I’ve always treasured the fact that Paul often addresses his comments and letters to “the saints” in the various churches. Growing up in the Catholic church, I learned that “saints” were only those who lived exemplary lives and were identified as saints by the authority of the Vatican. When they were “Canonized” as saints, it was only after their deaths. But Paul and other writers of the Epistles refer to all believers as “saints.” I recently toured Boys Town in Omaha and was told by the tour leader that there is a petition before the Pope to name Father Flanagan, the founder of Boystown, as a saint. Later, I met one of my neighbors who was part of the movement to get Father Flanagan canonized. She said they had all the evidence they needed, but the miracles he was required to perform hadn’t been documented well enough yet, but they are still working on it. I used to refer to myself as “Saint Chuck.” I did it mostly to irritate my Catholic friends! I did not do that on our tour or with my neighbor, but I wanted to! The remarkable thing about this is that it is true. I’m a saint! After Paul introduces himself and Timothy as the author of the Letter to the Colossians, he says who he is writing to. He clearly says he’s writing “to the saints” at Colossae. In the second verse of the epistle, Paul writes, “To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”
The “Got Questions” website explains the difference between the Catholic understanding of “saints” and the biblical teaching of the word. “How does the Roman Catholic understanding of ‘saints’ compare with the biblical teaching? Not very well. In Roman Catholic theology, the saints are in heaven. In the Bible, the saints are on earth. In Roman Catholic teaching, a person does not become a saint unless he/she is ‘beatified’ or ‘canonized’ by the Pope or prominent bishop. In the Bible, everyone who has received Jesus Christ by faith is a saint. In Roman Catholic practice, the saints are revered, prayed to, and, in some instances, worshiped. In the Bible, saints are called to revere, worship, and pray to God alone.”
Growing up, the saints were all presented as heroic figures. They were often worshipped and venerated so that we felt they were like superheroes that the ordinary person could never attain. But the Bible makes it clear that the true saints are those who believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. They’re not perfect, but forgiven. They are not idealized in statues but are real flesh and blood, fighting the good fight of the faith. The story is told of Oliver Cromwell, who, when faced with a shortage of precious metal for coins, sent his troops out to find some. They reported that the only precious metal to be found was in the statues of saints standing in the corners of churches. Cromwell said, “Well, melt down the saints and put them in circulation.”