There’s Something About Mary… But it’s not Diety

Being raised Catholic, having a grandmother and aunt who were raised in a convent – let alone going to Catholic school… Has given me a heart for those who practice (if you can call it that) this particular religious doctrine… Most recently the online magazine, The Christian Post posted an article that was entitled “Christians, Muslims Unite in Vigils for ISIS Terror Attack Victims” sparked my outrage – only because the “Christian” reference was for the Catholics who were holding the meet and greet…

Look, I have a heart for those who are searching for Truth – but when their findings lead them into hell without so much as a “peep” from Disciples of Christ – well, it just won’t happen on my watch. I have way too many family members heading straight to hell based on loose and twisted scriptures and un-biblical doctrine and it simply breaks my heart. So, I responded to this post and in my attempt to set the “Truth” record straight, got into a debate about Mary – Here is my response to the very well-indoctrinated Catholic:

Dear … Oh, let’s just call her Mary, I’m sure she’ll see that as an honor:

Due to the fact that this is indeed a salvific issue and being raised Catholic – until getting kicked out for reading my Bible then questioning the “traditions of men,” I am compelled to rebuke and exhort –

Mary was indeed a blessed woman, who’s faith (and faith alone) is admirable – (explains a lot about why Jesus didn’t use this generation – we can hardly find women who give God enough respect to dress modestly for church…) – but to give to her any authority under Heaven or on earth, is flirting with God’s wrath – anything that dismisses the authority of Christ alone is idolatry.

As you pointed out – 1 Tim 2:5 states:

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

Hebrew and Greek both translate the word Mediator as one who intercedes on our behalf – to properly “translate” the scripture – you just have to read the final 2 Words: Christ Jesus.

He is the ONLY mediator – again God’s Word explains:

“Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law,” (Gal 3:20-21).

Mary’s righteousness is the same as mine: “Polluted [id-da; meaning: “menstrual”] rags,” (Is. 64:6).

With that being said, again I understand intercessory…I also understand you need to be alive to be an intercessor…. I also am in agreement that we are to pray for one another –but to expect that we can an anyway change or alter God’s plan or His will is preposterous, as is to misuse the scripture to justify extreme unction is again placing the power of man above the sovereignty of God and is simply pride – but leads people to hell, therefore it must be rebuked.

The words of Luke 1:38 indeed indicates Mary’s “cooperation” (but then again, what was she going to do? Again… another reason not to choose this putrid generation) But that obedience is in no way is that to mislead anyone by put her on some sort of pedestal –

She was obedient and didn’t go and freak out…  that’s it. She is model to immolate as to her faith and to the fact she understood that all Glory is to be given to God alone.

Never again is she mentioned in scripture as anyone “special” or with any form of deity or superiority – Nor should she now. She was apparently a very righteous woman – But the Bible warns:

^“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose,” (Gal 2:21). It’s all about Jesus.

Using Mary as a “tool” to “foster” a relationship with Christ….? Mary couldn’t even “foster” her OWN blood-born children into a relationship with Christ! It wasn’t until after Jesus died on the cross that his brothers believed! So what makes you think she can do it better dead?

God never came back to Mary and said, “Hey… great job there! I couldn’t have done it without you.” No. He. Did. Not.

We are much better “tools” than Mary – we are alive! Look – Jesus calls us, (those of us who are disciples of Christ) to spread the Gospel to everywhere… to everyone…– but we are ALIVE and have that ability….

The Bible doesn’t speak to dead people…. (even those who are spiritually dead can’t understand it until they are enlightened by the Holy Spirit! –

Discipleship training helps us to help others “foster” their relationship with Christ… Even Paul praised Timothy’s grandma! I most certainly pray for my children and grandchildren….

We are indeed called to pray (fervently, consistently, deliberately, constantly) making our request known… But the miracles and the answers come from God alone, interceded by the Spirit alone and in the Name of Christ alone.

which states, “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me,” (Jn. 14:6 emphasis mine). As a matter of fact, the Bible continues by stating:

“By the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,” (Heb. 10:20).

“Jesus said to him, ‘“If it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”’ (John 21:22). The power to “act” is Christ’s alone.

– Well then! No calling the intercessory prayer warriors for Judas.

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him,” (John 12:26).

Never, not once does Jesus ever say, “Go ask my mom.”

Jesus doesn’t hold her of any higher esteem than anyone else – He never even refers to her as “blessed,” as a matter of fact – neither do any of the Disciples or any book of the Bible.

Only in the traditions of the Catholic church is Mary Deified:

Now, I realize the “rules” of the Catholic church are ever changing – (while the Bible, however, stays the same) – But as recently as 1987 pope John Paul II declared that Mary is (present tense):

1. Absolutely pure and sinless (apparently Romans 3:23 didn’t apply to her?)

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

2. Cooperates in her Son’s work of redemption… (No more than any other disciple of Christ)
3. Unceasingly intercedes for believers and the world… (A dead woman?)
4. Protects God’s people and the nations, and
5. Reigns as “Queen of the Universe” … (Wow, that’s something else you all have in common with the Mormons).

The pope writes:

Mary’s motherhood continues unceasingly in the Church as the mediation which intercedes, and the Church expresses her faith in this truth by invoking Mary ‘under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix, and Mediator.’ (39)

We believe that the Most Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, the Mother of the Church, carries on in heaven her maternal role with regard to the members of Christ, cooperating in the birth and development of divine life in the souls of the redeemed. (47)

She is also the one who, precisely as the ‘handmaid of the Lord,’ cooperates unceasingly with the work of salvation accomplished by Christ, her Son. (49)

Mary, though conceived and born without the taint of sin, participated in a marvelous way in the sufferings of her divine Son, in order to be Coredemptrix of humanity. (Redemptoris Mater issued on March 25, 1987) – see if you can find that one… If I had the Vat II docs I’d send them to you but I only have them in electronic (protected) format.

Mary was a sinner just like you and me. But because of her tremendous faith, calm, cool and collected spirit her uterus was chosen – and she went on to marry, have sex, and she even bore more children…. Then, she died. Dust to dust. Just like us.

Nowhere in the Bible is she ever praised – only in the Catholic church, I’m sure to her dismay and to which Jesus declares: “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the traditions of men… You have a fine way of rejecting the command of God in order to establish your tradition!”

You realize that the pope is no more holy than you or me…. And that all these titles given to Mrs. Joseph of Nazareth… were given to her by the Catholic church not Christ!

In regards to your Lumen Genium quote (referenced earlier by the pope) It states: “Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked by the Church under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix, and Mediatrix.”

However, that is not Biblical – Mary has never been addressed Biblically as an advocate, Auxiliatrix: (Latin: female: helper, aid) Adjutrix (Latin: Accomplice) or a Mediatrix (Latin: Female Mediator) – I’m sorry to tell you this, but –

– she is DEAD.

The ONLY person in Biblical history that called upon a dead person was Saul… and he had to use a medium to do it-

Samuel’s response, however was priceless:

“Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” The he got to tell him to prepare to die… (1Sam 28:15). Which, of course he didn’t “prepare,” the coward killed himself…

Here’s what the Bible says about those who are dead…. Not just Mary- but ALL the idols you pray to in the name of “saint-hood” which, I resent as it is a title given to all of God’s chosen –

“For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun,” (Ecc 9:1-6).

“Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you?” (Ps. 88:10).  

“What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness?” (Ps. 30:9).

In regards to your comment regarding the commandments – Of course they are important!  – I don’t care what your Catholic religious leaders say – this is what Jesus says:

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” (Matt 5:17–20)

• Quite the tall order for a bunch of sinners – right?
• Wait! It gets better!

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy,” (1 Pet 1:14-16).

But thank God that He sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ to die for my sins – So that even though I strive to “sin no more…” I fail –

“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin,” (Rom. 3:20). 

No human will be justified by works. (Thank God!)

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith, (Rom 3:20-25). 

Not by Mary, not by the pope…. But Jesus alone. And His sheep will love Jesus so much that their life is only relevant to His being glorified in everything we do.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God,” (1 Cor. 10:31).

Again, I would warn you and other Catholics or any person involved in a religion that adds to or takes away from scripture….  to not rely on the words of man, but to read their Bibles –  Throughout the Bible, those baseline commandments are expanded upon and include more than “Love God, Love People…” (Recommended reading: Matthew chapter 5).

Throughout the New Testament Paul warned every one of those who would not enter the Kingdom with their unholy practices….

“Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God,” (1 Co 6:9–11).

Those, such as the Catholic church and others who have taken it upon themselves to make up rules and regulations:

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ,” (Col. 2:8).

…Calling themselves “Holy Father” such as your pope – need to beware: For they are no more holy than I am and the practice of deeming oneself above Christ is eternally deadly.

“There are none righteous, no, not one,” (Rom 3:10).

So once again, I warn you in all sincerity and love, for the sake of the Gospel and the salvation of you, your family and others that you and your church and its followers will lead to destruction, turn to Christ alone, where through His blood alone – is the only “penance” required for the repentant heart seeking forgiveness of sin, saving one from eternal death in hell – for there is no “purgatory” only the blessing of eternal life in the glory of our God. This salvation is only found through Jesus Christ. To Him alone be all glory, honor and praise – for He alone is worthy.

 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth,” (1Tim 4:1-3).