I recently offered a poll on this blog which asked, “Whose birth does the ‘Immaculate Conception’ refer to?” The three possible answers were: (1) John the Baptist, (2) Jesus, or (3) Mary. Of the 49 responses given at the time of this post, 12 % answered “Mary,” while 88% said “Jesus.” The minority are correct. The “Immaculate Conception” refers not to the birth of Jesus, but to the birth of Mary. While Protestants recognize the virgin birth of Jesus (and therefore, his freedom from the consequences of original sin), we don’t assert that Jesus’ mother Mary was conceived in an immaculate or sinless manner. However, Mary’s immaculate conception is an article of faith for the Roman Catholic Church. The idea is that “the Mother of God [Mary] did not have original sin at her conception nor did she acquire elements of original sin in the development of her life, whereas all other human beings have original sin from their conception due to the fall of Adam” (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology).
How did this belief come about? I don’t seem to remember reading anything in the Bible about Mary’s sinlessness . . . do I?
History of the Doctrine:
The Roman Catholic Church considers this teaching about Mary to be part of apostolic teaching—that which is consistent with what Jesus’ apostles taught. Catholics will argue that the doctrine is referred to several places in the Bible. (1) Pope Pius IX taught that Genesis 3:15 which reads, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel”, actually foretells of Mary’s unique conception without sin. (2) Most popularly though, Rome finds this doctrine embedded within the Angel Gabriel’s greeting to Mary, “Hail, full of grace” (Luke 1:28). They will argue that “full of grace” is a reference to the lavish grace that God poured upon Mary, at the moment of her conception, by not allowing her to contract the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin.Â
In the 700s the Church in England began to celebrate a special feast each year of Mary’s conception. Some significant Church thinkers like Thomas Aquinas and Bernard of Clairvaux resisted the feast’s introduction to France. But by 1685 most Catholics accepted the notion. Still, it was not until 1854 that Pope Pius IX made this teaching dogma—official church belief.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:
1. Why do you suppose the Roman Catholic Church grew to have such a deep veneration of Jesus’ mother, Mary?
2. Is it appropriate to highly esteem Mary?
3. How do you think Protestants react to Rome’s exaltation of Mary?
17 Comments on “The “Immaculate Conception” might not be what you think”
So are you saying that Mary was not born a sinner? Or am I totally confused…..I hope I’m confused.
I’ve always, actually, been very offended by the Catholic Churches high “esteem” of Mary. I have a respect for her, obviously, but the religion seems to offer a sort of worship of her, and her life; to me that goes against every teaching on the subject in the Christian bible.
Okay, I’ll take the bait…
Let’s really dive into the claim in Luke that Mary is “full of grace” and see what the original Greek translation points to. Please feel free to break this down with me, as I am learning as I go.
According to my reading, “full of grace” in Luke is from the Greek kecharitomene, which is a perfect passive participle of charitoo, which means “to fill or endow with grace.” Upon first examination, it would appear that God poured his grace on Mary at the point of conception, but since it is the perfect passive participle, it is a continuance of a completed action. Something that was already there before. The Greek perfect tense denotes the present state resultant upon a past action.
She had already been “graced” before concieving and bearing a son. It doesn’t sound so far-fetched to me. Why is this an idea that you refute?
If Mary has always been full of grace, and was born full of grace, then she was sinless, and had always been sinless. Show me the contradiction.
What do you think?
Kecharitomene is a perfect passive participle of charitoo, meaning “to fill or endow with grace.” Since this term is in the perfect tense, it indicates that Mary was graced in the past but with continuing effects in the present. So, the grace Mary enjoyed was not a result of the angel’s visit. In fact, Catholics hold, it extended over the whole of her life, from conception onward. She was in a state of sanctifying grace from the first moment of her existence.
Lisa,
Thanks for the response. As a caveat, first let me say that I have many dear ‘evangelical’ Catholic friends. In fact, one of my favorite philosophers, Peter Kreeft of Boston College, is a Catholic. So, obviously I don’t view this issue as an essential in matters of faith. And I hope it was clear from my initial post that I wasn’t attacking. Rather, my intent was just to clear up the confusion that many Protestants have between the Virgin Birth (of Jesus) and the Immaculate Conception (of Mary).
Nevertheless, I don’t see any reason to develop an entire dogma/Church doctrine as a result of parsing one Greek word. I tend to think that a pretty good rule of biblical interpretation is what is called “multiple attestation.� This is the idea that significant teachings of the Bible (and sometimes even lesser ones) ought to be clearly attested to more than once throughout the entire Bible (or even clearly assumed at multiples places).
Another good principle of biblical interpretation is what is called “Scriptural harmony.� This is the idea that one’s interpretation at one point in Scripture ought to harmonize with the rest of Scripture.
Without the two above principles we can make the Bible say just about anything (as many cults so often do on essential maters of faith). Suppose I were to take Job 1:1 which reads, “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.� Now suppose I were to parse the Hebrew wording here (which I can’t as I don’t read Hebrew) and argue that Job never sinned in word, thought, or deed. However, I realize that the Bible speaks very clearly regarding the universal sinfulness of humanity (e.g., Jn 8:7; 1 Jn 1:8). Further, I also see that the Bible argues for only one exception from this universal plight—the person of Jesus (Heb 4:15). And this exception was not eternally unnecessary (as in the case of Mary), but it was and remains eternally crucial for the redemption of all those who throw their trust upon Jesus.
I definitely appreciate the tact that you have used in approaching this topic, and I think that it is very important to clear up the differences between Catholicism and other Christians. I just feel like so much of what people think about Catholics is a misunderstanding. Its important for Christians to understand that eventhough there are differences in the Catholic faith, there are actual, biblical beginnings to those beliefs. They don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air and call it good.
For example, the idea that Catholics worship Mary is not true. That is not a doctrine of the faith. Catholics do, however pray for Mary’s intercession as a trusted friend. Much like you would ask a trusted friend to pray for you. Its a different type of prayer then is reserved for God. Jesus was a good Jew who honored his mother, and I believe we should do the same. Mary raised Jesus, they have an intense bond as mother and child; it would be silly to think that that relationship is less significant after they left this world.
Mary and the saints are Christian examples of virtuous living and their closeness to God make them powerful allies for us struggling mortals. They do not take God’s place; they are an expression of his grace.
It really is a beautiful thing, not something to get bent out of shape over. Take it for what it IS, not what it appears to be from those on the outside looking in.
But in the long run, like you said, this is not an “essential in matters of faith.” Its more like a bonus. 🙂 If you were able to open your heart to Mary, and let her play a role in your life, you could feel what it is I am trying to explain with my inadequate words.
As for the “multiple attestation” that is a very good point that I haven’t put much thought into. It will be something worth learning about. I do know, however, that the fact that God chose Mary as the mother of His son, and someone to share his genetic code with, that she must have been someone amazing, and deserves more credit then she is often given.
Also — I found this explanation for the “universal sinfulness of humanity”… not my words, but an explanation worth considering:
“What about Romans 3:23, “all have sinned”? Have all people committed actual sins? Consider a child below the age of reason. By definition he can’t sin, since sinning requires the ability to reason and the ability to intend to sin. This is indicated by Paul later in the letter to the Romans when he speaks of the time when Jacob and Esau were unborn babies as a time when they “had done nothing either good or bad” (Rom. 9:11).
“We also know of another very prominent exception to the rule: Jesus (Heb. 4:15). So if Paul’s statement in Romans 3 includes an exception for the New Adam (Jesus), one may argue that an exception for the New Eve (Mary) can also be made.
“Paul’s comment seems to have one of two meanings. It might be that it refers not to absolutely everyone, but just to the mass of mankind (which means young children and other special cases, like Jesus and Mary, would be excluded without having to be singled out). If not that, then it would mean that everyone, without exception, is subject to original sin, which is true for a young child, for the unborn, even for Mary—but she, though due to be subject to it, was preserved by God from it and its stain. “
As far as the Catholics not worshipping Mary, why is it, then, that they indeed pray to her and say her name before saying Jesus’ or God’s? The bible says that we come to God through his son Jesus, not through Mary, then Jesus. I agree that Mary was exceptional, but she is not a deity, and to pray to her is idolatry, something that the bible is clear that we should not do. (“Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.”) We are to pray to God in Jesus’ name, not Mary’s.
Also, repeating the same prayer over and over (as in saying several Hail Marys in a row…) is bordering on chanting and incantations, and the bible clearly states that we should not repeat the same prayer over and over again, to prevent sounding like we are chanting (like pagans)
Mary’s life and calling from God are truly exceptional, and God did hand pick her to be his earthly mother. But to say that Catholics do not worship her is confusing to me, because knowing several Catholics and former Catholics, I’d have to disagree. (this is my observation and not meant to attack anyone…) 🙂
This past summer I served in Lublin, Poland and stayed with some wonderful evangelical Church planters. One of their biggest challenges working in Poland is trying to cut through Maryology which is the worship of and high esteem for Mary. Driving through the cities of Poland you see statues of Mary everywhere, especially on churches. You quickly get the idea that Mary is a priority to them. Granted, Poland is 95% Catholic (old Catholicism).
I also served in Jerusalem and rented a room in a convent – there was a big picture of Mary on my wall. One of the sisters there became my close friend and we had many wonderful discussions about our faith. One was about the worship of Mary…I asked her where in the Bible did it say we should regard Mary so highly…where did it say to pray to her..etc. and Sr. Milena answered “But she is the mother of God!” In a sense, they have made the mother of God a god, and this is a form of idolatry.
My last visit to Chicago to see my folks who are Catholic brought some questions from my Mom about Mary. I have been sending her Francine Rivers books which she loves. She asked me how could I believe Jesus had brothers since Mary was a virgin her entire life. I pointed to the Scripture that says Jesus had brothers, but my Mom said ‘brother’ is used as ‘friend’ in the Bible, and that Joseph and Mary never had sexual relations. Hmmm.
Mary continually pops up in my life in these interesting ways. For instance when I was at the Vatican did I dare miss the chance to buy a rosary there that would be blessed by the Pope that very day? Would I pass up such a wonderful gift for my parents? I indulged in such gift giving but wondered if it was wrong to do so. Any thoughts on this?
It is not part of the Catholic faith to worship Mary. Catholics do not recognize Mary as any type of god. Read the Catholic Catechism, it is not in there and if anyone is cut and dry on what they believe, its the Catholics.
On a regular basis, however, Catholics ask for Mary’s intercession and ask her to pray on their behalf. Do you ask for prayers from others? Its more normal than you have been led to believe.
“High esteem” for Mary is a good way to put how Catholics view her. Can you imagine Jesus saying, “How dare you hold my mother in such high esteem!” I really don’t think he minds in the slightest. Mary is A priority, not THE priority. Any Catholic will tell you that God and Jesus along with the Holy Spirit are numero uno.
I do want to address this notion of ” the bible clearly states that we should not repeat the same prayer over and over again, to prevent sounding like we are chanting (like pagans).” I assume you are referring to Matthew 6:7. Keep reading — Jesus then gives us the Lord’s Prayer and says that is how we are to pray. Don’t you repeat that prayer? Isn’t that part of the rosary as well? Read Psalm 136. Is that not repetitive prayer? Think of the songs you sing in church — any repetition there? Matthew 26:44 – and Jesus prayed for the third time, saying the same thing.
The difference is vain repetition versus meditative repetition. Prayer is always good if you mean it, even if you repeat it. Do you know the words to the Hail Mary?
‘Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, amen.”
Meditate on those words for a moment, break them down, you will see what I mean — they are good words, even if you say them more then once!
After the Hail Mary they say:
“Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end, amen.”
Again, good words. 🙂
I mean to be respectful, but I think there is a lot of miscommunication here. Break down the walls between Christian faiths, try to appreciate each faith for what they bring to the table. Let go of the hype that Catholicism is full of idolatry and monotonous nonsense. Pretend for a moment that it may just be beautiful. Let’s coexist.
I was raised Catholic so I’m speaking from my personal experience with “Old Catholicism” (as I mentioned earlier). I also experienced first hand the things I mentioned when in Jerusalem and Poland and with my mother. The evangelical Church planters in Poland struggle with it daily. Again, I was referencing “Old Catholicism”, not evangelical Catholicism.
To talk to someone who is not on earth, i.e. Mary, is prayer in any religion. The bible says we are to pray to God through Jesus. We can ask for prayer from those around us, but to talk to Mary and ask for her prayer is indeed prayer in and of itself, since she is no longer a physical being.
Good words as they may be to follow the Hail Mary, any prayer said repeatedly over and over again is spoken against in the bible as resembling Pagan chanting. We do repeat the Lord’s Prayer, but it is said ONCE in a setting, not over and over again repeatedly over minutes at a time. We can repeat prayer, but it should not be echoed to resemble chanting.
Amen Amanda. This really bothers me and has for years. In Christian churches, the focus remains on the “one” who is the creator and savior, not a woman (human) who was used as a vessel to bring forth this miracle. Mary is “human” which makes her a sinner. The bible is clear that “no one is w/out sin” except Jesus and to take that away from the scriptures changes everything. We are to solicit our prayers via Jesus, who was God, to the Father Himself. I am bent out of shape over this because we are commanded not to take away or add to the Holy Word and to pray to Mary and consider her sinless is cause for concern. I don’t feel that Catholicism brings anything to the Christian table that I am interested in. A lot of things in this world may appear beautiful but that does not make them Holy, Godly or good for us. Mormons and Jehovahs witnesses are cut and dry on what they believe as well but their bibles and beliefs are completely against everything God has Himself taught us. Lisa, all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. If you deny that, you deny the Bible in it’s entirety. You cannot pick and choose what to believe. Every human is born under the sin of Adams blood, like it or not. A child “under the age of reason” is still born a sinner. Why? Because they will sin. We do not have the ability not to sin. I do not condemn or judge catholics but I will not be swayed from the Christian bible, nor believe or be convinced that any human is sinless other then our savior Jesus Christ….who was not just a good Jew….He was God. Is God. Will forever be God.
I would also like to say that God is the Father of all, including the Father of Mary. He created Mary. Yes, he chose her to give birth to Jesus, but this does not make her the “Mother of God,” as the Catholics call her.
Thank you Amanda and Melody!
I have a question about the term “evangelical Catholics”. I saw that Pastor Brent used this term so I understood it to mean modern day Catholics, so I in turn used it in my previous blog. BUT when I took my parents to Mass at their Catholic church a couple months ago I noticed the congregation still stands and recites aloud “The Nicene Creed” which is their doctrine of faith. You can read the entire prayer here: http://www.makedisciples.com/nicene-c.html
Check out the very last paragraph where it says “We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.” To me that says they believe the Catholic Church is the one true church. In fact, that is what I was taught in my Catholic catechism classes as a girl. If so, how can we even use the word “evangelical” to describe Catholics?
Kathleen,
As a point of clarification, the word “catholic� (small ‘c’) means “universal,� referring to the entire body of Christ—His Church around the world. The term, “Roman Catholic� is a different thing. It is one branch (different from the Eastern Orthodox and Protestant Churches) of the one catholic and apostolic Church.
Brent
Thanks Brent. I now see the small ‘c’ in catholic makes a difference, but to my understanding the Catholic Church does claim to be the one true church. Here’s more: http://www.chick.com/reading/books/160/160_04.asp
Brent, you mentioned you have many evangelical Catholic friends. Can you explain what you mean by ‘evangelical Catholics’?
I’m still having trouble understanding where exactly in Luke 1:28 it says “full of grace.” I’ve looked in serveral different translations of the Bible from the King James to the Message and each one uses the phrase, “favored one,” or even, “highly favored one.” How does this equate to “full of grace?”
After my posting above I ran into a website for the Christians Apologetics and Research Ministry. They have an article here discussing “full of grace” in Luke 1:28. This article makes the point that the Greek word kexaritomena actually means highly favored, make accepted, make graceful, etc., and not “full of grace.” It was actually the Latin translation from the original Greek that introduced the phrase “ave gratia plena,”, or “Hail full of grace.”
My own opinion on this issue is this: Why did the mother of the Messiah have to be sinless? Even Moses, the deliverer of God’s people, was a murderer. Jesus was born free of sin, because his father is none other than God.