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Mary, Mother of God
Catholic.com ^ | 2005 | Catholic Answers

Posted on 04/05/2007 11:10:10 AM PDT by MarkBsnr

Fundamentalists are sometimes horrified when the Virgin Mary is referred to as the Mother of God. However, their reaction often rests upon a misapprehension of what this particular title of Mary signifies, and what the Protestant Reformers had to say regarding this doctrine.

A woman is a man’s mother either if she carried him in her womb or if she was the woman contributing half of his genetic matter or both. Mary was the mother of Jesus in both of these senses; because she not only carried Jesus in her womb but also supplied all of the genetic matter for his human body, since it was through her—not Joseph—that Jesus "was descended from David according to the flesh" (Rom. 1:3).

Since Mary is Jesus’ mother, it must be concluded that she is also the Mother of God: If Mary is the mother of Jesus, and if Jesus is God, then Mary is the Mother of God. There is no way out of this logical syllogism, the valid form of which has been recognized by classical logicians since before the time of Christ.

Although Mary is the Mother of God, she is not his mother in the sense that she is older than God or the source of her Son’s divinity, for she is neither. Rather, we say that she is the Mother of God in the sense that she carried in her womb a divine person—Jesus Christ, God "in the flesh" (2 John 7, cf. John 1:14)—and in the sense that she contributed the genetic matter to the human form God took in Jesus Christ.

To avoid this conclusion, Fundamentalists often assert that Mary did not carry God in her womb, but only carried Christ’s human nature. This assertion reinvents a heresy from the fifth century known as Nestorianism,

(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Mainline Protestant; Other Christian
KEYWORDS: blessedvirgin; catholic; motherofgod; virginmary
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To: MarkBsnr

“I think that he treated her on a different level than, say, the adulteress, or Mary of Magdala, or the Samaritan woman.”

You got that right!
What other woman was given the honor of carrying the Messiah in her womb?
Of knowing Him better than any other human being?

This IS crazy talk!


181 posted on 04/09/2007 9:24:02 PM PDT by Scotswife
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To: murphE

So they’re married?


182 posted on 04/10/2007 4:42:12 AM PDT by DungeonMaster (Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.)
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To: MarkBsnr
He is explicitly shown to have obedience to her. He listened to her at the wedding feast at Cana. He gave her to us at his Crucifixion - as our mother.

That's no different than the obedience He showed to everyone that asked Him for anything.

183 posted on 04/10/2007 4:43:45 AM PDT by DungeonMaster (Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.)
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To: MarkBsnr
Oh, just the notes from a bunch of dudes that have mulled it over for a couple of thousand years. Nothing too important, I don’t imagine.

I will post an introduction, verse, and footnote from Douay-Rheims. I imagine they were equally inspired. NO?

PSALMS 68:

(Introduction = This introduction claims very clearly that Psalms 68 refers to Jesus) *

Salvum me fac, Deus. Christ in his passion declareth the greatness of his sufferings, and the malice of his persecutors the Jews; and foretelleth their reprobation.

(Footnote)*
2 "The waters"... Of afflictions and sorrows. My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Matt. 26. 38.

The reference Matthew 26:38 is Jesus speaking.*

9 I am become a stranger to my brethren, and an alien to the sons of my mother.

* added by OLDREGGIE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I imagine you accept without question that this is Jesus speaking and that His mother had sons?

184 posted on 04/10/2007 8:08:06 AM PDT by OLD REGGIE (I am most likely a Biblical Unitarian? Let me be perfectly clear. I know nothing.)
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To: Scotswife
But one example that stands out in my head because another poster discussed it with me would be the transiguration.

An excellent example Jesus experiencing both his divinity and humanity.

During this transfiguration process God spoke to the awed and frightened Apostles: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"

Jesus was presented as the Messiah, not as God.

My question remains unanswered.

To wit: Would you please cite instances where Jesus experienced life as God while He was still on earth?

185 posted on 04/10/2007 8:22:15 AM PDT by OLD REGGIE (I am most likely a Biblical Unitarian? Let me be perfectly clear. I know nothing.)
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To: OLD REGGIE
Jesus experienced life as God while He was still on earth?

What is life as God like so that a person could look for it in the Bible?

186 posted on 04/10/2007 8:25:16 AM PDT by DungeonMaster (Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.)
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To: Scotswife
I don’t know much about Aquinas, and as you know the Catholic Church is opposed to putting people to death.

Are you aware that this opposition to the death penalty is a relatively recent phenomenon?

The last execution for Heresy took place in Spain in 1826.

I agree the Catholic Church is on record as opposing the death penalty. I heartily agree as I am opposed to the death penalty under any circumstances.

The official teaching of the RCC; however, still provides for the death penalty.

Catechism Of The Catholic Church

2267 Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.

If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people's safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.

Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity "are very rare, if not practically non-existent."


187 posted on 04/10/2007 8:40:42 AM PDT by OLD REGGIE (I am most likely a Biblical Unitarian? Let me be perfectly clear. I know nothing.)
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To: DungeonMaster; Scotswife
What is life as God like so that a person could look for it in the Bible?

Why ask me I didn't say it? Ask Scotswife.

"Jesus is both God and man. He experienced life as both - to deny either his humanity or his divinity is heresy."

188 posted on 04/10/2007 8:48:44 AM PDT by OLD REGGIE (I am most likely a Biblical Unitarian? Let me be perfectly clear. I know nothing.)
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To: OLD REGGIE

“Jesus was presented as the Messiah, not as God.”

According to who? According to you.
As God’s son He is also God.
He commanded the waters to calm down and commanded the storm to stop. He raised Lazarus from the dead, He healed people and raised from the dead.

He said He was God.

If you don’t see God in Christ, then I cannot help you.


189 posted on 04/10/2007 8:58:57 AM PDT by Scotswife
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To: OLD REGGIE

“Are you aware that this opposition to the death penalty is a relatively recent phenomenon?”

Why does it matter if it is recent?
You asked if I wanted you dead.
The answer is no.

“The last execution for Heresy took place in Spain in 1826.”

yes, quite a long time ago don’t you think?
This was also done by the government of Spain who considered heresy by self-proclaimed “catholics” to be akin to treason.

I am aware of what the catechism teaches about the death penalty and I agree with it.

There are some people who still present a further threat to life even when they are imprisoned.
They continue to kill fellow inmates or guards.

Unfortunately in these cases, there is a protection of human life when such persons are put to death.

If we could somehow guarantee such individuals would not continue their murderous ways, I would agree that keeping them alive would be best.


190 posted on 04/10/2007 9:05:18 AM PDT by Scotswife
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To: Scotswife
Christ = Messiah. Same thing.

555
For a moment Jesus discloses his divine glory, confirming Peter's confession. He also reveals that he will have to go by the way of the cross at Jerusalem in order to "enter into his glory."295 Moses and Elijah had seen God's glory on the Mountain; the Law and the Prophets had announced the Messiah's sufferings.296 Christ's Passion is the will of the Father: the Son acts as God's servant;297 the cloud indicates the presence of the Holy Spirit. "The whole Trinity appeared: the Father in the voice; the Son in the man; the Spirit in the shining cloud."298

U.S. CATHOLIC BISHOPS - CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

191 posted on 04/10/2007 10:45:23 AM PDT by OLD REGGIE (I am most likely a Biblical Unitarian? Let me be perfectly clear. I know nothing.)
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To: OLD REGGIE

yes, notice the part where they said “the whole Trinity appeared...”

no argument here.


192 posted on 04/10/2007 2:57:19 PM PDT by Scotswife
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To: Scotswife
yes, notice the part where they said “the whole Trinity appeared...”

no argument here.

This is silly. I said Jesus was presented as the Messiah, not as God.

Your reply: "According to who? According to you."

When I proved it was a teaching of the RCC you throw in a little "yes" and redirect the subject to the Trinity.

Are we to continue going around in circles while you first deny and/or belittle what I have posted and subsequently begrudgingly accept the truth of what I said while changing the subject and/or adding unrelated comments?

I agree I am a heretic by the standards of the organized Christian Churches. I also am aware that less than 200 years ago I could have been executed for that "crime".

Further, the Office of the Inquisition has never been abolished (the name has changed - function remains)and I am very pleased that no Christian Church exists today which is powerful enough to find me guilty of heresy and gleefully hand me over to the civil authorities to be killed while they stand back and wash their hands of the actual killing.

193 posted on 04/11/2007 7:43:15 AM PDT by OLD REGGIE (I am most likely a Biblical Unitarian? Let me be perfectly clear. I know nothing.)
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To: OLD REGGIE

“When I proved it was a teaching of the RCC you throw in a little “yes” and redirect the subject to the Trinity.”

You must not have read what you quoted very well.

It was stated that the Trinity was present during the transfiguration. The Trinity is God and Jesus is the second person of the Trinity.
That is what I was agreeing with.
Again...no argument here.

The fact that He is also the Messiah does not exclude the fact that He is also part of the Trinity - it is not an “either” “or” situation.

“Are we to continue going around in circles while you first deny and/or belittle what I have posted and subsequently begrudgingly accept the truth of what I said while changing the subject and/or adding unrelated comments?”

I was only responding to what you posted and I agreed with it...I really don’t know what your problem is.

“I also am aware that less than 200 years ago I could have been executed for that “crime”.”

It was a tough time,and society was more brutal as a whole.
If you were suspected of dabbling in witchcraft the protestants would have burned you.
If the muslims had gotten a hole of you your head would have been chopped off.

There really aren’t too many groups who can claim innocence if you dig deep enough into history.

“Further, the Office of the Inquisition has never been abolished (the name has changed - function remains)and I am very pleased that no Christian Church exists today which is powerful enough to find me guilty of heresy and gleefully hand me over to the civil authorities to be killed while they stand back and wash their hands of the actual killing.”

You are being very dramatic. Whatever.
No one is executing anyone for heresy.
You asked me if I wanted you dead and I said “no”...so there you have it.


194 posted on 04/11/2007 10:01:26 AM PDT by Scotswife
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To: Scotswife
Believe it or not, I like you and believe you are a very sincere person.

I see no need for further tit for tat sparring.

I am sometimes guilty of nitpicking and this is one of those times. Forgive me.

Blessings to you and yours.

195 posted on 04/11/2007 12:44:46 PM PDT by OLD REGGIE (I am most likely a Biblical Unitarian? Let me be perfectly clear. I know nothing.)
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To: OLD REGGIE

I like you too Reggie, and I really really do not care to see you burnt at the stake for heresy :)

By all means - start a thread about the Inquisition if you’d like, I’m sure it would be very interesting.

blessings to you as well.


196 posted on 04/12/2007 7:04:08 AM PDT by Scotswife
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To: Angry Write Mail; Always Right; William Terrell

Unfortunately, Christianity has been diluted by the many false teachers of the day and many good souls suffer and are kept from the fullness of Truth. It’s no different from the false teachers who were misleading many good Jewish people in Christ’s time.

Take the time to study the Early Church Fathers and their teachings.

The Mother of God in the Word of God - http://www.salvationhistory.com//online/intermediate/intermedcourse2_home.cfm

God Bless!


197 posted on 04/12/2007 7:08:40 PM PDT by ArchA27 (Catholicism - Est. 33 AD)
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To: Always Right

Incorrect.


198 posted on 04/14/2007 7:56:49 PM PDT by A.A. Cunningham
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To: MarkBsnr

God has no mother. He has no beginning and no end. Mary was the mother of Christ incarnate. He needed that to become SON of man and take on our form through her. No more, no less.


199 posted on 04/26/2007 7:02:07 AM PDT by OccamsRazz
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To: OccamsRazz

Is He not only the Son of Man, but the Son of God at the same time?


200 posted on 04/26/2007 7:29:31 AM PDT by MarkBsnr
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