What is Mariology?
Introduction. The term "Mariology" is a word especially being used today relative to the over-exaltation of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Bible presents Mary as being the one chosen to bring Jesus into this world (Luke 1: 42-48). There is a growing movement in the Roman Catholic Church to have Mary recognized as "Co-Redeemer, Mediatrix of all Graces and Advocate for the People of God" (see the August 25, 1997 issue of Newsweek Magazine). In fact, 40,388 people have signed a petition in which they asked Pope John Paul II to proclaim this new doctrine. There have been a reported 4,340,429 such petitions in the last four years.
Jesus is the Christian's redeemer and advocate. Beloved, the scriptures plainly assign a singular place to Jesus as redeemer and advocate. We are redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Pet. 1: 18, 19). Jesus, only, died for the sins of man (Matt. 26: 28; Heb. 9: 25-28). Only the blood of the sinless Son of God could offer redemption to man (Heb. 10: 12-14). Jesus is the only mediator or advocate. Hear the inspired writer, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2: 5). Jesus is unique as mediator since He was both God and man.
The over-exaltation of Mary is tantamount to a cult. One common feature of cults is that they deify and rally around a human. Mary was blessed in her motherhood, Abraham in his covenants (Gen. 12), and Peter for his confession (Matt. 16: 17), but none of these individuals are to be worshipped (cf. Acts 10: 25, 26). Jesus said, "If ye shall ask anything in my name (not Mary's, dm), I will do it" (John 14: 4). Jesus is the advocate with the Father, not Mary (1 John 2: 1).
Conclusion. We must avoid thinking of men (and women) above that which is written (1 Cor. 4: 6, KJV).
Jesus is the Christian's redeemer and advocate. Beloved, the scriptures plainly assign a singular place to Jesus as redeemer and advocate. We are redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Pet. 1: 18, 19). Jesus, only, died for the sins of man (Matt. 26: 28; Heb. 9: 25-28). Only the blood of the sinless Son of God could offer redemption to man (Heb. 10: 12-14). Jesus is the only mediator or advocate. Hear the inspired writer, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2: 5). Jesus is unique as mediator since He was both God and man.
The over-exaltation of Mary is tantamount to a cult. One common feature of cults is that they deify and rally around a human. Mary was blessed in her motherhood, Abraham in his covenants (Gen. 12), and Peter for his confession (Matt. 16: 17), but none of these individuals are to be worshipped (cf. Acts 10: 25, 26). Jesus said, "If ye shall ask anything in my name (not Mary's, dm), I will do it" (John 14: 4). Jesus is the advocate with the Father, not Mary (1 John 2: 1).
Conclusion. We must avoid thinking of men (and women) above that which is written (1 Cor. 4: 6, KJV).