T
TriuneUnity
Guest
In the following series of threads, I want to begin a, hopefully, fruitful discussion between Roman Catholics and Lutherans (and those sympathetic to our understanding of Scripture and the faith) about the subject of Mary. I will present, what I believe to be, the view of the Blessed Virgin as held by our beloved Confessions of faith, as well as those Lutheran fathers from what is known as the era of Lutheran Orthodoxy (roughly from the late 16th to early 18th centuries). As always, may such conversations further only to heal the wounds between respective communions and further reunification in Christ.
“Mary the Virgin is found obedient, saying, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” But Eve was disobedient; for she did not obey when as yet she was a virgin. . . . the knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith.” – Saint Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses III.22.4
It may seem to most Lutherans that the Blessed Virgin Mary is of little consequence to their faith. Marian devotion is almost non-existent within the Lutheran churches: the rosary is not prayed, medals of the Mother of God are not worn, and pictures of her are rarely if even seen in Lutheran churches and homes. In fact, in their daily or weekly practice Lutherans barely take note Mary at all.
Despite this neglect, Lutherans should care about Mary.
First, Mary is spoken of highly in the Book of Concord. Although the Lutheran reformers sought to correct many abuses within the Roman Church of their day concerning Mary, they did not at the same time ‘correct’ her right out of their theology. Mary is still spoken of as “the Blessed Virgin” and, according to the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, “is worthy of the highest honors”. The Blessed Virgin Mary is a living member of the church triumphant praying for the church militant. She is rightly called “Theotokos,” Mother of God.
Secondly, the Blessed Virgin is spoken of highly in Martin Luther’s various writings. In fact, Luther tells us Mary is the “highest woman and the noblest gem in Christianity after Christ”. High praise indeed! And challenging words for today’s Lutherans who have largely forgotten the importance of Mary in the church and in God’s plan for our salvation.
Why did Luther pen such words? Mary is the “highest woman” for being chosen by God to bear His only Son. Because of this, Mary has no equal in the history of humanity. And yet she never took this blessing by God to be a source of pride or boastfulness. Through the Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-55), Mary shows us how to live, how to be Christians. In fact, by accepting the Lord’s choice of her to bear His Son, Mary became the first Christian. She believed before Christ was even born; “Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38) Luther tells us Mary is the example of faith which we all should strive to emulate.
Why is Mary the “noblest gem in Christianity after Christ”? Luther accepted all the Roman doctrines concerning the Blessed Virgin: her status as Mother of God, her perpetual virginity, her sinlessness, and her assumption into heaven. He even kept a picture of the Blessed Virgin in his private study.
Not only is Mary the Mother of God and the model of our faith, she is also the Mother of the Church. In a simple manner this is understandable in that the Church is the body of Christ (Eph. 5: 23; Col. 1: 18), and Mary gave birth to that body and gave Christ his human nature. More significantly, however, Mary’s fiat is a necessary part of the salvation of the world. Without Mary’s consent, Christ cannot come into the world. The angel Gabriel does not simply tell Mary what is to be, but tells her what is to be with her consent. “Let it be to me according to your word.” Only then does the angel depart.
“Mary the Virgin is found obedient, saying, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” But Eve was disobedient; for she did not obey when as yet she was a virgin. . . . the knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith.” – Saint Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses III.22.4
It may seem to most Lutherans that the Blessed Virgin Mary is of little consequence to their faith. Marian devotion is almost non-existent within the Lutheran churches: the rosary is not prayed, medals of the Mother of God are not worn, and pictures of her are rarely if even seen in Lutheran churches and homes. In fact, in their daily or weekly practice Lutherans barely take note Mary at all.
Despite this neglect, Lutherans should care about Mary.
First, Mary is spoken of highly in the Book of Concord. Although the Lutheran reformers sought to correct many abuses within the Roman Church of their day concerning Mary, they did not at the same time ‘correct’ her right out of their theology. Mary is still spoken of as “the Blessed Virgin” and, according to the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, “is worthy of the highest honors”. The Blessed Virgin Mary is a living member of the church triumphant praying for the church militant. She is rightly called “Theotokos,” Mother of God.
Secondly, the Blessed Virgin is spoken of highly in Martin Luther’s various writings. In fact, Luther tells us Mary is the “highest woman and the noblest gem in Christianity after Christ”. High praise indeed! And challenging words for today’s Lutherans who have largely forgotten the importance of Mary in the church and in God’s plan for our salvation.
Why did Luther pen such words? Mary is the “highest woman” for being chosen by God to bear His only Son. Because of this, Mary has no equal in the history of humanity. And yet she never took this blessing by God to be a source of pride or boastfulness. Through the Magnificat (Luke 1: 46-55), Mary shows us how to live, how to be Christians. In fact, by accepting the Lord’s choice of her to bear His Son, Mary became the first Christian. She believed before Christ was even born; “Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1: 38) Luther tells us Mary is the example of faith which we all should strive to emulate.
Why is Mary the “noblest gem in Christianity after Christ”? Luther accepted all the Roman doctrines concerning the Blessed Virgin: her status as Mother of God, her perpetual virginity, her sinlessness, and her assumption into heaven. He even kept a picture of the Blessed Virgin in his private study.
Not only is Mary the Mother of God and the model of our faith, she is also the Mother of the Church. In a simple manner this is understandable in that the Church is the body of Christ (Eph. 5: 23; Col. 1: 18), and Mary gave birth to that body and gave Christ his human nature. More significantly, however, Mary’s fiat is a necessary part of the salvation of the world. Without Mary’s consent, Christ cannot come into the world. The angel Gabriel does not simply tell Mary what is to be, but tells her what is to be with her consent. “Let it be to me according to your word.” Only then does the angel depart.
