Why is Mary "Mother of God"?

A reader from "Your Pastoral Coach" sent me an e-mail asking me how it is that Catholics can call Mary “Mother of God” and when this theology developed. I am corresponding with her, but thought I would post my answer here in case anyone else had comments.

The reason for stating that Mary is mother of God begins with Jesus. We believe that Jesus was one person with two natures, human and divine, from the time he was conceived in Mary’s womb by the Hoy Spirit. The third ecumenical council at Ephesus in 431 stated "that the Word, uniting to himself in his person the flesh animated by a rational soul, became man." Church teaching says that “Christ's humanity has no other subject than the divine person of the Son of God, who assumed it and made it his own, from his conception.” Since Mary gave birth to the Son of God, the second person in our Triune God, we say that she is the mother of God. This title was ratified also by the council at Ephesus in 431.

However, the Church is not implying that God the creator was brought into existence by Mary, “not that the nature of the Word or his divinity received the beginning of its existence from the holy Virgin, but that, since the holy body, animated by a rational soul, which the Word of God united to himself according to the hypostasis, was born from her, the Word is said to be born according to the flesh." In Luke 1:42-43 Elizabeth said “ And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” She acknowledged Mary as the mother of “ my Lord” who is God. The angel Gabriel also said she was going to give birth to the Son of God or the Son of the Most High.

There are many, many examples of Mary been referred to as Mother of God before this council in 431. I’m only going to mention a few quotes from the early fathers of the Church because I get tired typing… :)

“The Virgin Mary, being obedient to his word, received from an angel the glad tidings that she would bear God.” St. Irenaeus, A.D. 189

“Thus, too, they preached of the advent of God in the flesh to the world, His advent by the spotless and God-bearing (Greek: theotokos) Mary in the way of birth…” St Hippolytus, A.D. 217

“Do not marvel at the novelty of the thing, if a Virgin gives birth to God.” St. Jerome, A.D. 409

Here are some other interesting quotes…

“A new lie about me is being circulated. I am supposed to have preached and written that Mary, the mother of God, was not a virgin either before or after the birth of Christ…” Martin Luther, Sermons on John, Vol 45.

“It cannot be denied that God in choosing and destining Mary to be the Mother of his Son, granted her the highest honor… Elizabeth called Mary Mother of the Lord, because the unity of the person in the two natures of Christ was such that she could have said that the mortal man engendered in the womb of Mary was at the same time the eternal God.” John Calvin, Corpus Reformatorum, vol 1

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Comments

[Lorna]

:) Thanks, the quotes are very interesting !! I like to hear what the early Church Fathers thought (wrote)

It's good to know that this phrase doesn't mean creator of God, because the creeds (statements of faith) clearly state that God was begotten not made. I love it that God existed when time came into existance. It literally blows my mind :) God was - God is !

I found this "that the Word, uniting to himself in his person the flesh animated by a rational soul, became man." puzzling though ..

The beginning and the end of the quote is pure Gospel of John 1 - but that middle bit, "uniting to himself in his person the flesh animated by a rational soul," what does it actually mean?

We all know and believe (as Christians) that Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit, and gave birth to Jesus Christ, God, often refered to as the Son of God.

What the term mother implies to me is that they share some of the same genes (as I do with my children, and with my parents) but my understanding is that that isn't the case here. Jesus is God, 100% same DNA (if you put it in those terms) as the Father and the Holy Spirit, or have I misunderstood this?

Just thinking aloud, and curious. I am most definitely not wishing to attack your belief here Hector. I really would like to learn more.

blessings

[Moneybags]

Hector:

I have the requests for your patrons saints for 2006. Here they are:

Hector - St. Wenceslas 09/28
& Angie - St. Eligius

Please just let me know you see this message and let me know of any connections between your saints and you guys.

God bless

[Hector]

Hi Lorna, you ask such interesting questions. "I found this "that the Word, uniting to himself in his person the flesh animated by a rational soul, became man." puzzling though .." To me this means that Jesus as God chose to unite himself with the human nature (the flesh animated by a rational soul) in order to incarnate.

To your second question, I think we say Mother because she carried him in her womb and gave birth to him. I really don't know how to come close to explaining his DNA...

God bless dear Lorna!

[Lorna]

I laughed when I read your response Hector

"To your second question, I think we say Mother because she carried him in his womb and gave birth to him. I really don't know how to come close to explaining his DNA..."

I think it was a bit of a silly question though it was sincere at the time. My reasoning behind it was something I read about James and Jude (brothers of Jesus) and how Catholics don't think Jesus had real siblings.

The text said something like James and Jude are HALF-brothers because they shared the same mother (Mary) but differnt Fathers (Jesus= God, other brothers = Joseph)

That's ok in my theology (prob not yours) but that really made me think. Was the author suggesting that Jesus had some of Mary's DNA. He didn't mean it that way ofcourse but I wondered what the RC view would be.

Jesus is a mystery - wonderful Holy and I don't want to analyse Him only love Him. But sometimes it's good to think too :)

blessings
I thank you for your patience!