 |
|
From the book: The Challenge of the Christian Theology and more...
of Ewald Frank |
|
Maryology |
»They are declared the wise Who journey through error to the
truth.
Those who remain in error They will be the fools.«
A scriptural clarification and challenge regarding Christian
theology and church practice is desperately needed. You
should have already gathered this from the contents of this
exposition. That is even more obvious when the following
became news. The international press has reported that 42
cardinals, 500 bishops and high ranking personalities of the
Roman church, supported by more than four and a half million
Catholics world-wide, have demanded of the pope that by the
year 2000 a new dogma should be proclaimed, having Mary
elevated to co-redeemer. This would mean that Mary is
embodied into the Godhead as expressed by the following
quote:
»The goal of the supporters are three new creeds of faith:
that Mary in redemption through her son has co-acted with
Him;
that all mercies which flow from the suffering and death of
the Saviour can only be effective through Mary’s
intercession,
that believers’ petitions and prayers can only reach Jesus
through Mary’s mediation.
… out of the Tri-unity comes forth a quadrinity with Mary as
daughter of the Father, mother of the Son and bride of the
Holy Ghost …«
Just imagine such a picture for a moment: Daughter of the
Father, mother of the Son, bride of the Holy Ghost! What a
constellation! Especially in Judaism and Islam, many shake
their head when thinking about the Christian Trinity. And
now this quadrinity! Who can even comprehend such a thing?
As far as dogmas are concerned, it needs to be mentioned
that they have nothing in common with the Truth and the
testimony of the Scripture. The dogma now being demanded
exceeds all others, and is the summit of presumption. For
the sake of people in different religions and denominations,
who sincerely search for Truth, God’s Word must be expressed
without compromise.
In the same press article of 31st August, 1997, it states ,
»The new dogma would not only change maryology, the
theological reflection about the significance of the mother
of Jesus for the Christian faith, but also the whole matter
of faith. More than any other in two thousand years.« Surely,
that is so! All the changes the church has made go beyond
the Holy Scripture. Before proclaiming a dogma, the Word of
God had to be ignored for the creed to take its place. The
addings to the Word, the transgressions, the ungodliness of
the man of sin, the lawless one, who lifts himself up above
God and His Word are now made full (2 Thess. 2). The falling
away from the true faith founded on the Holy Scriptures
alone, as Paul foretold, is being fulfilled.
The Lord spoke to those who came to worship, »However, in
vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men … Full well ye reject the commandment of
God, that ye may keep your own tradition … making the word
of God of no effect through your tradition, which ye have
delivered; and many such things do ye.« (Mk. 7: 7-13). It
could not be said more clearly: Where commandments and
teachings of man are introduced the Word of God is being
looked upon with reproach and the worship is declared to be
in vain.
Of all the church dogmas and creeds being proclaimed not a
single one has a Biblical foundation, but no other is so
unbelievable as the one demanded now. It’s obvious that
Protestants don’t protest anymore. Indeed leaders of
different churches do not aim to be in agreement with the
Word of God, but rather seek the acknowledgement of the
mother church, trying to comply more and more with her.
These four alone:
— Alone by grace
— Alone Jesus Christ
— Alone through faith
— Alone the Holy Scripture
which were the foundation at the time of reformation and are
the pillars, the declarations of faith in the free
proclamation of the Gospel, no longer have their place with
us.
The confession of a small minority, of true believers, who
believe the full Gospel, is that »The Holy Scripture is the
only source, guide for faith, doctrine, and for life. Only
by grace can mankind be saved in believing on Jesus Christ.«
Whether this new dogma will be instituted or not isn’t the
issue. The great number of those who demand the same speaks
for itself. Indeed Mary already holds that position in the
world of the Roman Catholic Church, whether by declared
dogma or not. In discussions before instituting a new creed
there were some pro and others were con. The fight was on.
In the First Vatican Council (1869-1870), when the dogma of
the Pope’s infallibility was declared, the German bishops
were against it. They were politely asked to leave. Then the
vote took place and the proclamation was made.
Within the history of the church many creeds were proclaimed.
The three last were: In 1854 Pope Pius IX proclaimed the »Immaculate
Conception« of Mary which does not exist, as there is no
witness in the Holy Scriptures. Also there is no mentioning
of the »immaculate« heart of Mary. It is also not found in
God’s Word.
In 1870 the »papal infallibility« was declared and became a
creed of the church of Rome. Long before the papacy has
placed itself as »Vicar of Christ« above God’s Word.
Only recently, in 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the dogma
of the »bodily assumption of Mary«. It was said, that she »…
when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken
up body and soul into the Glory of heaven …«. (Catechism of
the Catholic Church, § 974). That is in direct contradiction
to the infallible everlasting Word of Christ: »And no man
hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from
heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven.« (Jn. 3: 13).
It is so obvious, no apostle and none of the church fathers
in the first centuries knew anything about it. In that
period there were no popes, infallibility, Immaculate
Conception, bodily assumption of Mary — no one knew anything
about it. Only after hundreds of years and up till now, two
thousand years later, people have such incredible thoughts,
because it is fitting and helpful to the Pope’s church. As
already mentioned, every time a new creed was invented, the
Word of God was purposely set aside. And those who remained
with the Scriptures were put under the anathema. They were
cursed, persecuted, deprived of their property and put to
death.
In the same way as God’s Word is binding for the Church of
Christ, so the popes bound all that belong to the Roman
Church in the entire world to their creeds and dogmas.
People are demanded upon to make an important decision,
whether they will believe God or the Pope. Both are not
possible. One excludes the other and is opposite as Christ
and the Antichrist, light and darkness. Only that which is
written in the Bible is valid before God and is part of the
true faith. All should have the courage to ask whether
church teachings can stand the test of God’s Word.
In this decisive time for the Church of Jesus Christ, for
Israel and the nations God has ordained that somebody must
speak up. Attention needs to be given to these important
matters so people can recognise whom they are believing, and
whom they are following: The head of the Roman Catholic
Church, Patriarch of the Orthodox church, bishop or any
other church authority, founder of a religion, general
overseer, charismatic person, or the Head of the redeemed
Church, »the Lord Jesus Christ« according to the teachings
of the apostles . »The voice of him that crieth in the
wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in
the desert a highway for our God.« (Isa. 40: 3). It must be
that voice from above to be heard in this spiritual desert
on earth to prepare the way of the Lord. That is the sole
purpose of this exposition.
Mary, since the 5th century has been honoured more and more
in a non biblical way and given the various titles of honour
which actually belong to Christ alone, is now according to
the will of millions of Catholics and also high ranking
influential personalities being elevated to an object of
faith. It is very strange, Matthew and Luke wrote the
genealogy record and don’t even mention her father and her
mother. Nobody knows the name of her parents, so unimportant
was it to God. Matthew starts his genealogy with Abraham,
mentions three times fourteen generations and ends with the
statement, »And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of
whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.« (Mt. 1: 16).
Luke goes backward in his genealogy record even to Adam who
is the father of humanity. But Mary’s parents are not
mentioned. Mary was a human like all of us, and only by
divine choosing was she the very special vessel God ordained
for the birth of His Son. From the view of the plan of
salvation her ordainment was fulfilled. She gave birth to
Jesus and this of course was the only once for all purpose.
To her there are no further promises or requests given. If
somebody thinks so, it certainly cannot be confirmed in the
Bible.
The Redeemer had to be born into this fallen creation,
otherwise He could not have taken humanity out of the fall
through redemption. For the love of Maryology even Luke 1:
28 was translated wrong. In the original text the angel
salutes Mary with the words, »Hail, thou who art endued with
grace …« The catholic catechism carries the text as follows,
»… thou who art full of grace«. The difference is
monumental! God alone is the merciful One full of grace, »And
of his fullness have all received, and grace for grace.« (Jn.
1: 16). Mary found favour, that is to say, grace with God,
so His promise could be fulfilled. The Bible does not
illustrate Mary with the power to work miracles. In fact,
both Old and New Testament prohibit creating a cult around a
person or an object.
Ephesus was the city where the heathen goddess Diana was
being worshipped as the goddess of fertility. The trade of
the silversmiths was blossoming, bringing prosperity because
of this cult. They feared that Paul through preaching would
bring an end to their handicraft: not only was their craft
in danger of being despised, but the temple of the great
goddess, Diana, was in danger, and her magnificence would be
destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshipped (Acts 19:
27). The same applies for the cult of Mary who is being
worshipped by catholics and orthodox alike. It was believed
that the image of Diana fell directly from heaven: »Ye men
of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not that the city
of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess, Diana,
and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?« (v. 35).
When Paul was preaching Jesus Christ to them, the newly
converted turned away from the worship of the queen of
heaven and the goddess of fertility. Later in the same city
of Ephesus during a church council, Mary, not by accident
was lifted up as the fertile one and received the title as
queen of heaven. The cult and the superstition remain the
same. Later, history records Jupiter being taken down and
Peter being lifted up. This and much more is a continuation
of heathen practice in a Christian dress.
Mary is not the mother of God, she can’t be, she was the
mother of our Lord. So reads the true testimony, »… and
Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit . And she spoke
out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among
women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And why is this
granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
… And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a
performance of those things which were told her from the
Lord.« (Lk. 1: 41-45). The same testimony is confessed by
all that are truly filled with the Holy Spirit. They not
only remain with the theme, but stay in the Truth.
There was no »Immaculate Conception« of Mary, only the
Immaculate Conception of the Son of God and Mary who was »unspotted«
and »a virgin«. God placed the seed of Himself within Mary
through the divine act of begetting by the Holy Spirit. She
was not infallible, but rather the same as all human beings.
This we gather from the following record: When Jesus was
twelve years of age He remained behind in the Temple of
Jerusalem, where they found Him three days later. God
permitted Mary, being upset, to uttered words of complaint.
Of course, she was a mother who took care of the child, and
therefore reacted this way, »Son, why hast thou thus dealt
with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee,
sorrowing.« With this she was not aware that she had spoken
the most terrible untruth, calling Joseph the father of
Jesus. Jesus, Who was twelve years, was not in the
carpenter’s shop of Joseph at that time, but in the Temple.
At the very spot He corrected what Mary had said and put it
right, »How is it that ye sought me? Knew ye not that I must
be about my Father’s business?« Even Mary did not understand
what Jesus said: »And they (Mary and Joseph) understood not
the saying, which he spoke unto them.« (Lk. 2: 48-50).
That applies even today to all that worship Mary. They do
not understand what Jesus said. Not a single time did Jesus
call her »mother«, but rather »woman« (Jn. 2: 4). For He was
the Seed promised to come by the »woman« (Gen. 3: 15), as
foretold in the first prediction. At the wedding in Cana in
Galilee He even used harsh words in speaking with her, »Woman,
what have I to do with thee?« The words she addressed to the
servants are still valid to all true believers, »Whatever he
saith unto you, do It.« They did what He said and the
miracle happened. At His Word water turned into wine.
Mary needed to be filled with the Holy Ghost as the rest of
the believers. She is only mentioned in the Gospels and in
Acts 1: 14 in connection with the 120 gathered to experience
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, »These all continued with
one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and
Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.«
Mary who found grace and was blessed in a special way was no
exception, hers was not a privileged position, she was part
of the fallen creation and therefore in need of redemption.
The same is true of all that believe and experience the
promises of God. They are the blessed ones, as our Lord
repeatedly said in the Sermon on the Mount. The Son, Who was
begotten by the Holy Spirit and born of her, is the
resurrected Lord Who was taken up into heaven, Who in the
Spirit indwells the redeemed. In Mt. 13 our Lord declares
the eyes and the ears of the disciples blessed, because they
saw and heard. Right to the Revelation, the last book and
chapter in the Bible, the blessings are pronounced upon
those who will overcome all things and enter the holy city
of God.
From the day, the New Testament Church was inaugurated, Mary
isn’t mentioned a single time, by Peter, Paul, John, James
or by anyone else. Mary had to be a virgin, so the promise
spoken by the Prophet Isaiah 7: 14 could be fulfilled, »Behold,
the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son …« (Isa. 7: 14).
As recorded in the Bible, Mary was engaged to Joseph who
almost separated himself from her, when he found that she
was expecting. This shocked him. An angel of the Lord spoke
to him saying, »Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take
unto thee Mary, thy wife; for that which is conceived in her
is of the Holy Spirit … Then Joseph … took unto him his wife,
and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn
son; and he called his name Jesus.« (Mt. 1: 20-25).
The Bible clearly shows that after Mary had Jesus she also
had sons and daughters with Joseph (Mt. 13: 55-56). From
that point Mary ceases to be ”the virgin”. The names of the
daughters are not mentioned, but the names of the sons are
James, Joseph, Simon and Jude, who also had part in the
ministry. In John 2: 12 we read, »After this he went down to
Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his
disciples …« In chapter 7: 5 it is mentioned that His
brethren at first did not believe in Him. The Apostle Paul
refers to them, »Have we no right to lead about a sister, a
wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the
Lord, and Cephas?« (1 Cor. 9: 5). He further writes, »But
other of the apostles saw I non, except James, the Lord’s
brother.« (Gal. 1: 19). Jude, the Apostle, introduces
himself as servant of Jesus Christ and as brother of James,
who was a brother of the Lord (v. 1).
God from the very beginning has entrusted men with tasks and
gifts according to His Plan of Salvation. The adoration and
worship He reserved for Himself. Thus saith the Lord: »I am
YAHWEH: that is my name; and my glory will I not give to
another, neither my praise to carved images.« (Isa. 42: 8).
The whole practise of Maryology is outside of the Word and
the Kingdom of God. It is orthodox-catholic but not
biblical-christian!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
