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.
***I know you by your fruits.***
Careful; you may be labelled a homophobe as well as an idolator.
LOL.
You must be hard up for entertainment today.
Jousting with the . . . terminally irate hereon . . . has got to be one of the least thrilling and least interesting forms of entertainment on the planet.
Though I confess . . . occasionally, it has it’s moments.
Nonsense. For someone to claim they are perfectly objective and unbiased is simply hogwash. To claim that in order to understand scripture properly we must remove the human reality from it is also hogwash. To believe that we better understand the scriptures than the earliest Christians is spiritual delusion. Unfortunately all these are standard fare for us “enlightened” by modernity.
Well, it starts my heart goin’ and that’s good for it. Maybe not so much for my blood pressure, though. Once in a while I throw them a bone, LOL. After all, who could they insult if it weren’t for us? It must make their day, too.
It’s not hate, it’s concern for YOUR salvation. Don’t depend on your infant baptism to get you there, Petronski. It just isn’t going to happen. Get it yet?
The trinity isn’t unbiblical. It is clearly inferred even if the word Trinity isn’t used. Read your Bible for yourself and you will see it clearly enough.
Based on false information and vicious lies about my faith.
Don’t depend on your infant baptism to get you there, Petronski.
Don't imply that I do, mare.
It just isn’t going to happen. Get it yet?
Yeah, I get it: you're anti-Catholic fetish is malignant.
Its not nonsense at all. Even Catholic hermeneuticians and exegetes state the same thing. It is not appropriate to project one’s own sensibilities and emotions as a 21st century person onto the experiences of a 1st century Jew.
You're so genuinely, profoundly concerned for my salvation.
Riiiiiiiiiight.
Because he hated Christ. It had nothing to do with his baptism, it had everything to do with hating God and His Son. That’s what most crimes against churches are based upon.
Uh, sure, the Holy Spirit is lacking. Geez. Get a grip, guys.
True. True.
Can you take 3-4 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar a day?
Does wonders for lots of things including blood pressure.
LUB
I have a friend who makes swizzle and drinks it every day. I don’t know if I could. Maybe in a green tea or something.
Yes, I actually am.
I’m not anti-Catholic. If I was I would ignore all this foolishness and let Catholics die in their ignorance of what it takes to be saved. I’m anti-Catholic teachings, not anti-Catholic.
I’ve known the truth now for 40 years. Still hoping you’ll catch on, Petronski.
And how about the anti-reformer hate that pours out of your posts every time you write. Are you that unhappy, Petronski?
In a cup of water, it’s tolerable.
LUB
Heading for bed.
Thanks, Quix. I had a long nap so I’ll be up late tonight.
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