by Understand the Times with Roger Oakland
For years, when it comes to Mary, Catholics and Protestants have been quite contrary. However, there are growing signs that differences over Mary are becoming less apparent. Many Protestant leaders are reevaluating and saying a greater emphasis on Mary needs to be considered. Could Maryianity replace Christianity sometime in the future?
The Roman Catholic Church has traditionally honored Mary as “Mother of the Church” and “Queen of Heaven.” For Protestants, the role of Mary has not been elevated to such a divine position. Other than being recognized as the mother of Jesus, Mary has remained the blessed woman God chose to bring the Son of God into this world.
However, based on an article titled “Protestants paying more attention to Virgin Mary,” there appears to be a trend underway. Apparently Protestants are doing less protesting when it comes to the Roman Catholic perspective on Mary. As Peter Smith, the author of the article stated:
While they still reject Catholic doctrines elevating Mary to the status of a sinless object of veneration, some Protestant scholars and lay people are calling for a closer look at the teenage peasant whom the Bible says was chosen by God to give birth to Jesus.
Several Protestant leaders are quoted in the article. For example, Joel Green, Methodist and dean of School of Theology at Asbury Theological Seminary and author of a book called “Blessed One: Protestant Perspectives on Mary,” says that “the Protestant church has thrown the baby out with the bath water.” Further he said, “Protestants have had a knee-jerk reaction as a result of veneration of Mary in the Catholic tradition, and for that reason have not taken seriously enough the resources available to us in the stories of Mary.” Click here to read this entire article.
