Beware of Eternal Productions' "Messages from Heaven": An Anti-Catholic Polemic in Disguise

Regarding the oft-quoted1 Tim 2:5, consider also that the Greekswere worshipping Paul as one among the gods. In the Scriptural context of the passage itself, 1 Tim 2:5, Paul is twice affirming monotheism: "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Additionally, four verses previous, Paul asks for mediation: "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men"

So Paul is asking for mediation, even though he states that there is one mediator. Can Scripture contradict itself? No. Hence, our separated brethren have somewhat misunderstood this passage and its meaning. It would seem that the true meaning is that there is no mediation between God and man outside of the one mediation of Christ Jesus. All mediation is in and through Christ. Yet, the Protestants in this video cast the apparitions of Mary as if she said that in some way she mediates outside of the one mediation of her son. Our separated brethren cannot show where in the approved apparitions she has said that.

The Immaculate Conception and Coredemption

Raul Ries, Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs, cites the Magnificat from Luke to suggest that "Mary acknowledges that she's a sinner and she needs a savior. Here we see by the Scripture that she actually is pleading for Jesus to become her own savior. … Simple, humble, Mary."

However, while Mary claims God as her savior, it is eisegesis (or projecting external meaning into text) to presume that she is saying that God is her savior from sins of commission. Even had Adam and Eve never sinned in the Garden, they would still need a savior to save them from the lowliness of the earth and deliver them into the heights of Heaven. This is precisely what Mary is so humbly speaking about in the Magnificat when she says, "my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Lk 1:47). If we consider the very next verse, "for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden" (Lk 1:48) we see that God saves Mary precisely in this context. Christ is her savior. But we are not only saved from sins. We are saved from low estate into his kingdom.

But the Fundamentalist commentators bitterly attack the notion of the suffering of Mary with Jesus at the foot of the Cross. Cecil Andrews, Director of "Take Heed" Ministries, based on his understanding of suffering for sin meaning vicarious suffering as a substitute for the sinner, even goes so far as to say, "Mary in no sense suffered for us."

Says Chuck Missler, Bible Prophecy Researcher:

Contrary to what these commentators say, Paul writes very clearly: "I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church" (Col 1:24). Is Paul taking away from the one redemption of Christ? Not in the least; rather, he participates with his cooperation, his coredemption. So now why would Paul be the only cooperator, the only coredeemer, in redemption? If Paul, who was not at the foot of the Cross, can suffer vicariously for the sake of the Church in his flesh, how much more can Mary, who was at the foot of the Cross in the flesh, suffer for our sake and complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions?

Conclusion – Test All Things

"Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence" (1 Pet 3:15). Let us not think that we are in a different time in the history of the world, free from anti-Catholic attacks. These are "Catholic Witnessing Resources," and no doubt they have spread far and wide, and perhaps have even been used to de-evangelize many Catholic communities.

We must absolutely test all things—including the video Messages from Heaven. Cloaked in deception, a misinterpretation of Sacred Scripture, and an overt disdain for Catholic belief and worship, we can anticipate the spiritual fruits of such productions: Division, rejection of the Mother of Jesus and her role in giving her flesh to the Eternal Word, and anti-Catholicism. But perhaps what is most dangerous is that productions such as these could cause hesitancy over the legitimate Church-approved apparitions. Many might not take heed to the messages that the Blessed Mother has so lovingly repeated over the past few centuries. In the year that marks the 150th anniversary of Our Blessed Lady’s apparition at Lourdes, we know now more than ever that the world needs the true Queen of Heaven, who herself has received a crown of twelve stars from her the Most Holy Trinity.

Kevin Clarke is a graduate student at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He publishes a semi-weekly blog, The Charcoal Fire.