Is the Mother of Jesus Now a Goddess?    [Return to Roman Catholicism Page]

Part I - Mary as "Co-Mediatrix," "Advocate," and "Helper"

The Roman Catholic Church has elevated the Mother of the Lord Jesus into a status never intended for her, as the Scriptures prove. The most recent approved Catholic Catechism states:

"This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfilment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. . . . Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix." Note: Excerpts from Article 9 Paragraph 969, Catholic Catechism

"All generations will call me blessed": "The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship." The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration." The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an "epitome of the whole Gospel," express this devotion to the Virgin Mary. Note: Excerpts from Article 9 Paragraph 971, Catholic Catechism

"In celebrating this annual cycle of the mysteries of Christ, Holy Church honors the Blessed Mary, Mother of God, with a special love. She is inseparably linked with the saving work of her Son. In her the Church admires and exalts the most excellent fruit of redemption and joyfully contemplates, as in a faultless image that which she herself desires and hopes wholly to be." (Para 1172) Note: Excerpts from Article 1 Paragraph 1172, Catholic Catechism

These are serious heretical statements in light of what the Word of God teaches us. In this deviant worship of the Mother of Jesus, our Lord Jesus Christ is robbed of His glory by the vain imaginations of men whose eyes have been blinded to the Scripture.

What Saith the Scripture?

The Word of God minces no words on Who it is that deserves the glory for the untold merciful salvation of men...

I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. --Isaiah 43:11

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. --John 10:9

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. --John 14:6

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. --Acts 4:12

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; --1 Tim. 2:5

Clearly, Mary is no "co-mediatrix!"

Is she then an "Advocate" or a "Helper"?:

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: --1 John 2:1

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. --Romans 8:34

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. --Hebrews 7:22-25

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. --Ephesians 2:13-18

The Word of God plainly teaches us to go to our Saviour Jesus Christ for our needs - not His mother.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. --Hebrews 4:14-16

The Roman Catholic Church teaches its members to "fly" to Mary in all their "dangers and needs". Is this what the Word of God teaches? If not, Christian, tell the Roman Catholic people they are being deceived!

Part II - The so-called "Immaculate Conception"

Part of the legends promulgated about the Mother of Jesus is that she was conceived without sin - the "Immaculate Conception". The R.C. catechism states:

"Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception. That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Pope Pius IX proclaimed in 1854: The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin." Note: Excerpts from Article 3 Paragraph 491, Catholic Catechism

What Saith the Scripture?

Was Mary sinless and without sin, somehow exempt from the stain of original sin which was passed onto the human race via Adam? Let's see what the Word of God has to say...

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: --Romans 3:10

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; --Romans 3:23

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: --Romans 5:12

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. --Gal. 3:22

So the Word of God plainly states that no human being is - or ever has been - without sin. Mary herself tells us in the Scripture:

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. --Luke 1:46,47

Compare Scripture now with Scripture:

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, 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 Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. --Matthew 1:21,22

Why did Mary need a Savior? To save her from her sins!

It is JESUS, and not Mary, who saves HIS people from their sins!

The words of our Lord Himself are very revealing in this troubling matter of worshipping His Mother:

While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. --Matthew 12:46-50

And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. --Luke 11:27,28

The Lord Jesus Christ never, ever, taught anyone to pray to, venerate, worship - or "fly to" His Mother. On the contrary:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. --Matthew 11:28-30

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. --Hebrews 4:14-16

We can see here from even a brief study of the Word of God:

• Mary is no "Co-Mediatrix" - the Lord Jesus Christ is our only Mediator.

• Mary is no "Advocate" - the Lord Jesus Christ is our only Advocate.

• Mary is no "Helper" - the Lord Jesus Christ is our only Helper.

• Mary was not "sinless" - only the Lord Jesus Christ is without sin.

• Mary is not to be prayed to or worshipped in any way:

  "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."   -- Matthew 4:10

In conclusion, let us obey the infallible Scriptures:

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."   -- Colossians 3:17

and utterly scorn the myths and inventions of sinful men.

Let no man attempt to steal any glory from the Alpha and Omega, the King of Kings, the Rock of Ages, the Good Shepherd, the Way the Truth and the Life, the Door, the Only Savior of Mankind - Jesus Christ the Lord.

Amen!

For further reading:

"The Cult of Mary" by Ian Paisley - Part I
(a must read series... a great work.)

"The Cult of Mary" by Ian Paisley - Part II

"The Blessed Virgin Mary" by the Jeremiah Project

Hail, Mary, Co-Redeemer? by James G. McCarthy

"Mariology" Biblical Discernment Ministries

"Mary Saves" - a chapter in an online book by Rick Jones

"Articles about Mary"

"The Church of Rome's Idolatry"
(about halfway down this page there are a wealth of links on the subject of Mary)

"Roman Catholicism-the Cult of Mary"

Disclaimer: Joe Pavone does not necessarily agree with all content contained in the websites listed herein. He does however endorse these individual sites as great resources on their particular subject matter.

You may email Joe Pavone at: joe@calvinistcontender.org