Immaculate Conception - Sinless Life
If one undertakes a thorough study of the Old and New Testament they will find not find any information about Mary's birth, her parents, her childhood and most anything else. The Early Church Apostles and Saints knew nothing of Mary's origins, mainly because there are no such references in any of their writings. The very first known appearance of the idea that Mary was sinless is traced to the 4th century when Augustine was bishop of Hippo. (This is a matter of historical fact) A sect known as the Pelagians, whose chief spokesman was Julian of Eclanum, believed that Mary the mother of Jesus had been born without sin and was, therefore, free from the power of the "demons. Augustine defended the clear Biblical doctrine that all mankind inherits a sin nature from the original sin of Adam. Augustine further pointed out to the heretic Julian of Eclanum that if Mary the mother of Jesus had been freed from the power of the demons, it was not the result of her natural birth, but the result of her being born-again by the grace of God (John's Gospel, 3rd chapter). That should have put to rest for all time any suggestions that Mary's conception was in some way special or different. (Augustine Through the Ages, an Encyclopedia, p. 516)
However, in the 13th century, 800 or so years after Augustine, the Immaculate Conception matter was to enjoy a renewal of support. But this "support" would not come from Thomas Aquinas, (the famous doctor of the Roman Catholic Church). Aquinas emphatically declared that Mary (the mother of Jesus) was conceived with the stain of original sin, as are all descendants of Adam and Eve. Aquinas addressed the matter this way
"Certainly Mary was conceived with original sin, as is natural. If she would have been not been born with original sin, she would not have needed to be redeemed by Christ, and, this being so, Christ would not be the universal Redeemer of men, which would abolish the dignity of Christ." (Holy Teaching: Introducing the Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas, p. 204)
You will notice if you look at the Catholic Catechism that not a single early Church father is cited as a reference for the Immaculate Conception doctrine. Neither are there any scriptures cited to support it. There are some quotes of early Church patriarchs, but none of these quotes have anything to do with Mary's supposed Immaculate Conception.
Many less than astute Catholic faithful can be led to believe that this is a very old doctrine and one that has come down through the ages as an accepted "Tradition," even one that can be traced back to apostolic times. But if it is, in fact church "Tradition," founded on the doctrines held by the early Church, all evidence for this is conspicuous by its absence from the 1994 Catechism. What is found in the 1994 Catechism are the conclusions of pope's and councils, all of which are far removed from the Christian Church founded by Jesus.
With no record of support for it in Scripture or among the early Church fathers and with very strong opposition to it on the part of Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas, how could the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception ever have become an article of faith of the Roman Catholic Church?
Axehead
If one undertakes a thorough study of the Old and New Testament they will find not find any information about Mary's birth, her parents, her childhood and most anything else. The Early Church Apostles and Saints knew nothing of Mary's origins, mainly because there are no such references in any of their writings. The very first known appearance of the idea that Mary was sinless is traced to the 4th century when Augustine was bishop of Hippo. (This is a matter of historical fact) A sect known as the Pelagians, whose chief spokesman was Julian of Eclanum, believed that Mary the mother of Jesus had been born without sin and was, therefore, free from the power of the "demons. Augustine defended the clear Biblical doctrine that all mankind inherits a sin nature from the original sin of Adam. Augustine further pointed out to the heretic Julian of Eclanum that if Mary the mother of Jesus had been freed from the power of the demons, it was not the result of her natural birth, but the result of her being born-again by the grace of God (John's Gospel, 3rd chapter). That should have put to rest for all time any suggestions that Mary's conception was in some way special or different. (Augustine Through the Ages, an Encyclopedia, p. 516)
However, in the 13th century, 800 or so years after Augustine, the Immaculate Conception matter was to enjoy a renewal of support. But this "support" would not come from Thomas Aquinas, (the famous doctor of the Roman Catholic Church). Aquinas emphatically declared that Mary (the mother of Jesus) was conceived with the stain of original sin, as are all descendants of Adam and Eve. Aquinas addressed the matter this way
"Certainly Mary was conceived with original sin, as is natural. If she would have been not been born with original sin, she would not have needed to be redeemed by Christ, and, this being so, Christ would not be the universal Redeemer of men, which would abolish the dignity of Christ." (Holy Teaching: Introducing the Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas, p. 204)
You will notice if you look at the Catholic Catechism that not a single early Church father is cited as a reference for the Immaculate Conception doctrine. Neither are there any scriptures cited to support it. There are some quotes of early Church patriarchs, but none of these quotes have anything to do with Mary's supposed Immaculate Conception.
Many less than astute Catholic faithful can be led to believe that this is a very old doctrine and one that has come down through the ages as an accepted "Tradition," even one that can be traced back to apostolic times. But if it is, in fact church "Tradition," founded on the doctrines held by the early Church, all evidence for this is conspicuous by its absence from the 1994 Catechism. What is found in the 1994 Catechism are the conclusions of pope's and councils, all of which are far removed from the Christian Church founded by Jesus.
With no record of support for it in Scripture or among the early Church fathers and with very strong opposition to it on the part of Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas, how could the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception ever have become an article of faith of the Roman Catholic Church?
Axehead