Hi again
Mungo
Look, I'm just going to make a couple of points here.
"We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, the Savior of the human race was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”
Let's look at was this claim actually says. We declare, pronounce and define...
Ok, so this is some group telling me that they are speaking out in support of something and also to define that something. Right?
...that the doctrine which holds that the most BLessed Virgin Mary,...
What is it that they are attesting to: that there is a doctrine that has been established which 'hold's some things about the blessed virgin, Mary. Their proclamation has something to do with some doctrine concerning Mary.
...in the first instance of her conception,...
I'm honestly not even sure what that means. Did Mary have a 'second' instance of conception? Did she go through her mother's womb and out her birth canal...twice?
...by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God...
Agreed! Mary was honored to carry His Son, the vessel of His salvation, through pregnancy and his childhood. That she was given that honor and privelage by the grace of Almighty God is an absolute and unwavering truth.
...in view of the merits of Jesus Christ...
Again, not really sure what that means. In view of the merits of Jesus Christ. I mean, honestly I often stand and mentally consider and 'view' the merits of Jesus Christ. He is the Lord!! But I'm really not sure what is being conveyed here. It doesn't seem to really be any clearer if we put the phraseology together: by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God in view of the merits of Jesus Christ.
...the Savior of the human race,...
This is a statement defining 'who' Jesus is and I have absolutely no challenge to any claim that Jesus is the Savior of the human race.
...the Savior of the human race was preserved free from all stain of original sin...
More descriptive phraseology of 'who' Jesus is.
...is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”
Ok, Yes, Jesus is the Savior of the world sent by God and so we're all shaking our head yes, yes, but then we forget that this isn't talking about Jesus! This is trying to get people to believe that because Jesus was special in all those ways, then his mother must have been, too.
Naaaaah!!!
Please note my friend that in all of that entire piece of your 'doctrinal thesis', there is not one single piece of Scriptural evidence offered to suppor it...either. OK?
God bless,
Ted