Mariology

Definition and Meaning

Mariology is the field of theology that examines the place of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, in the history of salvation. Mariology developed in close connection with Christology, the doctrine concerning Christ. Its principal topics include the virgin birth (that Mary bore Jesus while a virgin), perpetual virginity (that she remained a virgin after giving birth), the veneration of Mary (honoring and revering her), and Mary's intercession (her interceding with God on behalf of believers).

Biblical and Historical Background

In Scripture, Mary appears in the accounts of the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-35), the birth of Jesus, and the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11), as well as at the foot of the cross (John 19:25-27) and among those gathered in prayer before Pentecost (Acts 1:14).

In 431 the Council of Ephesus, following the controversy with Nestorius (Nestorianism), determined that Mary may be called Theotokos ("God-bearer"). The focus of this decision lay less in exalting Mary than in confessing the Incarnation: that the one born of Mary is truly God. The Catholic Church later proclaimed the Immaculate Conception as dogma (official doctrine) in 1854 and the Assumption of Mary in 1950. The Orthodox Church venerates Mary deeply but does not accept the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in the same form as the Catholic Church.

During the Reformation, Martin Luther and other early Reformers are known to have accepted Mary's perpetual virginity. The Reformers nevertheless criticized the practice of praying to Mary or seeking her intercession as contrary to the teaching that Christ alone is the one mediator (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

Practice in the Korean Church

Korean Protestantism, regardless of denomination, affirms the virgin birth through the confession of the Apostles' Creed that Christ was "born of the Virgin Mary." By contrast, the prevailing view is that the veneration of Mary, appeals to her intercession, and the dogmas of 1854 and 1950 lack a biblical basis. Whereas Catholics refer to her as "the Blessed Virgin Mary," Protestants usually call her simply "Mary." In Protestant preaching, Mary is generally presented as an example of obedience and faith.

Views on perpetual virginity are divided even within Protestantism. Many Protestants read the brothers of Jesus mentioned in Mark 6:3 as Mary's own children. Denominations, however, rarely define this question as official doctrine.

Denominations with strong liturgical traditions, such as the Anglican Church of Korea and the Lutheran Church in Korea, observe Marian feasts such as the Annunciation in the church calendar. Even these churches, however, are generally cautious about making Mary an object of prayer.