Why don't protestants bless Mary?

[Meowzltov]

Because heaping praise and titles upon her (or adoring her, as you said earlier) is out of proportion to her place in the scheme of Creation. Yet Catholics fault Protestants who do honor and revere Mary because, in their opinion, we do not do enough of that. It's more like some kind of "gotcha" game or a contest than a serious religious issue.

If you think Catholics go to far, it doesn't excuse Protestants for not going far enough.

 

[Meowzltov]

Then what would you prefer? Are we to pray to her? Jesus Himself is the only mediator between us and God the Father. I don't remember the scriptures saying we're to pray to Mary, or pray through her, or pray to or through anyone else other than Jesus Christ.

I would PREFER that you and whoever else drop forever the use of the phrase "She's just a vessel." Enough said.

If asking for her prayers is not your thing, then don't. There is nothing that says you have to.

Asking for the prayers of other Christians, whether here on earth or with the Lord, does not usurp Jesus unique position as Mediator.

 

[bbbbbbb]

If you think Catholics go to far, it doesn't excuse Protestants for not going far enough.

How far is far enough?

 

[Meowzltov]

No... it is not disrespectful. I fully respect her for her willingness to be God's vessel.

It is making her out to be JUST an object. When you use the word JUST, it is a derogatory statement.

 

[LostMarbels]

I would PREFER that you and whoever else drop forever the use of the phrase "She's just a vessel." Enough said.

If asking for her prayers is not your thing, then don't. There is nothing that says you have to.

Asking for the prayers of other Christians, whether here on earth or with the Lord, does not usurp Jesus unique position as Mediator.

(1Ti 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;


Talking to the dead is an abomination to God.

Deu 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Deu 18:11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Deu 18:12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

 

[LostMarbels]

It is making her out to be JUST an object. When you use the word JUST, it is a derogatory statement.

I'm not making her out to be anything. She is only a person who was used in a miracle of God. Mary has no claim to anything. What did Mary do? Accept by faith? The bible states that God is the author and the finisher of our faith, and that no one can receive God unless God himself reveals himself. So even Mary's faith was given to her by God. Did she have something to do with forming Christ in her womb? To what does she get credit?

 

[Albion]

If you think Catholics go to far, it doesn't excuse Protestants for not going far enough.

I can't agree that the two are equal or parallel. Not to do something that is not obligatory (and is a matter of degree anyway, as we've been discussing it) doesn't equate to doing something that is plainly wrong to do at all.

 

[Meowzltov]

How far is far enough?

Right now I'll settle for any improvement at all. Let's start with not calling her "JUST a vessel."

 

[Meowzltov]

There is nothing at all special about Mary

This is the sort of thing Catholics find absolutely baffling. It's disrespectful and incongruous with the scripture that all generations will call her blessed.

 

[Hank77]

So do you call her blessed, then? And if so, exactly how do you bless her?

How you think you bless Mary? How do you think other people should bless Mary?

I am blessed to have Him as my Savior..

Me too, just as Mary was blessed when He died for her redemption.

If asking for her prayers is not your thing, then don't. There is nothing that says you have to.

When you ask for someone's prayers are you blessing them? Is that what you mean by blessing Mary?

 

[LostMarbels]

Right now I'll settle for any improvement at all. Let's start with not calling her "JUST a vessel."

2Ti 2:19-21 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Mary was a vessel unto honour. I am not trying to be offensive here. Mary is just a servant submitting to God's will. There is nothing special about Mary, just in the fact that God used her in an amazing way. Mary had absolutely nothing to do with the conception of Jesus. All she did is bear him full term.

 

[Meowzltov]

(1Ti 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;


Talking to the dead is an abomination to God.

Now I JUST SAID that there was nothing about asking Christians to pray for you that usurps Jesus' unique role as mediator. What about that didn't you understand?

Actually it's divination that is forbidden. For it to be divination, you must ask for esoteric knowledge of the dead, such as when Saul asked Samuel for information. Asking for prayers doesn't qualify as divination.

 

[Meowzltov]

She is only

Red emphasis added. Again, when you say something like ONLY, it becomes derogative. Why would you say something derogative about the mother of our Lord? You should be saying she is blessed.

 

[LostMarbels]

This is the sort of thing Catholics find absolutely baffling. It's disrespectful and incongruous with the scripture that all generations will call her blessed.

Mary is not the object of focus. When I drink a cup of coffee its not the cup I find delicious. Mary was used in a wonderful way I wish I could have experienced, she was blessed more than any other women, and yet, she is still only the means used to bring forth God's miracle.

Lets look at Balaam and the Donkey. Was there anything extra special about that donkey that talked? Or can God do amazing things with mundane vessels?

 

[Lavendar Frog]

Protestants respect Mary as the mother of Jesus. She is blessed by God for that service in bringing our Lord into the world.
We don't worship her. Because that's contrary to the words her son came to deliver.
She serves no purpose in bringing the lost to Christ.

 

[Meowzltov]

When you ask for someone's prayers are you blessing them? Is that what you mean by blessing Mary?

No. I mean talking about her in a favorable light, as if she matters to you. I come into this Christian Forum, and Protestants talk about Paul and Peter and John... but not Mary. Why not? Unless its to deride blessing her in threads like this, saying she's JUST an X or ONLY a Y.

 

[Meowzltov]

Mary was a vessel unto honour. I am not trying to be offensive here. Mary is just a servant submitting to God's will. There is nothing special about Mary, just in the fact that God used her in an amazing way. Mary had absolutely nothing to do with the conception of Jesus. All she did is bear him full term.

To say she is a vessel unto honor is good -- the is blessing her. But then you revert to your disrespectful JUST, NOTHING SPECIAL, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and ALL SHE DID phrases. What she did was say yes. All of God's plan of salvation hinged on that YES. Again, far from calling her blessed, you actually resort to demeaning her.

 

[Meowzltov]

Mary is not the object of focus.

No one is saying she is on par with Christ. STRAW MAN. Your excuse not to deal with the issue.

 

[Meowzltov]

Protestants respect Mary as the mother of Jesus. She is blessed by God for that service in bringing our Lord into the world.
We don't worship her. Because that's contrary to the words her son came to deliver.
She serves no purpose in bringing the lost to Christ.

No one is saying to worship her. Not me. Not the CC. But YES she was part of God's plan of salvation. That is why she is called blessed.

 

[LostMarbels]

Now I JUST SAID that there was nothing about asking Christians to pray for you that usurps Jesus' unique role as mediator. What about that didn't you understand?

Actually it's divination that is forbidden. For it to be divination, you must ask for esoteric knowledge of the dead, such as when Saul asked Samuel for information. Asking for prayers doesn't qualify as divination.

I would PREFER that you and whoever else drop forever the use of the phrase "She's just a vessel." Enough said.

If asking for her prayers is not your thing, then don't. There is nothing that says you have to.

Asking for the prayers of other Christians, whether here on earth or with the Lord, does not usurp Jesus unique position as Mediator.

I will take it that you mean 'her' as 'Mary'. Dead people are dead people. I do not pray to my Dad or grandparents because that is ancestral worship. Only Jesus is God. Only Jesus deserves devotion and prayer.

Red emphasis added. Again, when you say something like ONLY, it becomes derogative. Why would you say something derogative about the mother of our Lord? You should be saying she is blessed.

While it is true I do not hold her in awe inspired reverence as some do, I do not disrespect the gravity of the miracle performed by God with her. I am in reverence of God'smiracle. He placed himself in the womb of a virgin. Now.... THAT is awesome! Mary is a person. She sinned, and is in need of Jesus just as much as the rest of us. I refuse to elevate Mary to a status of worship. She was and is only a human being used by God for his purpose.