Jesus is Emanuel.
Stating that Mary is the mother of God is blasphemy.
The mysterys of the Triiune Godhead are many but to call Mary the mother of God is a grave error.
Dorothy is the mother of Sam.
Sam is a fireman.
Therefore, Dorothy is the mother of a fireman.
Mary is the mother of Jesus.
Jesus is God.
Therefore, Mary is the mother of God.
Sigh, generally these discussions seem to break down along a few miscommunications, overreactions, and sometimes an actual theological disagreement.
Protestants tend to be uncomfortable calling Mary the mother of God believing this denigrates the honor due to God alone or places Mary in a position greater than God. Catholics see this as an overreaction- a mother gives birth to a person, not a nature.
Some protestants seem to go further, seeming to believe that Jesus is two persons with two natures and that Mary is only the mother of the human person. Catholics recognize this as Nestorianism which was condemned in the 400’s if memory serves.
Using the term Godbearer is a nice phrase- I doubt many Protestants would have a problem with that. If one does disagree with the phrase Godbrare, then they probably really are Nestorians. Makes for a nice theological test I suppose.
One point that Catholics often fail to make is that Catholics believe that Jesus existed as the Son of God before he was concieved, from all eternity in fact. If they don’t understand that, then chalk it up to crappy catechesis inthe 60s to present day.
Finally, Catholics tend to not make the point that we believe mothers (and fathers generally, but not in this case) assist God in the creation of a new body with which God joins a soul. A Catholic would say that protestants elevate the word mother too much (well maybe some Italian Catholics and Jews do too ;).
Sometimes I get the feeling that some people believe Jesus has to have an entirely separate set of DNA from Mary in order to be God. An honest Catholic would say thats possible but we don’t know and the Church doesn’t have a stated position. One problem with that line of thinking (unintended pun) is that Jesus is to be in the line of David. Legally he is through Joseph and Mary, but biologically he could only be through Mary. Interestingly to me, and unknown until the last century, all of the DNA needed to create a human male (biologically) can be found in a human female (just have to snip off and rearrange one of the X chromosomes). A miracle to be sure, but short work for God. Interesting to ponder on.
No, it is NOT grave error, just a fact.
Do you affirm or deny that Mary is the mother of "God with us" according to the scriptures ? And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Isaiah, Catholic chapter seven, Protestant verses thirteen to fourteen,
Matthew, Catholic chapter seven, Protestant verses eighteen to twenty three,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James