Hugh Sherrill

I recently read an article by S. Rindlisbacher that I totally agree with and I want to share some of the thoughts. What is the Biblical stand concerning the veneration or worshiping of Mary? Is she the Queen of Heaven, or an absolutely normal person? (Venerate: to honor or reverence with religious awe – to reverence to the highest degree.) From the beginning, I want to state that we have no reference to the veneration of Mary in the Bible, such as is practiced in the Roman Catholic Church. Such veneration, also called Mariolatry, must be firmly rejected. With all our hearts, however, we can join in the praise of Elisabeth, who said to Mary, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb” (Luke 1:42). This Biblical praise of Elisabeth expressed Mary’s attitude to God’s counsel: her submission, humility and readiness to do the will of God and to accept it in her life, despite all the negative things. Whatever goes beyond this praise, however, either in Mariolatry or in the cult around Mary, we must reject in light of the Bible, particularly in view of the words of God.  
“I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-3).

Let us consider briefly the virtues attributed to her by the Catholic Church and compare what the Bible has to say.

Mary is said to have had an “immaculate conception,” or also the “perpetual sinlessness.” These characteristics attributed to Mary are in clear contradiction to the words of God in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” David the king also says in Psalm 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” These statements – I want to emphasize the word “all” in the text from the letter to the Romans – apply without exception. This includes Mary and invalidates any claim to the contrary.

The Bible does not speak of a perpetual virginity either. Mary certainly was a virgin when she became pregnant with Jesus Christ, through the visitation of the Holy Spirit. This is expressly stated in the Bible. But after the birth of Jesus, Mary gave birth to several other children. We read in Matthew 13:55-56, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his sisters, are they not all with us?” Through this Bible text alone it is clear that Mary lost her virginity after the birth of Jesus.

Also, the term “Mother of God” is not tenable. Mary is the biological mother of Jesus, but not the “Mother of God” in the sense that the Catholic Church means. The Catholic Church attributes to Mary a similarity to God, and exalts her to “Queen of Heaven,” who should be given particular veneration. We do not find this in the Bible, however. The Bible gives us a different picture of Mary.

The Bible teaches that the only person deserving of reverence is our Heavenly Father, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. There is no short cut to communicate with the Father. May God Bless You In This Season!

Hugh G. Sherrill

ems-hugh43@comcast.net