The Study of Saints and Why Its Important

Sainthood?that title given by the Catholic Church that seems to draw so much criticism from so many denominations. The mere mention of it angers some people. It's not so much the title itself that draws attention but the dogma that prayer to those saints is helpful to the living. And while opponents of such an idea try to distance themselves from Catholic theology, they miss out on a big benefit of this 'disagreeable' doctrine.

As they venture further from Catholicism (like the Church is an embarrassing ancestor that people try to keep in the closet) they stop any real honor of holy men in Church history. The mere study of their devout becomes a sin, and the only ones mentioned in their washed-out history books are the ones who's only accomplishment was extreme opposition to Catholicism. And ignoring the lives of the saints only leaves them with a terrible void?one that should've been filled by an incredible gift from God.

That gift isn't so much the greatness of men and women who have dedicated their lives to the greater glory of God (and the beneficial fruits that come from this) but the display of diversity within the God's Church. As we study the life of Jesus (and try to imitate it) there's always the alluring temptation to give up, because he was God, and not being God, how could we hope to replicate such holiness.

But in the study of saints, we don't always focus on the man...but on specific characteristics of a man. Pope John Paul II, for example (who'll no doubt receive the title some day), brought us an attitude of peace and the promotion of a "culture of life". Yes, he was smart, prayerful, holy, and had all the other markings of a saint. But history (while it might mention these other things) will always point to his accomplishments in the promotion of peace and unity. The Church will always see him as a shining example of what a peaceful man should be. Someone with a weakness for anger will always see his life as source of inspiration.

A quick look through the lives of the saints reveals thousands of such characteristics. St. Thomas Aquinas was the intellectual giant. St. Francis of Assisi showed us how to live a life of poverty. St. Catherine of Sienna reflects a deep love for Christ. St. Bernadette's simplicity (and obedience) gives us a powerful example of what God can accomplish through unlikely channels.

As each of these saints had prominent virtues in their lives, each of these virtues have a contrasting weakness or tendency that we're forced to fight throughout our own existence. And that's why we contemplate on their lives. Not just for example and inspiration, but because they signify that such perfections in virtue are possible?even for someone without a divine nature.

Written by Eric Engel at Copy For Sale

---

Gods Favorite Religion

What does your church teach regarding the subject of Widows... Read More

The Unbelievable Becomes Believable

The Path Is Winding:Ever wonder why things that happen in... Read More

Cut Off Your Hand!

Cut off your Hand!Arguably the most bizarre command of Christ... Read More

Have You Neglected This Righteous Cause Of God?

As believers, we have a responsibility to care for those... Read More

Slaves Songs and Freedom

It may seem trite and naïve to suggest we can... Read More

God is God

God is God and besides Him, there is no other.... Read More

Firstfruit from Death Guarantees the Coming Harvest

The farmer handed buckets to us, the blueberry pickers. "You're... Read More

What That 70s Show Taught Me About Christianity

What in the world could I have possibly learned about... Read More

Christians versus Mormons

Please read the passage carefully and note all the pejorative... Read More

Building a Church and Church Building Designs

Building a church is a large project that is more... Read More

The Lost and Found

When we think in terms of what it means for... Read More

The Right of Passage

The Right of Passage. by Rev. Anthony SmithIsaiah 64:6-64:6 In... Read More

Finding Christian Love Online

Finding Christian singles online.One of the many types of singles... Read More

Bang, Bang,Your Dead

Zechariah 14:1-14:12Bang, Bang,Your Dead.Preaching the Gospel is an exciting adventure... Read More

Octopussy

The graven image exclusion as told in the Bible certainly... Read More

The Wealth of the Wealthy

Some may ask, why can't I have a lot of... Read More

Judgement Day

For it is written in Matthew 12:36 But I tell... Read More

The Reign of Insanity

I know you want to kill me, and I wish... Read More

Living By the Truth, the Word of God

Let's be honest: Too many Christian books are nothing but... Read More

Rebuilding Society and The Tax Protest Movement

Rebuilding society and the tax protest movement: A Biblical Opinion... Read More

Do You Have a Name For Me?

MAN: Good afternoon Professor Knowledge. Let me cut to the... Read More

The Gospel According to the Americans - Our Shame

As a deist, Thomas Jefferson may have thought God was... Read More

A Worship Leader is a Spiritual Leader

This article is for worship leaders. And as such, I... Read More

Women in Religion

During the debate in the Episcopal Church over whether or... Read More

Reading the Bible

A friend of mine had asked my thoughts on how... Read More

Brief History of Jerusalem; Part 1

Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel.....it is the city... Read More

How to Study the Bible 5 Keys

This article was inspired by a book by E. W.... Read More

Gods People Are Destroyed For Lack of Knowledge

These next two verses are extreme - and I mean... Read More

White Sun - Tao of Heaven: The Relationship Between Tao and Mankind

The shapeless and formless Tao brings about various elements and... Read More

Are You Doing the Good Part?

Just compare yourself to these two sisters.Even though they were... Read More

Bible and Kabbalah: The Hardening of Pharoahs Heart

There is continuous creation, out of the new ideas discovered... Read More

Early Spring Cleaning

Has anyone noticed how fast 2004 is going? Hey, we... Read More

Heroes & Villains in the Quest for Spirituality: 100 Significant Characters of the Hebrew Bible

There are hundreds of named men and women in the... Read More