TomUK said:
The other day i was bored, and decided to set myself a research project. I've decided to write a series of essays detailing my doctrinal beliefs and thought Mary would be a good place to start. Ie. i'm going to detail the historical development of Mary as a doctrine, while also documenting her history as the theotokos and as an intercessor for us all. I hope this time will be one where i can achieve a balanced look at Mary, and though i come into it with a few points i intend to prove (ie. arguing against the immaculate conception), i am not closed to revelation in this time. I would really appreciate it if you could recommend a few books for reading as my collection is severely limited on the Mother of God. Thanks
Hi Tom
If I can duck in for just a miunute, you can get a good start on your research just by reading some of the early church fathers on the internet. For example, St. Ignatius (ca AD 107) writes clearly about the virgin birth. The role of Mary is expanded greatly by St. Justin Martyr in ca 165, in his conversations with Trypho. Here, he draws an analogy of Mary as the new Eve, closely following the writing of the Apostle Paul in Romans 5:15-21 concerning Christ as the second Adam. Its a great read.
That analysis is developed further by St. Iraneaus in his work Against Heresies in ca 185.
The term Theotokos does not appear for a while, but it is clear that the veneration of Mary was well underway, particularly in the East. There has been a papyrus fragment found in Egypt, dated around AD 250, which is a complete prayer for her intercession:
"We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin."
In the 4th century, the great poet/hymnologist St. Ephraim of Syria was composing hymns and prayers in her honor. Finally, of course, in the 431 Council of Ephesus, she is formally declared Theotokos.
Just to get you started.
James
