I don't know about you, Matt, but my first thought was "peregrine falcon," not Virgin Mary. Besides, the whole idol thing makes me a little nervous, so I'm reconsidering my paradigm shift.
Randy, I realize that you're joking, but does McLaren really have a fondness for RCism? I would think that they're far too inclined towards knowing what they believe. I'm not a Catholic, but let's hand it to them (at least the ones who actually believe RC theology): after all this time, they're still professing a faith in Christ's resurrection. Let's be real: given enough time, most Protestant denominations are so far gone they basically have to start over or die. I have some ideas on the reasons for this tendency, but I'd like to read your comments.
By the way, "idol" was an inaccurate, poor choice of words for the writer of the article on the chocolate image. NO devout Catholic worships Mary as a god; that's just a Jack Chick-esque myth. I agree that the image looks like a falcon as much as Mary or anyone else.
Recent McLaren statement: I have more in common with RCs than with Protestants.
I have some ideas on the reasons for this tendency, but I'd like to read your comments
Man's fallenness and willingness to depart from Scriptural authority is certainly part of it. We see departures from truth in every group, including RC and Orthodox groups as well. It's the human tendency, regardless of official dogma, to stray off.
While no devout RC would worship Mary as god, the move to declare her co-redemptrix and co-mediatrix ascribes qualities of deity to her.
Wow, Randy. This is absolutely powerful stuff. Far more convincing than, say, Old Testament prophecy being fulfilled by Christ, hundreds of years after its writing. Also much more convincing than the natural law arguments of Lewis, et. al. This is the final confirmation I need to jump into a new paradigm. See you on the other side!