Conflicts with the Protestants — Mediation among the Protestants
The lecture explains the Protestants’ objection to the existence of mediators between God and people, and responds that the Holy Scripture shows the existence of legitimate mediations within the church’s system. The speaker affirms that the complete rejection of mediation is wrong because it relies on a literal and fragmentary interpretation of specific verses.
Biblical Evidence Used
The lecture links multiple verses to clarify that mediation appears in the Bible in various ways: titles like “spiritual father” used by Paul, the Holy Spirit’s calling to set apart Barnabas and Saul and the laying on of hands, the teaching about Ananias who baptized Saul, and the scene of Moses and the seventy elders where the Spirit taken from Moses is placed on others.
The Spiritual Dimension from a Coptic Orthodox Faith Perspective
Mediation is not a diminution of Christ’s glory or a confinement to a single human substitute, but a system God set so people connect to Him through legitimate channels (such as the apostles, elders, priesthood, and spiritual figures), and these mediations serve spiritual humility and growth in Christian life.
Critique of Literal Interpretation and Lack of Humility
The speaker criticizes those who take a single verse and extract from it a total doctrine, and warns that some Protestants incline toward doctrinal pride, imagining their salvation is fully completed so they need neither intercession nor spiritual guidance.
Educational and Practical Aspect
A call to teach children and youth knowledge of Scripture and to link verses together, and to teach believers spiritual humility so they do not become easy prey to wrong interpretations. He also urges the use of logic and calm dialogue when confronting differing beliefs.
Conclusion and Spiritual Recommendation
The church has its spiritual system and legitimate channels through which God’s grace passes, and the believer must have humility and seek intercession and spiritual instruction instead of closing upon a literal and isolated understanding of Scripture.
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