What do Evangelical Christians believe about the title given to Mary, “The Mother of God”?

Question:

What is the opinion of Evangelical Christians about the title given to Mary, “the Mother of God”? Is is right to call her by this name?

Since Jesus Christ is God and the fact that He was born of the virgin Mary then it would seem to be correct to call her, “the Mother of God”.  On the other hand, we need to be careful to explain what we mean when we say, “the Mother of God” so that we do not make any grave theological mistakes. When a person says, “the Mother of God” the one could misunderstand this to mean that she is above or of a higher rank than Christ. Another mistake would be to assume that Jesus did not exist before Mary gave birth to Him. That is probably why we never see the phrase, “the Mother of God” used in the Bible. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter one and verse forty-three, Elizabeth calls Marry, “the mother of the Lord” but not “the Mother of God”. As we see, the Gospel writers, whose faith was based on the teachings of Christ and not “holy traditions” never call her “the Mother of God”. Here are some important truths that deal with the Virgin Mary’s relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary is God’s creation  through the Lord Jesus Christ

In the opening chapter of the Gospel of John, Christ is called the Word and we are told the following about our Savior:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. (John 1)

The Bible tells us that the Word, that is, Jesus, who is God, was already there at the very beginning. He was not created in the beginning because He is eternal, and as said, He was already there at the beginning. All things that were created were made through Him and there is no exception. Nothing was made without Him and the Virgin Mary is no exception. She was also created by God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ’s incarnation took place through Mary

In the same chapter of the Gospel of John, chapter 1, we are told the following:

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1)

Through the Virgin Mary the Lord Jesus, who was there at the beginning and through whom all things were created (even Mary), chose to become flesh and dwell among us in order to bring to us salvation. Let no one ever think that Jesus Christ came into existence when He was born of the Virgin. He already existed when the world was being created because He is the eternal God.

The Lord Jesus is above all things

In the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Colossian Church we find the following:

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church ; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross ; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. (Colossians 1)

This text once again emphasizes the truth that Jesus Christ is the First born through whom all creation was made. This does not refer to Christ’s physical birth. This passage once again demonstrates that all things (including Mary) were created through Him and for Him. Christ is above and before all things, including the Virgin Mary.

In Jesus dwells all the fulness of Deity

This truth is written in the Bible and it is only about Jesus Christ, that is, the fulness of Deity dwells in Him. This is not written about the Virgin Mary. Therefore, we should never assume that the Virgin Mary is God or deity even if she did give birth to the Son of God. Unfortunately, that is exactly what has happened over time. She has gone from the one who gave birth to the Son of God to being deified herself. There are some so called “theologians” who claim that she is able to intercede with God (Google translate) on man’s behalf because she gave birth to Jesus Christ. The Scriptures are very clear on this subject.

5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (I Timothy 2)

May we always be diligent in the study of the Holy Scriptures so that we can believe the truths revealed by God in them. Let us never add to or take away from what is clearly written in the Word of God.

Translation by: Erik Brewer