Tuesday, October 11, 2022

More Patristic References To Mary As A Sinner

I've posted collections of examples of scripture and extrabiblical sources prior to the Reformation referring to Mary as a sinner. See here, here, and here. Other examples:

"A woman from the multitude cries out, that blessed was the womb that had borne him, and the breasts which had given him suck. And the Lord answers, 'Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it' [Luke 11:28]: because even before this he had rejected his mother and his brethren, because he prefers those who hear God and obey him. For not even on the present occasion was his mother in attendance on him. It follows that neither on the previous occasion did he deny having been born. So now, when he hears this once more, once more he transfers the blessedness away from his mother's womb and breasts and assigns it to the disciples: he could not have transferred it away from his mother if he had had no mother." (Tertullian, Against Marcion, 4:27)

"But He on the Cross, committeth His mother to the disciple, teaching us even to our last breath to show every care for our parents. When indeed she unseasonably troubled Him, He said, 'Woman, what have I to do with thee?' [John 2:4] And, 'Who is My mother?' [Matthew 12:48] But here He showeth much loving affection, and committeth her to the disciple whom He loved." (John Chrysostom, Homilies On John, 85:2, v. 24)

"Having signified how great mischiefs are bred from not believing the resurrection, he takes up the discourse again, and says, 'But now hath Christ been raised from the dead;' [1 Corinthians 15:20] continually adding, 'from the dead,' so as to stop the mouths of the heretics. 'The first-fruits of them that slept.' But if their first-fruits, then themselves also, must needs rise again. Whereas if he were speaking of the resurrection from sins, and none is without sin;—for even Paul saith, 'I know nothing against myself, yet am I not hereby justified;'—how shall there be any who rise again, according to you?" (John Chrysostom, Homilies On First Corinthians, 39:5)

"So too Christ our Lord Himself teaches us, at one time calling Himself Son of God and at another Son of man: at one time He gives honour to His Mother as to her that gave Him birth; at another He rebukes her as her Lord." (Theodoret, Dialogues, 2)

4 comments:

  1. Hey Jason, I have been a huge fan of you guys for many years now. I probably should have commented more previously because of this, but I usually save most of my commenting time on sites that are attacking the faith. Anyhoo, I apologize that this comment is somewhat unrelated to this post (although I did love the post!), but I wasn't sure of a better way to contact you. I was just wondering how I can get many of the ebooks you guys offer. I tried to go back and read a section from Infidel Delusion the other day, and it is totally closed off. When I came to the site, I found that I cannot pull up most of the ebooks you guys offer. So, I was just wondering when things might be fixed on that front. Thanks brother and God bless!

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    1. Hi Dan,

      Thanks for the encouragement, and thanks for letting us know about the problem with the ebooks. We're working on it, and it should be resolved soon.

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    2. Looks like the ebook links are working again.

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  2. Oh that's awesome, thanks Jason!

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