Prelude
Let's begin a study that may take us some time. This article will be a simple overview. Just a shallow dive into the topic of Mariology. We are going to look at enough to whet our appetite for the subject. I hope you find some of these facts interesting. Some may actually be shocking. But it will be the beginning for some understanding on the subject. Let's see where it takes us.
Introduction
The Church of Christ has a long history. It goes back 2000 years. And what is important to note is that this 2,000 year history is not the Catholic church. The Caholic church would like to say that they have existed for 2,000 years and the Protestants removed themselves from the church. This is not true. The Christian Church existed since the days of the Apostles, since Jesus founded the church. All church lines come from this.
The Church was founded by Jesus. Various errors were introduced into the church early on.
In 1054, the Great Schism occurred, and the Eastern Orthodoxy seperated from the church. Later, in 1517, the Reformation took place, and the Catholic church and the Protestant Church split.
We will focus on the Catholic/Protestant split. When this occurred both sides took with them many of the doctrines and beliefs that were held by the church at that time.
For instance, Catholic apologists are quick to retort that Martin Luther defended the perpetual virginity of Mary. Martin Luther was a German monk, theologian and priest in the church when he posted his 95 theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg. He was a priest of the Christian Church. And when the Reformation occurred, he took with him many of the beliefs of the church at the time -- right or wrong. Simply because he was one of the first Reformists does not mean that he defines what the Reformation is all about.
Many of the early church fathers of the church do not hold to Catholic beliefs. For instance, Augustine's teachings are mostly embraced by the modern Catholic church. So why do they not believe in predestination -- such as double predestination where some are predestined to salvation and some to damnation. No that would be taken by Calvin and expanded. But the Catholics do not follow this early father. Augustine also taught free will of man -- Catholic's do as well -- but Augustine's view would place that free will outside of any influence on salvation. Augustine also believed in original sin -- as do the Catholics -- but his view included total depravity: man cannot do anything good. This is in direct opposition with Catholic teaching, which relies on man to be able to complete works to help with their salvation.
So given this quick synopsis of the early church, the fact that it was not exclusively Catholic, nor Protestant, nor Eastern Orthodox, and is the church that Jesus founded and said he would keep until the end of time. We must understand that to be able to understand church teachings, the schisms that existed early, the errors that existed early, and why there were splits at all.
And from this we will be able to see where the Church Jesus Christ founded, and how it still exists, and where the remnant of that Church exists today.
With that, let's move on to the immediate topic of this article: Mariology.
What is Mariology?
Here are some major points that define Mariology:
* Theotokos - Mother of God
* Immaculate Conception - Mary was born without original sin
* Perpetual Virginity - Mary remained a virgin her entire life
* Assumption - Mary was taken up into heaven
* Queen of Heaven & Earth - appointed by God to be Queen of Heaven & Earth
* stands at the right hand of Jesus
* hears and presents our petitions to Jesus
* appointed by God to be Queen of Heaven & Earth After the redemption mankind will be lifted above the angels, she's part of mankind...so then.
* stands at the right hand of Jesus And the bible says that nobody stands at the right hand of Jesus, and that this position is only for the Father to give. He hasn't yet, according to scripture.
* hears and presents our petitions to Jesus And she's a deceased human, she can't hear your prayers, and she's not presenting them anywhere--in fact the bible says that this is Jesus place as the intercessorary between man and the Father.
* making an idol of Catholic church books (the bible?? no.) Out of a man-made book that the priest of old wrote, outside of biblical instruction?
The bible on the other hand is not Catholic in the least. It was inspired and written by the Hand of God.
2 Timothy 3:16
Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness
Scripture is God's. Not man's. He's told us what we need to know. Things that are outside of his Word are man-made and are not holy. To claim them to be holy would be a creation of an idol, if you so do this.
Remember, the Catholic church did not exist until the Reformation. Many disagree, but it is true. Prior to that it was the universal (catholic -- a description, not a title) church. In that church were all the peoples who eventually became the Church of the Reformation, or the church of the Catholic popes. A schism. God called his remnant out of the harlot because of her sins and reformed his Church within the Reformation.
"She has been appointed by God to be the Queen of Heaven & Earth &
is exalted above all the Choirs of Angels & Saints & even stands at
the right hand of Her only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord, She
presents our petitions in a most efficacious manner. What She asks ,
She obtains. Her pleas can never be unheard."
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Pope Pius IX (1792-1878), Ineffabilis Deus 1854
Pope Pius IX explicitly condemned religious liberty. Vatican II said he was in error. They reversed his stance.
Pope Pius IX said that the pope was infallible at all times and should make all decisions. Vatican I (which took place under Pope Pius IX) said nope! Rather, only when speaking ex cathedra. They pointed out to him that previous popes have disagreed with him on his claim. Vatican II said he was full of it, created the doctrine that bishops should be more involved in decision-making processes.
Pope Pius IX lost the Papal States (declaring himself a prisoner in the Vatican), and was against the unification of Italy. Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II embraced dialogue with the world and other religions, reversing Pius' stances on the matter.
That's one heck of a pope they have there.