Mary, the mother of our Lord

The Roman Catholic teachings about Mary, the mother of our Lord, are different than Protestant teachings in several key points. First, in general, just as I posted yesterday, praying to Mary is not considered necessary from a biblical standpoint. You do not have to go to the mother to get the ear of the son. The God who knows “when a sparrow falls” and knows the “number of every hair on your head” can certainly hear you prayers outright. But, again, it is understandable to view Mary in this special light because she is such an awesome model of faith.

Second, the Catholic Church teaches Mary was forgiven her original sin at conception, her soul receiving grace through the merit of Jesus before it was infused into her body. This “Immaculate Conception” was finally established as official Catholic teaching in 1854. There is no direct biblical support for this doctrine and as such, Protestants would not support the theory. There is direct support (Matthew 11:11) of another human born of mother and father being superior in trust in Jesus, John the Baptist. Jesus said,

I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.


Third, another Catholic tradition concerning Mary is that she was taken directly to heaven when she died. As with the Immaculate Conception, the “Assumption of Mary” does not have biblical support and, therefore, is not part of Protestant teaching. Interestingly, there are those who are taken directly to heaven, Enoch (Hebrews 11:5) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11), though the Bible doesn’t say they died!

Finally, another teaching of many Catholics that is gaining in prominence (probably Pope John Paul II supported this, Mother Theresa, e.g.) is naming Mary, coredemptrix. This does not put another person in the Trinity, but honors Mary as one who participates in Christ’s redemption. The participation is supported by two events, the saying, “Yes,” to the angel Gabriel for bearing Jesus, and the suffering she experienced at Jesus’ Passion. A subtle view of the coredemptrix influence seems to appear in the film, The Passion of the Christ. Again, no direct biblical support for such a title, therefore, not a Protestant teaching.

So, you get the picture. Many Protestants have a great admiration of Mary, the mother of our Lord. Protestants do not have the Marian dogma concerning her, however, as Roman Catholic Church tradition is not on par with the Bible. Of course, some Protestants who are former Roman Catholics may continue to reflect Marian devotion in their prayer life.

Side note: Congratulations to my Roman Catholic brothers and sisters for the election of your new pope, Benedict XVI. May he be covered by the Holy Spirit and be given continued health and wisdom.