Category Archives: Mariology

Why did Mary offer a “sin-offering”?

Luke records that after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph went up to Jerusalem to fulfill the requirements of the Mosaic Law: “Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in theContinue reading “Why did Mary offer a “sin-offering”?”

Church Fathers and Protestant Reformers – Mary’s Perpetual Virginity

FOR Mary’s Perpetual Virginity c. 100 AD – St. Ignatius of Antioch c. 150 AD – St. Polycarp of Smyrna c. 160 AD – St. Justin Martyr c. 200 AD – St. Irenaeus of Lyons Jerome writes: “Might I not array against you the whole series of ancient writers? Ignatius, Polycarp, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, andContinue reading “Church Fathers and Protestant Reformers – Mary’s Perpetual Virginity”

Aieparthenos – Mary as the Ever-Virgin: 3 Views

Aeiparthenos (Greek: ἀειπάρθενος) means “ever-virgin.” This title was officially given to Mary at the Second Council of Constantinople in 533. It is the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary—that Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus Christ. The tradition of Mary’s perpetual virginity first appears in the mid-second centuryContinue reading “Aieparthenos – Mary as the Ever-Virgin: 3 Views”

Mary as a picture of the Church

If Israel serves as the figure of the Church—the true Israel reborn in Christ—then Mary naturally reflects and embodies what the Church ultimately becomes. She stands at the hinge of covenants: virgin, mother, model of faith, and participant in the offering of Christ. In all of these, she mirrors what the Church is called toContinue reading “Mary as a picture of the Church”

Israel as a Picture of Mary

In the unfolding drama of Scripture, Israel is not only a nation but a theological symbol. The prophets speak of Israel as a daughter, a virgin, a bride, a mother, and the dwelling place of God. When the New Testament introduces Mary, the mother of Jesus, the language applied to her is the language alreadyContinue reading “Israel as a Picture of Mary”

Mary as the New Eve

Genesis 3:15 and the Promise of the Messiah Genesis 3:15 presents one of the most enigmatic scenes in Scripture. Anyone who has ever killed a snake knows that the safest way to do so is to crush its head; yet attempting such a strike risks being bitten on the heel. The biblical oracle mirrors thisContinue reading “Mary as the New Eve”

Revelation 12 – Mary, Queen of Heaven

Revelation 12:1-17 1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, aContinue reading “Revelation 12 – Mary, Queen of Heaven”

John Greater than Mary? – Matthew 11:11

A common challenge arises from Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:11: “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” At first glance, this sounds like John is the greatest humanContinue reading “John Greater than Mary? – Matthew 11:11”

Luke 1:28 – Full of Grace – κεχαριτωμένη 

EWTN, a Catholic website, says regarding Χαῖρε κεχαριτωμένη: chaire kecharitomene (Greek word translated as: “Hail, full of grace.”  ) “chaire” – Means “hail” or “rejoice”  “charis” – The root word of ke-chari-to-mene, means “grace”  “charitoo” – Greek verb ending in omicron omega (“oo”) means to put the person or thing into the state indicated by the root.Continue reading “Luke 1:28 – Full of Grace – κεχαριτωμένη “

Patristic Objections – Mary’s Sinlessness

Through Early Church History, the sinlessness of Mary was unanimous among Church Fathers. The only ones who clearly attributed sins to Mary were Origen of Alexandria, 3rd century [not a Church Father but condemned as a heretic by his own bishop, Demetrius of Alexandria, who excommunicated him and was also condemned in the Second CouncilContinue reading “Patristic Objections – Mary’s Sinlessness”

Mary’s Purity and Sinlessness in the Church Fathers

AD 100-700: Beginning to the end of the Patristic era  (See also Church Fathers – Mary as the New Eve page)  The Protoevangelium of James  Here Mary is called the fruit of justification, with the utilization of the Greek word Dikaiousune.  Hippolytus of Rome  Gregory the Wonderworker  New radiance now of eternal light gleams forth forContinue reading “Mary’s Purity and Sinlessness in the Church Fathers”

Immaculate Conception

Table of Contents Dogma of the Immaculate Conception The Immaculate Conception of Mary was solemnly defined as dogma by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854, through his papal bull Ineffabilis Deus (“Ineffable God”). While the doctrine had been discussed and debated by theologians throughout the Middle Ages, it was not formally proclaimed as anContinue reading “Immaculate Conception”

Mary, the Queen of Heaven

Mary as the Queen of Heaven: An Apologetic Exploration The title Queen of Heaven (Latin: Regina Caeli; Greek: Βασίλισσα του Ουρανού) is traditionally given to the Virgin Mary, primarily within the Catholic Church, but also recognized to varying degrees in Anglicanism, Lutheranism, and Orthodoxy. While this title is not explicitly stated in Scripture, it isContinue reading “Mary, the Queen of Heaven”