Posted on 02/19/2010 5:07:29 PM PST by bogusname
Roman Catholic theology often parallels Mary the mother of Jesus with Jesus Himself in His work of redemption. For example, Jesus is born without the stain of original sin, and so is Mary. Jesus lives a sinless life; so does Mary. Jesus remains a virgin all His life; Mary is Ever-Virgin. Jesus is the Redeemer; Mary is Co-Redemptress. Jesus is the one Mediator between man and God, yet Mary, too, is Mediatrix. Jesus is bodily assumed into heaven; so is Mary. Ascribing Christological attributes such as these to Mary historically has been a source of contention between Protestants (who see no basis in Scripture for these beliefs), and Roman Catholics (who emphasize the role of “Tradition” in these matters).
Defining Terms. All of these beliefs, save two, are official Roman Catholic dogmas. The exceptions— Co-Redemptress and Mediatrix—are nevertheless hallmarks of Roman Catholic devoutness that many believe to be ripe for dogmatic definition.
These two titles, often considered as a single role for Mary, are technically distinct. Redemptress broadly involves Mary’s active decision to bring redemption to the world by agreeing to become the mother of Jesus, whereas Mediatrix has to do with Mary’s active work in continually advocating for the salvation of those who take refuge in her. The Roman Catholic teaching for both is summed up well in the document Ineffabilis Deus: “All our hope do we repose in the most Blessed Virgin—in the all fair and immaculate one who has crushed the poisonous head of the most cruel serpent and brought salvation to the world [hence, Redemptress];... in her who, with her only-begotten Son, is the most powerful Mediatrix and Conciliatrix in the whole world;...in her do we hope who has delivered us from so many threatening dangers.”
(Excerpt) Read more at equip.org ...
Notice the clever use of co-redempress, instead of redemptrix?
clever change of conjugation supplying a perfect reason for people to fume.
The meaning of the word co-redemptrix is clear. "Co-" as in copilot or coequal. The meaning would be “partner” in the English equivalent. Redemptrix is the feminine form of Redeemer. So, the Latin roots do mean that such a co-redemptrix shares a role in Redemption.
“There is no redeemer except Jesus Christ. Catholic doctrine has high regard for Mary and her role in bringing our Lord into the world but does not teach of a co-redeemer”
Like I said, “I am not qualified to make theological arguments”
I am just pointing out that Mary’s consent was a necessary part of God’s redemptive plan for fallen humanity. Without Her consent, God would not have assumed the image of man. Her free will acceptance to become The Mother Of God was a necessary prerequisite for redemption.
Your example of copilot, and coequal is flawed based on the fact that those are different words. Coequal, is of course about equivalence because the the prefix is added to the word “equal” which assigns the semantic meaning of equality. Secondly your use of copilot still entails subordination, since a copilot is not the pilot.
In other words, your examples do not show anything.
Alright, then, can you tell me with a straight face, that the co-executrix of an estate is somehow inferior to her counterpart in settling that estate, or that she is somehow not an executor, due to the feminine form used to describe her?
That’s what you’re attempting to do, here. Verbal gymnastics. The word “co-redemptrix” when applied to Mary implies that Redemption comes through her as well as through Jesus Christ. This is not at all Biblical; it’s contrary to it, in fact.
Catechusm
973 By pronouncing her “fiat” at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish. She is mother wherever he is Savior and head of the Mystical Body.
974 The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son’s Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of his Body.
975 “We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ” (Paul VI, CPG § 15).
Sure. I agree with your second post. Your theology is fine. But that’s not the same thing as a co-redeemer. Huge difference. So the writer referenced in the author misinterprets Catholic teaching in order to bash it which I disagree with.
Right.
It is on Free Republic.
The meaning of the word co-redemptrix is clear. "Co-" as in copilot or coequal.
Incorrect. Co is derived from the Latin cum meaning with, not equal to. Co-Redemptrix means the woman with the Redeemer not the woman equal to the Redeemer.
Those who dismiss the unique role that the Blessed Virgin Mary plays in the redemption of mankind are simply ignorant.
Svendsen plays this game all the time and he’s been repeatedly shown to be a buffoon. Nevertheless, that doesn’t keep the gullible from eagerly drinking his kool aid.
Interesting:
http://www.davidmacd.com/catholic/mary_mediatrix_co-redemptrix.htm
“Does “Co-redemptrix” or “Mediatrix” mean “Co-Savior”?
Although “Co-Redemptrix” has been talked about a lot lately and may become doctrine, it has been a belief since the first centuries of the Church. “Co-Redemptrix” refers to Mary’s participation in Jesus’ work, kind of the way an Evangelical pastor participates with Jesus when he prays for people and preaches the Gospel. “Mediatrix” refers to
Mary’s role of “Magnifying the Lord” (Lk 1:46)
As for Mary being dead, Catholics don’t think Heaven is a dead place. They think it is quite a lively place with lots of singing and stuff. Martin Luther said “There can be no doubt that the Virgin Mary is in heaven.” (Aug 15, 1522) Catholics believe Mary is in Heaven.
Ireneus said:
“By obeying, she became a cause of salvation for herself and for the whole human race.” (III, 22, 4)
“Iraneus was a student of Polycarp, who was a student of John the Apostle. That’s about as early as you can get.”
I have no trouble with saying salvation came through Mary if we base that on the fact of her bearing and giving birth to God willingly. I think she literally did, so long as we say concretely that Jesus literally is salvation.
And coexecuter, of an estate also fails to meet the understanding of the semantic meaning of the prefix "co" as ascribing equality. Coexecuter in law means joint executer, but the actual meaning of "co" for the Latin does not entail the meaning of equality. The way the English language is used is very imprecise unfortunately. Latin, and its far more precise counterpart Greek do not suffer from the same problems.
You see, we Catholics (who recognized what is and is not the authentic Word of God and included these texts in what we call the Bible) believe in a faith based on Holy Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Divine Revelation. We believe as a central tenet of our faith that Mary was assumed body and soul into Heaven. We celebrate this in the “Feast of the Assumption.” Thus for us, it is not theologically contradictory if Mary were referred to as a co-Redemptrix. There is no need for sarcasm here. Most of the Marian-libels emanate from Protestants unschooled in Catholic theology.
I'd be interested in seeing the dictionary that defines the prefix "co-" as somehow not involved, a mere bystander. The basic understanding that every dictionary I've ever encountered is something along the lines of;
co-
prefix
1. together; joint or jointly; mutual or mutually; coproduction
2. indicating partnership or equality; cofounder, copilot
3. to the same or a similar degree; coextend
4. (in mathematics and astronomy) of the complement of an angle; cosecant, codeclination
(from Latin, reduced form of com-)
Which dictionary is that?
Collins English Dictionary & Thesaurus.
my fire went out!
It is also not correct to state that the prefix “co-” is derived from the Latin “cum.”
“Co-” is a Latin prefix on its own and can imply subservience, authority or parity, depending on the word to which it is attached and the context of the statement.
Reference:
http://www.archives.nd.edu/cgi-bin/wordes.exe
I hope you’re making a huge kettle of it!
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