and the neighbours and all - but they were sorry that I was out all night. Alas! I caught this terrible cold. Mother says that I will never get over it, but God knows best. I did my best to find the sheep."
"Wonderful!" I thought.

Here is the whole gospel story. I read to him Luke’s gospel 15:4-8 where the Lord Jesus spoke about the Good Shepherd leaving the ninety nine sheep in the wilderness and going out after the one lost sheep and searching "until he find it." Read it for yourself in your own Bible.

What man of you that hath an hundred sheep, and if he shall lose one of them, doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after that which is lost? until he find it? And when he hath found it, lay it upon his shoulders, rejoicing? And coming home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep which was lost? I say unto you that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that [repents] than upon ninety-nine just who need not [to repent] Luke 15:4-8

At once, he saw the comparison. I explained to him the parable. He was the lost sheep, but God the Father sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to seek and find him. Christ suffered on the Cross to bring him back to God and there would be rejoicing in heaven if, by faith, he received Jesus Christ as his Saviour. He drank it all in. The Lord opened his heart to receive the gospel truth. he understood and lay hold upon the Saviour. I never saw a clearer proof of the Divine Spirit to apply the Word of God.

He died soon afterwards. Between rending coughs he slumbered heavily, but whenever he was able to think, these verses brought great comfort. He died peacefully with "Jesus my Saviour and Shepherd" upon his lips.

Reader: This story is true. The Christ who saved then has the same power and willingness to save you now.
THE END

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FREE PRESBYTERIAN LETTERS SENT TO THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER

To: Letters Page, Examiner, Academy Street, Cork
From: Donal O'Donovan, Mallow, Co. Cork.
Date: 7-1-02

Dear Sir,
As Mr. Hurwitz points out in his letter "Devotion is never idolatry" of Saturday 5th January, extraordinary deeds of power were done through the hands of Paul and when clothes and handkerchiefs that had touched Paul's skin were applied to the sick they were healed. However, nowhere do we read that these items of cloth were subsequently worshipped or that Paul himself or any other Apostle encouraged such worship. Indeed in Acts ch. 14 verses 8 we read of a crippled man being healed through faith when Paul preached at Lystra and the people there when they saw the miracle said the "gods are come down in the likeness of men" and they sought to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas (verses 11 to 13). Such was the distress of Paul at such a thing that he rent his clothes (verse 14) and exhorted them to turn from such vanities to worship the living and true God (verse 15).

Earlier in Old testament scripture we see in 2 Kings 18:4 King Hezekiah causes the brass or brazen serpent which Moses had made whereby those who were bitten by serpents in the wilderness were healed if they looked upon it in faith to be destroyed as the people began to worship it and burn incense unto it causing them to sin.

Also in Luke chapter 11 we see the apostles receiving instruction from the Lord when in verse 1 they said "Lord teach us to pray". At this very important moment the Lord teaches them how to pray and He begins by simply saying "Our Father". Nowhere in any portion of scripture does the Lord encourage the worship of anything or anyone other than God, nor does He suggest the use of any aids or devices to assist in those prayers or in bringing people closer to God.

Yours sincerely,
Donal O'Donovan
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To: Letters Page, Examiner, Academy Street, Cork
From: Colin Maxwell, 10 Briarscourt, Shanakiel, Cork
Date: 5-1-02

Dear Sir,
Three points in Cecil Hurwitz's letter (Letters 5th January) need replied to.

His claim that the interest in the relics of St Thérèse throughout Ireland was an expression "of great religious devotion" must be viewed in the light that there has been no corresponding or significant rise in mass attendance reported. Although a significant rise still would still not make the relic scene acceptable, yet its absence is notable.

His attempt to justify the teaching of relics from Acts 19:11-12 does not hold water. The New Testament miracles belong to Apostolic times. No one denies that God can do miracles, but there is no precept exhorting us to try and repeat them. The sick are told what to do and expect in James 5:13-15. There is no mention of relics there of whatever shape or hue.

Mr Herwitz falls back on the old red herring that those who oppose the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church are motivated by hatred for it. If we were to apply his own logic to himself, we might suggest that his letter is similarly motivated by hatred for Protestants.

Yours faithfully,
Colin Maxwell.
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