The belief in the Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma unique to Catholicism. Catholics believe that by a special act of God’s favor and grace in her role to become the mother of God, Mary was conceived without original sin. We also believed she remained sinless her entire life. The Orthodox churches often affirm … Continue reading Mary, The Immaculate Conception, and Other Objections Part 2
Mary, The Immaculate Conception, and Other Objections Part 1
The belief in the Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma unique to Catholicism. Catholics believe that by a special act of God’s favor and grace in her role to become the Mother of God, Mary was conceived without original sin. We also believed she remained sinless her entire life. The Orthodox churches often affirm … Continue reading Mary, The Immaculate Conception, and Other Objections Part 1
Mary, The Immaculate Conception, and “All Have Sinned”
The belief in the Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma unique to Catholicism. Catholics believe by a special act of God’s favor and grace in her role to become the mother of God, Mary was conceived without original sin. We also believed she remained sinless her entire life. The Orthodox churches often affirm they … Continue reading Mary, The Immaculate Conception, and “All Have Sinned”
Mary is the Immaculate Conception – an Overview
One of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic faith is the Immaculate Conception. It is most certainly one of the most misunderstood Catholic beliefs as well as the most challenged by other Christians. I’ll begin this series of posts with an overview of what the dogma means, and what it does not mean. One … Continue reading Mary is the Immaculate Conception – an Overview
Mary Ever-Virgin and Why It Matters
In my last few posts I have covered some of the main Scriptural objections to the Catholic belief Mary was ever-Virgin, and how they are all based upon assumptions. It is true there is no explicit statement in Scripture that Mary lived her entire life as a virgin. There is also no explicit statement in … Continue reading Mary Ever-Virgin and Why It Matters
Mary Ever-Virgin and The Biblical Evidence
In my last few posts, I have covered some of the main Scriptural objections to the Catholic belief Mary was ever-virgin, and how they are all based upon an assumption. It is true there is no explicit statement in Scripture that Mary lived her entire life as a virgin. There is also no explicit statement … Continue reading Mary Ever-Virgin and The Biblical Evidence
Mary Ever-Virgin and a “Normal” Marriage
One of the four Marian dogmas is that Mary is Ever-Virgin. Not only was she a virgin when Jesus was conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit, but she remained a virgin her entire life. In his anti-Catholic work “Mary – Another Redeemer,” author James White states the idea of a married virgin is … Continue reading Mary Ever-Virgin and a “Normal” Marriage
Mary Ever-Virgin and Other Biblical Objections
One of the four Marian dogmas is Mary is Ever-Virgin. Not only was she a virgin when Jesus was conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit, but she remained a virgin her entire life. My last post reviewed the common objection to Mary’s perpetual virginity that the Bible speaks of Jesus having brothers and … Continue reading Mary Ever-Virgin and Other Biblical Objections
Mary Ever-Virgin and the Brothers of Jesus
One of the four Marian dogmas is that Mary is Ever-Virgin. Not only was she a virgin when Jesus was conceived in her womb by the Holy Spirit, but she remained a virgin her entire life. Many Protestants claim this dogma is not Biblical. Ironically the original Protestants who professed their beliefs were based on … Continue reading Mary Ever-Virgin and the Brothers of Jesus
Mary is the Mother of God
Within the earliest of Christian writings, we see Mary referred to by the title of Theotokos, which is Greek for “God-bearer.” This term is translated by St. Jerome into Latin as “mater Dei,” or “Mother of God.” We find Mary referred to in this way by Irenaeus (2nd century – 202), Hippolytus of Rome (170-235), … Continue reading Mary is the Mother of God
The Marian Dogmas – an Overivew
My last few posts have reflected on how as Catholics our understanding of Mary has been formed by Sacred Scripture and in particular the typology of the Old Testament. We understand she is the New Eve, the new Ark of the Covenant, the Queen of Heaven, the “woman” in Revelation 12 and has an intercessory … Continue reading The Marian Dogmas – an Overivew
Do Catholics Regard Mary too Highly?
From the “outside looking in” on Catholicism, our devotion to Mary can often seem to be a bit overboard. This can sometimes lead others to use Biblical texts to try to prove Jesus himself had distanced himself from Mary, thus proving we should not regard Mary as anyone special in Christ’s kingdom. I’ve had more … Continue reading Do Catholics Regard Mary too Highly?
Mary as the Queen of Heaven
Catholic theology has long understood Mary to be the queen in her son’s kingdom. In this post I spoke to how Mary is the woman in Revelation 12, and in this vision of John she is portrayed in heaven as a queen. Protestants in general reject this idea and are often quick to point out … Continue reading Mary as the Queen of Heaven
Mary as the Ark of the Covenant
My last post spoke to why as Catholics we understand the woman in Revelation 12 is Mary. Another reason for this understanding is just before she appears in John’s vision as the “woman clothed with the sun,” he sees the Ark of the Covenant -- “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark … Continue reading Mary as the Ark of the Covenant
Mary and “the Woman” in Revelation 12
The earliest Church Fathers recognized while Sacred Scripture speaks to Christ being the “new Adam,” the typology of the Old Testament also points to Mary as the New Eve. The parallels between Mary and Eve were discussed in this post. One of the most notable is how they are both called “woman.” When Genesis 3 … Continue reading Mary and “the Woman” in Revelation 12
Mary at the Wedding of Cana
St. John begins his Gospel by reminding us of the beginning – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). He ties us back to Genesis 1:1 and “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” And as on the first day of … Continue reading Mary at the Wedding of Cana
Mary is the New Eve
The Catholic Church teaches “The principal purpose to which the plan of the old covenant was directed was to prepare for the coming of Christ, the redeemer of all and of the messianic kingdom, to announce this coming by prophecy, and to indicate its meaning through various types.” (Vatican II, Dei Verbum). We see the … Continue reading Mary is the New Eve
Mary – An Overview
With the possible exception of the papacy, there is no other aspect of Catholic theology that attracts as much attention as our understanding of Mary and her role. We believe she is our Blessed Mother and along with all the saints continually intercede for us. Most Catholics have a special devotion to Our Lady. There … Continue reading Mary – An Overview
What Does It Mean to Worship? (Part 2)
In my last post I reviewed many acts that when directed toward God can be worship but are not exclusive to worship. This includes actions like praying, bowing, offering praise, or showing honor and respect to others. Each of these acts has a context when it is appropriate for other people to receive our plea … Continue reading What Does It Mean to Worship? (Part 2)
What Does It Mean to Worship? (Part 1)
In my last post I reviewed why Catholics make sacred images and often venerate them, and how we understand that does not violate God’s command to not make or bow down to an idol. We also of course venerate (or honor) the saints, and especially the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Catholic understanding of that practice … Continue reading What Does It Mean to Worship? (Part 1)
Sacred Images – The Veneration of Images Honors the Reality They Represent
In my last post I reviewed the charge made by some that Catholics “leave out” the commandment that forbids creating images, and why that claim is false. In this post, I will review why we do make sacred images and venerate them, and how we understand that does not violate God’s command to not make … Continue reading Sacred Images – The Veneration of Images Honors the Reality They Represent
Sacred Images – Do Catholics “Leave out” a Commandment?
A common charge against the Catholic Church is we “leave out” one of the commandments – specifically the one to not make idols. An example of this thinking: The Catholic Church long ago began making allowances for the idolatrous use of images by the way they reference the Ten Commandments. In the Catholic catechism and … Continue reading Sacred Images – Do Catholics “Leave out” a Commandment?
The Saints – Does God Hear Prayers Based On Who is Praying?
Another very common objection we can find to the Catholic understanding of prayer to the saints is this: God does not answer prayers based on who is praying. God answers prayers based on whether they are asked according to His will (1 John 5:14-15)….. No one in heaven has any greater access to God's throne … Continue reading The Saints – Does God Hear Prayers Based On Who is Praying?
The Saints and Their Relics
The catechism tells us “Besides sacramental liturgy and sacramentals, catechesis must take into account the forms of piety and popular devotions among the faithful. The religious sense of the Christian people has always found expression in various forms of piety surrounding the Church's sacramental life, such as the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, … Continue reading The Saints and Their Relics
The Saints – Examples in Scripture
Quite often Catholics are asked if we can provide any examples from the Bible of people in heaven interceding for those on earth. An example of this thinking: “Catholics argue that praying to Mary and the saints is no different than asking someone here on earth to pray for us. Let us examine that claim. … Continue reading The Saints – Examples in Scripture
Between the Farm and the Cross 