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A Protestant Discovers Mary
NC Register ^ | March 13, 2010

Posted on 03/14/2010 12:14:46 PM PDT by NYer

Romano Guardini wrote in his book on the Rosary, “To linger in the domain of Mary is a divinely great thing. One does not ask about the utility of truly noble things, because they have their meaning within themselves. So it is of infinite meaning to draw a deep breath of this purity, to be secure in the peace of this union with God.”

Guardini was speaking of spending time with Mary in praying the Rosary, but David Mills, in his latest book, Discovering Mary, helps us linger in the domain of Mary by opening up to us the riches of divine revelation, both from tradition and Scripture. Mills, a convert from the Episcopal Church, former editor of the Christian journal Touchstone and editor of the 1998 book of essays commemorating the centennial of C.S. Lewis’ birth The Pilgrim’s Guide: C. S. Lewis and the Art of Witness, as well as the author of Knowing the Real Jesus (2001), has written a rock-solid introduction to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and done so with intellectual rigor and an affable tone.

His book begins with an introduction in which he describes how he came to discover the riches of the Church’s teachings on Mary: “I began to see how a sacred vessel is made holy by the sacred thing it carries,” he writes. “I began to feel this in a way I had not before. I found myself developing an experiential understanding of Mary and indeed a Marian devotion. Which surprised me. It surprised me a lot.”

Unfortunately, he notes, he did not learn about Mary from contemporary Catholics, nor in homilies, “even on Marian feast days.” It seems he learned on his own by reading magisterial documents and going back to Scriptures in light of those documents.

This book shares the fruit of that study. Mills examines the life of Mary, Mary in the Bible, Mary in Catholic doctrine, Marian feast days and the names of Mary. He includes an appendix full of references to papal documents and books on Mary.

Most of the book is done in a question-and-answer format, which usually works well, although at times it feels awkward. Would someone really ask, for instance, “What is happening in the liturgy on the Marian feast days?”

But most of the questions are natural. “What is the point of Marian devotion?” Mills asks. It is “to live the Catholic life as well as we can,” he answers. “This means going ever more deeply into the mystery of Christ, to become saintlier, more conformed to his image, by following Mary’s example and by turning to her for help and comfort.”

Next question: “Does devotion to Mary detract from our devotion to Christ?”

“Christians since the beginning of serious Marian devotion have been careful to emphasize Mary’s subordination to her son,” Mills replies. “In fact, they have said it so often that the reader begins to expect it. In the fifth century St. Ambrose put it nicely: ‘Mary was the temple of God, not the god of the temple.’”

David Mills, with the same radical clarity he showed in Knowing the Real Jesus, has written what has to be one of the best, if not the very best, short introductions to Catholic teaching on Mary, the Mother of God. Discovering Mary is ideal for those wanting to know more about her, whether they be skeptics, Protestants, or Catholics who don’t know the Mother of the Church well enough.

Franklin Freeman writes from Saco, Maine.


DISCOVERING MARY

Answers to Questions About the Mother of God

By David Mills

Servant Books, 2009

148 pages, $12.99

To order: servantbooks.org


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Mainline Protestant
KEYWORDS: loony; loopy; sad; silly
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To: betty boop; Quix
Thank you both for sharing your insights, dear sister and brother in Christ!

It seems like many issues involving Mary are "horns of contention" between Catholics and Protestants. And I readily admit that some of the claims (e.g. that Mary was elevated to a certain equality with the Father) are more than a little troubling to me.

But the claim that she or any Christian is a temple is not one of them.

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? - I Corinthians 6:19

To God be the glory, not man, never man!

81 posted on 03/14/2010 10:05:34 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Alamo-Girl

Well put.

I Agree.


82 posted on 03/14/2010 10:33:07 PM PDT by Quix (BLOKES who got us where we R: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2130557/posts?page=81#81)
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To: Quix
Thank you for your encouragement, dear brother in Christ!
83 posted on 03/14/2010 10:45:35 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Alamo-Girl; Godzilla; Quix; stfassisi
I readily admit that some of the claims (e.g. that Mary was elevated to a certain equality with the Father) are more than a little troubling to me.

To me, too, dearest sister in Christ! To me, the claim "that Mary was elevated to a certain equality with the Father" has absolutely zero basis, either in the Holy Scriptures, or in authoritative Catholic theological teaching. Certainly this is not my understanding or belief.

The "problem" of where Mary fits in, in the divine picture, has been preoccupying me ever since I went to the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA last Monday. It is a Marian shrine. There is a fresco over the alter that appears to shed light on this problem. Indeed, the fresco itself prompted the problem to my mind in the first place. I've been meditating on it....

In any case, this fresco in no way suggests that Mary is on a par with any Person of the Holy Trinity, singly or altogether. What the fresco says to me: Mary is not divine. She is mortal — but a consecrated mortal, consecrated by God from the foundation of the world to be the Mother of His Son in time, the human means of divine Incarnation. She was and is a suffering servant of the Lord, bearing all that happened to her, and much more importantly, to her Son, with dignity and humility. She stood sorrowing, suffering, yet composed with the Beloved Apostle at the foot of the Cross. When she died, she was not "resurrected." That is the sole privilege of her Son. But the Church teaches that she was directly "assumed into Heaven" because she was the spotless human Mother of the fully God–fully man, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.

At least this is my understanding so far. As the fresco teaches!

So when St. Ambrose says, "Mary is the temple of God, not the god of the temple," I understand what he's saying. Speaking in grossly reductionist terms, certainly she was the temple of the Son for His 9 months of human in utero development....

Thank you ever so much, dearest sister in Christ, for the passages at I Corinthians 6:19 — so very on-point — and for sharing your astute observations.

84 posted on 03/14/2010 11:03:54 PM PDT by betty boop (Moral law is not rooted in factual laws of nature; they only tell us what happens, not what ought to)
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To: betty boop
I thank God for you. And I thank you for sharing your beautiful testimony and insights, dearest sister in Christ!


85 posted on 03/14/2010 11:10:47 PM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Alamo-Girl
Thank you dearest sister in Christ! You are such a blessing to me.

Good night!

86 posted on 03/14/2010 11:24:51 PM PDT by betty boop (Moral law is not rooted in factual laws of nature; they only tell us what happens, not what ought to)
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To: ottbmare

It’s not about Mary. It’s not about being Catholic. It’s not about being Protestant. It’s about Jesus. Whether you hold to the Roman Catholic faith or simply to Jesus.


87 posted on 03/14/2010 11:33:51 PM PDT by Theo (May Rome decrease and Christ increase.)
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To: TASMANIANRED

You wrote, “Welcome with great joy to the faith.”

It breaks my heart to think that there are so many people who diminish faith in Jesus by implying that you must be a member of the Roman Catholic Church in order to have “faith.”

“The faith”? No, “the faith” is faith in Jesus. Lots of people trust in Him apart from membership in the Church of Rome. Lots of people disengage from the heresy of the RCC and its Popes, and instead cling to the mysterious and invisible Church of Christ. They should be considered among those who are members of “the faith.”

Please consider affirming Christ more than affirming the Roman Catholic Church.


88 posted on 03/14/2010 11:39:21 PM PDT by Theo (May Rome decrease and Christ increase.)
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To: Quix

Wow !Wow !No honor like the apostle’s. You have it all figured out Don’t you. Well answer me this- was Christ sinless to be the lamb of God Meaning did he obey The 613 moasic laws which would declare him really sinless to Die on the Cross for our sins. Which of course declares The 10 commendments which states as a commendment and not a suggestion that we Honor our Mother and Father . He did have a human Mother so the requirement is there without a doubt. To Honor Your Mother!Otherwise he was not sinless on the Cross which means you and I are not saved. Also when you talk about the terminology for her title which came later is just like medical doctors who later termed the words of body parts later in the course of human history to help us. Like the study of human body. Whats a Heart Or Brain as such to able to diagnose or operate. Now what about The terminology of say The King of Kings. He is King so naturally the Old Testament term for Queen is The Mother Of The King. Thus he was born into the jewish covenant which state this Queenship so he has to Honor her Properly as such or he is not sin less or the lamb of God. Which means we all go to hell? Use accurate thinking when you weigh out the scriptures- there is more than you and I can imagine in the Most Holy Scriptures- May God Bless


89 posted on 03/14/2010 11:40:01 PM PDT by johngrace
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To: Salvation

It’s better that “celebrities” become followers of Christ than mere “Catholics.”

In the end, it’s not what church you affiliate yourself with. It’s Whom you affiliate with.

Roman Catholicism is fine. But folks are saved from damnation through Christ, not through Rome. If they’re a member of the Roman branch of Christianity, fine. If they’re a member of the broader branch of Christianity, the “remnant” if you will, then fine.

But it’s about Jesus, not about Rome, the Vatican, the Pope. It’s about Jesus.


90 posted on 03/14/2010 11:42:32 PM PDT by Theo (May Rome decrease and Christ increase.)
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To: big'ol_freeper

Um. “Welcome home”? As if faith in Jesus in not sufficient?

Roman Catholics — too many of them — are just like Mormons. They care more about their church than they do about the Savior.


91 posted on 03/14/2010 11:44:37 PM PDT by Theo (May Rome decrease and Christ increase.)
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To: Cicero

Yes, Mary was blessed to bring Jesus into the world. Blessed and especially so among all women. But Jesus alone is to be exalted, not His mother. She is dead. Jesus is not. Mary cannot hear anything anyone says to her. Jesus is our intercessor, hearing everything.


92 posted on 03/14/2010 11:55:30 PM PDT by Theo (May Rome decrease and Christ increase.)
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To: NYer

Thank You NYer Good Post


93 posted on 03/15/2010 1:28:42 AM PDT by johngrace
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To: Natural Law

Except my living friends can hear me. There’s no evidence that the saints in question can hear you.


94 posted on 03/15/2010 3:26:13 AM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
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To: TASMANIANRED

Too bad so many Catholics aren’t as devoted to the Word of God and taking on the mind of Christ, as they are seeking the mind of Mary.


95 posted on 03/15/2010 4:01:09 AM PDT by Cvengr (Adversity in life and death is inevitable. Thru faith in Christ, stress is optional.)
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To: betty boop
this fresco in no way suggests that Mary is on a par with any Person of the Holy Trinity, singly or altogether. What the fresco says to me: Mary is not divine. She is mortal — but a consecrated mortal, consecrated by God from the foundation of the world to be the Mother of His Son in time, the human means of divine Incarnation. She was and is a suffering servant of the Lord, bearing all that happened to her, and much more importantly, to her Son, with dignity and humility. She stood sorrowing, suffering, yet composed with the Beloved Apostle at the foot of the Cross. When she died, she was not "resurrected." That is the sole privilege of her Son. But the Church teaches that she was directly "assumed into Heaven" because she was the spotless human Mother of the fully God–fully man, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. At least this is my understanding so far. As the fresco teaches!

WOW! You expressed that wonderfully ,dear sister.

96 posted on 03/15/2010 5:34:48 AM PDT by stfassisi ((The greatest gift God gives us is that of overcoming self"-St Francis Assisi)))
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To: Cvengr; TASMANIANRED
Too bad so many Catholics aren’t as devoted to the Word of God and taking on the mind of Christ, as they are seeking the mind of Mary.

That is a very strong statement. No doubt you have some statistics to back it up.

The Blessed Virgin Mary said at Fatima that many souls in this world go to hell because there is no one to pray for them. She also said that more souls go to hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason. That was said in 1917, at the beginning of the Communist revolt in Russia. Now with internet pornography being so prevalent and easy to obtain, how much more true that must be today .

A lot of people in this world don't pray for anybody but themselves - "I want...", "I need...", "Please help ME...", etc. There isn't anything wrong with this, of course, but there is so much more to pray for in the world than for our personal needs. How many hours do you devote each day to praying for others?

Mary leads ALL men to her Son. Scripture provides us with great inspiration. Prayer is what gets us to heaven. In praying for others, you are assisting your brothers and sisters to reach the same goal. Your strong faith compensates for their weakness. Thank you, dear Mother, for your constant reminder.

97 posted on 03/15/2010 5:59:52 AM PDT by NYer ("Where Peter is, there is the Church." - St. Ambrose of Milan)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg

***Scripture tells us there is only “one God and one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus.” ***

You are correct, but I think you believe we Catholics think Mary, alone, can answer our prayers. I refer you to the well-known Hail Mary prayer which ends with the words, “Holy Mary, mother of God, PRAY FOR US now and at the hour of our death.” Have you ever asked anyone to pray for you? Does that mean that you confer upon them divinity?


98 posted on 03/15/2010 6:03:52 AM PDT by kitkat (Obama hates us. Well, maybe a LOT of Kenyans do.)
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To: kitkat

Have you ever asked anyone to pray for you?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It takes a good chunk of time to properly say the rosary. ( Having been raised a Catholic, I know.)

When we ask others to pray for us to do take that much time, effort, and mental energy to ask them to do us that favor? Do we have entire May processions devoted to asking a friend to pray for us? Do we have statues and images of our friends dressed in elegant fabrics and bedecked with flowers? Do we light candles in front of them?

That time, energy, and mental and emotional intensity would be far better directed to God Himself, through Jesus Christ.


99 posted on 03/15/2010 6:14:03 AM PDT by wintertime
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To: kitkat

Have you ever asked anyone to pray for you?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

One more thing:

There is a **lot** right about the Catholic Church. I would be THRILLED if every Catholic in this nation actually practiced what is taught in their catechism. Our nation would be far stronger if they did.

And...It is entirely possible to be very faithful and devoted Catholic ( holding Mary in high esteem) without doing any of this Mary stuff.


100 posted on 03/15/2010 6:18:38 AM PDT by wintertime
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