I finally got around to writing a response to Matthew Bellisario about my article regarding Mary, the “Blessed Mother.” Let me just state for the record that I believe Mary is to be held in high regard as an example of Christian obedience and humility, but I do not believe that she is to be held in the esteem that Catholics hold her. I don’t believe in offering prayers to her, I don’t believe that she is in any sense “Co-Redemptrix,” I don’t believe that she had anything to do with the Atonement nor does she play any role in salvation either today or in years past.
That said, let’s dive in:
Does the term co-mediatrix or co-redemtrix imply we are equating Mary as a fourth person of the Trinity? Obviously not, because the term does not imply anything of the sort. Co means with. If Mary participated in God’s plan of salvation, (which anyone who would deny this fact cannot call themselves a Christian) then she can be titled obviously a co-redemptrix, because she participated in God’s plan. I will say this plainly, it seems that [James] White is just (pardon my French) too damn stupid to understand what co means. Aside from all of this, this terminology has not been defined by the church as of yet.
Once again, a broken record. He repeats exactly what he said in the initial article but fails to clarify it. “Co-” does mean “with,” and implies (at least to me) an equal share in the action. Cooperate. Coworker. Both terms imply an equal share of action, and this is what is so reprehensible about the title.
Mary participated in God’s plan, but not in an equal share. Remember that the term “Co-” implies equal participation.
Yes he like James White follows a heresy condemned by the Church [Calvinism]. I never said Mary was divine as Cory here writes, “Whatever you believe about Mary, she was a mere human and not divine.” Well we all know that you do not have to be divine to participate in God’s redemptive plan of salvation. Anytime we pray or lead someone to the faith we become participants of God’s plan to save other people. So his argument here is nothing more than pure rhetoric. (emphasis added)
Then why are we not all termed “Co-Redeemers?” Because we do not participate in the plan of salvation in equal footing with God’s action in salvation. We are merely a cog in the wheel of the ultimate plan, doing our role defined by God when we lead someone to the Lord (Eph 2:8-11). Why does Mary get special consideration and her own title? She, too, is a cog like us.
What? 6th century is not early? Says who? I find it quite amusing that the only argument this guy can provide is that this writing just isn’t early enough for him. Yet none of these guys have anything from this period attesting to their heretical beliefs. I have given a source from the 500s attesting to a Catholic practice and it just isn’t old enough for this guy. Is this the best this guy can do? Well as we know that is about par for the likes of James White’s fans don’t we?
But I can provide Scriptural evidence for my beliefs, which dates back to the apostles. He’s providing non-inspired writings 500 years after the fact. I think that I am justified in asking him for earlier attestations. Asking me for earlier attestations is just deflecting the question, not answering the charge.
I have posted my video. I don’t need to go on his radio show to refute White. My video is on the web for all to see. By the way, this guy can’t even spell my name correctly either.
Chicken? I’d like to see some actual interaction between you and White. I think that everyone would. So what do you say? Are you up to the challenge?
By the way, I corrected all of the misspellings. Sorry, won’t happen again.
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