How do Protestants regard Mary the mother of Jesus?

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Eileen_T

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I want to hear from non-Catholic Christians on this . . .

As you may know, Catholics have a very sincere love and regard for Mary as the most beloved daughter of the Father, the spouse of the Holy Spirit and the mother of the Son.

We, among all ages, are the ones who have always called her Blessed (Henceforth all ages will call me blessed) when we say “Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women.”

Like her Son, we honour her as the commandment says, “Honour thy father and thy mother”.

So tell me. how do Protestants regard and honour Mary?
 
The best way to answer this, is it depends on what denomination you talk to. Some have higher regard than others. Evangelicals have the least amount of regard for Mary (in general) however in all circles Mary is enjoying somewhat of a revisit and has garnered a greater respect.
 
Just my personal experience as a Protestant (having gone to several different denominations) is that I’ve never been to a church that ever gave Mary any special attention. In all the churches I’ve ever been to, the focus has been entirely on Jesus.
 
I see her as the mother of Jesus.
I interpret the scripture as saying that she was a very good girl and a virgin. Obviously God knew she would be willing to carry his son and she was deemed worthy because of her heart.
I don’t know that she was sinless.
I can see that it would be understandable to want to believe that she had to be, that God wouldn’t have allowed himself to be in contact with sin, yet , He did come in contact just by becoming human, humans are sinful.
Of course being God/man he didn’t commit any sin.
I had never thought of her as being the “spouse of the Holy Spirit” until reading about catholic beliefs.
I am not sure what I think of that yet.
Another thing I don’t understand is that I always thought Joseph was Jesus’ earthly father, and that he helped to raise him.
Isn’t that God’s plan? A father and a mother? Single parents have it so hard!
Ok. You asked! :rolleyes:
 
Here is what I observed in what I believe were fairly conservative Southern Baptist churches. In these communities, Mary was not frequently mentioned except of course in the Nativity narratives. In particular, any mention or discussion about Mary was based exclusively on scriptural accounts, ignoring any traditional stories or other facts not explicitly recorded in scripture.

When her name did come up in such readings, the attitude was to regard her as one of the disciples – not particularly prominent but presumably devout. Somewhere in regard below Paul, John, or any of the apostles, but more prominent than some other lesser-known figures such as Habakkuk for example.

Her role as mother of Jesus was considered to be of some importance, but not uniquely so. She fulfilled the task given her by God, but if not her I suppose (they imagined) there must have been a good many other good women of the community that could have fulfilled the same role. Naturally the term “Mother of God” was never used–I don’t recall anyone explicitly rejecting the title, it just never came up. In fact, no title was ever used. While Paul might be referred to as just Paul, or Saint Paul, Mary was always referred to by her first name only, or occasionally as “Jesus’ mother”. (She was never referred to as Saint Mary either. The title Saint was infrequently used, and if used was usually referring to one of the apostles.)

Apparitions were never discussed, by implication it must have been assumed that all apparitions were the unreliable opinions of possibly devout people with active imaginations.

The above reflects my experience in a number of different churches, including the customary Sunday school & preaching for many years. Of course, as Superstar905 pointed out this is not necessarily representative of all Baptists, much less all non-Catholic Christians. (Incidentally, some of the Baptists I knew did not regard themselves as Protestants and would not describe themselves in that way.) As far as I know this experience is probably typical of Protestants, at least in the U.S., but there is so much variation among Protestants that any description of their beliefs is bound to be wrong in some cases.
 
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allisonP:
I interpret the scripture as saying that she was a very good girl and a virgin. Obviously God knew she would be willing to carry his son and she was deemed worthy because of her heart. I don’t know that she was sinless. I can see that it would be understandable to want to believe that she had to be …
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It sounds like you are open to the idea that she could have been sinless, but scripture does not explicitly say so, nor does any authority that you recognize.
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allisonP:
I don’t know that she was sinless. I can see that it would be understandable to want to believe that she had to be, that God wouldn’t have allowed himself to be in contact with sin, yet , He did come in contact just by becoming human, humans are sinful.
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God is everywhere, even among the sinful, so he is not aloof. As you know, he loves us, even while we are enslaved in sin. But what he cannot do is to be united with sin. To be united with God (as we hope to be), we must be free of sin. This is why the bride of christ is described as “spotless, without blemish”.

Jesus was intimately connected with Mary. Even though he created all things, he received his human life through her. Since God cannot be truely united with what is sinful, his mother needed to be free of sin.

Catholics understand that Mary is not divine, but is fully human as we are. The difference was that she had already received the purification which is the fruit of salvation. We receive that partially now and hope to receive it fully in heaven, while Mary received that already while still on earth by a special gift from God – not due to her own merits but to the merits of Christ.
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allisonP:
Another thing I don’t understand is that I always thought Joseph was Jesus’ earthly father, and that he helped to raise him.
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Of course, Joseph was Jesus’ earthly father and helped to raise him, until his death. I haven’t heard anyone contradict this. We honor St. Joseph for his important role.

Perhaps you are confused why we seem to honor Mary even more than Joseph (which is true), when their role seems to be the same (which is not true.) Both were holy saints, but Mary was not a foster-mother.
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allisonP:
Isn’t that God’s plan? A father and a mother? Single parents have it so hard!
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Single parents certainly do have it hard, and I’m sure that Mary needed Joseph. I will say a prayer today for all single mothers, I wish they all had Saint Joseph at their side.
 
Mary was the mother of Jesus. She was not sinless. No where is that even implyed in scriptures. Jesus linage comes from a whole line of sinners. Just read the geneology in Matt. I respect her for what she went through and her willingness to be used by God. After seeing the Passion last year I came to a new respect for what she must have went through during Christ’s death. I am greatful for what I was exposed to through that movie. But I’m often confussed by the Catholic faith praying to her.
 
Be gentle folks…

smelton- (and anyone who is following this thread who believe like smelton) Please review the following information here on Catholic Answers:

%between%
 
Rachel Malloy:
Be gentle folks…

smelton- (and anyone who is following this thread who believe like smelton) Please review the following information here on Catholic Answers:

%between%
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My post was not intended to be harsh. If it offended anyone I apologize. I was simply telling how I veiw Mary. Sorry once again.
 
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smelton:
My post was not intended to be harsh. If it offended anyone I apologize. I was simply telling how I veiw Mary. Sorry once again.
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No, my aplogies, I was asking others to be kind to you in their replies 🙂

We’re glad you are here. Thanks for your participation 🙂

Rachel
 
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smelton:
Jesus linage comes from a whole line of sinners. Just read the geneology in Matt.
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Quite so, I agree. A lot of sinners, starting with Adam. But since that doesn’t prove that Jesus is a sinner, it also doesn’t prove that Mary was or was not a sinner.

Mary is what we are all called to be, one who follows Jesus and keeps his commandments.

smelton I hope you are aware that Catholics do not pray just to Mary, but to all of the Saints in heaven, asking them to aid us with their prayers to God.
 
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smelton:
My post was not intended to be harsh. If it offended anyone I apologize. I was simply telling how I veiw Mary. Sorry once again.
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I was not offended at all by your answer. You answered the question that was asked. Thanks for your honesty.
 
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allisonP:
I see her as the mother of Jesus.
I interpret the scripture as saying that she was a very good girl and a virgin. Obviously God knew she would be willing to carry his son and she was deemed worthy because of her heart.
I don’t know that she was sinless.
I can see that it would be understandable to want to believe that she had to be, that God wouldn’t have allowed himself to be in contact with sin, yet , He did come in contact just by becoming human, humans are sinful.
Of course being God/man he didn’t commit any sin.
I had never thought of her as being the “spouse of the Holy Spirit” until reading about catholic beliefs.
I am not sure what I think of that yet.
Another thing I don’t understand is that I always thought Joseph was Jesus’ earthly father, and that he helped to raise him.
Isn’t that God’s plan? A father and a mother? Single parents have it so hard!
Ok. You asked! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I will only say that the miracle at the marriage feast at Canaan when the Blessed Mother prompted Jesus to make more wine even though it was not “His Time”. God ( Jesus) obeyed his mom here. And why would not us humans also give her veneration? Christ showed a remarkable obedience, respect, and love for his earthly mother why would we do less.
 
When I was a Protestant we ignored Blessed Mary. Oh, except at Christmas, we needed somebody to stand next to Jesus to whoo and ahhh over Him and read her lines. After Christmas she went back into the costume box till next year.

Nuff said.
 
I just wanted to say that this(was) is a pretty accurate discription of how Mary was “treated” in the Church of Christ that I attended(attend).

QUOTE=Sam88]Here is what I observed in what I believe were fairly conservative Southern Baptist churches. In these communities, Mary was not frequently mentioned except of course in the Nativity narratives. In particular, any mention or discussion about Mary was based exclusively on scriptural accounts, ignoring any traditional stories or other facts not explicitly recorded in scripture.

When her name did come up in such readings, the attitude was to regard her as one of the disciples – not particularly prominent but presumably devout. Somewhere in regard below Paul, John, or any of the apostles, but more prominent than some other lesser-known figures such as Habakkuk for example.

Her role as mother of Jesus was considered to be of some importance, but not uniquely so. She fulfilled the task given her by God, but if not her I suppose (they imagined) there must have been a good many other good women of the community that could have fulfilled the same role. Naturally the term “Mother of God” was never used–I don’t recall anyone explicitly rejecting the title, it just never came up. In fact, no title was ever used. While Paul might be referred to as just Paul, or Saint Paul, Mary was always referred to by her first name only, or occasionally as “Jesus’ mother”. (She was never referred to as Saint Mary either. The title Saint was infrequently used, and if used was usually referring to one of the apostles.)

Apparitions were never discussed, by implication it must have been assumed that all apparitions were the unreliable opinions of possibly devout people with active imaginations.

The above reflects my experience in a number of different churches, including the customary Sunday school & preaching for many years. Of course, as Superstar905 pointed out this is not necessarily representative of all Baptists, much less all non-Catholic Christians. (Incidentally, some of the Baptists I knew did not regard themselves as Protestants and would not describe themselves in that way.) As far as I know this experience is probably typical of Protestants, at least in the U.S., but there is so much variation among Protestants that any description of their beliefs is bound to be wrong in some cases.
 
As a protestant I still regard Mary as a very important figure who is to be revered and held in a position of glory; but I don’t honour her often, I don’t speak to her, pray to her, or anything. To me she is more like any other important figure in the bible really, say one of the apostles; in my church Jesus is the only one who is in the postion Catholics hold Mary in.
 
Mary was and IS a woman who is incredible for what she did to bring God to this world. God could have chosen anyone and any way to set foot on this earth and so He chose Mary. Mary was a girl who’s heart was after God. She followed tradition and remained pure as was the instruction of her people in that day. Then one night a spectacular thing happened when an angel appeared to her in a dream to tell her that God had chosen HER to bring a gift for the world to the world. Did she know HOW Jesus was to save the world? Did she know WHY it was her that was chosen? No, all she knew is that God was calling on her to trust Him and follow Him although she did not know what the outcome would be. What an incredible woman she had to have been to trust God as she did and follow Him without any details as to how things were to work out. Could you imagine that every time she looked at Jesus, everytime He cried, anytime He ‘bumped’ His knee what she may have been thinking and wondering about how this child would save mankind? And yet she kept going. Raising this child who teaches her more and more of God’s love and of the faith that resides in her heart. Yes, Mary was/is a wonderful woman who saw her child die to save all of mankind who existed on that day and for those who would come in later years. She agonized watching Him die on that cross and she nearly died inside when she saw Him breath his last breath. But for me, this is where her story stops and Jesus’ keeps going. She will always remain in my heart as a woman who was blessed because God chose HER above any other woman on earth to accomplish the greatest act of Love. Sending His only Son to die on this earth as a perfect sacrifice for His human children so that He could be close to them. She was blessed to have such an awesome task of raising Jesus and giving Him the little push that she did to get His name known throughout the world. I am grateful that on that night that the angel appeared she said ‘yes’ to God and showed incredible faith. Just my 2cents! 🙂
 
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Achatius:
in my church Jesus is the only one who is in the postion Catholics hold Mary in.
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Exactly what “position” is that? In your church, is Jesus his own mother? In your church, is Jesus the woman who all generations call blessed? Is Jesus the Theotokos?

I’m not sure what you mean. Perhaps you could clarify?
 
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Achatius:
As a protestant I still regard Mary as a very important figure who is to be revered and held in a position of glory; but I don’t honour her often, I don’t speak to her, pray to her, or anything. To me she is more like any other important figure in the bible really, say one of the apostles; in my church Jesus is the only one who is in the postion Catholics hold Mary in.
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I’d say you misunderstand the ‘position’ we give to her.
I very much hope you hold Jesus in a MUCH higher regard than what we give to Mary.
We do not consider her to be God.
We do not think SHE gives us salvation.
Catholics think all power is through Christ, no other.

I do ask Mary to pray for me.
I ask her to pray to Jesus for me.

Of course I pray to Jesus myself.
However, being human and alive and all, I have human faults.
I can’t pray non-stop for my whole life.
I gotta sleep sometime.

If I could only get the help of someone who can pray so much better than I can.
I’ll ask Jesus for help.
Then I’ll ask Mary to pray to Jesus to help me.
Hmmm … maybe all the angels and saints can help me to pray to Jesus.

michel
 
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