What is a good Christian to think of Mary, Christ's mother?
As you all probably know the Catholics believe she is sinless, and can directly interecede on our behalf to Christ, similar to the way a pastor can pray or "intercede" on behalf of a Christian today.
Some of their teachings can be a bit.... hard to swallow, but at the same time I understand their view of Mary... somewhat.
I get why they think she is distinct among all mortal humans. It was she after all whom God chose to bear his son into the world. The Angel Gabriel visited her and proclaimed to her "Hail,full of Grace", much like the beginning of the Catholic "Hail Mary prayer."
Mary, since she had free will, could have refused God. But being humble and pious (and in spite of the great risks of out of wedlock pregnancy" she gave a resounding "YES!" to the Lord's plan for her.
Mary had Jesus (Perfectly God and human) growing inside her for 9 months. Wouldn't it stand to reason that she was a unique vessel of some sort, for bearing the Lord in?
From depictions of her in art, and in scripture, she seems like such a kind, lovely and gentle soul.
I just wonder how a "True Christian" should view her?
As you all probably know the Catholics believe she is sinless, and can directly interecede on our behalf to Christ, similar to the way a pastor can pray or "intercede" on behalf of a Christian today.
Some of their teachings can be a bit.... hard to swallow, but at the same time I understand their view of Mary... somewhat.
I get why they think she is distinct among all mortal humans. It was she after all whom God chose to bear his son into the world. The Angel Gabriel visited her and proclaimed to her "Hail,full of Grace", much like the beginning of the Catholic "Hail Mary prayer."
Mary, since she had free will, could have refused God. But being humble and pious (and in spite of the great risks of out of wedlock pregnancy" she gave a resounding "YES!" to the Lord's plan for her.
Mary had Jesus (Perfectly God and human) growing inside her for 9 months. Wouldn't it stand to reason that she was a unique vessel of some sort, for bearing the Lord in?
From depictions of her in art, and in scripture, she seems like such a kind, lovely and gentle soul.
I just wonder how a "True Christian" should view her?