MARY

Mary was a Hebrew maiden who was chosen to be the mother of Jesus Christ. Her miraculous conception was prophesied in the O.T. (Isa. 7:14). Mary was certainly worthy of honor as a godly Jewish woman (see Mt. 1:16ff; Lk. 1:27ff; Jn. 19:25ff), but the cult-like superstition that has evolved regarding her, being promoted principally by the Roman Catholic Church, is foreign to the Scriptures. Several false doctrines related to Mary are a part of Catholic dogma. (a) It is alleged that Mary remained a virgin perpetually. She did not (Mt. 1:25; 12:46; 13:55-56; Jn. 2:12). (b) Catholics maintain that Mary was conceived "immaculately," i.e., free from "original sin," and that she remained sinless forever. The dogma is not true. Mary confessed her need for a Savior (Lk. 1:47). (c) Catholicism alleges that when Mary died, her body experienced no corruption; rather, three days following her demise, she was taken bodily into heaven, there to be crowned "Queen of Heaven." Though Catholic writers concede that this teaching "cannot be proved from the Bible," it became official dogma, that Catholics must believe, on November 1, 1950. (d) Catholic doctrine alleges that Mary is a "Mediatrix," between Christians and Christ, and that she is the "dispenser of graces" by the power of the Holy Spirit, based upon the merits of her crucified Son. No such position is sanctioned in the N.T. Christ is the "one mediator" between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5).