Orthodox View of the Immaculate Conception

[Expatreprocedit]

I would suggest St. John Maximovitch’s book The Orthodox Veneration of Mary the Birthgiver of God. I don’ necessarily agree with every argument he makes, no would all Orthodox, but it gives an account of the objections that many Orthodox have to the IC.

 

[Vico]

I would suggest St. John Maximovitch’s book The Orthodox Veneration of Mary the Birthgiver of God. I don’ necessarily agree with every argument he makes, no would all Orthodox, but it gives an account of the objections that many Orthodox have to the IC.

Every time this topic comes up, and I read the references, there is a misunderstanding of the Catholic dogmatic teaching that is being denounced. So there may be no disagreement. In this case there is an incorrect statement of what the Immaculate Conception dogma is: “In other words, the Mother of God at Her very conception was preserved from original sin and, by the grace of God, was placed in a state where it was impossible for Her to have personal sins.”
The dogma of the Immaculate Conception defines nothing about it being impossible for Her to have personal sins. However the Catechism 411 states “Mary benefited first of all and uniquely from Christ’s victory over sin: she was preserved from all stain of original sin and by a special grace of God committed no sin of any kind during her whole earthly life.306 – Cf. Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus: DS 2803; Council of Trent: DS 1573.”

The two related teachings which are not dogma de fide are:

1. 
   *] From her conception Mary was free from all motions of concupiscence. (Sententia communis.) Sententia communis is doctrine, which in itself belongs to the field of the free opinions, but which is accepted by theologians generally.
   *] In consequence of a Special Privilege of Grace from God, Mary was free from every personal sin during her whole life. (Sententia fidei proxima) She was immune from all sin mortal and venial.-- Sententia fidei proxima is a doctrine, which is regarded by theologians generally as a truth of Revelation, but which has not yet been finally promulgated as such by the Church.

 

[joe371]

I think Joe, Gary, hit it on the nail…most simple and brilliant…there are those who think we did not sin and Mary even more so…

If you think about and the Orthodox Christians are correct (i.e. original sin does not exist) then Mary would still have been immaculately conceived, as would the case be with every single person. After all, it’s not until we reach the age of accountability that we can actually sin against God. What they do not embrace, I’m told, is the idea that original sin exists and that Mary, unlike everyone else, (thanks to Jesus’ atoning work on the cross,) was the exclusive exception to the rule. Ultimately, Catholics and Eastern Orthodox believe the exact same thing when it comes to Mary, that she, unlike all other humans, never sinned from her birth, to her death.

A lot of Protestant Churches (speaking as a former Protestant) do not realize that another church, other than the Catholic Church, has these beliefs about Mary, our mother i.e. the only two churches that can trace their lineage all the way back to the apostolic age, share the same beliefs about Mary’s sinlessness, versus the oldest Protestant Church (and all subsequent churches) which can only trace its lineage back to the 16th century. A betting man would go with those two churches closest to the time when Jesus and Mary lived.

 

[KathleenGee]

I also agree with you here…it all appears as human stubbornness to accept different ways of explaining and believing the same thing…

But as far as Original Sin goes…I can’t see how the human race is exempt recalling my own conscience prior to the age of reason in doing wrong or being dishonest.

 

[joe371]

I also agree with you here…it all appears as human stubbornness to accept different ways of explaining and believing the same thing…

But as far as Original Sin goes…I can’t see how the human race is exempt recalling my own conscience prior to the age of reason in doing wrong or being dishonest.

I agree. :yup: