Comments on: Immaculate Conception http://grahamtx.net/greg/2007/12/09/immaculate-conception/ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:06:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: greg http://grahamtx.net/greg/2007/12/09/immaculate-conception/#comment-37 greg Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:04:03 +0000 http://grahamtx.net/greg/2007/12/09/immaculate-conception/#comment-37 Bill, You have some misconceptions of the Catholic belief about Mary. The Immaculate Conception is a doctrine about how Mary could be part of humanity redeemed by Christ, but also be completely pure and without sin. It is not a matter so much of a benefit needed for Jesus, but of Mary's role as the first member and mother of the Church. There are many parallels between Mary as the New Eve and the Church as the bride of Christ. Eve was created without sin, but said no to the plan of God, which led to the fall. Mary was created without sin, and said yes to the plan of God, which led to the new humanity. The Church is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and gives the Word of God to the world. Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, and brought forth the Word of God to the world. The doctrines about Mary are so rich, I can only begin to scratch the surface. Here are some references that may help you out with a better understanding of these doctrines. First, if you're willing to do some lengthy reading, I recommend The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church [ http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html ], which is one of the two foundational documents from the Second Vatican Council. Chapter 8 (starting in paragraph 52) focuses on Mary and her role and identification with the Church. A much shorter, less in depth, and a little less authoritative source is from the Catechism of the Catholic Church about the Virgin Birth of Jesus [ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1K.HTM ], which also gets into doctrines about his mother. Finally, I've skimmed this article from the Catholic Encyclopedia [ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07674d.htm ] which looks pretty good. It's not authoritative, but they usually do a good job and provide lots of background material. Bill,
You have some misconceptions of the Catholic belief about Mary. The Immaculate Conception is a doctrine about how Mary could be part of humanity redeemed by Christ, but also be completely pure and without sin. It is not a matter so much of a benefit needed for Jesus, but of Mary’s role as the first member and mother of the Church. There are many parallels between Mary as the New Eve and the Church as the bride of Christ. Eve was created without sin, but said no to the plan of God, which led to the fall. Mary was created without sin, and said yes to the plan of God, which led to the new humanity. The Church is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and gives the Word of God to the world. Mary was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, and brought forth the Word of God to the world. The doctrines about Mary are so rich, I can only begin to scratch the surface.

Here are some references that may help you out with a better understanding of these doctrines.
First, if you’re willing to do some lengthy reading, I recommend The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church [ http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html ], which is one of the two foundational documents from the Second Vatican Council. Chapter 8 (starting in paragraph 52) focuses on Mary and her role and identification with the Church.
A much shorter, less in depth, and a little less authoritative source is from the Catechism of the Catholic Church about the Virgin Birth of Jesus [ http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P1K.HTM ], which also gets into doctrines about his mother.
Finally, I’ve skimmed this article from the Catholic Encyclopedia [ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07674d.htm ] which looks pretty good. It’s not authoritative, but they usually do a good job and provide lots of background material.

]]> By: Bill http://grahamtx.net/greg/2007/12/09/immaculate-conception/#comment-36 Bill Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:31:19 +0000 http://grahamtx.net/greg/2007/12/09/immaculate-conception/#comment-36 Jesus's righteousness was born from God alone. Mary only contributed the flesh, as it were. Begotten of the Father, not made. He is God and he benefits nothing from the flesh. I'm sorry if this offends, I won't be offended if you don't publish it, but I wonder who bewitched you and my sister that you have fallen for another gospel based on the traditions of men. It breaks my heart and it makes me mad. Jesus’s righteousness was born from God alone. Mary only contributed the flesh, as it were. Begotten of the Father, not made. He is God and he benefits nothing from the flesh. I’m sorry if this offends, I won’t be offended if you don’t publish it, but I wonder who bewitched you and my sister that you have fallen for another gospel based on the traditions of men. It breaks my heart and it makes me mad.

]]> By: Bill http://grahamtx.net/greg/2007/12/09/immaculate-conception/#comment-35 Bill Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:25:55 +0000 http://grahamtx.net/greg/2007/12/09/immaculate-conception/#comment-35 Why does Mary have to have an immaculate conception? It's not scriptural or logical. HER mother wasn't immaculately conceived and thus, any benefit to Jesus is nullified. Jesus is the one perfect God-man. The miracle, a sign to King Ahaz, was that JESUS was born of a virgin, a thing possible only to God. It's superstition, Greg, the babbling of men! Why does Mary have to have an immaculate conception? It’s not scriptural or logical. HER mother wasn’t immaculately conceived and thus, any benefit to Jesus is nullified. Jesus is the one perfect God-man. The miracle, a sign to King Ahaz, was that JESUS was born of a virgin, a thing possible only to God. It’s superstition, Greg, the babbling of men!

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