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Index to All Eight Articles on Mary
ON THIS PAGE
Emphasis Mine in All Bible Verses
Pompous And Pretentious Claptrap Replaces Very Impressive Scriptural Truths
Blessed Among Women
Did Gabriel and Elizabeth's Words Signify Mary Had An Exalted Position?
Who, According To Jesus, Is "Blessed" And Part of His Family?
To Jesus through Mary"
(Mediator to the Mediator?)
The Real Mary of The Bible
Mary's deep familiarity with and faith in the word of God, her grasp of His purposes and promises, her gratitude for the grace He bestowed on her, her submission to His will of God, and the very breath and scope of her vision are all reflected in her short hymn of praise, called The Magnificat
Mary Called God Her “Savior”
Very Impressive Scriptural Truths Replaced by Inane Flights of Fancy
Pope Pius XII:
The 10th paragraph in Pope Pius XII's 1954 encyclical (The Ad Caeli Reginam), tells us what Ephrem, a 4th century theologian from Syria, "burning with poetic inspiration", represents Mary as saying (Emphasis Added).
".. Let Heaven sustain me in its embrace, because I am honored above it. For heaven was not Thy mother, but Thou hast made it Thy throne. How much more honorable and venerable than the throne of a king is her mother." [01]
Ambrose, Archbishop of Milan (c. 340 – 397) Concerning Virginity (De virginibus) Book II (All Emphasis Added)
One of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century is a perfect example of someone making it up as they went along. Like many other 'theologians' of the day, he allowed his very colorful imagination to soar. His grandiose assertions paved the way for many of the false beliefs about Mary.
7. The first thing which kindles ardour in learning is the greatness of the teacher. What is greater than the Mother of God? What more glorious than she whom Glory Itself chose? What more chaste than she who bore a body without contact with another body? For why should I speak of her other virtues? She was a virgin not only in body but also in mind, who stained the sincerity of its disposition by no guile, who was humble in heart, grave in speech, prudent in mind, sparing of words, studious in reading, resting her hope not on uncertain riches, but on the prayer of the poor, intent on work, modest in discourse; wont to seek not man but God as the judge of her thoughts, to injure no one, to have goodwill towards all, to rise up before her elders, not to envy her equals, to avoid boastfulness, to follow reason, to love virtue. When did she pain her parents even by a look? When did she disagree with her neighbours? When did she despise the lowly? When did she avoid the needy? .....
8. Why should I detail her spareness of food, her abundance of services — the one abounding beyond nature, the other almost insufficient for nature? And there were no seasons of slackness, but days of fasting, one upon the other. And if ever the desire for refreshment came, her food was generally what came to hand, taken to keep off death, not to minister to comfort. Necessity before inclination caused her to sleep, and yet when her body was sleeping her soul was awake, and often in sleep either went again through what had been read, or went on with what had been interrupted by sleep, or carried out what had been designed, or foresaw what was to be carried out.
9. She was unaccustomed to go from home, except for divine service, and this with parents or kinsfolk. Busy in private at home, accompanied by others abroad, yet with no better guardian than herself, as she, inspiring respect by her gait and address, progressed not so much by the motion of her feet as by step upon step of virtue. But though the Virgin had other persons who were protectors of her body, she alone guarded her character; she can learn many points if she be her own teacher, who possesses the perfection of all virtues, for whatever she did is a lesson. Mary attended to everything as though she were warned by many, and fulfilled every obligation of virtue as though she were teaching rather than learning.
10. Such has the Evangelist shown her, such did the angel find her, such did the Holy Spirit choose her. Why delay about details? How her parents loved her, strangers praised her, how worthy she was that the Son of God should be born of her. She, when the angel entered, was found at home in privacy, without a companion, that no one might interrupt her attention or disturb her; and she did not desire any women as companions, who had the companionship of good thoughts. Moreover, she seemed to herself to be less alone when she was alone. For how should she be alone, who had with her so many books, so many archangels, so many prophets? [02]
All of which begs the question... How did Ambrose know any of this?
Since he undoubtedly wasn't physically present during Mary's early years nor knew anyone who was leaves us with two options. Either he was inspired of the Holy Spirit, or he simply had the audacity to embellish, elaborate and add to the simple stories told in the Scriptures.
Considering that none of the inspired Biblical authors went into such rhapsodies over anyone's character (not even that of the Messiah) one can only conclude that Ambrose, like many others of his time, got carried away by their own extravagant enthusiasm.
I have even less idea how anyone reading these made up scenarios could accept them. While there is no question that Mary had one of the most important roles to play in all of Biblical history, we cannot forget that had Abraham not left Ur, Moses not confronted the Pharaoh, Esther not bargained with the king, etc. etc. etc. there would have been no Jewish nation.. and no Mary.
Each one had their part to play to bring about the birth of the Messiah. but the point is that every one of these outstanding Biblical characters also had some character flaws... all part of being human. What made them outstanding men and women of God was their hearts.. their tremendous faith. Their desire to please God and trust Him absolutely always overcame their fears and initial hesitation.
None of them were believed to have been 'assumed' into heaven nor been free of the so called stain of original sin which, by the way, is yet another myth.
See The Assumption
Also Original Sin... Fact or Fable
Sin is not a substance with physical properties that, like a virus, can be transmitted from person to person. If it were a substance that could be physically passed on, then virtue, goodness, and righteousness must also be substances that can be transmitted physically.
Sin is a conscious, willful act performed by an individual (in word, deed, or thought) that opposes God's will... it is an immoral choice made by the sinner, that transgresses God's law. Therefore apart from the sinner who makes the choice, then commits the act, sin can not even exist. In other words, "Original Sin" is a mere figment of the human imagination which, apparently, knows no bounds.
Although Mary had great faith to believe she could get pregnant while still a virgin others had as much faith as she did. In fact, God's word tells us much more about about other servants of God, such as Moses, Abraham, the apostle Paul, etc.
She never wrote any part of the Bible nor did she die a martyr of the faith.
Blessed Among Women
Certainly Mary was blessed among women but Scripture does not say she was blessed above women. In any case at least one other woman was described in the same way
Most blessed of women is Jael, The wife of Heber the Kenite; Most blessed is she of women in the tent. (Judges 5:24 NASB
Did Gabriel and Elizabeth's Words Signify Mary Had An Exalted Position?
Gabriel:
One of the very few references the Ad Caeli Reginam made to the Scriptures was to state in point 9 that it is "not surprising" that (Emphasis Added)
".... the early writers of the Church called Mary "the Mother of the King" and "the Mother of the Lord," basing their stand on the words of St. Gabriel the archangel, who foretold that the Son of Mary would reign forever, (Cf. Luc. I, 32, 33) and on the words of Elizabeth who greeted her with reverence and called her "the Mother of my Lord." (Luc. I, 43.)
Thereby they clearly signified that she derived a certain eminence and exalted station from the royal dignity of her Son. [03]
Sadly, this is a classic case of going to the Bible to 'prove' what you have already decided to believe.
Yes, the archangel Gabriel words to Mary were... s
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” (Luke 1:32-33 NASB)
However, the focus was not on Mary, but on the child she would bear...
Nothing in the exchange could possibly prompt anyone to think that Mary "derived a certain eminence and exalted station from the royal dignity of her Son" - It is we who have presumed to use the angel's words to project some of Jesus' greatness onto Mary.
Why Elizabeth Called Mary Blessed
Mark Brumlev, managing editor of The Catholic Faith magazine (cited earlier) uses Elizabeth's words to Mary to try and prove the latter's exalted state. He says (Emphasis Added)
This is the language of the royal court, with the subordinate (Elizabeth) addressing a royal superior (Mary). Elizabeth was honored, not merely by the presence, in utero, of the child Jesus, but also by Mary herself. Elizabeth said, "Who am I that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" Elizabeth was honored by the presence of Mary because she is the Queen Mother of the Messianic King, Elizabeth's Lord. [04]
This is what Elizabeth actually said (Emphasis Added)
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." (Luke 1:41-45 NASB)
Elizabeth DID NOT SAY "Who am I that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?".
She said "how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?"
Big difference!
Elizabeth was simply asking what the reason was that Mary had come to her
It is true that Elizabeth blessed Mary as the mother of her Lord (Vs. 42), which she was. However, we need to keep this in proper perspective. While there is little question that bearing the Messiah was an exceedingly great honour, what Elizabeth praised Mary for was her faith and her obedience. Verse 45 has Elizabeth saying
"..blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord."
Who, According To Jesus, Is "Blessed" And Part of His Family?
But what about Mary's claim that from that time on all generations would count her blessed.
Note that Mary's joyful claim that "all generations shall call me blessed" in no way takes away from her humility. If she seems to boast here, it is much as St. Paul does later on in Scripture when he says "whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord" (2 Corinthians 10:17), that is to say, in God's work being done through us. [05]
In his Gospel, Luke tells the story of an unknown woman in a crowd who listening to Jesus raised her voice and called out
Jesus' response was, in effect, a mild admonishment...
But He said, "On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it." (Luke 11:28 NASB)
In saying this, Jesus clearly pointed out that in God's order of things, being blessed is a matter of hearing and obeying God's word.
In the same vein, when Mary and His brothers wanted to speak to Him, Jesus appeared not only to decline their request, but again pointed out that doing the will of His Father makes a person part of His (Jesus') family.
While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. Someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You." But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." (Matthew 12:46-50 NASB)
Was Jesus making a point? Certainly! But it seems to be one that many people today don't seem to have caught on to.
There are no blood ties in the Scripture (not even Mary's earthly ties to Jesus) that mean anything in terms of becoming a son/daughter of God. What counts is that every individual, regardless of whom they might be related to, connected with, or what church they may belong to, has to hear and keep His commandments.
"To Jesus through Mary"
Louis de Montfort was a 17th - 18th century French Catholic priest and missionary best known for his intense devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, his popularization of the Rosary, and his influential writings on total Marian consecration. He authored True Devotion to Mary, which outlines the path of total consecration to Jesus through the hands of Mary. His motto was "Totus Tuus" ("totally yours"), which later inspired Pope Saint John Paul II’s papal motto. (See Mary Worship)
St. Louis de Montfort's "To Jesus through Mary" is a common refrain amongst lovers of Mary, and rightly so. To be sure, she is the way to Jesus - Jesus does not come to us via any other way. Nor is anyone transformed into Christ but through Mary. [06] (Emphasis Added)
In other words, we must go through Mary to get to the Savior.
No idea what the source of Louis de Montfort's beliefs were but one can be certain that it was not the Scriptures. In fact, they completely contradict what the Bible very clearly states (Emphasis Added)
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5 NASB)
If Christ is the one mediator between God and man, why should there be a mediator between humans and Christ?
In any case the book of Hebrews advises us that we can, with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace, and that Jesus (all by Himself) can save "to the uttermost" them that come to God through Him.
Therefore He is also able to save forever those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25 NASB)
Another verse in Ephesians is crystal clear that Jesus is our mediator
And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, (Ephesians 2:17-19 NASB)
John 14:6 highlights Jesus as the exclusive way to the Father.
Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6 NASB)
As does Hebrews
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let's approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let's hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; (Hebrews 10:19-23 NASB)
Other supporting verses include,
Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NASB)
You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me; and yet you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. (John 5:39-40 NASB)
For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, "Lord, always give us this bread.” Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty. (John 6:33-35 NASB)
Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. (John 7:37 NASB)
The Real Mary of The Bible
But here is what I find so tragic.
In the face of Catholicism's elaborate claims about Mary the fact that she was quite a remarkable young woman seems to have been missed entirely.
I find it wryly amusing that it was a Protestant that drew my attention to the qualities that the Bible attributes to her, rather than the inane flights of fancy that are indulged in.
So what, according to the Scriptures, was so special about Mary?
Certainly, we can be sure that Mary was definitely an exceptional woman of faith who had the strength and courage to trust God all the way to Calvary. Her faith and fortitude were her outstanding qualities, without which she would never have been chosen.
She was willing to risk her own life and imperil her marriage to Joseph and become the topic of slanderous gossip when those around her found out she was pregnant and suspected her of consorting with another man (Joseph had to forgiven for thinking so as well and wanting to send Mary away quietly) until, as we know, he was given a dream from God.
But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:20 BSB)(Matthew 1:18-20
Quite obviously she and Joseph (Why do we always forget about his faith in believing God and standing by Mary?) were people of great faith. He might not have actually fathered the child but by golly! he was there for the next 30 years.
Mary was not only at the foot of the cross mourning her firstborn (Luke 2:7), but was in the upper room with 120 other disciples when the Holy Spirit came upon them. However, to be noted is that although Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit at the same time as the disciples there is not a single instance in the book of Acts of her doing anything that can even vaguely be seen as miraculous. Moreover she did not preach or teach in her Son's name as did the other disciples.
On the other hand...
The Magnificat
Mary's deep familiarity with and faith in the word of God, her grasp of His purposes and promises, her gratitude for the grace He bestowed on her, her submission to His will, and the very breath and scope of her vision are all reflected in her short hymn of praise called The Magnificat (also known as the Canticle of Mary) recorded in Luke 1:46-55.
The title comes from the first word of the Latin version of the text - Magnificat anima mea, Dominum.
And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. "For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant; For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed. "For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. "And His mercy is to generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.
"He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts. "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. "He has filled the hungry with good things, And sent the rich away empty-handed. "He has given help to His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, Just as He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever." (Luke 1:46-55 NASB)
There are quite a few points to be noted here, especially the fact that Mary's theology was vastly superior to that of the scribes and Pharisees.
1) Mary's Hymn of Praise Was Directed To The Father
If we were to give the matter any thought at all, it would surely strike us that any young woman in Mary's position would be overwhelmed by the idea that the child she was carrying would be called the Son of the Most High, would be given the throne of His father David, and whose kingdom would have no end. Yet, Mary does not even once refer to the Son she has been promised.
Much to the contrary, her praise was centered on the Father who was sending His Messiah.
In verses 49 and 50 she extols three of the greatest attributes of the Almighty... His power, His holiness, and His mercy.
2) Mary's Focus Was On God's Grace, Not The Law
It seemed the scribes and Pharisees who were the religious leaders of the day could not see beyond the rules and regulations of the Mosaic law. They insisted on ceremonial details at the expense of the more important precepts of the Law like justice and mercy, and introduced hundreds of their own rules and prohibitions that were their interpretation of God's law.
In other words, they did a great job at keeping the letter of the Law all the while totally ignoring the spirit of it.
While these religious leaders thought only in terms of human works, Mary viewed all of God's dealings in the light of His grace. She did not even mention the Mosaic covenant but understood that Israel's hope was rooted in the Abrahamic Covenant, not in the Mosaic.
Also note her words (Emphasis Added)... "His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him". Those who "fear" God are the ones who keep His commandments.
3) The Sheer Breadth and Scope of Mary's Vision
To quote pastor Diffenbaugh
We would expect Mary to be taken with the fact that she will have a baby, and that this baby will be the Son of God. While this is certainly true, Mary chose to focus on what the child would be and accomplish as an adult, and not what her child would be as a child. In other words, Mary's praise does not focus on the immediate blessedness of her having this child, but on the ultimate outcome of the coming of Messiah.
She looks at the long range, not the short term. She views this event in terms of the distant past, in terms of the covenant promises of God, in terms of the history of Israel, where God's mercy was shown on generation after generation, and in terms of the distant future, when at His second coming Messiah will set things straight. At this time the social order will under a radical and violent reversal. The lofty will be put down and the humble will be exalted (vv. 51-52). The hungry will be fed and the well-fed will be hungry. The poor will be helped, but the rich will be sent away (v. 53)....
Mary has a great breadth of understanding. She looks backward, to the covenants which God has made with Abraham and with His people in the Old Testament. She looks forward to the ultimate righteousness which will be established when Messiah reigns on the throne of David. Mary has a good sense of history and a broad grasp of God's purposes and promises. There is no provincialism to be found in her praise. [07]
4) Mary Focused More On The Results Of Christ's Second Coming, Than She Did The First.
It is unlikely that that Mary had any idea that the purpose of Christ's incarnation was to offer redemption to mankind by His death on the cross, much less that He would come to earth twice, for two distinct purposes. Yet the scenario that Mary described.... God bringing down rulers from their thrones, scattering the proud, exalting the humble etc (Vs. 52-53) fits what will happen at Christ's second coming.
In fact her general theology matches that of her Son. Many years later He greatly expanded on her words when He preached the sermon on the Mount. For example, in verse 53 Mary said "He has filled the hungry with good things..." words which are specifically echoed in Matthew 5:7, when our Lord said "Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied ".
Taking a few moments to veer slightly off course, I would like to quote pastor Bob Deffinbaugh once again. Referring to the example set by two remarkable women well sums up the problem with our prayer life, and what we should endeavor to make it.
How shallow our prayers and praise seem when compared with that of these two godly women. Our praise tends to be based almost exclusively on our pleasant and pleasurable experiences. Our praise tends to focus primarily on what God has done for us. We must seek to dwell much more on the character of God, of His covenant promises, and of His working in history, as well as in the future. The language of our praise should betray a continual soaking in the Scriptures and meditation on the terms and theology of the Bible.
Our praise ... should especially be patterned after that of Mary, who did not focus on the tiny baby that she would soon hold in her arms, but in the God who sent Messiah and in the goal of His coming earth. This includes the immediate goal of redemption and salvation, but it especially includes the "setting right" of those things which are unjust and evil. These things are still future for us, as they were for Mary, for they will be accomplished at the second coming of our Lord. [ibid.]
5) Mary Did Not In Any Way View Herself As Better Or Holier Than Anyone Else.
In complete contrast to the vivid pictures Ambrose of Milan paints of her saintliness (none of which he could possibly have known) there is not the slightest hint that she believes she was chosen because of her exemplary lifestyle or sinlessness. In her words
"For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed".
In other words, her blessedness was because of God's grace, not the other way around.
And last but far from least...
Mary Called God Her “Savior”
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was promulgated by Pope Pius IX in 1854. It means that Mary was preserved from Original Sin by the graces won by Christ on the Cross on Good Friday almost 50 years after her conception.
The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin. [08]
As said by Rhode Island Catholic
The belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was free from original sin is a foundational doctrine in the Catholic Church known as the Immaculate Conception. It states that from the very moment of her creation in her mother's womb, she was preserved immune from the stain of original sin. [09]
See The Immaculate Conception
And when she exclaimed "my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior" (Luke 1: 46-47), she was referring to the fact that God had saved her from original sin, by not allowing her to become tainted with it.
Except for one problem - There is NO SUCH THING AS Original Sin.
Sin is not a substance with physical properties that, like a virus, can be transmitted from person to person. If it were a substance that could be physically passed on, then virtue, goodness, and righteousness must also be substances that can be transmitted physically.
Sin is a conscious, willful act performed by an individual (in word, deed, or thought) that opposes God's will... it is an immoral choice made by the sinner, that transgresses God's law. Therefore apart from the sinner who makes the choice, then commits the act, sin can not even exist. In other words, "Original Sin" is a mere figment of the human imagination which, apparently, knows no bounds. See Original Sin... Fact or Fable
Which means the only reason Mary called God her "savior," is because He saves people including Mary herself from death, the penalty for sin. See Salvation
End Notes
[01] Ephraem, Hymni de B. Maria, ed. Th. J. Lamy, t. II, Mechliniae, 1886, hymn. XIX, p. 624.
Also https://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_pi12ac.htm
[02] Ambrose of Milan. Concerning Virginity (Book II). Chapter 2. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 10. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1896.) Translated by H. de Romestin, E. de Romestin and H.T.F. Duckworth. Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight.
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/34072.htm
[03] Ad Caeli Reginam. Encyclical Of Pope Pius Xii On Proclaiming The Queenship Of Mary.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_11101954_ad-caeli-reginam_en.html
[04] Mark Brumley. Queen of Heaven: Pagan Divinity or Royal Mother of the Messiah? CatholicCulture.org.
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=2803
[05] Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh. The Worship of Two Women. (Luke 1:39-56)
https://bible.org/seriespage/worship-two-women-luke-139-56
[06] Keith Berube. Homiletic & Pastoral Review
https://www.hprweb.com/2018/10/to-jesus-through-mary-is-not-enough/
[07] Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh. The Worship of Two Women. (Luke 1:39-56)
https://bible.org/seriespage/worship-two-women-luke-139-56
[08] Page 138) Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus (1854): DS 2803
[09] Why did Mary never sin, but we do?
https://www.thericatholic.com/stories/why-did-mary-never-sin-but-we-do,9443
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