Mariolatry

Introduction:

1. From the beginning, pagan minds, especially women, have desired a female god – a goddess. They desired a god like their mothers – tender, forgiving, and compromising. They did not want a male god like their fathers.
2. Mel Gibson released the Catholic movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” on Ash Wednesday, February 25, 2004, which Baptists and Protestants are flocking to like sheep.
3. He told Christianity Today in their March, 2004 edition, “I’ve been actually amazed at the way I would say the evangelical audience has – hands down – responded to this film more than any other Christian group.” What makes it so amazing, he says, is that “the film is so Marian.”
4. Gibson knows that Protestants don’t regard Mary in the way Catholics do. And Gibson goes beyond many Catholics when he calls her “a tremendous co-redemptrix and mediatrix.”
5. The martyrs are crying in heaven against Mariolaters, but also crying that some brethren are seeing the movie!

The Roman Doctrine of Mariolatry

1. Catholics hold that Mary was a perpetual virgin – Joseph never consummated their marriage.
   1. Catholics believe that Mary remained as undefiled by man after Christ’s birth as previously.
   2. Mary’s perpetual virginity was formally declared at the Council of Chalcedon in 451.
2. Catholics hold that Mary was conceived immaculately – she was born without original sin
   1. Mary was conceived in sinless perfection and continued in such a state unto death.
   2. This important doctrine was not formally stated until December 8, 1854, by Pope Pius IX.
   3. Whenever you hear about the Immaculate Conception, it is talking about Mary, not Jesus.
3. Catholics believe that Mary was assumed into heaven – her body was resurrected and glorified.
   1. She arose the third day, was reunited to soul and spirit, and carried by Christ to heaven.
   2. Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950 declared “ex cathedra” the infallibility of this dogma.
   3. Vatican II (1965) stated that this infallible dogma was decreed due to “popular demand.”
4. Catholics hold that Mary participates as a mediatrix in our salvation – another redeemer.
   1. Mary is more merciful than Christ or God, as mothers are more merciful than fathers.
   2. Scripture condemns such nonsense (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Rom 8:34; I Tim 2:5; I John 2:1).
   3. If Abraham could not help a “repentant” Jew (Luke 16:26), how will Mary help Gentiles?
   4. Not decreed yet as infallible dogma by a blaspheming pope, some theologians want it.
5. Mary is called Queen of Heaven, Queen of the Apostles, Queen of the Angels, Mother of God, Door of Paradise, Our Life, Gate of Heaven, Mother of Grace, and Second Eve.
   1. It is obvious to anyone who knows God that Mary is not His mother: He is her Creator.
   2. While “Queen of Heaven” is an attractive title, scripture does not associate it with God at all.
6. Much religious devotion is given to Mary through the Rosary, prayers, feasts, novenas, etc.
   1. A full Rosary is 150 Hail Mary prayers and 15 Our Father prayers counted by beads.
   2. Shrines are dedicated throughout the world to the Virgin for the faithful to contribute.
7. While denying Mary is God, Catholic practice toward Mary requires another conclusion.
   1. She is prayed to as “most gracious,” which implies she has more grace than God Himself.
   2. She is always able to influence her Son, and even idols of her figure work miracles.

The History of Mariolatry

1. Satan – the great imitator and liar – knew of the coming Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15).
2. The world’s religions have often worshipped a goddess who was a virgin mother of the deity.
3. The Jews turned to Baal and Ashtaroth shortly after the death of Joshua (Judges 2:13).
4. The Jews were guilty of worshipping the queen of heaven (Jeremiah 7:17-20; 44:1-27).

The Scriptures Reject Mariolatry

1. While Jael was blessed above women (Judges 5:24), Mary was blessed among them (Luke 1:28).
2. When the wise men came to see the young Jesus, they worshipped Him alone (Matthew 2:11).
3. When confronted by a Mariolater, Jesus shut her mouth with the truth (Luke 11:27-28).
4. When solicited by his mother, Jesus set obedient disciples above his mother (Matthew 12:46-50).
5. Scripture clearly denies special treatment of Mary by Jesus at twelve, at Cana, and at His death.
   1. When she sought Him in Jerusalem, He did not admit any special relationship (Luke 2:48-50).
   2. When she sought Him at Cana, He denied any special respect or duty to her (John 2:1-4).
   3. When He saw her at His crucifixion, He granted her no further favors (John 19:25-27).
   4. Jesus called her “woman,” but He never called her “mother” (John 2:4; 19:26 cp 4:21; 8:10).
6. After the marriage at Cana, Mary is not quoted at all; scripture ignores her opinions on anything.
7. Before Pentecost, Mary prayed with the disciples; they didn’t pray or obey her (Acts 1:13-14).
8. While the apostles are specifically said to be foundation stones, Mary is not at all (Eph 2:20).
9. Though committed to his care at Christ’s death (John 19:26-27), John never wrote of her.

The Scriptures Reject Mary’s Perpetual Virginity

1. Jesus was Mary’s firstborn Son, not her only Son (Matt 1:25; Luke 2:7). Compare other versions.
2. Joseph did not know Mary “till” she had Jesus (Mat 1:25); being a just man, he then did (I Co 7:3-5).
3. If Mary did not have sex with Joseph after the birth of Jesus, she was a wicked woman (I Cor 7:3-5).
4. Jesus had at least four brothers and three sisters by Mary (Matthew 13:53-53 cp Acts 1:14).
5. When Scripture intends cousin, it says cousin, not brother or sister or nephew (Luke 1:36,58).
6. God prophesied that Jesus would be an alien to his mother’s children (Psalm 69:8 cp John 7:5).

The Scriptures Reject Mary’s Immaculate Conception

1. Catholics readily admit that there is no direct or categorical proof in the Scriptures of this dogma.
2. Despite the corrupt rendering of Genesis 3:15 by the Douay Version, Jesus Himself defeated Satan.
3. Despite Luke 1:28 being corrupted by the Confraternity Version, only Jesus Christ is full of grace.
4. Jesus was conceived immaculately by lacking a human father (Romans 5:12), but not Mary.
5. Mary acknowledged her need of a Saviour as much as any man (Luke 1:46-47 cp Romans 3:23).
   1. Mary thought her estate at the visitation to be low, surely not sinless perfection before God.
   2. She knew that it was due to her bearing Christ she would be blessed, not her own conception.
6. Why did Mary give a sin offering to be purified, if she was immaculate (Lev 12:8; Luke 2:21-24)?
7. If Mary was conceived and remained immaculate, why did God pay her the wages of sin in death?

The Scriptures Reject Mary’s Assumption into Heaven

1. The argument of silence requires that Scripture does not teach what it does not teach, especially here.
2. Enoch and Elijah were transported to heaven, but Scripture plainly records the facts for us.
3. Catholics themselves realize they have no Scriptural evidence whatsoever, yet it is infallible dogma.

The Effects of Mariolatry are Abominable

1. Remember the influence the Mother Church’s sacraments have had on Protestants and Baptists.
2. The first mention of Mariolatry in Scripture is by a silly woman – another Eve (Luke 11:27-28).
3. Exalting a woman obviously appeals to women, thus the captivity of silly women (II Timothy 3:6).
   1. False religion is maintained by superstitious control over women; Rome is not different at all.
   2. As was Eve, women are more susceptible to deceitful lies (I Timothy 2:11-14; I Peter 3:7).
   3. Silly. Deserving of pity, compassion, or sympathy. Helpless. Defenseless; esp. of women and children. Weak, feeble, frail; insignificant, trifling. Unlearned, unsophisticated, simple, rustic, ignorant. Weak or deficient in intellect; feeble-minded, imbecile. Lacking in judgment or common sense; foolish, senseless, empty-headed.
4. Mary is presented to Catholic girls and women as the great epitome of a godly Christian woman.
   1. What image comes to mind when you visualize Mary – is it Scriptural? No, it is Catholic!
      1. Compare the bold and courageous Mary to the gaudily dressed fragile doll of Rome.
      2. Why do you revolt at the thought of sweat, dirt, labor, and sex, let alone anger, sin, etc.?
      3. She is a pretty, serene, and sweet mannequin lacking a mind, judgment, and independence.
      4. Where is the hardworking, intelligent, and efficient virtuous woman of Proverbs 31:10-31?
   2. They follow her false humility and servility to provide the mindless religious devotees for Rome.
      1. Rome keeps her women – silly women – in such fear they remain amazed for life (I Pet 3:6).
      2. Believing it to be rebellious to think, they are the most gullible and naïve of all women.
      3. Believing drudgery and burdens a blessing, they provide many children and free labor.
   3. They follow her false freedom from sexual “defilement” to vows of celibacy as nuns.
5. So-called Protestants are not saved from the influence of this gross perversion of womanhood.
6. Let us pray and work to form some Jaels, Ruths, Abigails, Priscillas, and even some Marys, but not after the Catholic model of a mindless zombie in a “spiritual” trance with a halo.

The Hail Mary Prayer

“Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. (Indulgence of 300 days; Rac #691).

The Hail Holy Queen Prayer

“Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy; hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! (Indulgence of 5 years. Rac #332).

The Memorare

“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother! To thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen. (Indulgence of 3 years. Rac #339).

Conclusion: Mel Gibson’s movie is introducing and catechizing American Baptists and Protestants to Rome’s Mariolatry.

1. How much is Mel a Mariolater? Read the opening quote in the “Introduction.” And consider that he has recently blessed his only daughter, 21-year-old Hannah, to become a nun! Compare to I Timothy 4:1-3!
2. Bible Christians will not have anything to do with his movie, and they will earnestly contend against it.
3. Let us thank the Lord for the faithful martyrs that went before us, and let us live worthy of these witnesses.