Nora Lozano
Posted on 08/01/2009 1:51:11 PM PDT by NYer
EDE, Netherlands (ABP) -- A Latina theologian says overreaction to Catholic veneration of the Virgin Mary has caused Baptists to miss important biblical teaching associated with the mother of Jesus.
Nora Lozano
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Lozano, a participant in theological conversations between the Baptist World Alliance and the Vatican, made the remarks in a presentation to the BWA Commission on Doctrine and Interchurch Cooperation at a meeting of global Baptists in the Netherlands.
She noted the Mexican story of the Virgin of Guadalupe -- a purported apparition of Mary to an indigenous peasant in Mexico City in the 16th century -- and how closely it ties the identity of the nation's Catholicism with Mary, who serves as a sort of "demi-goddess."
There are analogous Virgin Mary cults of devotion in other Latin American countries.
Lozano said Mexican Baptists and other Protestants, meanwhile, actively ignore Mary, to the extent of giving the biblical character short shrift.
"It seems that there is a consensus among these Baptists to disregard, neglect or reject the Virgin Mary," Lozano said, speaking of an informal survey she had done of some of her global Baptist colleagues.
And, in countries where Catholics are a majority, she added, "Baptists tend to move back and forth between actively rejecting and simply ignoring Mary."
In those countries, Lozano noted, "This becomes one of the major barriers to relations between Catholics and Baptists."
Because Mary is so perfect in popular Catholic theology in Latin America -- perpetually a virgin, although a mother; blameless, even sinless -- Lozano said she becomes an impossible standard of womanhood. Nonetheless, many men look for this standard in the mother of their children.
On the other hand, Lozano noted, Mary's opposite -- the wanton harlot -- is what many men tend to look for in sex partners. Being forced to choose between the two stereotypes can be deadly for women.
"When these [images of Mary and her opposite] are misused, they become oppressive and a source of suffering for women," she said. "Neither one of these models is a good one for women, because they do not present women as complete human beings."
Lozano said that embracing the "life-giving" aspects of Marian veneration can be both healthy for all women and a bridge between Latin American Protestants and Catholics, she contended.
Lozano pointed to two passages dealing with Mary in the Christmas story as recorded in Luke's Gospel: The angel's announcement to Mary that she would bear Christ (Luke 1:26-38), and Mary's song of praise to God, often called the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55).
Mary is not a passive presence in those stories, Lozano pointed out, but an active and willing participant in God's work who was "well aware of social injustices," she said.
"She is subject with a strong will and a social consciousness," Lozano noted.
Lozano delivered her remarks on the second day of the BWA's Annual Gathering in Ede, Netherlands. Hundreds of Baptists from around the world came to conduct BWA General Council business as well as observe the 400th anniversary of the Baptist movement, which began in the summer of 1609 in nearby Amsterdam.
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
I worship in the Catholic Church. Thanks again for confirming a theory.
The vicious anti-Catholic ELIM CULT keeps a close tab on anything that can be used to drive hatred for the Church founded by Christ.
Oh, and deposits of retirement funds by naive geriatrics are also actively sought (and preyed upon)....
THAT is one of his lies.
Just like Jim Jones.
Are we done talking about how Baptists (or Protestants) don’t treat Mary right? Do you still agree with the original post by the professor or have you seen enough to realize that Mary is honored the way she should be?
Catholics are defending the Truth, under attack by so many fashionable rebels.
In contrast, the spirited and vicious lies of ex-Catholic feel-good iconoclasm have no defense.
I think that NYer and I agree completely that Mary is honored the way that she should be...in the Catholic Church.
Absolutely.
If you are relying on Google and the remembrances of your pastor to characterize the history and policy of the Catholic church I am not surprised by how completely wrong you are. You might want to "Google" the concerted organized efforts of the Nazi party, in conjunction with the various German protestant denominations to undermine the moral authority of the Catholic church through groundless accusations and so-called Immorality Trials. Then see how a similar disinformation campaign has been underway by the American left and various protestant denominations. If you can't see the parallels between what the Nazi's did and said in the 1930's and what you are espousing then you are part of the problem.
How exactly do you study Scripture in the absence of scholarly input from experts in ancient languages, history and archeology, theology and philosophy? That is why I, and so many Catholics, look to Rome for guidance in interpretation of Scripture.
It wasn't an easy road to get there though.
One of Wycliffe’s followers, John Hus, actively promoted Wycliffe’s ideas: that people should be permitted to read the Bible in their own language, and they should oppose the tyranny of the Roman church that threatened anyone possessing a non-Latin Bible with execution. Hus was burned at the stake in 1415, with Wycliffe’s manuscript Bibles used as kindling for the fire. The last words of John Hus were that, “in 100 years, God will raise up a man whose calls for reform cannot be suppressed.” Almost exactly 100 years later, in 1517, Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 Theses of Contention (a list of 95 issues of heretical theology and crimes of the Roman Catholic Church) into the church door at Wittenberg. The prophecy of Hus had come true!On salvation, from a vatican website:
CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
DECLARATION
"DOMINUS IESUS"
ON THE UNICITY AND SALVIFIC UNIVERSALITY
OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE CHURCHINTRODUCTION
1. The Lord Jesus, before ascending into heaven, commanded his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world and to baptize all nations: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk 16:15-16);
Jesus Christ is our advocate.
"...if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" 1 John 2:1And only mediator."For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" 1 Timothy 2:5"And for this cause he (Christ) is the mediator of the new testament..." Hebrews 9:15
Um, I’m not sure that if I was her husband my first thought would be, “Boy, I can’t wait until she gives birth to the incarnate, holy, and eternal God so I can have my way with her!” Personally, I would be afraid to even touch her considering what happened to Uzzah when he touched the holy Ark of the Covenant. I can only speak for myself though.
But you're probably aware that many people learn better by hearing than by reading -- auditory versus visual processing. (St. Thomas Aquinas wrote an entire hymn about this). And of course the custom of reading Scripture aloud during the Mass dates back to the earliest days when most folks couldn't read anyway! But all the readings for the day are printed by date in the missalettes in the pews. Those who learn better by seeing than hearing can follow along. It is customary (probably because of that same St. Thomas) to listen to the Gospel, standing attentively. Of course everybody knows the Gospels anyhow.
We have several regular Bible study classes at our parish. We attended a weekly Bible study class on Sunday mornings (it's suspended for the summer because all the grownups are teaching Vacation Bible School). My daughter was so impressed by the program that she became a teacher at her college. They meet twice a week for study and prayer. (She also goes to a Wednesday night Bible study at the local Baptist church -- she says they're very nice and don't pester her to convert!)
Because the old sin nature is passed from the male genetics, not the female. The perfect nature of Jesus Christ was due to the action of God the Holy Spirit, not because Mary is perceived to be God or the mother of God.
That’s good. We always need to be studying His Word, don’t we? It’s the best way to get to know Him and what He wants for us. God bless. Mary
Those passages say it all. Thank you. I had remembered reading about John Hus. God wouldn’t let His Word be destroyed even if people had to die for it. Wonder if he had a prophetic bent? Sounds a bit like it. Again, thanks.
How can you be absolutely sure that Rome has all the answers? Can’t you believe that the Holy Spirit can bring those scriptures to life for you personally as you ask Him to do just that? We may not understand every little thing, but much of it is pretty clear,esp. when it comes to salvation.
I’m not part of any problem, NL. I stated a fact and Catholics here don’t want to acknowledge that it’s true. Your problem, not mine. Bye.
Those of us who actually care to discover the proper interpretation of the biblical text attempt to avoid such errors. Since it is the Word of God, I pray we are successful, because those who distort God's Word, especially under the cover of authority, are subject to bad stuff happening.
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