Why won't Protestants call Mary "Mother of God"

[Zooey]

linus:

The real question is, “on what authority do you know she can?”

Her Son’s.

Can you show me, by example, where any of the Apostles appealed to Mary to intercede for them during their Apostolic ministries?

The Day of Pentecost.
And I’ll see your apostles, and raise you by one Saviour: the Wedding at Cana.

Especially Paul, Peter or John. You would think there would many examples of such intercession by the “theotokos” since they (the Apostles) had the huge burden of first communicating the message of salvation to the world.

She lived with John for the rest of her life, do you really think there is any doubt, but that they prayed together??

Certainly if we’re instructed to pray to her now for intercession they, her contemporaries, must have done so frequently in person, while she was still living. But, alas, no example, nothing, zilch, nada - not one mention in Scripture of an Apostolic path to Mary’s door.

The apostles didn’t need a path to her door; she was with St John, in Ephesus.
Also: you might want to count all the times in the New Testament that specifically encourage us to intercede for one another…You might want to get a really big sheet of paper to write them on…An extra pen for when yours runs dry would be good, too.

And not even one Apostolic instruction for *us *to do so, either.

Again: See above. You're always desirous of sending us scampering for our Bibles.How about you go do your homework this time? (There are many helpful hints over in the CA articles, to get you started on the quest).

Is this simply Apostolic irreverence toward the “theotokos,” or actuall enlightening truth?

No, Linus, this is neither. This is a case of one so blinded by his dislike for Catholics, and for the Mother of God, that he will not look at the truth, for fear that he might see something that he does not want to see.
This is contemporary irreverence for the apostles, & for the Mother of God, an irreverence born of a need to preserve a prejudice. A need so strong that it teeters dangerously on the brink of a full-blown contempt for the Faith Delivered Once Unto the Saints.
Open your eyes, Linus. Open your mind. And then, open your heart. Despite your scorn, she is your mother, too, and she prays for you everyday, that you might see the light at lasat.
God bless.

 

[linus]

Zooey:

Her Son’s.

Jesus nowhere in Scripture tells us to pray to His earthly mother. If you’re playing poker, you’re bluffing

The Day of Pentecost. And I’ll see your apostles, and raise you by one Saviour: the Wedding at Cana.

There are no examples of any of the Apostles praying to Mary, nor did anyone at the wedding - still bluffing!!!

She lived with John for the rest of her life, do you really think there is any doubt, but that they prayed together??

Yet John, who lived the longest, never mentioned her once in his Epistles. You twitch when you bluff

The apostles didn’t need a path to her door; she was with St John, in Ephesus.

And yet, in the Book of Acts there is no mention of any of the Apostles traveling to Ephesus to bow at Mary’s feet asking for prayer on their behalf (ooops, your other eye twitched)

Also: you might want to count all the times in the New Testament that specifically encourage us to intercede for one another

Non sequitur

You’re always desirous of sending us scampering for our Bibles.

And you’re always scampering away from it when dealing directly with the subject. Why? Because you find NOTHING there to support your doctrine.

This is a case of one so blinded by his dislike for Catholics,

I have no dislike for Catholics. Maybe you do though, you refuse to convert. Why???

and for the Mother of God

You mean Mary? What a silly accusation! I think it’s disrespectful to claim anything about a person that’s not true, good or bad. What you claim about me is certainly untrue. And what you claim about Mary is untrue based on lack of objective evidence. That’s actually being disrespectful toward Mary.

This is contemporary irreverence for the apostles, & for the Mother of God, an irreverence born of a need to preserve a prejudice. A need so strong that it teeters dangerously on the brink of a full-blown contempt for the Faith Delivered Once Unto the Saints.

And yet, “the faith once delivered to the saints” says nothing, absolutely NOTHING about praying to Mary. How do you explain this? Still bluffing?

Open your eyes, Linus. Open your mind. And then, open your heart. Despite your scorn, she is your mother, too

Sorry, but we’re not related. And motherhood is only an earthly phenomenon. You’re under the false impression that “motherhood” goes on for all eternity. Do you really believe your own earthly mother will be your “mother” for all eternity? Sorry, but those “cards” are not in the deck.

and she prays for you everyday

How can she? She doesn’t know me. Unless you’re saying she’s omniscient - predicating to her a divine attribute. In that case you’re not just bluffing, you’re blaspheming. And that’s dangerous, my dear!!!

 

[Church_Militant]

linus:

Jesus nowhere in Scripture tells us to pray to His earthly mother.

The simplicity of your understanding of intercession of saints is pretty sad Linus. I suppose then that you do not ask other believers to pray for you? When someone makes a request of someone else that is the same as the old usage (in plain English) “I prythee” or “I pray thee”.

At what point do the faithful departed cease to be members of the Body of Christ? They don’t (See Romans 8:38-39), and where is it that they cease to be aware of us & fail in their intercessions for us? They don’t. (See Hebrews 12:1)

See also Praying to the Saints and other very good articles that may help you gain an understanding of what we really believe about this, but you’ll have to take the time to read them.

You mean Mary? What a silly accusation! I think it’s disrespectful to claim anything about a person that’s not true, good or bad.

Silly? then Linus the very reformers must have been just as silly because Luther , Calvin and Zwingli all called her this.

And what you claim about Mary is untrue based on lack of objective evidence. That’s actually being disrespectful toward Mary.

Wrong again!There is plenty of “objective evidence” for the intercessory role of the Blessed Virgin. Pull out that Strong’s Exhaustive of yours and look up the OT word “Giberah” and see who it applied to and who they were and what their role was in Israel. It is the queen mother. Now follow me closely here.

Is Jesus the Messiah?

Is he also a Davidic king of the Jews?

In fact, is He not King of Kings?

Is Mary His mother?

What was the function of the Queen Mother in Israel from the time of Solomon on?

In John 2 what did Mary do at the wedding feast in Cana that precipitated Christ’s first public miracle?

Reject it if you wish but please don’t try to tell us that there is no Biblical evidence…

And motherhood is only an earthly phenomenon. You’re under the false impression that “motherhood” goes on for all eternity. Do you really believe your own earthly mother will be your “mother” for all eternity?

Just exactly when does the woman that gave you birth in fact cease to be your mother Linus? I’m sure that any woman out there, including your own sainted Mom would look at you like you’re crazy for saying this stuff.

If parenthood is such a passing thing of so little import, then I guess God goofed with the 4th Commandment.

Here also is the history of the earliest prayer to Mary , the “Sub Tum” from which we get our modern "Memorare "

Sorry, but those “cards” are not in the deck.How can she? She doesn’t know me. Unless you’re saying she’s omniscient - predicating to her a divine attribute. In that case you’re not just bluffing, you’re blaspheming. And that’s dangerous, my dear!!!

See Hebrews 12:1…no one alleges omniscience for the Blessed Virgin, but you forget what St. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:12. We see now through a glass in a dark manner; but then face to face. Now I know I part; but then I shall know even as I am known. Not blasphemy…just your misunderstanding.

Pax tecum,

 

[linus]

[The simplicity of your understanding of intercession of saints is pretty sad Linus. I suppose then that you do not ask other believers to pray for you?

Certainly I do, as others often ask me to pray FOR them. But never do I ask them to pray TO me, nor would I ever consider praying TO them. That’s why this example is non-sequitur. But I’m sure you’ve heard this before. Yet when Christ’s disciples requested of Him to show them how to pray, He responded with "Our Father who art in Heaven…"

At what point do the faithful departed cease to be members of the Body of Christ? They don’t (See Romans 8:38-39), and where is it that they cease to be aware of us & fail in their intercessions for us? They don’t. (See Hebrews 12:1).

It’s true we never cease to be part of the Body of Christ, but even while on this earth you are/were never prayed TO. That doesn’t change when you enter heaven. Since when did becoming part of the Body of Christ make anyone omniscient? I could ask you to pray for me now, now that we have become aware of one another. But prior to this electronic encounter we had no awareness of one another’s existence. Mary doesn’t know me, Paul doesn’t know me, nor does Peter. Heaven bound doesn’t make you omniscient nor omnipresent.

Now follow me closely here. Is Jesus the Messiah? Is he also a Davidic king of the Jews? In fact, is He not King of Kings? Is Mary His mother?
What was the function of the Queen Mother in Israel from the time of Solomon on?

Key phrase, “from the time of SOLOMON on.” This did NOT occur from the time of King David on, did it? It’s called the “Davidic” kingdom, not the “Solomonic” kingdom. Solomon elevated his mother on his own, he NEVER had any divine instruction to do so, whatsoever. That was all his doing, not God’s. Solomon also had 300 wives and 700 concubines. Are you implying that Jesus has multiple wives and concubines in heaven, too?

In John 2 what did Mary do at the wedding feast in Cana that precipitated Christ’s first public miracle?

How does this event instruct us to pray to Mary? Don’t read into this passage or even something that isn’t there.

Just exactly when does the woman that gave you birth in fact cease to be your mother Linus? I’m sure that any woman out there, including your own sainted Mom would look at you like you’re crazy for saying this stuff.

My mother will not have a “motherly” relationship or influence over me in eterntity. I will not address her “mom,” or “mother.” She was my mother on earth, but will be my Sister in Christ for all eternity. Nor was she EVER my “mother,” spiritually speaking.

If parenthood is such a passing thing of so little import, then I guess God goofed with the 4th Commandment.

Who said it was of little import? It’s just not eternal. You need to grow up in your thinking, you won’t have a “mommy” in heaven. And the Son did not come into this world system to gain an eternal Mother, but a body in order to become a Man, in order to redeem mankind from eternal death [separation from God) because of sin. The vigin birth was to separate Him from Adam’s sinful race. He Himself being the "*second Man
[/quote]

," in fact, the “Last Adam.” And all who believe in Him for the forgiveness of their sins are spiritually connected to Him, no longer in Adam, the sinner, but now “in Christ,” made righteous (Rom. 5:19).

no one alleges omniscience for the Blessed Virgin, but you forget what St. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:12. We see now through a glass in a dark manner; but then face to face. Now I know I part; but then I shall know even as I am known. Not blasphemy…just your misunderstanding.

1 Cor. 13:12, “but then” does not mean once we die and enter into the presence of Christ. It’s referring to our glorified state and when all is revealed TO us. Not even the saints in heaven are in their glorified state. There is yet the resurrection of the body. Jesus redeemed the whole man, body, soul and spirit. Still, this verse does not refer to one’s intimate knowledge of others, people he/she have never met. Such intimate knowledge belongs only to God.

 

[Titanites]

linus:

Certainly I do, as others often ask me to pray FOR them. But never do I ask them to pray TO me, nor would I ever consider praying TO them. That’s why this example is non-sequitur.

You are limiting the definition of “pray”. It has two:

1. 
   *]To utter or address a prayer or prayers to God, a god, or another object of worship.
   *]To make a fervent request or entreaty.
   
   When Catholics pray to Mary they are not worshipping but are making a request, as in definition #2. Just as when you ask someone to pray for you, you are making a request. That is, you are praying to them to pray for you.

 

[Church_Militant]

Linus,
You have misconstrued every aspect of my reply to you, which IMO shows that you are not here to seek answers but to disparage the faith of Catholics.

You espouse a doctrine called Sola Scriptura (dealt with many other places here on this forum and great detail) that is not itself scripturally supported in the Word of God. Open a different thead if you want to discuss that error and we’ll happily get into it with you,but you’d be better served by searching this forum and the ma(name removed by moderator)age Library for articles that cover that topic, as well as most all of whatever else you wish to discuss.

If the faithful departed are not aware of us then what does Hebrews 12:1 mean? It plainly says that there is a great cloud of witnesses and Hebrews 11 names many, even back in the OT. Who are you to deny something that God says in his Word? Especially coming from someone who alleges that all that we believe must come from the Bible? Who are you to say what God can and does choose to do with His saints in heaven?

Your remarks on the Giberah display a refusal to even look into something that is in the Word of God when it contradicts what you have been taught to believe.

Solomon was a descendant of David as was Christ…and despite your attack on his character, was one of the better kings of Israel according to the Word of God. So there is no reason to believe that Solomon (thoroughly faithful to God at the time that he did so) acted without the inspiration of God in this matter? If one follows out this line of thinking then there are no OT fathers that we can trust and their writings should be removed from the Canon since their less than 100% moral lives (according to you anyway) disqualifies them as having been inspired of God. That’s not right…

Are you implying that Jesus has multiple wives and concubines in heaven, too?

Don’t be obtuse and put words in my mouth. That’s not right either…

How does this event instruct us to pray to Mary? Don’t read into this passage or even something that isn’t there.

I’m not. However, is it not plain that the Blessed Virgin excercised her role as compassionate intercessor without having to be asked? And then, what was her instruction to the stewards? “Do whatever he tells you.” (The very same message that she has proclaimed in her every apparition.) There is plenty of evidence in the writings of the early church that they believed in this sort of intercession, dating from the first century. Here!

I’d appreciate it greatly if you’d mind your mouth & maintain a greater level of charity when addressing me Linus. This remark:

You need to grow up in your thinking, you won’t have a “mommy” in heaven.

is both mocking and insulting. I find absolutely nothing in the Word of God, (which I am well familiar with, having read it all many many times and continue to do so.) that even implies that families will not still have their relationships in the Kingdom of God. Despite the fact that in heaven “they are neither married nor given in marriage” that does not mean that those we have loved and who are members of our families will not be recognized by us as having been such. You have read this into your interp of the Word of God, but it is not there.

1 Cor. 13:12, “but then” does not mean once we die and enter into the presence of Christ. It’s referring to our glorified state and when all is revealed TO us. Not even the saints in heaven are in their glorified state. There is yet the resurrection of the body. Jesus redeemed the whole man, body, soul and spirit. Still, this verse does not refer to one’s intimate knowledge of others, people he/she have never met. Such intimate knowledge belongs only to God.

This is nothing more than your interpretation of this passage and you have chosen to limit it, but nothing in its context or the context of the rest of the Word of God supports you in this.

The fact that the saints are yet to recover their glorified bodies has nothing to do with this since (again) Hebrews 12:1 shows that they do indeed have an awareness of us and that includes OT saints who also have not been joined to their glorified bodies.

Futhermore, there is no understanding of how anyone can read this passage and see them sitting there stoically observing the races of the rest of us members of the Body of Christ, a race that has such eternal consequences, without both enthusiastic cheering and intercessions for us to God.
Pax tecum,

 

[bookgirl]

linus:

The real question is, “on what authority do you know she can?”

Can you show me, by example, where any of the Apostles appealed to Mary to intercede for them during their Apostolic ministries? Especially Paul, Peter or John. You would think there would many examples of such intercession by the “theotokos” since they (the Apostles) had the huge burden of first communicating the message of salvation to the world. Certainly if we’re instructed to pray to her now for intercession they, her contemporaries, must have done so frequently in person, while she was still living. But, alas, no example, nothing, zilch, nada - not one mention in Scripture of an Apostolic path to Mary’s door. And not even one Apostolic instruction for *us *to do so, either. Is this simply Apostolic irreverence toward the “theotokos?,” or actually enlightening truth?

I’m asking how you know, as a human being (whether you believe she’s got an immaculate heart or not) – not necessarily just as Mary – that she couldn’t hear you if you were to ask her to pray for you? They certainly did ask one another to pray for eachother, and instructed those they were writing to to do so many times. They did not, however, list every time they did it, or who they asked. Not trying to start a new topic here by the way, it’s just that the whole “they didn’t tell us to specifically in the Bible” excuse doesn’t hold up with me. Mainly, b/c again, the Bible itself as we read it is a product of Tradition with a capital T in the first place. If your logic is going to hold up, then show me, please, where the books are listed, and in what order they’re supposed to be in, as part of the written Word of God. I fully believe it’s completely inspired, and that those who clarified it were infallable, but no where did any of the apostles list it, nor any of the scripture writers.

 

[revbrothomas]

Mickey:

That’s a revisitation of the nestorian heresy! :bigyikes:

First off, to say that Mary’s contribution to the nature of Christ extends beyond His humanity IS heresy; because to do so says that, in some way, Mary was “divine” which she was/is not.

Secondly, “mercy”, “Ante-Nicene Catholic” is not a contradiction in terms, unless of course you are admitting that there was a time, since Pentecost, in which the Catholic Church did not exist. (And while this may be true in regards to the “Roman” church, it is not in regards to the Catholic Church.)

Thirdly, can’t you just answer the question with a simple “Yes” or “No”? ; Is adherence to the Marian doctrines essential for Salvation?

 

[mlchance]

One more time for the hard of hearing:

1. Jesus Christ is God.
2. The Virgin Mary is Jesus Christ’s mother.
3. The Virgin Mary is God’s mother.

The conclusion can only be denied by denying one or both of the first two statements, neither of which are statements that any Christian can rightfully deny.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[mercygate]

revbrothomas:

First off, to say that Mary’s contribution to the nature of Christ extends beyond His humanity IS heresy; because to do so says that, in some way, Mary was “divine” which she was/is not.

You can’t mean this. You cannot come here and challenge orthodox Christianity with a straight face and say the orthodox Christology says that Mary is divine.

Secondly, “mercy”, “Ante-Nicene Catholic” is not a contradiction in terms, unless of course you are admitting that there was a time, since Pentecost, in which the Catholic Church did not exist. (And while this may be true in regards to the “Roman” church, it is not in regards to the Catholic Church.)

It is a contradiction in the 21st Century because the doctrine of both the Latin and Eastern Churches has progressed to more detail in response to the heresies launched against the Person of Christ. To be ante-Nicene in 325 was legitimate; to refuse to pass that mark now means lingering in a place which is incomplete, leaving oneself vulnerable (as you clearly demonstrate) to the heresies the subsequent development of doctrine guarded against.

Thirdly, can’t you just answer the question with a simple “Yes” or “No”? ; Is adherence to the Marian doctrines essential for Salvation?

I answered the question correctly. If you want a simple yes or no, then you do not want an accurate response. I do not speak for those who are not under the discipline of the Catholic Church; the mercy of God is great. Catholics must adhere to the Marian doctrines at the peril of their souls.

 

[Zooey]

linus:

For that matter, do you believe your own mother is your “mother” forever?

Yes. Just that simple; yes. Of course, my parents are my parents. Do you imagine that–like Theravada Buddhists–that we all cease to maintain individuality? That we all melt into the “ocean”? That is not the faith of the Bible, Linus.
We are not diminished by death; we merely cease to carry around these tired old bodies. We are no longer ever sick, or tired, nor are we in pain. Come the Resurrection of the Dead, we will have perfected bodies, like unto that which Our Lord manifested after His Resurrection.
In those bodies, we will be individuals. We will be ourselves. I will meet my parents again. For the first time ever, I will be able to thank my daddy for laying down his life to rescue me from the path of an oncoming vehicle. For the first time, I will be able to thank the mother of my birth for arranging that “if anything happens to us, we want our child to be with her godmother”, & for also sacrificing herself for my safety & survival.
And I will see that godmother turned second mother, & she will not be the pain-wracked,weakened shell that slipped from this life in a hospital bed.
I will see my grandmother, who at 60 again took up the role of parent–a "stay-at-home-mom, to a frightened, broken 3 year old with nightmares of blood & death.
Yes, Linus, I will see them all. We will know each other, & we will rejoice together.
And there will be others, too–the saints of all the ages will be there, not “dewdrops in the ocean”, but real human beings, real & individual as the Lord God made them. And we will know one another, too, though we have not met in this mortal life. We will know, & we will stand hand in hand & sing praises to the Lamb Who was Worthy…
And I will slip out of place, I will tiptoe up to one slight figure in particular, and I will take her hand, & thank her for the prayers she has delivered to her Son. I will know her, Linus, as she all ready knows me…We will recognize each other, for we have spent so much time together, just me and the Mother of God.
What a family reunion that will be–the reunion of the Family of God!!!
God bless.

 

[Mickey]

revbrothomas:

First off, to say that Mary’s contribution to the nature of Christ extends beyond His humanity IS heresy;

The hypostatic union is a wonderful mystery. Jesus was 100% human and 100% divine. Mary did not give birth to a nature, she gave birth to the whole person. Again, your views are thoroughly nestorian.

 

[linus]

Titanites:

You are limiting the definition of “pray”. It has two:

1. 
   *]To utter or address a prayer or prayers to God, a god, or another object of worship.
   *]To make a fervent request or entreaty.
   
   When Catholics pray to Mary they are not worshipping but are making a request, as in definition #2. Just as when you ask someone to pray for you, you are making a request. That is, you are praying to them to pray for you.

1. 
   I never said Catholics “worship” Mary when they pray TO her. Number 2 can only be done in the physical presence of someone, or through some other medium such as telephone, computer e-mail, letter, carrier pigeon, relay runners, etc., etc. Other than that you would have to pray TO that person in order to ask that person to pray FOR you. And in order to do that, that person you are asking (remotely) to pray FOR you, would need to be endued with super-natural powers, since they (normally) can neither see you, nor hear you, nor read your mind. Abilities attributed only to God.
   
   “Titanite,” you may pray to me if you want, but let me assure you, I will not be able to hear you. If you want someone to pray FOR you then drive over to their house, call them by phone, send them a letter or e-mail, but prayer is reserved for God only, since He only has the power to hear you.

 

[Brendan]

revbrothomas:

First off, to say that Mary’s contribution to the nature of Christ extends beyond His humanity IS heresy; because to do so says that, in some way, Mary was “divine” which she was/is not.

No, it does not follow that Mary would be divine if she was Mother to the Person of Christ.

First of all ‘Nature’s’ do not have Mothers. A Nature is a set of properties that entail membership in a kind. We all share a human Nature, that does not mean we all have the same mother?

All of us here have different Mothers, but the same human Nature. It follows that Mother is therefore seperate from Nature.

It is Person’s who have Mothers.

A Person is an entity capible of being the Efficient Cause of an activity. In other words, a Person is an entity capable of performing an action.

Christ was the Efficent (and Material) Cause of our Salvation and thus Mary was the Mother of that Person,Christ.

Yes, Christ the Person is eternally begotten; thus. Mary is the Mother of an enternally Begotten diety, instead of the Mother of an Immortal Creature (like ours were)

Unless of course, one believes that one’s Mother is one’s Creator.

But since we are all Christians here, non of us can hold that theory.

 

[bookgirl]

linus:

And in order to do that, that person you are asking (remotely) to pray FOR you, would need to be endued with super-natural powers, since they (normally) can neither see you, nor hear you, nor read your mind

Doesn’t Paul say something about this? To the opposite point actually? Could be wrong here, but I thought he did.

2nd of all, never anywhere does it say that once in heaven people within the Body of Christ could NOT hear prayer requests. Again, the “it’s not specifically in the Bible that way” excuse, which holds no weight ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE.

 

[linus]

Church Militant:

Linus,
You have misconstrued every aspect of my reply to you, which IMO shows that you are not here to seek answers but to disparage the faith of Catholics.

I am here to answer the question why Protestants don’t call Mary “Mother of God.”

You espouse a doctrine called Sola Scriptura

I believe God has provided all the answers we need in His sacred writings. But that’s not what we’re talking about here. Although reference to God’s written Word is objective support for the issue raised on this thread.

If the faithful departed are not aware of us then what does Hebrews 12:1 mean?

I didn’t say they weren’t “aware” of us, but they are not intimately involved WITH us. Their lives here have ended. Hebrews 12 is not stating that those listed in Hebrews eleven are continually and intimately involved with us, but they are a witness to us of enduring FAITH. Hence, as it says in 12:2, we are to fix our eyes (i.e., of faith) on JESUS, not those listed in the previous chapter. They’re gone, but an account of their faith-filled lives are preserved in Scripture for us to be encouraged by.

Solomon was a descendant of David as was Christ…and despite your attack on his character, was one of the better kings of Israel according to the Word of God. So there is no reason to believe that Solomon (thoroughly faithful to God at the time that he did so) acted without the inspiration of God in this matter?

If he was inspired by God at the time then the Scriptural account would have revealed it. It would have said something like, “and God laid on his heart…,” or something like that. Or one of the prophets of Israel would have instructed him to elevate his mother to such a position in the Kingdom. But the Scriptural account states NOTHING of the sort. Hence, Solomon’s action is not a divine example of the elevation of Mary to “Queen Mother.” And if that was to be the case, it would have begun with David, not Solomon. But David was not instructed by God to do so, either.

I find absolutely nothing in the Word of God, (which I am well familiar with, having read it all many many times and continue to do so.) that even implies that families will not still have their relationships in the Kingdom of God. Despite the fact that in heaven “they are neither married nor given in marriage” that does not mean that those we have loved and who are members of our families will not be recognized by us as having been such. You have read this into your interp of the Word of God, but it is not there.

We will recongnize our earthly, family members (if saved), but our relationship with them in that capacity will have ended. It served an earthly purpose. There is no heavenly need.

Jesus Himself ended His earthly, motherly, relationship with Mary at the cross when He gave the care of her to the Apostle John. You’ll notice that after His bodily resurection there is no account of Jesus and Mary having a “mother/Son” reunion. In fact, it is not even mentioned that he *specially * revealed Himself to her. Her job was done, it served an earthly purpose. She will receive her reward at the “judgment seat of Christ.”

It is the same with our parents. We will know them (if saved), but our relationship with them will not be the same. Private, family connections will not exist in Heaven. They serve no purpose there.
Mary’s earthly, mother relationship with Jesus ended at the cross. It serves no purpose in Heaven where the Son has again resumed His glory with the Father.

 

[bookgirl]

It would have said something like, "and God laid on his heart…,"

If you need that kind of statement to believe what is already IN THE BIBLE, then you’d think you’d need something to the same effect to believe something that is NOT ANYWHERE IN IT – and a much bigger issue by the way – SOLA SCRIPTURA.

 

[Mickey]

linus:

I am here to answer the question why Protestants don’t call Mary “Mother of God.”

Most protestants refer to her as “Mother of God”. Could you be more specific?

 

[Brendan]

bookgirl:

Doesn’t Paul say something about this? To the opposite point actually? Could be wrong here, but I thought he did.

Yep, Hebrews 12:1 We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, the saints and martyrs.

 

[Orionthehunter]

It would have said something like, "and God laid on his heart…,"

If you need that kind of statement to believe what is already IN THE BIBLE, then you’d think you’d need something to the same effect to believe something that is NOT ANYWHERE IN IT – and a much bigger issue by the way – SOLA SCRIPTURA.

Linus, I write this with a great deal of sadness. When I read your posts, you seem to respond like you never seriously considered if there was even an element of potential truth in what they said. For this reason, I think a point-by-point addressing of your comments are futile.

However, I do want to say that love is part of our nature imbued by God at our creation. If your proposition were true that upon my death my love for my children and friends would cease (and this what you basically assert when the Saints in Heaven are disinterested in what happens on earth to their loved ones), love would be transitory. This is contrary to everything we are taught in scripture. Love is eternal.