Posted on 11/06/2015 11:30:07 AM PST by NYer
""According to non-biblical literature, Mary grew up in the Temple of Jerusalem until she hit puberty. There, she was inspired by God to take a vow of perpetual virginity." Sounds like very sloppy "scholarship."
1) Nobody "grew up" in the Temple, especially not a female child, to place Mary there conflicts with the Gospel, she lived a very long way, 100 miles, on foot, in Nazareth and was betrothed to Joseph, which means she was under contract to lose her virginity.
2) the "ideal" of "perpetual virginity" is an utterly pagan concept, not supported in any way by Scripture and utterly foreign to Mary's Jewish culture.
3) The Gospels (and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles) clearly say that Jesus had brothers, including James the head of the church at Jerusalem.
4) Nothing in Scripture remotely suggests that Mary remained a virgin after the birth of Jesus. Nor do the early church fathers suggest any such thing. And it is unlikely they would ignore such a doctrine which, for the heavily Jewish early church, would have been quite controversial, even shocking. Their culture dictated that the most honored position for a woman was to be legally joined to a man physically and become a mother of children, preferably many of them.
To make these weak theories of Mary's "perpetual virginity" so important in the Catholic church was a big mistake, the result of the dangerous tendency to syncretism that weakens the church and obscures the Gospel with worthless distractions.
Mary is of course worthy of honor: She bore the Savior, she was joined to faithful Joseph, with him became the mother of children, and was obviously good at it. Good on you, Mary.
Let me just add: "Mary" is not mentioned in the prayer. "Theotakos" is the term, and I am much aware that this term at some point became associated with Mary. But what, at this point in history, necessitates "Mary?" The term refers to a person, obviously, but what in the context suggests Mary? Is it not more likely a reference to Christ himself? It is conjoined to the attributes of God, and Mary is not God. Or at least has not yet been promoted to such by the synods, though they clearly have the power to decree her so. The Quadrinity may yet be enshrined, there is a clear trend in ever-changing and ever-changeable Roman theology logically leading eventually to that end.
What they prove is Mary is NOT the mother of God...
God raised this Jesus, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father, body and spirit and soul.
Not exactly...I thought you said you read scripture...
That was a human body...That human body of Jesus' couldn't handle heaven...It had to be changed...It had to be glorified...It had to be turned into a celestial body instead of the terrestrial body that Mary bore...
Same with a human body...If one was cremated and his ashes dispersed from an airplane across the globe, God is going to pull those ashes back together and create a new body out of it...How??? I don't know and I don't care...But he's going to do it...
It will not longer be the body that was produced inside of his mother...Just as Jesus no longer has the body that Mary produced...
Like John the apostle tells us...They that knew him and we don't have a clue what Jesus looks like, now...Maybe he looks like a radish, with legs...Doesn't matter, we're going to look like him when we receive our celestial bodies...
That bible that God gave us is full of things that you guys don't have a clue about and you try to convince us and each other that Mary is the mother of God...I'll bet God has a constant 'face-palm' posture...
Beneath your compassion we take refuge, Theotokos!
Our prayers do not despise in necessities,
but from danger deliver us,
only pure,
only blessed one.
"only". Pretty airtight exclusive term. If this prayer speaks to Mary, where does it leave her heretofore pure and blessed Son, referred to in prophecy as the "Blessed One"? Obvious demotion of the Savior. Not ok.
It's Mary who delivers us from danger?
Theologians make errors. Even Catholic ones.
Humans will be corrupt, but the Church never will be.
And who told you this??? Oh, it was the corrupt humans that run your Church who told you this...
Let us remember, the Church which Christ instituted is divine, while its members are human.
Humans will be corrupt, but the Church never will be.
Compared to the written scriptures God had written to his church,
"the Church which Christ instituted is divine" ... and it is not a human institution named Catholic Church. The Church Jesus instituted is a spiritual entity, even called 'the Bride of Christ'.
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:And on and on it could go. Do you remember the backstory of how Peter really knew Jess us was the expected Messiah of God? That's right, there isn't one. The Father just revealed it to him:
(Luke 1:41)
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.So you see, this is the sort of trap anyone can fall into when we try to fill in the supposed "gaps" in Scripture. There are things God has not told us, but these are things we don't need to know. Classified. Top Secret. Above our pay grade. He does tell us, and has already told us in His word, everything we need to know to have saving faith in Christ, and to live a life pleasing to Him. Why that isn't enough for some is beyond me.
(Matthew 16:17)
??
And you base this claim on what?
What'd she do to "get kicked" out of the Temple?
If you believe Jesus established a Church on Earth, then by its very nature, it is divine.
Third paragraph from the bottom. “Jess us” should have been “Jesus.” Spellcheck. I’m sure it was trying to be helpful. Sigh.
All those Medici popes. Wonder if that was just a coincidence. :)
"According to non-biblical literature, Brer' Rabbit grew up in the thorns of the Briar Patch until he got out ..."
Makes just as much truth...
That bible that God gave us is full of things that you guys don’t have a clue about and you try to convince us and each other that Mary is the mother of God
There you go again saying you guys. I do read Scripture and I do know that it is in His glorified body that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. But I must admit there are things I do not understand. What I am trying to do is find out whether you agree that Jesus, the son of Mary, is God. Do you agree that the child described in the following passages is the son of Mary? Do you agree that this child is God?
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25)
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-11)
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:26-35)
If you do not agree that this child is the son of Mary or that He is not God, could you explain why?
If you do agree that this child is the son of Mary and that He is God, I do not understand how you can say that Mary is not the mother of God. Where does it say in Scripture that Mary is not the mother of God?
“Where does it say in Scripture that Mary is not the mother of God?”
Where does it say in Scripture that Mary is not the mother of Oz The Great And Powerful? I think she might be. By your logic, if something is NOT in the Bible, it is the truth.
LOL ... that one is worthy of my FRiend, Elsie!
What Jesus himself had to say about “HIS MOTHER”(and other relatives).
“Matthew 12:46While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
So if any of us do the Father’s will, we will be considered as though we were his “mother, sister and brother”! This passage alone shows us the “relative” value that he placed upon his family, comparing our relationship to the Father to his relationship with his own family!
Thank you for the Biblical exegesis of the 7 churches.
Where does it say in Scripture that Mary is not the mother of Oz The Great And Powerful? I think she might be. By your logic, if something is NOT in the Bible, it is the truth.
If you have not been following along, there has been an ongoing discussion about whether Mary is the mother of God. I believe it IS in the Bible; others disagree.
When I have asked for an explanation of how Matthew 1 and 2, Luke 1 and 2, and John 1 do not clearly show that Mary is the mother of God, I have not received a response. Would you like to give it a try?
Correction. I have received responses, but they did not give me an understanding of how it could be said that Mary is not the mother of God.
This verse has been mentioned before. I’m not sure why Jesus made this statement, but it did not change the fact that Mary was the mother of Jesus.
God created Mary; she could not possibly be His mother. God is infinite; Mary is not. (The Bible warns us about worshiping the creature instead of the Creator.)
He used Mary as a vessel/tool to introduce His Son to earth. In that role, she was Jesus’ earthly mother.
In Luke, Mary called God her “Savior”. If she were God’s mother, she would be perfect — God-like. If so, she would not need a “Savior”.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.