Posted on 12/28/2003 2:28:16 PM PST by NYer
(AgapePress) - A Southern Baptist theologian says he wrote an article in Christianity Today on the Virgin Mary in hopes of encouraging evangelical Christians and other Protestants to pay more attention to her.
Dr. Timothy George is dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. As a biblical scholar and educator, as well as a senior editor for Christianity Today magazine, George has written a number of books and articles on religious subjects, and has authored a doctrinal study for the Southern Baptist Convention.
In his recent Christianity Today article titled "The Blessed Evangelical Mary," George notes that Evangelicals and Protestants have reacted so negatively in the past to Catholic teaching on Mary that many of these non-Catholic Christians may have ignored constructive material about the mother of Jesus in the Bible.
George says he was prompted to write the article based on conversations he has had with Roman Catholics. "They give a great deal of devotion to Mary that we Evangelicals and Protestants feel is not appropriate biblically or can't be justified," the theologian says. "And yet, as you can see from how I developed the article, I feel there is a proper biblical way of honoring Mary -- and maybe we've neglected that."
George feels Mary was a great example of Christian discipleship and obedience, who should be praised for her faithfulness. He says non-Catholic Christians should not hesitate to lift up the "blessed virgin" this Christmas, and in general.
"Mary is a model believer," George says, noting that the mother of Jesus believed the Word of God when it came to her, even as she was being prepared by the Holy Spirit to give birth to the Messiah.
"She believed the word of the angel and said 'Let it be unto me according to your word.' So she submitted to the will of God in great humility," George says.
The Southern Baptist scholar and author, who has been involved for a number of years in a project called Evangelicals and Catholics Together, says reaction to his article has been mostly positive. However, he notes that he has received some negative letters from former Catholics who have become Protestants.
John 26: When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27: Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
No. He didn't spend His life in a sin free bubble. He spent it with sinners. That's why He came.
Mary was not John's earthly mother.
I find no biblical support for you Bible only perspective :)
"It is a sweet and pious belief that the infusion of Mary's soul was effected without original sin; so that in the very infusion of her soul she was also purified from original sin and adorned with God's gifts, receiving a pure soul infused by God; thus from the first moment she began to live she was free from all sin."
(Sermon: "On the Day of the Conception of the Mother of God," December [?] 1527; from Hartmann Grisar, S.J., Luther, authorised translation from the German by E.M. Lamond; edited by Luigi Cappadelta, London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, first edition, 1915, Vol. IV [of 6], p. 238; taken from the German Werke, Erlangen, 1826-1868, edited by J.G. Plochmann and J.A. Irmischer, 2nd ed. edited by L. Enders, Frankfurt, 1862 ff., 67 volumes; citation from 152, p. 58)
"She is full of grace, proclaimed to be entirely without sin- something exceedingly great. For God's grace fills her with everything good and makes her devoid of all evil."
(Personal {"Little"} Prayer Book, 1522)
Anything is possible with God
It is impossible for God to contradict Himself. The GodMan Jesus established the Catholic Church and sent the Holy Spirt upon it to dwell in the Catholic Church until the end of time and this indwelling enables the Catholic Church to teach, sanctify and rule the faithful in the name of Christ which means the Catholic Church does the will of its Divine founder Jesus and which also means the Catholic Church is incapable of teaching error.
Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me: and he that despiseth you despiseth me: and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
Dr, it isn't wise to reject the Teaching of the Catholic Church which Jesus established to Teach in His name.
Using the Bible, show me where Jesus said the Church He established would teach error?
The very question unmasks the fundamental insanity (I am being charitable and not using "evil") of any of the opponents of the Catholic Church's Doctrine. Jesus promised He would be with the Catholic Church untl the end of time. He called the Catholic Church His Bride. And Jesus saith to them: Can the children of the marriage fast, as long as the bridegroom is with them? Jesus doesn't lie nor is he a spiritual fornicator. He hasn't abandoned His Bride nor is He whoring around with another woman (Church).
I hope you are enjoying your Christmastide
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