The semantics of Theotokos: Is Mary, the “Mother of God”?
The title Theotokos (Θεοτόκος) is a Greek word that means Birth-giver to God, God-Bearer, or commonly Mother of God.
The Council of Ephesus in 431 AD agreed Mary is the Theotokos because Jesus is both God and man, hypostatically united. Ergo, Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics, and Protestants hold the title “Mary mother of God.”
“Theotokos” to refute the heresy of Nestorianism
The use of Theotokos was meant to refute Nestorianism, which purports Jesus’ human origin and divinity are independent. Mary did not give birth to a “divine Jesus.” She is, however, the Christotokos (Mother of Jesus). After all, humans can only give birth to humans.
In short, the heresy was that there were two persons in Jesus, and Mary did not bear the God-Jesus.
Theotokos does not make Mary divine
Mary’s title, Theotokos (God-bearer), affirms that Jesus, who she carried in her womb, is Theanthropos (God’s incarnate). Although Mary gave birth to God, it does not mean she is God’s origin. In other words, Theotokos does not make Mary divine.
However, it isn’t easy to ascertain if a particular religion holds the same intention. For example, Mary is worshipped in Roman Catholicism. After all, she is the Theotokos.
It is clear that Rome exploited Theotokos to justify the veneration of Mary. But for protestants, she is the Theotokos who do not share the divinity of Christ.
Theotokos does not make Mary divine.
ROMAN CATHOLICISM BY JOHN MACCARTHY.
Veneration of the Theotokos: “Divine motherhood”
Catholicity upholds Mary’s divine motherhood, supported by the Third Ecumenical Council—which is, of course, subjective.
Mariology presupposes Mary’s Perpetual Virginity, Immaculate Conception, and Assumption (her body and soul went to heaven), known as the four dogmas.
Mary’s Devotion:
“We recall that Mary’s mediation is essentially defined by her divine motherhood. Recognition of her role as mediatrix is moreover implicit in the expression “our Mother,” which presents the doctrine of Marian mediation by putting the accent on her motherhood.” [Pope John Paul II, 1997]
Fifth and final Dogma: “Mary the Divine”
A group known as “Vox Populi Mariae Mediatrici” (Voice of the People for Mary Mediatrix) has been lobbying for the pope to proclaim a fifth dogma bestowing upon Mary the titles Co-Redemptrix, “mediatrix of all graces and advocate for the people of God.”
In 2021, Pope Francis urged the faithful to pray to the Theotokos for the end of the pandemic.
MAMA MARY IS NOT THE SAME MARY OF THE BIBLE.
John Calvin rejected calling Mary the Theotokos
John Calvin rejected calling Mary the Theotokos because he felt it was unsuitable. He said, “To call the Virgin Mary the mother of God can only serve to confirm the ignorant in their superstitions.” In other words, refuting Nestorianism is nonessential.
He was right; today, the title Mary the “Mother of God” essentially means she is divine herself—catechized and perpetuated by the Vatican.
Calvin rejected calling Mary the Theotokos.
