I’ll never forget the first time I saw Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. It was the late ‘80s and my first trip to France. My French grandfather, Georges Lycan, had just picked us up from Orly and was giving us a flyby tour of Paris on our way to his country home in the Loire Valley. It was a stunning site of both intimidating grandeur and breathtaking beauty.
As the years went by, I started traveling around France on my own and enjoyed visiting Notre-Dame several more times. I eventually went to school in France at the Universite Catholique de l’Ouest and enjoyed the stunning sites around the country. But Notre-Dame remained at the top. I loved going back to Paris, getting off on the Saint-Michel Notre-Dame metro stop, walking east on Quai Saint-Michel, crossing Pont de Coeurs onto Ile de la Cite, and there they were; the towering, 226-ft tall towers.
I learned to appreciate the cathedral more as I developed an eye for detail. The statued-portals at the entrance. The towering rib-vaulted ceilings. The nave. The stunning, stained-glass rose windows. The spire above the apse. The flying buttresses. The architectural genius of it all. And of course, the thousands of gargoyles. As a French citizen, I, along with many, felt that Notre-Dame was a rich part of our heritage. Needless to say, the burning of the cathedral on Monday was a tragedy.
As the years went by, I started traveling around France on my own and enjoyed visiting Notre-Dame several more times. I eventually went to school in France at the Universite Catholique de l’Ouest and enjoyed the stunning sites around the country. But Notre-Dame remained at the top. I loved going back to Paris, getting off on the Saint-Michel Notre-Dame metro stop, walking east on Quai Saint-Michel, crossing Pont de Coeurs onto Ile de la Cite, and there they were; the towering, 226-ft tall towers.
I learned to appreciate the cathedral more as I developed an eye for detail. The statued-portals at the entrance. The towering rib-vaulted ceilings. The nave. The stunning, stained-glass rose windows. The spire above the apse. The flying buttresses. The architectural genius of it all. And of course, the thousands of gargoyles. As a French citizen, I, along with many, felt that Notre-Dame was a rich part of our heritage. Needless to say, the burning of the cathedral on Monday was a tragedy.
However, as tragic as the fire of this great structure was, there is a greater tragedy concerning Notre-Dame de Paris.
Notre-Dame’s history is fascinating. Records indicate that it was built upon multiple other churches and religious structures dating back to ancient Roman paganism. Construction of Notre-Dame de Paris then began in 1163, during the glory days of Roman Catholicism, under the supervision of Bishop Maurice de Sully, who succeeded Peter Lombard in the episcopal see of Paris. The cathedral, whose name means, “Our Lady,” is considered “more than a historical monument, but “above all, the House of God,” and a “high place of Christendom.”
Notre-Dame’s history is fascinating. Records indicate that it was built upon multiple other churches and religious structures dating back to ancient Roman paganism. Construction of Notre-Dame de Paris then began in 1163, during the glory days of Roman Catholicism, under the supervision of Bishop Maurice de Sully, who succeeded Peter Lombard in the episcopal see of Paris. The cathedral, whose name means, “Our Lady,” is considered “more than a historical monument, but “above all, the House of God,” and a “high place of Christendom.”
In the aftermath of the fire, many non-Catholics have praised the structure as a symbol of history and culture, paying no heed to its religious significance. However, those who oversaw its construction and continue to oversee its ecclesiastics, along with faithful Roman Catholics today, understand that nothing could be further from the truth. Notre-Dame de Paris is, and was, in no way intended to be a spiritually-religiously neutral structure. Instead, it preaches and promotes all the essentials of Roman theology. And therein lies its greater tragedy.
Notre-Dame is riddled with stunning artistry. Original designers had good reason for it: most who entered the medieval structure for Roman Catholic Mass were illiterate. They could not read the word of God for themselves. Thus, the paintings, carvings, and reliefs were intended to preach what Rome holds as absolute truth. Sadly, however, much error and heresy is preached therefrom. It would be impossible to catalogue every example of Notre-Dame’s theology-through-art. Here are a few.
1. The Tragedy of Notre-Dame’s Gospel
As you enter the cathedral, front and center is what’s called the “Portal of the Last Judgement.” Construction here began about 1230 and features Jesus in the center, with Mary, angels, and probably the apostle John surrounding. Mary and John are said to be praying for the lost souls. As you move down, there is the angel Michael weighing souls in a scale with Satan standing by. If the “life they have waged on earth” is enough, and the scales tip, they do not go to hell. If not, they do (featured by a goulish-looking demon leading the damned away). Below that, the physically dead are being raised for their judgment. Surrounding the scene are angels and saints who made it to heaven. Christ is there. But so are those scales.
Notre-Dame is riddled with stunning artistry. Original designers had good reason for it: most who entered the medieval structure for Roman Catholic Mass were illiterate. They could not read the word of God for themselves. Thus, the paintings, carvings, and reliefs were intended to preach what Rome holds as absolute truth. Sadly, however, much error and heresy is preached therefrom. It would be impossible to catalogue every example of Notre-Dame’s theology-through-art. Here are a few.
1. The Tragedy of Notre-Dame’s Gospel
As you enter the cathedral, front and center is what’s called the “Portal of the Last Judgement.” Construction here began about 1230 and features Jesus in the center, with Mary, angels, and probably the apostle John surrounding. Mary and John are said to be praying for the lost souls. As you move down, there is the angel Michael weighing souls in a scale with Satan standing by. If the “life they have waged on earth” is enough, and the scales tip, they do not go to hell. If not, they do (featured by a goulish-looking demon leading the damned away). Below that, the physically dead are being raised for their judgment. Surrounding the scene are angels and saints who made it to heaven. Christ is there. But so are those scales.
So, if you were an average French guy in medieval times, you would proceed utterly exhausted from frequent sickness, strenuous manual labor, and superstitious life to Mass each week, unable to read or understand Latin. As you looked up at the portal, you were confronted with Michael, demons, and the scales. Sadly, this coincides well with the false, works-based gospel of Roman Catholicism.
From the Council of Trent, 6th session, Canon 30:
If anyone says that after the reception of the grace of justification the guilt is so remitted and the debt of eternal punishment so blotted out to every repentant sinner, that no debt of temporary punishment remains to be discharged either in this world or in purgatory before the gates of heaven can be opened, let him be anathema.
In other words, if you believe that, by faith alone in Christ alone, all of your sin—past, present, future—is completely forgiven, with no guilt or punishment from God remaining, with the result that you stand permanently righteous before God, then you are damned. The only individuals said to be in heaven for certain in Rome’s theology are the saints.
However, Scripture affirms exactly what Rome condemns:
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Rom. 3:28).
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).
Right standing with God is a gift granted on the basis of faith alone in Jesus Christ. Sinners stand permanently righteous before holy God as a gift of his grace, not works, and by faith alone in Jesus Christ, not grace-infused works (Eph. 2:8-9 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ).
2. The Tragedy of Notre-Dame’s Mass
Mass is central to Rome, as the Eucharist is a critical, justification-furthering sacrament in Roman Catholicism. At Notre-Dame, Mass is held about four times per day Monday through Saturday, and six times on Sunday. For the faithful Catholic, Mass is a highlight of visiting the cathedral.
notredamedeparis.fr/en/
As you walk into the cathedral, it’s clear what the central focus is; the altar. And you will not see a pulpit front-and-center. Only the altar. Notre-Dame’s altar is a stunning, but provocative, site. First, there is the marble rectanglur platform, about twenty-feet long, nearly four-feet tall, with golden carvings around the base. But what really grabs the eye is the huge carving just behind and above the altar. On a raised platform is about a ten-foot-tall carving of Mary, seated, eyes to heaven, arms out, with the dead body of Jesus in her lap, surrounded by angels. This is center, and what irresistibly grabs the eye. It’s intended to be the main attraction at Notre-Dame de Paris.
From the Council of Trent, 6th session, Canon 30:
If anyone says that after the reception of the grace of justification the guilt is so remitted and the debt of eternal punishment so blotted out to every repentant sinner, that no debt of temporary punishment remains to be discharged either in this world or in purgatory before the gates of heaven can be opened, let him be anathema.
In other words, if you believe that, by faith alone in Christ alone, all of your sin—past, present, future—is completely forgiven, with no guilt or punishment from God remaining, with the result that you stand permanently righteous before God, then you are damned. The only individuals said to be in heaven for certain in Rome’s theology are the saints.
However, Scripture affirms exactly what Rome condemns:
“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Rom. 3:28).
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).
Right standing with God is a gift granted on the basis of faith alone in Jesus Christ. Sinners stand permanently righteous before holy God as a gift of his grace, not works, and by faith alone in Jesus Christ, not grace-infused works (Eph. 2:8-9 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ).
2. The Tragedy of Notre-Dame’s Mass
Mass is central to Rome, as the Eucharist is a critical, justification-furthering sacrament in Roman Catholicism. At Notre-Dame, Mass is held about four times per day Monday through Saturday, and six times on Sunday. For the faithful Catholic, Mass is a highlight of visiting the cathedral.
notredamedeparis.fr/en/
As you walk into the cathedral, it’s clear what the central focus is; the altar. And you will not see a pulpit front-and-center. Only the altar. Notre-Dame’s altar is a stunning, but provocative, site. First, there is the marble rectanglur platform, about twenty-feet long, nearly four-feet tall, with golden carvings around the base. But what really grabs the eye is the huge carving just behind and above the altar. On a raised platform is about a ten-foot-tall carving of Mary, seated, eyes to heaven, arms out, with the dead body of Jesus in her lap, surrounded by angels. This is center, and what irresistibly grabs the eye. It’s intended to be the main attraction at Notre-Dame de Paris.
The statues have major theological significance. Jesus’s massive dead body towers over the huge altar. Why? Because that is what Rome teaches occurs at each Mass; the need to perpetually sacrifice Jesus:
“As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which our Pasch has been sacrificed is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out” (CCC# 1364).
“In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner” (CCC #1367).
In other words, at every Mass, the priest summons Christ to be re-sacrificed so that one’s salvation can be furthered. The implication is, that our justification is incomplete on the basis of Christ’s once-for-all substitutionary death. Scripture, however, teaches the opposite:
“And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb. 10:11-12).
Thus, the Mass ought to be completely abandoned.
3. The Tragedy of Notre-Dame’s Mariolatry
The name of the cathedral says enough. Notre-Dame was unapologetically consecrated to the Virgin Mary from its beginning. Again, the time of its construction were the glory days of Catholicism; a time in which Mariolatry was vital as it is now.
123rf.com
There are multiple spots for veneration of Mary at Notre-Dame. The first is “The Portal of the Virgin” under the North Tower, just left of the Portal of Judgment. What catches the eye is the top scene: Mary in heaven, seated on a throne next to Jesus. He is handing her a scepter, while an angel sets a crown on her head. Thus, one must conclude that Mary is the Queen of Heaven who rules with a scepter at the right hand of Christ. And the unfortunate medieval French peasants wouldn’t know any better because they couldn’t read that the Bible teaches no such thing.
Below that depicts Mary lying on her death bed, surrounded by Jesus and the Twelve Apostles. Two angels at Mary’s head and feet are in the process of bringing her to heaven. The purpose of it all is to preach Mary’s coronation, sovereignty, and redemptive work from heaven.
Exaltation of Mary continues as you proceed into the cathedral. Beside (and in addition to) the altar, the most prized statue in Notre-Dame is the statue of Mary, Queen of Heaven. White flowers always honor her, with the title of “Our Lady of Paris.” From the origins of the cathedral in the twelfth century, an altar dedicated to the Virgin was placed at this location. It is said that, “For more than eight centuries, pilgrims and visitors pray at the foot of this statue Mary, Queen of Heaven; these prayers carried by many flames of devotion, burning days and nights throughout the year.”
ledinside.com
Paul Claudel is said to have converted to Catholicism under the statue on Christmas of 1886. He subsequently wrote this, which is a famous prayer for the cathedral:
It is noon. I see the church open. You have to enter.
Mother of Jesus Christ, I do not come to pray. I have nothing to offer and nothing to ask. I only come, Mother, to look at you. To look at you, to cry with happiness, to know that I am your son and that you are there.
And there is the Litanies of the Virgin, established sometime in the 16th century. Still sung today, this litany is a prayer to Mary that is inspired by the North stained-glass windows. The prayer to Mary is as follows:
Gate of Righteousness, Seat of Wisdom, Cause of our Joy, Spiritual Vase, Vase of Honor, Eminent Vase of Piety, Mystic Rose, Tower of David, Ivory Tower, Golden House, Ark of the Covenant, Gate from Heaven, Morning Star, Salvation of the sick…
There is also the Angelus, which is prayed every morning at Notre-Dame before the first mass and everyday at noon. Among other things, it says:
Pray for us, Holy Mother of God, that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
The list goes on. And, Rome has not softened, but strengthened, her Mariolatry since the construction of Notre-Dame.
Pope Leo XIII said in an encyclical on September 22, 1891, “As no man goeth to the Father by but by the Son, so no man goeth to Christ but by His Mother.”
In another encyclical from September 8, 1892, Leo said, “It is a great thing in any saint to have grace sufficient for salvation of many souls; but to have enough to suffice for the salvation of everybody in the world is the greatest of all; and this is found in Christ and the Blessed Virgin.”
In other words, Mary herself possesses the righteousness to save every soul. Thus, she holds a status equivalent to that of Christ.
Alphonsus Ligouri, a saint and doctor of Rome, wrote one of the most popular Mariolatry devotionals in Roman Catholicism, called, “The Glories of Mary.” In it, he wrote the following:
With reason does the ancient writer call her ‘the only hope of sinners,’ for by her help alone can we hope for the remission of sins (83).
All obey the commands of Mary—even God himself (202).
Pope John Paul II once said, “The history of Christian piety teaches that Mary is the way which leads to Christ.” And after his 1981 assassination attempt, he credited Mary with saving his life.
Needless to say, Mary, a sinner saved by grace like the rest of us, would be horrified at such Mariolatry (Luke 1:47 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] , Mark 3:33-35 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ). Whether we call it veneration, adoration, or something else, Rome promotes the idolatrous worship of a mere human, Mary.
4. The Tragedy of Notre-Dame’s Idolatry
In step with Roman Catholic theology, there is much idolatry throughout the cathedral. Saints are exalted on nearly every wall. On July 7th, 1456, Joan of Arc was declared innocent and a martyr, then in 1909 Pope Pius X beatified her from Notre-Dame.
Some might argue, “Look, it’s just art and preference. It’s not meant to be absolute truth.” That may be the sentiment of a 21st century post-modern audience, but it certainly was not during Rome’s glory days of medieval times, nor is it now. Notre-Dame’s message is consistent with current Roman Catholic doctrine. What the cathedral preaches is intended to be truth; fact; theological reality pertaining to all humanity. Thus, it will not do for today’s audience to impose unfortunate modern fantasies on what was meant to communicate spiritual absolute for mankind.
5. The Tragedy of Notre-Dame’s Relics
Among Notre-Dame’s prized possessions is her reliquary, located in the cathedral’s sacristy (though some were relocated during the fire). She boasts of many relics. There are at least three worth mentioning.
A Fragment of the Wood of the Cross
Preserved in a crystal case is a 24-cm long piece of wood which is said to be from the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
John Calvin’s observation in his Treatise on Relics from the 16th century is telling:
Now let us consider how many relics of the true cross there are in the world. An account of those merely with which I am acquainted would fill a whole volume, for there is not a church, from a cathedral to the most miserable abbey or parish church, that does not contain a piece. Large splinters of it are preserved in various places, as for instance in the Holy Chapel at Paris, whilst at Rome they show a crucifix of considerable size made entirely, they say, from this wood. In short, if we were to collect all these pieces of the true cross exhibited in various parts, they would form a whole ship’s cargo.
A Nail from the Cross
Also in Notre-Dame’s reliquary is another crystal tube, this one with a golden silver head and tip. Inside is a three-and-a-half-inch long nail which is said to have been one of the nails with which Christ was crucified. One of the problems with this relic, however, is that first century Roman nails were well over twice as long as this one, and more like spikes than nails. Additionally, there are at least nine other cathedrals/locations claiming to possess nails from Christ’s cross.
“As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which our Pasch has been sacrificed is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out” (CCC# 1364).
“In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner” (CCC #1367).
In other words, at every Mass, the priest summons Christ to be re-sacrificed so that one’s salvation can be furthered. The implication is, that our justification is incomplete on the basis of Christ’s once-for-all substitutionary death. Scripture, however, teaches the opposite:
“And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb. 10:11-12).
Thus, the Mass ought to be completely abandoned.
3. The Tragedy of Notre-Dame’s Mariolatry
The name of the cathedral says enough. Notre-Dame was unapologetically consecrated to the Virgin Mary from its beginning. Again, the time of its construction were the glory days of Catholicism; a time in which Mariolatry was vital as it is now.
123rf.com
There are multiple spots for veneration of Mary at Notre-Dame. The first is “The Portal of the Virgin” under the North Tower, just left of the Portal of Judgment. What catches the eye is the top scene: Mary in heaven, seated on a throne next to Jesus. He is handing her a scepter, while an angel sets a crown on her head. Thus, one must conclude that Mary is the Queen of Heaven who rules with a scepter at the right hand of Christ. And the unfortunate medieval French peasants wouldn’t know any better because they couldn’t read that the Bible teaches no such thing.
Below that depicts Mary lying on her death bed, surrounded by Jesus and the Twelve Apostles. Two angels at Mary’s head and feet are in the process of bringing her to heaven. The purpose of it all is to preach Mary’s coronation, sovereignty, and redemptive work from heaven.
Exaltation of Mary continues as you proceed into the cathedral. Beside (and in addition to) the altar, the most prized statue in Notre-Dame is the statue of Mary, Queen of Heaven. White flowers always honor her, with the title of “Our Lady of Paris.” From the origins of the cathedral in the twelfth century, an altar dedicated to the Virgin was placed at this location. It is said that, “For more than eight centuries, pilgrims and visitors pray at the foot of this statue Mary, Queen of Heaven; these prayers carried by many flames of devotion, burning days and nights throughout the year.”
ledinside.com
Paul Claudel is said to have converted to Catholicism under the statue on Christmas of 1886. He subsequently wrote this, which is a famous prayer for the cathedral:
It is noon. I see the church open. You have to enter.
Mother of Jesus Christ, I do not come to pray. I have nothing to offer and nothing to ask. I only come, Mother, to look at you. To look at you, to cry with happiness, to know that I am your son and that you are there.
And there is the Litanies of the Virgin, established sometime in the 16th century. Still sung today, this litany is a prayer to Mary that is inspired by the North stained-glass windows. The prayer to Mary is as follows:
Gate of Righteousness, Seat of Wisdom, Cause of our Joy, Spiritual Vase, Vase of Honor, Eminent Vase of Piety, Mystic Rose, Tower of David, Ivory Tower, Golden House, Ark of the Covenant, Gate from Heaven, Morning Star, Salvation of the sick…
There is also the Angelus, which is prayed every morning at Notre-Dame before the first mass and everyday at noon. Among other things, it says:
Pray for us, Holy Mother of God, that we may become worthy of the promises of Christ.
The list goes on. And, Rome has not softened, but strengthened, her Mariolatry since the construction of Notre-Dame.
Pope Leo XIII said in an encyclical on September 22, 1891, “As no man goeth to the Father by but by the Son, so no man goeth to Christ but by His Mother.”
In another encyclical from September 8, 1892, Leo said, “It is a great thing in any saint to have grace sufficient for salvation of many souls; but to have enough to suffice for the salvation of everybody in the world is the greatest of all; and this is found in Christ and the Blessed Virgin.”
In other words, Mary herself possesses the righteousness to save every soul. Thus, she holds a status equivalent to that of Christ.
Alphonsus Ligouri, a saint and doctor of Rome, wrote one of the most popular Mariolatry devotionals in Roman Catholicism, called, “The Glories of Mary.” In it, he wrote the following:
With reason does the ancient writer call her ‘the only hope of sinners,’ for by her help alone can we hope for the remission of sins (83).
All obey the commands of Mary—even God himself (202).
Pope John Paul II once said, “The history of Christian piety teaches that Mary is the way which leads to Christ.” And after his 1981 assassination attempt, he credited Mary with saving his life.
Needless to say, Mary, a sinner saved by grace like the rest of us, would be horrified at such Mariolatry (Luke 1:47 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] , Mark 3:33-35 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ). Whether we call it veneration, adoration, or something else, Rome promotes the idolatrous worship of a mere human, Mary.
4. The Tragedy of Notre-Dame’s Idolatry
In step with Roman Catholic theology, there is much idolatry throughout the cathedral. Saints are exalted on nearly every wall. On July 7th, 1456, Joan of Arc was declared innocent and a martyr, then in 1909 Pope Pius X beatified her from Notre-Dame.
Some might argue, “Look, it’s just art and preference. It’s not meant to be absolute truth.” That may be the sentiment of a 21st century post-modern audience, but it certainly was not during Rome’s glory days of medieval times, nor is it now. Notre-Dame’s message is consistent with current Roman Catholic doctrine. What the cathedral preaches is intended to be truth; fact; theological reality pertaining to all humanity. Thus, it will not do for today’s audience to impose unfortunate modern fantasies on what was meant to communicate spiritual absolute for mankind.
5. The Tragedy of Notre-Dame’s Relics
Among Notre-Dame’s prized possessions is her reliquary, located in the cathedral’s sacristy (though some were relocated during the fire). She boasts of many relics. There are at least three worth mentioning.
A Fragment of the Wood of the Cross
Preserved in a crystal case is a 24-cm long piece of wood which is said to be from the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
John Calvin’s observation in his Treatise on Relics from the 16th century is telling:
Now let us consider how many relics of the true cross there are in the world. An account of those merely with which I am acquainted would fill a whole volume, for there is not a church, from a cathedral to the most miserable abbey or parish church, that does not contain a piece. Large splinters of it are preserved in various places, as for instance in the Holy Chapel at Paris, whilst at Rome they show a crucifix of considerable size made entirely, they say, from this wood. In short, if we were to collect all these pieces of the true cross exhibited in various parts, they would form a whole ship’s cargo.
A Nail from the Cross
Also in Notre-Dame’s reliquary is another crystal tube, this one with a golden silver head and tip. Inside is a three-and-a-half-inch long nail which is said to have been one of the nails with which Christ was crucified. One of the problems with this relic, however, is that first century Roman nails were well over twice as long as this one, and more like spikes than nails. Additionally, there are at least nine other cathedrals/locations claiming to possess nails from Christ’s cross.
The Crown of Thorns
The most prized object at Notre-Dame sits in a circular gold and glass tube bound together by golden threads. It is believed to be the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at his crucifixion. The spines and rushes from the crown, however, are no longer included, as it is said that they were long-ago sold to emperors and kings.
Notre-Dame’s “Holy Crown of Thorns” is said to have been an object of devotion for more than 1600 years since it was removed from the Basilica of Zion in Jerusalem. Over those sixteen centuries, supposedly, this crown has carried the “fervent prayer of Christendom.” Many were thrilled to learn that the crown of thorns had been rescued from the fire. However, twenty-one other churches and cathedrals around the world also report possessing part of the crown of thorns.
Notre-Dame’s crown of thorns is brought out on the first Friday of every month at 3 pm, guarded by the Knights, such that “the Holy Relics are exposed for veneration and adoration by the faithful before the cathedral’s high altar [and] every Good Friday; this adoration lasts all day, punctuated by the liturgical offices.”
notredamedeparis.fr/en/spiritualite/
These, of course, are a small fraction of the profuse relicolatry in Roman Catholicism. Rome upholds the veneration of relics as inerrant doctrine. The Council of Trent, teaches that Catholic clergy are to “especially instruct the faithful diligently concerning the intercession and invocation of saints; the honour (paid) to relics; and the legitimate use of images” (Session 25).
Further,
“[T]hey who affirm that veneration and honour are not due to the relics of the saints, or that these and other sacred monuments are uselessly honoured by the faithful, and that the places dedicated to the memories of the saints are in vain visited with the view of obtaining their aid, are wholly to be condemned, as the Church has already long since condemned, and also now condemns them” (Council of Trent, Session 25).
Relicolatry is a flagrant violation of the most basic and essential commands in Scripture (Exod. 20:3-5 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ). Whether we use the terms “veneration,” “adoration,” “devotion,” or “fervent prayer,” is of no relevance. It is enshrining the creation over the Creator, and thus pagan idolatry.
Relicolatry is the kind of nonsense that must be abandoned in totality. It is an insult to human intelligence and the rational use of dignified human faculties. Relicolatry is a practice with no Biblical basis, being far more akin to superstitious paganism. Further, it is an affront to the sober and serious worship of the true God according to the Word of God. It also trivializes Who should be worshiped, elevating the thing that touched God to the place of the God that it touched.
Conclusion
The recent fire of Notre-Dame de Paris was a tragedy. Much was lost of an architectural and artistic marvel. However, if Christians are going to be sober-minded people of love and truth (Eph. 4:14-15 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ), we must admit that there lies a greater tragedy in it all. For close to a millennia, Notre-Dame de Paris has propagated catastrophic error as it pertains to truths concerning heaven, hell, the Gospel, and the salvation of man. The theological position of the cathedral is not one which would lead an individual to heaven. Thus, we can say that the loss of such a structure is no more a threat to Biblical Christianity than the loss of obscure pagan artistry. The burning of such a structure will not render anyone’s soul and eternity in jeopardy. The heretical theology of such a structure will. We must keep spiritual reality as top priority if we are going to be people of truth and love, faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and his word. Thus, the fact that Notre-Dame de Paris has promoted a false way to heaven for centuries is the greater tragedy.
[Eric Davis is the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Jackson Hole, WY. He and his team planted the church in 2008. He has been married for 16 years and has 3 children.]
The most prized object at Notre-Dame sits in a circular gold and glass tube bound together by golden threads. It is believed to be the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at his crucifixion. The spines and rushes from the crown, however, are no longer included, as it is said that they were long-ago sold to emperors and kings.
Notre-Dame’s “Holy Crown of Thorns” is said to have been an object of devotion for more than 1600 years since it was removed from the Basilica of Zion in Jerusalem. Over those sixteen centuries, supposedly, this crown has carried the “fervent prayer of Christendom.” Many were thrilled to learn that the crown of thorns had been rescued from the fire. However, twenty-one other churches and cathedrals around the world also report possessing part of the crown of thorns.
Notre-Dame’s crown of thorns is brought out on the first Friday of every month at 3 pm, guarded by the Knights, such that “the Holy Relics are exposed for veneration and adoration by the faithful before the cathedral’s high altar [and] every Good Friday; this adoration lasts all day, punctuated by the liturgical offices.”
notredamedeparis.fr/en/spiritualite/
These, of course, are a small fraction of the profuse relicolatry in Roman Catholicism. Rome upholds the veneration of relics as inerrant doctrine. The Council of Trent, teaches that Catholic clergy are to “especially instruct the faithful diligently concerning the intercession and invocation of saints; the honour (paid) to relics; and the legitimate use of images” (Session 25).
Further,
“[T]hey who affirm that veneration and honour are not due to the relics of the saints, or that these and other sacred monuments are uselessly honoured by the faithful, and that the places dedicated to the memories of the saints are in vain visited with the view of obtaining their aid, are wholly to be condemned, as the Church has already long since condemned, and also now condemns them” (Council of Trent, Session 25).
Relicolatry is a flagrant violation of the most basic and essential commands in Scripture (Exod. 20:3-5 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ). Whether we use the terms “veneration,” “adoration,” “devotion,” or “fervent prayer,” is of no relevance. It is enshrining the creation over the Creator, and thus pagan idolatry.
Relicolatry is the kind of nonsense that must be abandoned in totality. It is an insult to human intelligence and the rational use of dignified human faculties. Relicolatry is a practice with no Biblical basis, being far more akin to superstitious paganism. Further, it is an affront to the sober and serious worship of the true God according to the Word of God. It also trivializes Who should be worshiped, elevating the thing that touched God to the place of the God that it touched.
Conclusion
The recent fire of Notre-Dame de Paris was a tragedy. Much was lost of an architectural and artistic marvel. However, if Christians are going to be sober-minded people of love and truth (Eph. 4:14-15 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] ), we must admit that there lies a greater tragedy in it all. For close to a millennia, Notre-Dame de Paris has propagated catastrophic error as it pertains to truths concerning heaven, hell, the Gospel, and the salvation of man. The theological position of the cathedral is not one which would lead an individual to heaven. Thus, we can say that the loss of such a structure is no more a threat to Biblical Christianity than the loss of obscure pagan artistry. The burning of such a structure will not render anyone’s soul and eternity in jeopardy. The heretical theology of such a structure will. We must keep spiritual reality as top priority if we are going to be people of truth and love, faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and his word. Thus, the fact that Notre-Dame de Paris has promoted a false way to heaven for centuries is the greater tragedy.
[Eric Davis is the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Jackson Hole, WY. He and his team planted the church in 2008. He has been married for 16 years and has 3 children.]