It was a miracle.
.
Ping to the essay in question.
Apologies for the lack of bibliography, footnotes and reams of unattributed plagiarism, but I hope at least that it will help flesh out the doctrine from a Scriptural angle.
Very interesting article. It begs a question though. I've read many times that it appears Jesus had siblings. Were they also, then, immaculately conceived?
Then why don't we just let the silence of the scripture remain silent. What scripture does tell us about Mary should be enough for us to highly respect her as the type of woman that God would use to bring his Son into the world. Since that is all that God has told us, shouldn't that be enough.
Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
The logic of the immaculate conception is not compelling, imo.
Nor is the hemeneutic compelling.
We, therefore, have a combination of assumptions being combined to create a doctrine. Since premised on assumptions, it cannot be binding. It certainly is not authoritative.
I have a question concerning Mary and the Immaculate Conception.
By being immaculately conceived, Mary joined Jesus, Adam and Eve as the only people ever born without the taint of original sin. Right?
Now, we all know that, according to Genesis, Adam and Eve were made immortal, but sentenced to death for the sin of eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. That's why they died.
And everyone since has died, according to Genesis, because of the inherited sin of Adam and Eve.
Jesus did not inherit the sin of Adam and Eve, but he was killed.
Mary was immaculately conceived, and did not inherit the original sin coming down from Adam and Eve. Why, then, did she die?
because Bernadette of Lourdes testified to it.
Because Mary was the Mother of God.
One of my favorite topics. This topic illustrates the difference between bible based Christianity and a tradition based system of mythology. It shows the circular logic of "we are 2000 years old, established by Christ and infallible so whatever we say goes".
BTW...Mary is NOT a DEITY!
I have a few questions. If Mary was sinless, then everything she spoke, thought, and did was without sin. If she spoke without sin, then nothing she said was erroneous. Do you agree? Would this mean that she was considered to have always spoken truth?
I also wonder about Mary's birth. If she was born without sin, would that not assume some blessedness to her parents? Are Mary's parents considered saints? Are they considered holy vessels of God? (since they bore the "Mother and Bride of Christ")
Can someone live a sinless life without being a diety?
It is a point of doctrine Christians in good faith disagree on. Why do we continually have to whack each other in the face about it in these forums?
very interesting thread. thanks for posting.
I also appreciated the Marian prayers and canticles posted by others.
It was a miracle.
Your Praises We Sing--on the Dogma of the Proclamation of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8th
Eastern Christianity and the Immaculate Conception (Q&A From EWTN)
Question for Catholics- what do you call Joseph? Mary's "husband"? Can't be, if the marriage was never consummated. So there was a plan for marriage, but Mary called it off after the birth of Jesus, realizing she couldn't fulfill the marriage contract? Mary and Joseph then lived together, unmarried, to raise Jesus?
Just wondering.
***1) 2 Sam 6,2 “So David arose and went…set out for Baala of Judah” Lk 1,39 “And Mary rising up in those days, went…to a town of Judah”
2) 2 Sam 6,9 “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” Lk 1,43 “And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
3) 2 Sam 6,14 “And David danced with all his might before the Lord” Lk 1,44 “the infant in my womb leaped for joy.”
4) 2 Sam 6,11 “ And the ark of the Lord abode in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months.” Lk 1,56 “And Mary abode with her about three months.” ***
BTW - These points were really awesome!
Very Biblically sound.
Definitley seems to be a Type there.
(It doesn't speak to her sinlessness however.)