Posted on 01/11/2012 7:34:56 PM PST by RnMomof7
Mary: Mother of God?
This article is prompted by an ad in the Parade Magazine titled: "Mary Mother of God: What All Mankind Should Know." The offer was made for a free pamphlet entitled "Mary Mother of Jesus" with this explanation: "A clear, insightful pamphlet explains the importance of Mary and her role as Mother of God."
This is quite a claim, to say the least! Nowhere in the Bible is Mary said to be the mother of God. I touched on this subject in a series on "Mary Co-Redeemer with Christ" printed recently.
Question: If Mary is the Mother of God, Who, may I ask, is the Father of God? Does God have a Father, and if He does, Who is His Mother?
The phrase "Mother of God" originated in the Council of Ephesus, in the year 431 AD. It occurs in the Creed of Chalcedon, which was adopted by the council in 451 AD. This was the declaration given at that time: "Born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God according to the Manhood." The purpose of this statement originally was meant to emphasize the deity of Christ over against the teaching of the Nestorians whose teaching involved a dual-natured Jesus. Their teaching was that the person born of Mary was only a man who was then indwelt by God. The title "Mother of God" was used originally to counter this false doctrine. The doctrine now emphasizes the person of Mary rather than the deity of Jesus as God incarnate. Mary certainly did not give birth to God. In fact, Mary did not give birth to the divinity of Christ. Mary only gave birth to the humanity of Jesus. The only thing Jesus got from Mary was a body. Every Human Being has received a sinful nature from their parents with one exception: Jesus was not human. He was divine God in a flesh body. This is what Mary gave birth to. Read Hebrews 10:5 and Phil 2:5-11.
Please refer to Hebrews 10:5 where we see. "...Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me."
The body of Jesus was prepared by God. In Matthew 1:18, "she was found with child of the Holy Ghost."
The divine nature of Jesus existed from before eternity, and this cannot be said of Mary Jesus never called her "mother". He called her "woman".
This doctrine deifies Mary and humanizes Jesus. Mary is presented as stronger that Christ, more mature and more powerful that Christ. Listen to this statement by Rome: "He came to us through Mary, and we must go to Him through her." The Bible plainly states that God is the Creator of all things. It is a blasphemous attack on the eternity of God to ever teach that He has a mother. Mary had other children who were normal, physical, sinful human beings. In the case of Jesus Christ, "His human nature had no father and His divine nature had no mother."
It is probably no coincidence that this false doctrine surrounding Mary was born in Ephesus. Please read Acts 19:11-41 and see that Ephesus had a problem with goddess worship. Her name was Diana, Gk. Artemis. You will not have to study very deep to find the similarities between the goddess Diana and the Roman Catholic goddess, Mary. It should be noted that the Mary of the 1st century and the Mary of the 20th century are not the same. Mary of the 1st century was the virgin who gave birth to the Messiah. Mary of the 20th century is a goddess created by the Roman Catholic Church. A simple comparison of what the Bible teaches about Mary and what the Roman Catholic Church teaches about her will reveal two different Marys. Mary is not the "Mother of God." If she were she would be GOD! There is only one true, eternal God. He was not born of a woman. Any teaching on any subject should be backed up by the word of God. If it cannot be supported by Scriptures, it is false doctrine.
How about this, stfassisi: "Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 2 Tim. 4:2.
Unfortunately for you stfassisi, mm is not doing as it appears you would like her to do: Sit down and shut up.
Fortunately for US, she is doing exactly what God wants her, and all believers to do: as the above Scripture notes.
You are simply the ‘Pope’ of your own church. & You interpret things to suit your own purposes. + You ‘project’ on to other people by telling other people ‘what they think.’
Please keep reading the Bible & please read the documents of the Catholic Church. Please pray for the Christian Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love. Especially, Love as everything is meaningless without it.
Besides, I’d lay money, and lots of it, on the fact that every young Jewish girl who was a virgin was dreaming of the privilege of being the mother of the Messiah.
You think God wouldn’t have had lots of takers on that offer, or that any of the other ones would have refused?
What girl in her right mind would turn down what God said He was going to do for her?
Really...What is Peter's legacy??? What is revealed in scripture of the leadership of Peter that you are following???
What are the hallmarks of Peter's leadership that you are presenting to the world???
Peter was commissioned to preach to Jews, to convert them to become Christians...
Why is it not the focus of your religion to search out Jewish conclaves and to preach to the Jews, only???
Armchair psychology. Cute.
Living life around FR replaces a church instead to some people.
It's actually a golden calf like alcohol is to an alcoholic.
Oh, and do you tell that to the Catholics as well who post that often?
And if your retired suffering from Post Polio syndrome without the ability to walk but a few feet? How about if you have all of that and its cold outside and cold makes the symptoms worse? How about if God has put you in the position to give you the time others may not have to defend the faith in a forum such as this? Are you the arbiter of all acts and lifestyles? Do you take it upon yourself to instruct all on how they should structure their life? Could you maybe post the directive from God where He told you to tell others what they should be doing with their life?
Let's not forget a salient point here, stonehouse, Catholicism teaches Mary was "Immaculately Conceived", meaning she was born without sin AND that she never sinned after she was born her entire life, that's what you believe, right? So, if Mary had "free will" and she could have said no, why was she made "sinless"? Would it have been retroactive? Now, I fully believe that we have free will to choose or reject the grace of God, but I seriously don't believe God didn't know the outcome of this.
If Mary HAD said no, if she could have said no, would not God have another picked out and maybe we would have never even heard of Mary instead we would call, say, Hannah, blessed? So, I don't really see how one can give all the glory to Mary - who you said, "if she had said no the gates of heaven would remain closed" - if God either already had her picked out, or could have just as easily chosen another virgin more willing. Do you agree? I mean, God's will WILL be done will it not?
Accusations of *hate* are all that’s left in the arsenal when one has lost the debate.
I see it on the Mormon threads by the Mormons as well.
No one should post in excess unless it's about prayer and Devotions
Martyrs did not build any church...What if they were all martyrs??? There wouldn't have been any church...
Are you going to post the directive you received from God telling you that it was you who should tell people how to structure the time God gave them?
and the rock (petra) was Christ.
It was "a" spiritual rock. It doesn't mean there is exclusively one rock. This particular rock was Christ.
The rock below is not Christ.
It’s all that control that Catholicism seems to engender.
So why are you here posting?
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
God operates by time...Until there is no longer time...Your religion's philosophy on the issue doesn't change a thing...A person can't read the bible and not know that...
You’re the only one talking about a directive you received from God.
Do you think this is what you’re doing here?
To get out of the rain...
I Cor. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Don’t get caught up as protestants do in the The Rock which is God and the rock which is Peter.
It is the concept of both/and that which must be confusing.
There is no doubt that Jesus gave Peter the name “rock” and followed that naming with the claim that He would build His Church on that rock.
But, that does not mean that Peter is the Church, just as it does not mean that Peter replaces God, Jesus as the rock.
What it means is that Jesus assures us that we can trust the Church, because He is the one that laid her foundation.
*** Now show proof that Peter was head of the church in Rome.***
I will not chase you down that rabbit hole.
Deflect and dodge and then move the goalposts.
Not gonna do it.
I still havent seen that directive from God you seem to think you have.
***It wasnt Peter who was the declarative last word.***
It was James, agreeing with the Peter who received the revelation that was being discussed. It was James that led the others to accept what Peter had declared at the beginning of the council. But, it was to Peter that the Spirit made the revelation.
This does not conflict at all with Catholic teaching.
Odd I didn't notice you copying the prots on this lsit have have said much more outrageous things and engagged in personal attacks.
Let me remove the tree trunks from your eyes.
Do Catholics think that Mary was the first, or only, person to ever say to God, *Thy will be done*???????
Good grief, that’s the heart cry of every born again believer and we’ve all done it when called to do something at some time in our lives.
It’s the natural response of a regenerated heart, not even a consideration of saying *no*.
Her saying that doesn’t make her any more special than any other believer who’s submitted to God’s will for their life.
God called her to carry the Messiah, He calls us to do other things. We all obey in what God calls us to do. She did her job, I do mine, others do theirs.
It doesn’t make any one person any better than any other.
It’s not WHAT we’re called to do but our obedience to do that counts.
Isaiah 44:8, "Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none."
Maybe you know better than God?
We know that God did not reveal this to you or anyone else thru the scriptures...So how did you get this information???
Why dont you lay out a plan for my time but make sure you attach that directive from God when you send it to me. K?
placemarker
When was Isaiah written? When was the Church established? Is God powerless to name another rock to lead the Church? Was Peter named Rock by Jesus?
It was you telling people how they should spend their time wasnt it?
>>Do you think this is what youre doing here?<<
Isnt that between me and God?
The Church does as Jesus did, which is proclaim the truth.
Some will follow, some will not.
If God is the rock and He says there is no other, then what comes after must be interpreted in that light. If there's a conflict than the interpretation which disagrees with it has to go.
Matthew 5:18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Luke 16:17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.
Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Who or what then goes to purgatory???
AKA There is none.
Please clarify you comment. As all people seem to have motives in religion. Hopefully, it is to spread the message of Salvation through Jesus Christ.
My comment was a continuation of my earlier posts. In the Bible 2 Peter 1: 20-21,> ‘Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will’ but rather human beings moved by the Holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God.’
It was an ongoing discussion that ultimately seemed to express a ‘hatred’ of the Catholic Church. I’m curious about what you interpreted that made this comment ‘personal’? Is this a subjective decision on your part? The ‘motive’ of a numerous group seems to ‘hate’ on the Catholic Church & deny any common discussion of the Bible, History or events in the world.
Hopefully, you’ll be more explicit in your explanation. I did not deem it to be a personal attack but rather an explanation of why there are no common grounds for any discussion.
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Col. 2:8.
I don't know, but I seemed able to see what "man's wisdom" and "philosophy" mean to God. Even through the "tree trunks in my eyes"...
placemarker
***Actually, how could she have said “no”, when, according to your Church, SHE was immaculately conceived and was sinless...her whole life... saying “no” would have been a sin against God, would it not?***
Actually, this shows an absolutely complete absence of understanding of what Scripture says and what the Church teaches, which is in accordance with Scripture.
God, did in fact know that Mary would say yes. He knows all from our beginning to our end. That is why He prepared her to receive the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit and thus, Jesus in her womb.
God did not influence her, He does not compel love or obedience. He responded to her obedience, which He knew from the beginning. She is the woman of Genesis, 3:15.
Did God become human in Jesus Christ?
If God is the rock and He says there is no other,
When the Old Testament was written that was true. But times change and He established a Church. If He names someone Rock is his name Rock? Naming Peter Rock does not mean he is making Peter God.
Such a brutally fatuous post does not deserve an answer.
Ah, I thought you said she could have said “no”! Did I misread your post?
yes, but then what’s new?
I will have to respond more later as I must get off for the night.
Have a lovely evening all, this has been a fascinating conversation.
I thought Jesus was the “Petra” and Peter was the “Petros”.
Thank you for being a Religion Moderator.
But you didn’t explain what I asked and neither does the ‘guidelines.’
But life is like that sometimes. It will be made clear to us on Judgment Day.
I will try to remember that True-Charity means to: ‘Love God above all things & to love your neighbor as yourself.’ (even if he is tossing rocks at you & your Church.)
So why does anyone build a church building?
_______
Well from reading this thread I’ve found that it’s a place where one can bow down and worship idols, participate in the continuing, ongoing sacrifice of Christ, and a whole assortment of man made pagan rituals. Some places may even have some ancient idolatrous artwork you can worship as well. That should tide over your idolatrous zeal until you get home and worship your own idolatrous pictures and statues, if the ride home is too far you can also worship an idolatrous figurine on your dashboard. Pretty much the devil’s playground. /s
The things you learn on the FR religion forum!
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