"The Rosary is Unbiblical"
By Luke Lancaster
Some people will attempt to discredit the Catholic practice of praying the rosary by saying that the rosary is unbiblical. Such people probably have never prayed a rosary, though, for if they had, they would know how ridiculous of a claim that is. The rosary is a blending of mental and vocal prayer that, quite literally, is the Bible on a string. Consider:
-There is a crucifix at the beginning of the rosary, which is a physical image of Jesus Christ saving us from sin. St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:23 that we preach Christ crucified, and that is exactly what the rosary is doing there.
-On the crucifix, we recite the Apostle's Creed, which is a summary of all the major doctrines spoken about in Scripture. That Jesus was "born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried" is immensely Scriptural. Heck, Christians from various denominations say this prayer at times in their own Sunday worship services.
-On the large beads, for a total of six times, we say the Lord's prayer. This prayer came directly from Jesus, and He instructed us to pray it numerous times.
-On the small beads, for a total of fifty-three times, we say the Hail Mary prayer. The first half of this prayer is a verbatim quotation from both the angel Gabriel to Mary and Elizabeth to Mary. The second half of the prayer then requests Mary to pray for us. For all Christians in Heaven are still functioning members of the Body of Christ. Death did not stop their activity of being prayer warriors.
-On the large beads, for a total of six times, we bestow glory on God Himself. "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit..." Scripture consistently shows glory being given to God, so how could this be unbiblical?
-Finally, while vocally saying these prayers, we mentally reflect on the events of Jesus. Whether that be the carrying of His cross up Mount Calvary, or His physical birth in Bethlehem, we mentally picture ourselves as being eyewitnesses to these Scriptural events. Even the final two glorious mysteries are about Jesus taking His Mother up to Heaven, and His crowning of her as the queen of Heaven.
As we have seen, there is no reason to suggest that the rosary is unbiblical. It is the Bible on a string! We need to understand how to answer this mistaken objection against the rosary. For it truly helps us grow closer to Christ.