Is Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Historically Insignificant?

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I lifted this little quote from "The Jesus I Never Knew," by Philip Yancey

"The virgin Mary though, whose parenthood was unplanned, had a different response. She heard the angel out, pondered the repercussions, and replied, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Often a work of God comes with two edges, great joy and great pain, and in that matter-of-fact response Mary embraced both.

She was the first person to accept Jesus on His own terms, regardless of the personal cost."

I found Yancey's thought about Mary strikingly beautiful in it's truthfulness. Upon reading it, I wondered if we Pentecostals - because of our opposition to the fictitious doctrinal view of Mary taught by Catholics - have relegated Mary to insignificance.

I offer three questions to those interested in the topic at hand.

1. Why did God choose Mary as the incubator for His Son?

2. Is Mary, the mother of Jesus, historically insignificant?

3. Is Mary, the mother of Jesus, the most important bible character - other than her Son?

Such an incredible honor and such a terrible heart ache to be His mother...to watch Him tortured and crucified....what mother could handle that...I would have been just devastated had that been my son...

I always found it interesting that the bible talks of Joesph's lineage back to David and the birth line of Jesus...not Mary's when Joesph was not even related to Jesus by blood at all...or am I confused on that?

I think many give not enough credit and respect to the Mary the mother of Jesus. What a incredible woman she was!

[Steve Epley]

Mary was NOT a incubator but a MOTHER. She CONCIEVED and BARE a Son then she BIRTHED Him.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Mary was NOT a incubator but a MOTHER. She CONCIEVED and BARE a Son then she BIRTHED Him.

Incubator sounds like Mary didn't contribute anything to the conception except a womb to house a 'Holy Thing'. Mary's egg was used in the conception.

I wonder if Jesus looked like his mother?

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Incubator sounds like Mary didn't contribute anything to the conception except a womb to house a 'Holy Thing'. Mary's egg was used in the conception.

I wonder if Jesus looked like his mother?

I am 100% certain that a modern DNA test would have shown that Mary and Jesus were related. There is no "divine flesh" here -other then from the Fathers side.

[mizpeh]

1 Cor 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

No Mary, No Jesus.

Elizabeth and Mary both understood the importance of what God was doing in their lives.

Luke 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? NIV

Luke 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I am 100% certain that a modern DNA test would have shown that Mary and Jesus were related. There is no "divine flesh" here -other then from the Fathers side.

A paternity test would show that Joseph was not the father as well.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

...
I wonder if Jesus looked like his mother?

I don't know but He was the image of His Father
2 Cor 4:4 "image (Greek eikon) of the invisible God"
Col 1:15 "image (Greek eikon) of the unseen God"

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Sam

I don't know but He was the image of His Father
2 Cor 4:4 "image (Greek eikon) of the invisible God"
Col 1:15 "image (Greek eikon) of the unseen God"

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Mary was NOT a incubator but a MOTHER. She CONCIEVED and BARE a Son then she BIRTHED Him.

Well, that is the way we Protestants treat Mary. As if she was just a temporary tarmac for the Christchild to land on.

Do you believe she made a difference in His ministry? Did she help shape Him?

What about Luke 2:52?

How did He mature, grow, increase, if He had all power?

Did she help Him socially?

[anapko]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Well, that is the way we Protestants treat Mary. As if she was just a temporary tarmac for the Christchild to land on.

Do you believe she made a difference in His ministry? Did she help shape Him?

What about Luke 2:52?

How did He mature, grow, increase, if He had all power?

Did she help Him socially?

Yes, by all means I believe she had a hand in development of the Christ, but only from a human perspective. Jesus was born into a Jewish family therefore He would be raised from a Jewish tradition. Leaving Joseph out of the picture as the thread is about Mary, she would have to train him somewhat. Jesus didn't wean Himself, He didn't change His diaper, etc. The Bible says He grew in wisdom and favor with God and with men. But your main questions ask is Mary anymore important than the traditional Protestant viewpoint. I respectively say no, only as a special vessel who God favored to bear Jesus, who was NOT born Immaculate as the RCC says.