Question about Immaculate Conception?

Question

I myself am Catholic and I'm trying to understand. I've gone through CCD and confirmation years ago, but I've never understood this. The Bible states the Jesus is the only one who is pure, but is the idea of Immaculate conception not that Mary was born pure? I always thought that Immaculate Conception was the birth of Jesus. When I found out it was the birth of Mary, the daughter of St Anne. So can someone explain the contradiction between the scripture and catechism?

Wasn't Jesus the only one born without original sin? Once again, I'm Catholic and just trying to understand and we are not a cult to that one guy.

Peter O I absolutely do believe and can answer most questions about the new Testament but I was just confused about one part. I've received some answers here that are very helpful to me. Please don't make assumptions about me when you don't know me. You can think what you want but I don't know everything in the world

Answer 1

Mary was enriched with gifts appropriate to her call. She was "full of grace" (Lk 1:20).

Over the centuries, the Church realized that this "full of grace" meant that Mary was redeemed from the first moment, her Immaculate Conception. Mary, "from the first moment of her conception by the merits of Jesus Christ, was preserved immune from all stain of original sin" (Pope Pius IX).

Redeemed by Christ's Merits (492-493)
By Christ's merits, Mary "is redeemed in a more exalted fashion" (Second Vatican Council). The Father blessed Mary "in Christ with every spiritual blessing" and chose her "in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless" (Eph 1:3-4).

The Eastern Church calls Mary "the All-Holy" and says that she is "free from any stain of sin... formed as a new creature." By God's grace, Mary remained free of personal sin throughout her life.

Total Gift of Self (494)
Mary responded with the obedience of faith. "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your Word" (Lk 1:28-38). She gave herself entirely to the person and work of her Son. Church writers call Mary "the Mother of the living." "Death came through Eve, but life through Mary (St. Jerome)."

Truly - The Mother of God (495)
She is seen as "the mother of Jesus." However, Elizabeth, moved by the Spirit, rightly calls Mary "the mother of my Lord" (Lk 1:43) because she conceived the second person of the Holy Trinity. The Church proclaimed that Mary is truly Mother of God, "Theotokos" (Council of Ephesus).

Conceiving Yet Remaining a Virgin (496-498)
The Church has always taught that Jesus was conceived "by the Holy Spirit without human seed" (Lateran Council). This virginal conception was the sign that Jesus was truly the Son of God. He is "truly of the race of David according to the flesh, Son of God according to the will and power of God, truly born of a virgin" (St. Ignatius of Antioch).

This virginal conception is beyond human understanding. Joseph had to be told, "that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 1:20). Isaiah had prophesied: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son" (7:14).

Faith in Jesus' virginal conception met with lively opposition from Jews, unbelievers, and pagans (St. Justin). This opposition shows that the virginal conception was not some adaptation of a first century belief. Mary's virginity, her giving birth to Jesus, and the Lord's death are three mysteries which were "accomplished in God's silence" (St. Ignatius).

Peace and blessings!

Answer 2

The dogma of the Immaculate Conception refers to Mary, as the Mother of God, being conceived without stain of original sin.

If she had not been the Immaculate Conception, then her son Jesus Christ would have been born into sin - something that could not be allowed as He is not only human, but God made man.

Edit: I as a Catholic have never had a problem with this doctrine. It makes perfect sense to me, and my viewpoint is that it is theologically sound. It does not detract from the sinlessness of Jesus Christ, but rather enhances it, and conforms to it. As to it's not being specifically mentioned in the Bible - this may come as a shock to Bible waving sola scriptura religionists, but not all doctrines of the Christian faith are specifically listed in the Bible (the Holy Trinity and it's nature is a good example). The Bible was compiled and authenticated under the direction and auspices of the early Church. It exists in tandem with Church teachings. The Bible was never meant or intended to be the sole source of religious doctrine or teaching. The early Church existed for the first three hundred years or so without a complete Bible as we know it today. Sola scriptura is a false doctrine initiated during the Reformation.

Answer 3

The Immaculate Conception refers to Mary being saved, by God, from being stained with Original Sin when she was conceived. Instead of pulling her out of a mud puddle afterward, God saved her by grabbing her just as she was about to fall in.

>>Wasn't Jesus the only one born without original sin?<<

Adam and Eve were born without Original Sin. There is also a pious belief that John the Baptist was cleansed of Original Sin after conception but before birth.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08486b.htm

Answer 4

When the angel Gabriel hailed Mary, he called her: "Full of grace." or "Highly favored one." (depending on which translation you use.)

Either term indicates the already existing presence of sanctifying grace in Mary's soul ... and this was something that had not been present anywhere in the world, since Adam sinned.

The conception of Mary in her mother's womb absent the stain of original sin, and full of grace, was by special privilege of God, so that the flesh that made up Jesus' body would be pure and totally sin-free ... something that was absolutely necessary to enable the spotless Lamb of God to successfully complete his mission.

You might say that Mary was "pre-saved" by her very own son.

There's no contradiction here. Protestants discarded the first 1500 years of theology and authentic church tradition, made up their own new rules to suit themselves, and now they simply don't (or won't) understand how these things actually work.

Pity.

Answer 5

The doctrine is not supported by the oldest traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. Moreover, it contradicts the Scriptures. The claim that Mary was preserved from original sin from the first instant of her conception denies the universality of inherited sin. The apostle Paul states clearly: “Sin entered the world through one man, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned.” (Romans 5:12, JB) The Scriptures also state that redemption for “all mankind” came only through Christ’s death. (Hebrews 2:9, JB) If the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary were true, Mary would have been redeemed before Christ died, in fact, even years before he came to earth.

Thus, as measured by the Catholic Church’s own yardstick, this dogma is neither “Apostolic” nor Scriptural, and is therefore not an acceptable “tradition.” Should this not move sincere Catholics to examine in the light of the Bible other “articles of faith” they are required to believe?

Answer 6

The prayer goes: "Oh, Mary, conceived without original sin pray for us that have recourse to thee." The idea was that in order for God to breach the gap between heaven and earth he needed a "pure vessel" as a conduit for Jesus to come to earth. Mary was without sin as well as Christ. That is why she ascended into heaven after her duty on earth was done in a miraculous act known as the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. I know all of this because my last name start with O' and was a Catholic by birthright as many Irish are. But I am not a true believer and can't understand why anyone would apply themselves to a faith that they know little about, as seems to be your case. Is it irony that I know what you are supposed to believe and don't and that you don't know what you are supposed to believe and do believe?

Answer 7

Question about Immaculate Conception?
I myself am Catholic and I'm trying to understand. I've gone through CCD and confirmation years ago, but I've never understood this. The Bible states the Jesus is the only one who is pure,
False Statement:
"but is the idea of Immaculate conception not that Mary was born pure?"
Answer:
NO, of course not. What a perversion of God's Holy Scriptures."Immaculate conception " was not found in the old or new testament. It is again a word added by a man or a religion. The Holy Bible prescribes penalities for adding a word to Holy Scripture: 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Revelations 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

I Will ask Born Again Holy Ghost Filled Believers to Pray for You and That Have Been Taught These Lies Straight From the Pits of Hell by Liars and the antichrist.
False Statement:
I always thought that Immaculate Conception was the birth of Jesus. When I found out it was the birth of Mary, the daughter of St Anne. So can someone explain the contradiction between the scripture and catechism?

Additional Details

9 minutes ago
Wasn't Jesus the only one born without original sin? Once again, I'm Catholic and just trying to understand and we are not a cult to that one guy.

18 minutes ago - 3 days left to answer. - 7 answers - Report Abuse

Answer 8

hi Cashelma, obviously your ideal and that i have no longer some thing to operate settle for this for those above ! Do you imagine the regulation of unique sin utilized to Mary? if you're Christian your answer might want to confirm.So from this element we can look again at Mary. If Mary had sin then with the help of delivery Jesus might want to were born into sin !He become after all totally human ! So with the help of your reasoning your declaring that Jesus become born with the Stain of Sin on him ? no longer achieveable!!! Jesus become the saviour of Mary ? obviously he become, she become made organic with the help of Jesus before he entered her! he's God Mary Is human raised to the throne with the help of God ! She is specially creation because she and she or he on my own contained in the international previous and up to date Lived the most organic and proper existence! have you ever no longer study we are all God's All children of the daddy, How can all and sundry say that God might want to no longer carry out an elementary element as to cleanse his holy temple before living in it. The Catholic preparation is this that Jesus become conceived with the help of the Holy Spirit contained in the womb of A organic Virgin that become finished of Grace. Honour the mum because the 2d eve, we are all her religious children with the help of the Grace and could of our Lord.

Answer 9

in the matter of scripture vs catechism, scripture vs doctrine, dogma, tradition, official church policy, etc....scripture HAS to win out...otherwise it's not a church, it's a cult...that goes for ANY church

Answer 10

Read Luke Chapter 1&2.
I'll check into it, but you may be mistaken.