Mary (Mariam)

Theological Reflection

Mary holds a unique and honored place in Christian theology. While Protestant traditions typically do not ascribe to her titles such as “co-redemptrix” or “mediatrix,” they nonetheless affirm her role in salvation history as the woman through whom the Messiah entered the world, and as an example of humble faith.

Below are some biblical and theological points to consider:

1. Her humility and obedience
   When the angel declared to Mary that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38), Mary responded, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, ESV). Her “yes” to God is a model of discipleship.

2. She is blessed among women
   At the time of the Annunciation, the angel greeted her with, “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). Later, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42, ESV). Mary’s blessedness is rooted in God’s grace, not in any inherent merit of her own.

3. The Magnificat — a prophetic song
   Mary’s response to Elizabeth is captured in the “Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-55), where she glorifies God for lifting up the lowly and fulfilling His promises to Israel. It reveals her deep awareness of God’s justice and mercy.

4. Her role in the Incarnation
   Through Mary, the Word became flesh (John 1:14). Her willing cooperation makes her a pivotal figure in God’s redemptive plan. The Council of Ephesus (431 AD) affirmed her as Theotokos (“God-bearer”) to safeguard the truth that Jesus is one person, fully God and fully man.

5. Her discipleship at the foot of the cross
   Mary is present in the Gospel accounts at the crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:25-27), where Jesus entrusts her to the beloved disciple: “Woman, behold your son,” and to the disciple, “Behold your mother.” This has been interpreted as her being entrusted as mother to the Church.

6. Mary’s example for believers
   Mary lived in faith and waited in hope. She trusted God’s promises even when circumstances seemed impossible (cf. Romans 4:18-21). She is a model for Christians in patience, trust, and humility, though we do not worship her.

7. Intercession and veneration (in Catholic and Orthodox traditions)
   While Protestantism generally stops short of praying to Mary, many traditions (Catholicism, Orthodoxy) ask Mary to intercede for believers, much as we might ask other Christians to pray for us. This is not the same as worship, which is due to God alone (Exodus 20:3-5; Matthew 4:10).

8. The hope of resurrection and assumption
   Many traditions hold that Mary was assumed into heaven at the end of her earthly life. The Bible does not explicitly record this, but the doctrine is seen as fitting in light of her unique role and the promise that death itself will be swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).

9. A voice in the church’s worship and devotion
   The church has long held Mary in special regard, not as an object of salvation but as one who participated supremely in the work of the Savior, and who continues to point us to Christ.

Sample Translation (Excerpt)

Mary is believed by many of us to have been a very unique woman, and greatly blessed among women, who bore our Lord Jesus Christ.

This statement underscores a central Christian conviction: Mary’s blessedness is not in herself but in her being chosen by God to bear His Son. St. Paul writes that all things are from God (Romans 11:36) and that believers are “blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Mary’s special calling is to welcome into the world the One who brings all blessing.

If you like, I can translate the entire article you linked (once the text is accessible) into English and insert theological annotations throughout. Would you like me to do that?

Here is a possible English translation and theological enrichment of the article “MARIAMU” from Wingu la Mashahidi, together with Bible-based reflections and scriptural support. (Because I could not access the full text directly, I have translated and expanded based on the excerpts and context I was able to view — you may want to check this against your original to refine further.)

Mary (Mariam)

Many of us believe that Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, was a very special woman, and greatly blessed.

Theological Reflection

Mary holds a unique and honored place in Christian theology. While Protestant traditions typically do not ascribe to her titles such as “co-redemptrix” or “mediatrix,” they nonetheless affirm her role in salvation history as the woman through whom the Messiah entered the world, and as an example of humble faith.

Below are some biblical and theological points to consider:

1. Her humility and obedience
   When the angel declared to Mary that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38), Mary responded, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, ESV). Her “yes” to God is a model of discipleship.

2. She is blessed among women
   At the time of the Annunciation, the angel greeted her with, “Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). Later, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42, ESV). Mary’s blessedness is rooted in God’s grace, not in any inherent merit of her own.

3. The Magnificat — a prophetic song
   Mary’s response to Elizabeth is captured in the “Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-55), where she glorifies God for lifting up the lowly and fulfilling His promises to Israel. It reveals her deep awareness of God’s justice and mercy.

4. Her role in the Incarnation
   Through Mary, the Word became flesh (John 1:14). Her willing cooperation makes her a pivotal figure in God’s redemptive plan. The Council of Ephesus (431 AD) affirmed her as Theotokos (“God-bearer”) to safeguard the truth that Jesus is one person, fully God and fully man.

5. Her discipleship at the foot of the cross
   Mary is present in the Gospel accounts at the crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:25-27), where Jesus entrusts her to the beloved disciple: “Woman, behold your son,” and to the disciple, “Behold your mother.” This has been interpreted as her being entrusted as mother to the Church.

6. Mary’s example for believers
   Mary lived in faith and waited in hope. She trusted God’s promises even when circumstances seemed impossible (cf. Romans 4:18-21). She is a model for Christians in patience, trust, and humility, though we do not worship her.

7. Intercession and veneration (in Catholic and Orthodox traditions)
   While Protestantism generally stops short of praying to Mary, many traditions (Catholicism, Orthodoxy) ask Mary to intercede for believers, much as we might ask other Christians to pray for us. This is not the same as worship, which is due to God alone (Exodus 20:3-5; Matthew 4:10).

8. The hope of resurrection and assumption
   Many traditions hold that Mary was assumed into heaven at the end of her earthly life. The Bible does not explicitly record this, but the doctrine is seen as fitting in light of her unique role and the promise that death itself will be swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).

9. A voice in the church’s worship and devotion
   The church has long held Mary in special regard, not as an object of salvation but as one who participated supremely in the work of the Savior, and who continues to point us to Christ.

Sample Translation (Excerpt)

Mary is believed by many of us to have been a very unique woman, and greatly blessed among women, who bore our Lord Jesus Christ.

This statement underscores a central Christian conviction: Mary’s blessedness is not in herself but in her being chosen by God to bear His Son. St. Paul writes that all things are from God (Romans 11:36) and that believers are “blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Mary’s special calling is to welcome into the world the One who brings .

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