On this previous Sunday (4 September 2016) Pope Francis declared Mother Teresa to be a saint. This is one of the peculiar Roman Catholic church traditions which simply do not match the Scriptures.
As a defender of the authority of Scripture alone (sola Scriptura) I would like to help you to think with me on this matter. It is no small thing to substitute the authority of the Bible for manmade traditions. Jesus had his strongest words reserved for those who did this.
According to a Catholic website the definitions of a saint may embrace the following:
- An example of holiness that we can follow with confidence.
- The person who kept on trying when everybody else gave up.
- “Spiritual force-fields,” exerting a powerful attractive influence on followers but also touching the inner lives of others in ways that transform them for the better.
- A person who has been formally canonised (officially recognised) by the Catholic Church, and is therefore considered to be in heaven.
- A saint is always someone through whose life we learn what God is like—and of what we are called to be. Only God “makes” saints. The church merely identifies from time to time a few of these for imitation.
- Anyone who is in heaven, whether recognised here on earth, or not (Eastern Orthodox definition).
Although there is some truth in these statements, they do not nearly match the definition of the Bible.
What Does the Bible Plainly Teach?
The word “saint” is derived from a Greek verb hagiazo. The basic meaning is “to set apart” or to “make holy.” The New Testament uses the word “saint” or “saints” sixty seven times. In every instance, the reference is to all believers, and not simply to a special group of believers who serve God better than others. Scripture is clear that all true Christians are saints. A true Christian is one who has been enabled by God to embrace Jesus Christ as their Saviour. This is seen by the spiritual fruit which are borne in such a person’s life. The Bible says that a true Christian is a saint now. Our understanding of the word “saint” must be based on what the Bible says.
In the Old Testament, the idea of separateness or holiness is inherent in the character of God. The Old Testament temple and in particular the room called the “holy of holies” was the dwelling place of God on earth, and could only be entered by set apart (holy) priests.
The people or the worshippers of the true God were recognised as a holy people, who were to be distinguished from the other nations surrounding them.
This idea of the separateness of God and his people is continued in the New Testament. Christians are frequently called saints in the Bible (e.g. Acts 9:13; 26:10; Romans 1:7 ; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:4).
The important thing to recognise here is that saints in the New Testament are living beings. Saints, in the New Testament, are never deceased individuals who have been canonised and given sainthood by the church! They are living individuals who have dedicated themselves to the worship and service of the one true God as revealed through his Son, Jesus Christ.
And so, the Gospel Coalition (Joe Carter) has written a helpful article entitled “9 Things you should know about Mother Teresa,” concerning the so called canonisation of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Carter writes,
There are two main reasons why I think evangelicals should know something about Mother Teresa: First, she remains a popular historical figure. During her life, she was named 18 times in the yearly Gallup’s most admired man and woman poll as one of the 10 women around the world who Americans admired most, finishing first several times in the 1980s and 1990s. Also, in 1999, a poll of Americans ranked her first in Gallup’s List of Most Widely Admired People of the 20th Century. Second, for many people Mother Teresa’s name has become synonymous with Christian charity. For these reasons we should know something about this nun from Calcutta. While we ought to recognize Mother Teresa as a laudable champion against abortion who had a fervent concern for the poor, we should also be aware of her many foibles and failings so that we can correct the perception of her as an uncriticizable Christian leader.
It will be worth your while reading the article in its fullness.
About the author
Joachim Rieck is the pastor-teacher of Robertson Reformed Community Church in the Western Cape, South Africa. He is married to Marcelle and together they three adult children (two married and one single) and have been blessed with three grandsons.
