Why do Protestant reformers and current Protestant have a diffrent view on Mary ?

Question

When Fundamentalists study the writings of the "Reformers" (or founders of their particular sect) on Mary, the Mother of Jesus, they will find that the "Reformers" accepted almost every major Marian doctrine and considered these doctrines to be both scriptural and fundamental to the historic Christian Faith.


Martin Luther:

Mary the Mother of God

Throughout his life Luther maintained without change the historic Christian affirmation that Mary was the Mother of God:

"She is rightly called not only the mother of the man, but also the Mother of God ... It is certain that Mary is the Mother of the real and true God."1

Perpetual Virginity

Again throughout his life Luther held that Mary's perpetual virginity was an article of faith for all Christians - and interpreted Galatians 4:4 to mean that Christ was "born of a woman" alone.

"It is an article of faith that Mary is Mother of the Lord and still a Virgin."2

The Immaculate Conception

Yet again the Immaculate Conception was a doctrine Luther defended to his death (as confirmed by Lutheran scholars like Arthur Piepkorn). Like Augustine, Luther saw an unbreakable link between Mary's divine maternity, perpetual virginity and Immaculate Conception. Although his formulation of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was not clear-cut, he held that her soul was devoid of sin from the beginning:

"But the other conception, namely the infusion of the soul, it is piously and suitably believed, was without any sin, so that while the soul was being infused, she would at the same time be cleansed from original sin and adorned with the gifts of God to receive the holy soul thus infused. And thus, in the very moment in which she began to live, she was without all sin..."3

Assumption

Although he did not make it an article of faith, Luther said of the doctrine of the Assumption:

"There can be no doubt that the Virgin Mary is in heaven. How it happened we do not know."4

Honor to Mary

Despite his unremitting criticism of the traditional doctrines of Marian mediation and intercession, to the end Luther continued to proclaim that Mary should be honored. He made it a point to preach on her feast days.

"The veneration of Mary is inscribed in the very depths of the human heart."5

"Is Christ only to be adored? Or is the holy Mother of God rather not to be honoured? This is the woman who crushed the Serpent's head. Hear us. For your Son denies you nothing."6 Luther made this statement in his last sermon at Wittenberg in January 1546.



John Calvin: It has been said that John Calvin belonged to the second generation of the Reformers and certainly his theology of double predestination governed his views on Marian and all other Christian doctrine . Although Calvin was not as profuse in his praise of Mary as Martin Luther he did not deny her perpetual virginity. The term he used most commonly in referring to Mary was "Holy Virgin".

"Elizabeth called Mary Mother of the Lord, because the unity of the person in the two natures of Christ was such that she could have said that the mortal man engendered in the womb of Mary was at the same time the eternal God."7

"Helvidius has shown himself too ignorant, in saying that Mary had several sons, because mention is made in some passages of the brothers of Christ."8 Calvin translated "brothers" in this context to mean cousins or relatives.

"It cannot be denied that God in choosing and destining Mary to be the Mother of his Son, granted her the highest honor."9

"To this day we cannot enjoy the blessing brought to us in Christ without thinking at the same time of that which God gave as adornment and honour to Mary, in willing her to be the mother of his only-begotten Son."10



Ulrich Zwingli:

"It was given to her what belongs to no creature, that in the flesh she should bring forth the Son of God."11

"I firmly believe that Mary, according to the words of the gospel as a pure Virgin brought forth for us the Son of God and in childbirth and after childbirth forever remained a pure, intact Virgin."12 Zwingli used Exodus 4:22 to defend the doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity.

"I esteem immensely the Mother of God, the ever chaste, immaculate Virgin Mary."13

"Christ ... was born of a most undefiled Virgin."14

"It was fitting that such a holy Son should have a holy Mother."15

"The more the honor and love of Christ increases among men, so much the esteem and honor given to Mary should grow."16

Answer 1

Wow. I am a Catholic, but I could not have said it better. Where did you get that information?

Protestants are constantly trying to make sure they are always practicing pure Christianity. If they go to their protestant roots, they’ll find what you just pointed out, and find just how Catholic they really should be, because the roots ultimately go back to the Mother Church.

Answer 2

I am a confessional Lutheran, a member of a Lutheran Church Canada Congregation, affiliated with, and maybe more conservative than Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

The official Conservative Lutheran view is still exactly as Luther stated. However belief in "perpetual virginity", "The immaculate conception" and "The Assumption" are not necessary for salvation. Faith in Christ alone (sola fide) is all that is needed.

While not even close to Scripture, Anne Rice puts forth a plausible explanation in support of "The Perpetual Virginity" in her novel "Christ the Lord Out of Egypt". Read it. A good story, and inspirational, but remember that it is just a novel, not WORD OF GOD!

In LCC/LCMS The Feast of St. Mary, Mother of our Lord is celebrated on August 15th. For interest sake the Feast of St. Joseph, Guardian of our Lord is kept on March 19th. These are Commemorations, not Venerations. These dates are taken from "The Lutheran Service Book" "The Church Year", pages X , XI. Other commemorations (Saints Days if you like) are listed on pages XII, and XIII.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Answer 3

According to a book I read on the subject called "Mary Model of the Church," by Raniero Cantalamessa, who tried to go over what has been believed from the beginning about Mary, including what was held about Mary by the "reformers", the reason why the protestants of today have a different point of view is because the polemical debate between Catholics and Protestants increased to such an extent that the Protestant followers of the reform movements wanted to get rid of that which would seem Catholic. This included devotion to Mary.

Answer 4

This squabble reminds me of when the Sadducees and the Pharisees would debate about whom was closer to G-d. Did not the Christ named Jesus of Nazareth, come into this world, shed His blood, die, and rise again; for the forgiveness and salvation of ALL WHO BELIEVE IN HIM?

According to G-d's Holy Scripture: It is by faith that we are given salvation, not by the doctrines of one particular church; who “claims” that only it's members hold the right to eternal life. If you believe in Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, why do you presume to think that others -- whom also believe in the words spoken by the prophets about Him - our L-rd Jesus the Christ -- are not going to have eternal life?

It is that old fight from Ireland all over again, the Catholics think they are the righteous and the Protestants think they are the chosen.

When in fact, Jesus said:

“When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

“I am the resurrection and the life. He, who believes in me, will live, even though he dies; and WHOEVER lives and believes in me will never die.”

“Here are my mother and brothers! Whoever does G-d’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 4:5

“Love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you do yourself. ALL the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2

When we ridicule others, are we treating our fellow believers or 'our neighbors'; the way that we have been COMMANDED by Jesus the Christ to do? So, all (who proclaim and believe that Jesus of Nazareth is THE Christ, THE Savior, THE Redeemer, Giver of eternal life); need to wake-up, stop this fighting among our own brothers and sisters. As it is also written, in the Only Living G-d's Holy Word; "A kingdom divided against itself can not stand."

If we can't even unite under the Holy name of Jesus, as the Christ; how can we expect 'the world' to believe in and accept THEIR eternal gift of salvation!

I pray that the peace of our L-rd Jesus the Christ will rest on all.

Answer 5

Many early reformers did, indeed, venerate the Virgin Mary. However, as the Reformation continued, some churches (and individuals) were so anxious to distance themselves from what they felt were the excesses of the Catholic Church that they threw out anything that smacked of "Romish" doctrines. So out went a lot of the sacraments, the veneration of Mary and the saints, infant baptism (in some cases), the rite of Confession, and many other practices.

Answer 6

My experience is that many Fundamentalist Protestants tend to be ahistorical and do not to know much about church history (beyond the Great Awakening anyway-if they have ever heard of it). Many Fund Prots I know deny out of hand that Luther could have written his commentary on the Magnificat.Zwingli originally even kept the Hail Mary in his service.
There is a revival of Marian interest among some Evangelical Protestant scholars nowadays.

Answer 7

The woman who crushes the serpents head is the church. That is Christ's "seed". And Protestants don't make of Mary any more than what she was; a young, virgin, Jewish maiden chosen by God to bear the Messiah. Also, Protestants do not believe that Mary is "Co-Redeemer" with Christ. That is just not scriptural. Christ never called Mary "mother" because He already knew of the plan that Satan had for using her as an object of worship in future generations. He was obviously right, as usual.

Answer 8

To love Mary takes nothing at all from Christ, but honors our Blessed Lord by Whose grace she is who she is: His greatest creation, the greatest of Saints, the Queen of Heaven, the Immaculate Conception, the spotless Virgin, the Ark of the Covenant, the New Eve, the mother of God, and the mother of Israel -- our mother who wants nothing more for us than to pray for us and show us her Son.

Answer 9

I know that she is the mother of my L-rd and Savior Yeshua, BUT we were never meant to pray in her name. We are supposed to be worshipping and praising 'her son' Yeshua, not her.

Please do remember the first commandment says "have no other gods before me." When people pray in the name of Mary, they are worshipping her and placing her as a 'god' in their heart. This is called Idolotry, regardless of whether you personally accept this or not makes no difference; you must look at the word of G-d. Don't rely on what priests, bishops, or the pope has taught you; what does G-d's word say.

In other words, where exactly in His Holy Scriptures does it say that Mary the mother of Yeshua will be lifted up as an intercessor of the people to be praised, honored, and glorified. His Holy Word says YESHUA (Jesus Christ ) is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE; nobody can come to the Father except through HIM!

Besides, she DID have other children. It is illogical to believe that Our Heavenly Father would not allow her and Joseph to have their own family; especially considering how special she was to Him!!


To Danny H and all other Catholics:

'Church history' will not and does not 'save' a person or grant eternal life; so it does not matter what Catholic leaders teach or have taught. As believers in Christ Jesus we are supposed to be looking to the Word of G-d (The Bible). That is where we are taught about salvation.

We are told, in the Only Living G-d's Holy Word (the Bible), that Salvation can ONLY come from belief in Christ Jesus; as our Messiah (the Son of the Living G-d). It does not, will not and can not come through, in, or around the name of 'Mary'; because she was His earthly mother. She is not the savior of the world.

John 6:47 "I tell you, whoever believes in ME has eternal life."

Does He mention His mother? Where do you get the information that we will have eternal life by revering / honoring / placing on a pedestal / praying to or in the name of "Mary"?

Did she shed her blood for you to have eternal life? No, it was Jesus the Savior.

Was she born to grant all people eternal life? No, again that was Yeshua or Jesus the Christ.

Will people be granted eternal life by revering / honoring / praying in the name of 'Mary'? No, that will ONLY come in praising / honoring / believing / praying to and in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Answer 10

Every responsible Christian is expected to be a Berean (which means to take every word spoken authoritatively by a religious leader and compare it to the Word of God. If it does, it can be taken to be true.) Indeed it was Paul himself who spoke glowingly of the Beareans who were known for it.

That these men were great religious leaders is inarguable. However, they were also human. The Word of God has final authority, not the words of men.

The Bible tells us that Jesus died but once and is the intercessor for us to God. Not Mary. Mary, though blessed and specially chosen, was in need of a savior too.

The Bible says only He was free of sin. Only He was conceived without sin. Only He ascended into heaven (okay, Enoch in the OT but that's another story for another time) He died alone on the cross. He alone was resurrected.
Only He sits at the right hand of God. We pray only to Him, and our Father God.

We believe Mary is in heaven because she believed Jesus was her savior too. Read the Song of Mary in the Bible and you'll clearly see for yourself with no interpretation from anyone. She is holy insomuch as all believers of Christ are made holy by His perfect sacrifice.

The scriptual evidence is overwhelming that we are not to worship Mary in any way, regardless of who (no matter how great) tells us.