Mariology

Mariology is the area of Christian theology concerned with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. It not only deals with her life but her adoration (mainly through "High Churches") and her aspect in modern and ancient Christianity.

Related Topics:
Christian - Theology - Mary, the Mother of Jesus - Christianity

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St. Irenaeus of Lyons called Mary the "second Eve" because through Mary and her willing acceptance of God's choice, God undid the harm that was done through Eve's choice to eat the forbidden fruit.

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The Third Ecumenical Council largely debated whether she should be referred to as Theotokos or Christotokos. Theotokos means "God-bearer" or "Mother of God;" its use implies that Jesus, to whom Mary gave birth, is God. Christotokos means "Christ-bearer" or "Mother of the Messiah" and thus does not carry with it the implication that Jesus was divine. Some advocates of the term "Christotokos" favored it not because they denied Jesus' divinity, but because they believed that Jesus' divinity and humanity were somehow divided, and that Mary only gave birth to his humanity. Ultimately, the council affirmed the use of the term "Theotokos," and by doing so affirmed Jesus' full divinity and humanity. Thus, while the debate was over the proper title for Mary, it was also a Christological question about the nature of Jesus Christ.

Related Topics:
Third Ecumenical Council - Theotokos - Jesus - Christological

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