Antipas_14
Puritan Board Freshman
Hi everyone!
I've been searching for the an answer to this question for quite some time, and after reading some of Mark Jones' new book "Knowing Christ" I really wanted to see what the differing views on the following were, and possibly if anyone is aware of any books that would specifically address this.
My question is regarding Mary's role in the incarnation. I grew up Roman Catholic, and converted to Orthodox Presbyterian about a year and a half ago. I love constantly learning and questioning my beliefs, because the more I do, the more truth I find to savor. Anyway, The question might sound odd, but I believe it is rooted in the fact that I grew up with a misunderstanding of the doctrine of Mary from Roman Catholicism.
So here's the question, when Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) how are we to understand how the Holy Spirit used Mary to do so? Did Mary provide anything from a reproductive perspective? I understand that Christ was fully human so my initial thought was that He must have used some part of Mary in order that Jesus be fully human. But then I remembered Adam was created from dust (Gen 2:7), and he was considered fully human. But then when I contrast that idea with 'the seed of the woman' found in Genesis 3:15, it leads me to question that as well. So I keep going back and forth, whether or not she is a mother how we view mothers, or solely a bearer of God (theotokos).
Thus, my question is, when Christ was conceived, how are we to properly understand how conception worked? Did God use Mary as the God-bearer only or as something more? What was truly meant by Mother of God, or Mother of my Lord (Luke 1:43).
I really appreciate the help on this. I plan on purchasing J Gresham Machen's The Virgin Birth of Christ to study this further, but heard it is a pretty tough read. Is there any other resources I could look into?
Lastly, forgive if this post is utterly elementary. Like I said, I am new to everything and still learning! Thanks!
Luke G
I've been searching for the an answer to this question for quite some time, and after reading some of Mark Jones' new book "Knowing Christ" I really wanted to see what the differing views on the following were, and possibly if anyone is aware of any books that would specifically address this.
My question is regarding Mary's role in the incarnation. I grew up Roman Catholic, and converted to Orthodox Presbyterian about a year and a half ago. I love constantly learning and questioning my beliefs, because the more I do, the more truth I find to savor. Anyway, The question might sound odd, but I believe it is rooted in the fact that I grew up with a misunderstanding of the doctrine of Mary from Roman Catholicism.
So here's the question, when Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) how are we to understand how the Holy Spirit used Mary to do so? Did Mary provide anything from a reproductive perspective? I understand that Christ was fully human so my initial thought was that He must have used some part of Mary in order that Jesus be fully human. But then I remembered Adam was created from dust (Gen 2:7), and he was considered fully human. But then when I contrast that idea with 'the seed of the woman' found in Genesis 3:15, it leads me to question that as well. So I keep going back and forth, whether or not she is a mother how we view mothers, or solely a bearer of God (theotokos).
Thus, my question is, when Christ was conceived, how are we to properly understand how conception worked? Did God use Mary as the God-bearer only or as something more? What was truly meant by Mother of God, or Mother of my Lord (Luke 1:43).
I really appreciate the help on this. I plan on purchasing J Gresham Machen's The Virgin Birth of Christ to study this further, but heard it is a pretty tough read. Is there any other resources I could look into?
Lastly, forgive if this post is utterly elementary. Like I said, I am new to everything and still learning! Thanks!
Luke G