Malachi
Member
On another thread, an Orthodox chant was mentioned which included intercession by the "Mother of God'. It appeared to be "harmless", and that's the reason for this post (which is not meant to address any other issues connected with the "Traditional Churches"). Christians need to think about this designation for Mary and see what impact it has doctrinally. And whether it is even legitimate in the ligth of Scripture.
The early churches were Greek-speaking, and it would appear that the Greek term theotokos, translated "Mother of God" was coined possibly in the 3rd century. While most evangelical Christians are not familiar with Orthodox and other theology, both traditions somehow involve Mary in the plan of salvation. Orthodox and others venerate Mary as the "Mediatrix" between God and men, and the above chant conveyed that thought.
For those who hold to the written Word of God as the sole authority for all doctrine (2 Tim 3:16), "Mother of God" needs to be examined in the light of Scripture. What exactly does the New Testament say about Mary (who as a virgin had a supernatural conception by the power of the Holy Ghost, and brought forth her firstborn son, Jesus)?
1. Since God is the triune Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) "Mother of God" implies "mother of the Godhead" which is false. The term is not "Motherof Jesus" but "Mother of God", and it is impossible for God to have a mother.
2. When Christ, at the age of twelve, remained behind in Jerusalem to discourse with the learned "doctors" in the Temple, neither Mary nor Joseph really understood who their son was and what His objective was on earth (Lk 2:41-50) -- "and they understood not the saying which He spake unto them" (v 50). This shows that they were both only human, though righteous.
3. While Jesus was on this earth, Mary did not fully understand Him, even though He was her son by birth. This is clear from the account of the marriage at Cana of Galilee (Jn 2:1-11), as well as the account of His family members trying to get His attention in the midst of His public ministry (Mt 12:46-50). That shows that she was only human, though righteous.
4. Each time the Lord addressed Mary his mother directly he called her "Woman", not "Mother" (Jn 2:4; 19:36). This was a formal mode of address, and the point was that Christ was distancing Himself from the woman who had given Him birth. He was "the Lord from Heaven" (1 Cor 15:47). Hence Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist addressed Mary as "the mother of my Lord" (Lk 1:43). Hence Christ told all His hearers that He had dissociated Himself from earthly familial ties (Mt 12:48), and that all those who did the will of God -- His disciples -- were "my brother, and sister, and mother" (Mt 12:50). This is the first clear indication that she could not in future be called "the Mother of God".
5. What really goes to the heart of the unscriptural term "Mother of God" is that Christ plainly and clearly told Mary in no uncertain terms that His ministry on earth ( including His finished work of redemption on the Cross and in His resurrection) had nothing whatsoever to do with Mary (Jn 2:4); "WOMAN, WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH THEE..." This may sound harsh, but we can be sure it was said with love and respect, but also with a clear demarcation between God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim 3:16) and His completely human mother. In future ages, no one reading the NT would ever need to wonder about Mary being involved with our salvation in any way, shape or form. Her role was strictly that of virgin mother to Christ.
6. Whenever Mary is mentioned in the Gospels and Acts, she is called "the mother of Jesus". That's it. Never "the Mother of God". She is never mentioned in the epistles or Revelation, other than once by Paul, who is careful to say regarding the birth of Christ "made of a woman" (Gal 4:4) to remind Christians that the Messiah would be "the seed of the woman" (Gen 3:15), a prophetic statement made to Satan after the Fall.
7. To sum up, Mary cannot legitimately be called "the Mother of God", and Mary has nothing whatsoever to do with our salvation, or special intercession for Christians at the Throne of Grace. All believers have direct access to God (Heb 10:11-22), where Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, as "the one Mediator between God and men" (1 Tim 2:5). Thus Mariolatry is idolatry.
The early churches were Greek-speaking, and it would appear that the Greek term theotokos, translated "Mother of God" was coined possibly in the 3rd century. While most evangelical Christians are not familiar with Orthodox and other theology, both traditions somehow involve Mary in the plan of salvation. Orthodox and others venerate Mary as the "Mediatrix" between God and men, and the above chant conveyed that thought.
For those who hold to the written Word of God as the sole authority for all doctrine (2 Tim 3:16), "Mother of God" needs to be examined in the light of Scripture. What exactly does the New Testament say about Mary (who as a virgin had a supernatural conception by the power of the Holy Ghost, and brought forth her firstborn son, Jesus)?
1. Since God is the triune Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) "Mother of God" implies "mother of the Godhead" which is false. The term is not "Motherof Jesus" but "Mother of God", and it is impossible for God to have a mother.
2. When Christ, at the age of twelve, remained behind in Jerusalem to discourse with the learned "doctors" in the Temple, neither Mary nor Joseph really understood who their son was and what His objective was on earth (Lk 2:41-50) -- "and they understood not the saying which He spake unto them" (v 50). This shows that they were both only human, though righteous.
3. While Jesus was on this earth, Mary did not fully understand Him, even though He was her son by birth. This is clear from the account of the marriage at Cana of Galilee (Jn 2:1-11), as well as the account of His family members trying to get His attention in the midst of His public ministry (Mt 12:46-50). That shows that she was only human, though righteous.
4. Each time the Lord addressed Mary his mother directly he called her "Woman", not "Mother" (Jn 2:4; 19:36). This was a formal mode of address, and the point was that Christ was distancing Himself from the woman who had given Him birth. He was "the Lord from Heaven" (1 Cor 15:47). Hence Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist addressed Mary as "the mother of my Lord" (Lk 1:43). Hence Christ told all His hearers that He had dissociated Himself from earthly familial ties (Mt 12:48), and that all those who did the will of God -- His disciples -- were "my brother, and sister, and mother" (Mt 12:50). This is the first clear indication that she could not in future be called "the Mother of God".
5. What really goes to the heart of the unscriptural term "Mother of God" is that Christ plainly and clearly told Mary in no uncertain terms that His ministry on earth ( including His finished work of redemption on the Cross and in His resurrection) had nothing whatsoever to do with Mary (Jn 2:4); "WOMAN, WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH THEE..." This may sound harsh, but we can be sure it was said with love and respect, but also with a clear demarcation between God manifest in the flesh (1 Tim 3:16) and His completely human mother. In future ages, no one reading the NT would ever need to wonder about Mary being involved with our salvation in any way, shape or form. Her role was strictly that of virgin mother to Christ.
6. Whenever Mary is mentioned in the Gospels and Acts, she is called "the mother of Jesus". That's it. Never "the Mother of God". She is never mentioned in the epistles or Revelation, other than once by Paul, who is careful to say regarding the birth of Christ "made of a woman" (Gal 4:4) to remind Christians that the Messiah would be "the seed of the woman" (Gen 3:15), a prophetic statement made to Satan after the Fall.
7. To sum up, Mary cannot legitimately be called "the Mother of God", and Mary has nothing whatsoever to do with our salvation, or special intercession for Christians at the Throne of Grace. All believers have direct access to God (Heb 10:11-22), where Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, as "the one Mediator between God and men" (1 Tim 2:5). Thus Mariolatry is idolatry.
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