Devotion to Mary

[tigersnare]

What possible benefit or purpose could you see having devotions to Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus?

 

[Jon_]

What possible benefit or purpose could you see having devotions to Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus?

I think a better quesiton might be, How is God glorified by having devotions to Mary?

 

[Beoga]

While i have heard "benefits" from various people, I don't see any.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

As far as I am aware, and from what the posts so far seem to suggest, there is little or no devotion to Mary amongst the majority of the Reformed Churches. Maybe it would be wise to ask your question in boards of denominations where there is more devotion to Mary, such as TAW-Orthodox;OBOB-Catholic and possibly the Coptic and Anglican boards also. If you want to know what benefits can be gained from Marian devotion-or how it is defensible and is for godly purposes-then these would be the best places to ask.
In Christ Jesus,
Robbie

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

As far as I am aware, and from what the posts so far seem to suggest, there is little or no devotion to Mary amongst the majority of the Reformed Churches. Maybe it would be wise to ask your question in boards of denominations where there is more devotion to Mary, such as TAW-Orthodox;OBOB-Catholic and possibly the Coptic and Anglican boards also. If you want to know what benefits can be gained from Marian devotion-or how it is defensible and is for godly purposes-then these would be the best places to ask.
In Christ Jesus,
Robbie

I think Robbie makes a good suggestion.

I do think Protestants, inreaction to the place Mary has in Roman Catholicism, tend to over react in the opposite direction and hold her as just any other person. What do the Scriptures say?

Remember her cousin Elisabeth prophesied and said "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Elisabeth shows young Mary great honour. We should have no less regard for Mary.

I too think Rome and the Eastern Churches take that honour way to far, but that does not mean that we should hold her in a less high place of honour in (over) reaction to them.

Coram Deo,
Kenith

 

[CoffeeSwirls]

I'm with Kenneth. We seem to have so much "Maryphobia" in protestant circles that we tend not to pay attention to certain verses as much as others. I don't know how you would go about posing this question in OBOB without being mistreated, though.

Perhaps something like this:

"As a protestant, I find it difficult to understand the level of importance people of your persuasion place on Mary. Could someone please explain to me why she, and others beside's God, are prayed to and how this devotion helps your walk with Christ?"

 

[Carrye]

I don't know how you would go about posing this question in OBOB without being mistreated, though.

The hard thing is that often Marian/Communion of Saints threads are veiled attacks. It's often hard to tell who genuinely wants to know, and who's looking to "convert the Catholic." I'd be happy to try to answer your question(s) as best as I can, if someone just lets me know where (or via PM?).

God bless.