The Assumption of Mary is a doctrine held by the Roman Catholic Church, which teaches that the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life. However, this belief is not supported by Scripture and has been a point of contention among many Christian denominations. Furthermore, there are arguments that link this doctrine to pagan practices and beliefs. Let us explore these aspects in detail.
The belief in the Assumption of Mary has its roots in early Christian traditions and apocryphal texts rather than the canonical Scriptures. The doctrine was formally defined by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950, in the apostolic constitution Munificentissimus Deus. He declared:
"We pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory."
However, the lack of scriptural evidence for this event confirms that it is not a valid doctrine.
The Bible does not provide any account of Mary's Assumption into heaven. Key passages often cited by Catholics include Revelation 12, which describes a woman "clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head" (Revelation 12:1, NIV). However, this passage is symbolic and has been interpreted by many theologians as representing the nation of Israel or the Church, rather than Mary herself. In addition, Luke 1:28 records the angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary as "highly favored," but this phrase alone does not provide evidence for her Assumption. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV), states clearly: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." This emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and humanity, making doctrines that elevate Mary to a quasi-divine status problematic.
The concept of a bodily assumption is not unique to Christianity and can be found in various pagan traditions. For instance, the ancient Egyptians believed in the assumption of their gods and goddesses into the heavens. Isis, the Egyptian goddess, was often depicted as ascending to the heavens, which bears a striking resemblance to the imagery used in the Assumption of Mary. The Roman Empire played a significant role in the syncretization of pagan and Christian practices, leading to a secularization of the church. This process involved blending various pagan customs with Christian beliefs to create a more unified and politically stable religion. This syncretism is evident in the Assumption of Mary, which parallels pagan traditions.
Similarly, in Greco-Roman mythology, figures such as Hercules and Romulus were believed to have been taken up into the divine realm. These parallels suggest that the Assumption of Mary may have been influenced by existing pagan beliefs and practices rather than derived from Christian doctrine.
There are also claims that the Virgin Mary is linked to the Babylonian goddess Semiramis, who was known by various names such as Astarte, Asherah, and the Queen of Heaven. One of Semiramis's key attributes was her perpetual virginity, despite having borne children, which mirrors the description of Mary as "ever virgin." This connection is further highlighted by the title "Queen of Heaven," a term used in Jeremiah 7:18 (NIV): "The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to arouse my anger."
The description of Mary as ever virgin while she bore many children, as indicated in Matthew 13:55-56 (NIV), "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us?" provides evidence of linking her with Semiramis's attributes. This highlights the divergence from the biblical portrayal of Mary.
Deuteronomy 12:30-31 (NIV) warns against adopting pagan practices:
"And after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.’ You must not worship the Lord your God in their way."
This admonition highlights the importance of adhering strictly to the teachings found in Scripture and avoiding the incorporation of non-biblical traditions.
The linkage of the Assumption of Mary to pagan practices can also be examined through the lens of 1 Kings 12:33. In this passage, King Jeroboam establishes a festival to rival the feast of tabernacles, creating his own religious practices that were not ordained by God:
"On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, he offered sacrifices on the altar he had built at Bethel. So he instituted the festival for the Israelites and went up to the altar to make offerings."
Jeroboam's actions represent a deviation from God’s commands, introducing practices and festivals that were not based on divine revelation but on human invention. Similarly, the Assumption of Mary, celebrated on August 15, can be seen as a doctrine that was developed outside of biblical revelation, influenced by human traditions and possibly pagan customs. The choice of date for the Assumption can be linked to this practice of Jeroboam’s deviation.
The formal definition of the Assumption of Mary as dogma in 1950 can be viewed within the context of the Catholic Church's response to modernity and secularism. By elevating Mary to an even higher status, the Church sought to reinforce its authority and distinct identity. However, this move also led to increased scrutiny and criticism from other Christian denominations that prioritize scriptural fidelity.
The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 1:8-9 (NIV), provides a stern warning about deviating from the gospel:
"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!"
This passage underscores the necessity of adhering to the original gospel message without additions or alterations.
In today's world, where information is readily accessible, it is crucial for believers to discern truth from tradition. The doctrine of the Assumption of Mary serves as a reminder of the importance of grounding our beliefs in the clear teachings of Scripture. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) states:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
By relying on the Bible as our ultimate authority, we can avoid the pitfalls of incorporating non-biblical traditions into our faith.
As a conclusion, the Assumption of Mary is a doctrine not supported by Scripture and has parallels in various pagan traditions. It is important to recognize that many Catholic traditions have hidden secrets known to their leaders. For instance, the Mary venerated in these traditions is not the mother of Jesus but Semiramis, a pagan goddess. Similarly, Catholics invoke spirits under the names of saints to mislead people. These hidden aspects further highlight the dangers of adopting practices not rooted in biblical truth, as they can lead believers astray. As Christians, we are called to examine all teachings against the Word of God and remain vigilant against adopting practices that are not rooted in biblical truth. The linkage to pagan customs and the comparison to the actions of King Jeroboam in 1 Kings 12:33 further highlight the dangers of deviating from divinely revealed practices. Let us seek to glorify God by adhering to His revealed Word and maintaining the purity of the gospel message. In doing so, we honor the true teachings of Scripture and avoid the incorporation of non-biblical traditions that may lead us astray.
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