The Pope Speaks Another Heresy
There is growing concern among
conservative Christians who take issue with the Pope’s comments about
homosexuality and other cultural issues.
But the pontiff's
latest statement is sparking an uproar from believers around the world. Pope
Francis sent a tweet Tuesday that absolutely violates the truth of Scripture:
"The Christian
who does not feel that the Virgin Mary is his or her mother is an orphan,"
Pope Francis tweeted.
Mary the Mother to
the World?
First, let's
explore how the pope expanded on his exaltation of Mary. During his weekly
address in Rome, the pope positioned the Roman Catholic Church as a
"mother" to the world and encouraged Catholics to follow Mary as an
example of godly motherhood.
"In our catecheses, we have often noted that we do not
become a Christian on our own, but by being born and nurtured in the faith in
the midst of the people of God, that is the church. She is a true mother who
gives us life in Christ, and in the
communion of the Holy Spirit, brings us into a common life with our brothers
and sisters," the pope said.
"The model of
motherhood for the church is the Blessed Virgin Mary, who in the fullness of
time conceived through the Holy Spirit and gave birth to the Son of God. Her
motherhood continues through the church, who brings forth sons and daughters through baptism, whom
she nourishes through the Word of God."
What About Romans
8:14-15?
Mary was a humble willing servant and a good example of Godly
motherhood, but she does not bring forth sons and daughters through baptism or
nourish us through the Word of God beyond her example of humble servanthood in
the Bible. What concerns me more, though,
is the notion of people being orphans if they don't consider Mary their mother.
Let's consider this statement in the light of Scripture. Romans 8:14-17 shines light on
the issue of orphans in Christ—there are no orphans in Christ:
"For as many
as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive
the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by
whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' The Holy Spirit Himself bears witness with our
spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God
and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be
glorified together."
Nowhere in these verses does it make mention of Mary. Rather,
we see the Father, the Christ and the Holy Spirit at work in a believer's life.
If that's not enough, Jesus Himself stated plainly: "I will not leave you
orphans; I will come to you" (John 14:18). I don't mean this in a sarcastic manner at all, but please note that
Jesus did not say Mary would come to them, or that He would bring Mary with
them, or that Mary is praying for them, or that they should pray to Mary.
There are other
issues in the Catholic religion that don't line up with Scripture, but
suggesting that "The Christian who does not feel that the Virgin Mary is
his or her mother is an orphan" contradicts the simplicity of the gospel
and excludes the millions of Protestants around the world who honor Mary as the
mother of Jesus but do not ask for her help from heaven. Christians are justified by
faith (Rom. 5:1)—the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Mary was a
blessed vessel God chose to bring the Messiah into the world, but Jesus did not
exalt her, and neither should we. Let's stand with the simplicity of the
gospel.
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