09/01/2026
Jesus only Jesus!
Pastor and theologian Gavin Ortlund is making the Protestant case against praying to saints in heaven, pointing to what he says is the most important question: What has God actually revealed in Scripture?
Ortlund points out that Scripture contains no example of Christians praying to departed saints or asking saints in heaven to intercede for them. Instead, the biblical pattern is prayer directed to God, with Jesus Christ presented as the mediator between God and humanity.
He also examines early Christian history and argues that there are no clear examples of Christians praying to saints during the first 200 years of church history. The practice becomes more evident later, particularly in the fourth century.
Ortlund also raises concerns about some medieval prayers to Mary that use language suggesting she could obtain mercy or forgiveness for sinners. His response is that Jesus does not need another person to persuade Him to forgive us. Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient, and Scripture teaches that Christ Himself intercedes for His people.
Ortlund summarized his position this way:
“Pray to God alone. That is what God taught us to do in his Word.”
This ultimately comes down to the question of authority.
When tradition overrides Scripture, we are left with manmade doctrines that have no basis in God’s Word. A tradition cannot become a higher authority simply because it became established over time. No church tradition, no matter how old, can override Scripture.
📖 “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5
Our authority is the Word of God, and our mediator is Jesus Christ.
