Stigmata

[Constant]

Ever since I first saw the movie Stigmata, I wanted to learn more about it. Being raised partly in a catholic family I have heard many stories about visible stigmatas. I have been trying to research it but I keep getting side tracked into doing something else. I recently got reintroduced to the subject by a memeber of my family and I am now currently researching it again. Do any of you have any insights I can use in my studies? I'm open to anything.

Al

[Guest hubertdorm]

Personally Constant, I don't think it makes any sense. I don't see the purpose God would have in putting a person through the suffering of Jesus.

You know what I mean, I don't know how to say it better.

[Leonard]

I know just what you mean. We've got God all figured out....got Him in the tight little box we've made for Him, and all of a sudden HE SURPRISES US! Well....that MUST be devil.

One direction for research: Were all stigmatics saintly folks, or were there any god-hating stigmatics? I've never heard of any.......

[Guest hubertdorm]

Or did the manifestation of such make someone saintly? Perceived as such I mean.

[Guest hubertdorm]

I remember there being controversy concerning the placement of the nails in the hands of Jesus. This is by memory so bare with me.

Those who claimed stigmata were experiencing pain in their palms because it was believed at that time that the nails of Jesus were driven through his palms. The "truth" came about that the nails were actually placed in his wrists. A nail would rip the palm and it would be unable to support the weight of the body.

So, it didn't really make sense that God would inaccurately place this one someone, unless you believe God wanted people to know it was real. Thus, since everyone believed that the nails were placed in the hand, manifestation in the wrist would be rejected.

Well, now I've heard that skeletal remains of crucified shows that sometimes nails were placed in the palms.

[Guest koni]

My husband rented that movie, and to be totally honest with you, it made my skin crawl. It made me furious inside. Why would it affect me like that? To me it was just another movie that undermines the work of the cross, that takes away from what Jesus did for us, that defiles it somehow and makes it into something that it wasn't. It was just another twisting of the truth Hollywood style.

Now, that is just how i felt about it when i saw it ya know.

[Ovedya]

Echo hubertdorm's statement concerning the placement of the nails.

During the Roman era the area of the hand encompassed the entire wrist. A Roman soldier "shook hands" by grabbing the forearm of the person opposite him in a gesture that basically said, "Let's talk instead of fighting." A right-arm-to-right-arm grab insured both parties that neither one had the intention of harming the other, as it is extremely hard to draw a wepon when locked in such a position. If an opponent was untrustoworthy the "handshake" would last the entire conversation!

So, anyway, during the Lord's time the "hand" actually extended from the tip of the middle finger to about halfway up the forearm. So when the Bible tells us that Jesus was pierced through His hands, it's actually telling the truth! Jesus was in fact pierced through His hands. We just happen to call them "wrists" nowdays.

I personally believe that stigmata falls into the same category as Marian apparitions: They are of questionable spiritual value and authenticity.

[JesusisGod2]

I personally believe that stigmata falls into the same category as Marian apparitions: They are of questionable spiritual value and authenticity.

Amen, Actually I think it is pretty dangerous ground to tread. Demons can makes impressions on the human body and do. This is very evident in vodoo and such.

Great teaching on what considered the hand in roman times.

[LOVE SONGS]

Constant....JESUS was crucified for each and everyone of us.

HE did it for us . We don't go through no crucifixion.

This is the Truth.

The devil is behind such things as signs.

It is a LYING RELIGIOUS spirit .... any religious

happenings to deceive the people.

It is the trickery of the devil , satan himself.

In a near by town, where I am from.....

There was a man that went to the catholic church,

they say that a cross comes out of his forehead.

Also, his hands would bleed.

Here in our town Catholics flock at a place to see the

Virgin Mary that is suppose to appear. The property

owner claims that, she appeared to him.

They hold church services there, with different priest.

People flock to expect to see an appearance , miracles,

signs in the sun, and whatever. Satan or a demon can

take on the appearance of a person. Even the person's

personality. Some people claim to have seen their

loved ones who have died. Even if they say, they

felt at peace with the appearance.

All of this is not of GOD.

JESUS warns us of such things in the Bible,

not to go seek signs and not to believe it.

Matthew 24: 23-27

23- Then if anyone says to you , "Look, here is the Christ!"

or There! do not believe it.

24- For false christs and false prophets will rise and show

great signs and wonders to deceive , if possible, even

the elect.

25- "See I have told you beforehand.

26- Therefore if they say to you ,

"Look HE is in the desert !"

do not go out;

or" Look , HE is in the inner rooms !"

do not believe it.

27- FOR as the lighting comes from the

east and flashes to the west , so also

will the coming of the Son of Man be.

JESUS says how HE will come and how HE will

come only.

I pray that GOD gives you decernment on

the things, that the deceiver ..satan is behind.

GOD BLESS YOU, Constant

LOVE and PEACE to everyone,

[Constant]

Thank you all for your feedback. I too have alot of questions about such things as this. Probally one of the main reasons why I am looking into it. Keep the feedback coming!

God Bless

Al