Scotth1960
Member
Friends, Are there differing opinions regarding salvation (soteriology) in Christ, Mary, and the word "save"? It is clear from the Bible: There is only one Saviour: God: Father, Son, and Spirit, especially the Son, Jesus Christ. One Mediator only between God and men: the man Christ the LORD. But are there many intercessors (prayers) through the Lord God? Yes!
From Fr. Peter E. Gillquist: "Mary and Salvation "Near the end of the Vespers service in the Orthodox Church, the officiant says, "O holy Mother of God, save us". Can Mary really save us? Yes, and here is why.
"Certainly we believe that Mary is pure and holy, that she rules with Christ, that she even prays for us. We know that Mary relinquished her will to the will of God, thus cooperating fully with the purpose of God. And we know that it is the express purpose of God to save those who have faith in Christ. At the very least we can say that Mary is concerned about our salvation and that she desires it. That should be true of all believers.
"So the original question, "Can Mary save us?" leads to another question: "Can we save others?" Again, the Holy Scriptures speak with resounding clarity. Here are some examples.
Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16)
Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:20)
And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. (Jude 22-23) [All Scriptures in Gillquist, NKJV, unless otherwise noted].
"Fire saves (1 Corinthians 3:!5); prayer saves (James 5:15); angels save (Isaiah 63:9); baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21), preaching saves (1 Corinthians 1:21); the Apostle Paul saves (Romans 11:14).
"New life in Christ, or salvation, is both personal union with him and an incorporation into the wholeness of the Body, the Church. Salvation is a Church affair, a Church concern, because we are all affected by it. Therefore, in Christ we all have a part to play in the corporate nature of His saving act.
"We do not save alone; Mary does not save alone. Jesus Christ is our wellspring of salvation. he said, "Without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:4). And "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7).
"Mary has a unique role in our salvation because she provided the body of Christ and thereby became the "mother" of all those who would be saved. That is why Jesus, while on the Cross, said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" and then said to Saint John, "Behold your mother!" (John 19:26,27). Understood in this way, does the Mother of God save us? That God, yes!
"Changing Our Mind About Mary
"Many Christians have been grossly misinformed in the last 150 years concerning the historical Church's view of Mary. We have forgotten she is favored by the Father, and is the model for you and me -- indeed, the flagship of all humanity. She was the only one who have her flesh to the Son of God, and she is uniquely to be "blessed throughout all generations" (Luke 1:48).
"What we do about Mary is connected directly to what we do about the Church. The community of Christ's followers is called to act together. Taking action with regard to Mary is not simply personal or private; it has to do with responding as the Church". [BECOMING ORTHODOX: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith. by Peter E. Gillquist, Copyright 1989, Wolgemuth & Hyatt Publishers, Brentwood, TN; pp. 120-121., q.v.].
Some of you may disagree with this. It is part of life if we have differences.
What needs to be said that much disagreement is based upon misunderstanding of Mary and who she really is, how much she gave her all to God, and had all her love to her Son, and so did not have to give her flesh in love to St. Joseph.
The Church has always understood this; sectarians misinterpret the Scriptures (in Matthew 1:25 and other places) on this, as they do on Romans 3:28 and Ephesians 2:8-9, and many other places, some of them, especially the teaching among many today on pre tribulation rapture. In Erie Scott Harrington
From Fr. Peter E. Gillquist: "Mary and Salvation "Near the end of the Vespers service in the Orthodox Church, the officiant says, "O holy Mother of God, save us". Can Mary really save us? Yes, and here is why.
"Certainly we believe that Mary is pure and holy, that she rules with Christ, that she even prays for us. We know that Mary relinquished her will to the will of God, thus cooperating fully with the purpose of God. And we know that it is the express purpose of God to save those who have faith in Christ. At the very least we can say that Mary is concerned about our salvation and that she desires it. That should be true of all believers.
"So the original question, "Can Mary save us?" leads to another question: "Can we save others?" Again, the Holy Scriptures speak with resounding clarity. Here are some examples.
Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this, you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16)
Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:20)
And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. (Jude 22-23) [All Scriptures in Gillquist, NKJV, unless otherwise noted].
"Fire saves (1 Corinthians 3:!5); prayer saves (James 5:15); angels save (Isaiah 63:9); baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21), preaching saves (1 Corinthians 1:21); the Apostle Paul saves (Romans 11:14).
"New life in Christ, or salvation, is both personal union with him and an incorporation into the wholeness of the Body, the Church. Salvation is a Church affair, a Church concern, because we are all affected by it. Therefore, in Christ we all have a part to play in the corporate nature of His saving act.
"We do not save alone; Mary does not save alone. Jesus Christ is our wellspring of salvation. he said, "Without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:4). And "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7).
"Mary has a unique role in our salvation because she provided the body of Christ and thereby became the "mother" of all those who would be saved. That is why Jesus, while on the Cross, said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" and then said to Saint John, "Behold your mother!" (John 19:26,27). Understood in this way, does the Mother of God save us? That God, yes!
"Changing Our Mind About Mary
"Many Christians have been grossly misinformed in the last 150 years concerning the historical Church's view of Mary. We have forgotten she is favored by the Father, and is the model for you and me -- indeed, the flagship of all humanity. She was the only one who have her flesh to the Son of God, and she is uniquely to be "blessed throughout all generations" (Luke 1:48).
"What we do about Mary is connected directly to what we do about the Church. The community of Christ's followers is called to act together. Taking action with regard to Mary is not simply personal or private; it has to do with responding as the Church". [BECOMING ORTHODOX: A Journey to the Ancient Christian Faith. by Peter E. Gillquist, Copyright 1989, Wolgemuth & Hyatt Publishers, Brentwood, TN; pp. 120-121., q.v.].
Some of you may disagree with this. It is part of life if we have differences.
What needs to be said that much disagreement is based upon misunderstanding of Mary and who she really is, how much she gave her all to God, and had all her love to her Son, and so did not have to give her flesh in love to St. Joseph.
The Church has always understood this; sectarians misinterpret the Scriptures (in Matthew 1:25 and other places) on this, as they do on Romans 3:28 and Ephesians 2:8-9, and many other places, some of them, especially the teaching among many today on pre tribulation rapture. In Erie Scott Harrington
