Mary's Place at the Table

Spirituality Column #155
October 27, 2009
Current in Carmel - Current in Westfield - Current in Noblesville
(Indianapolis north suburban home newspapers)

Mary’s Place at the Table
By Bob Walters

Opinions vary in assessing which is the greatest doctrinal schism between Catholics and Evangelicals, but one thing for sure is that the ecclesial status of the Blessed Virgin Mary quickly enters and enlivens any such discussion.

If Catholics are at all guilty of overstating Mary’s piety, Evangelicals are certainly guilty of neglecting the Blessed Mother’s lessons of grace, humility and discipleship.

Faithful Christians understand Mary to be the virgin mother of Jesus; the Theotokos – the God-bearer, or “the one who gave birth to the One who is God.”

Catholic doctrine – formed by scripture and Church tradition – presents Mary as a perpetual virgin, of Immaculate Conception (without sin from birth), having experienced bodily Assumption (risen in body and soul to heaven upon her death), and assigns her a high place as an intercessor in the communion of the Church and saints.

Biblically born Evangelical teaching goes no further than stating Mary was a virgin when Christ was conceived and born (Matthew 1:18-25), finds no evidence or requirement of Mary escaping the stain of original human sin, says her ascending like Christ is inconsistent with Christ’s uniqueness, and points to Christ as our only divine intercessor.

So goes a fascinating discussion in the November 2009 First Things, a scholarly Catholic-oriented monthly journal of faith and culture founded by priest Richard John Neuhaus, who died early this year.

One of Fr. Neuhaus’s many lifetime accomplishments was building a consortium of religious minds called “Evangelicals and Catholics Together,” providing thoughtful, periodic illumination on weighty theological topics. Leading the evangelical side of the equation are Chuck Colson, J.I. Packer, and a dozen others. Neuhaus pulled input from a dozen Catholic scholars (all are listed at the article’s conclusion).

The group’s carefully researched and tightly edited position papers are presented in accessible language and are available in a variety of places online. Google “Evangelicals and Catholics Together Mary,” or visit www.firstthings.com.

Valuable richness in Christ is lost if we ignore the lessons of Mary, who obeyed God, raised Jesus, and displayed unrelenting faith.

She is blessed (Luke 1:48), and a blessing for all.

Walters (www.believerbob.blogspot.com, rlwcom@aol.com) saw an amazing music video – Amazing Grace by Il Divo in Pula, Croatia. Google it. Wonderful.