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Nestorianism

487 bytes added, 01:09, September 9, 2008
Protestant Theology as a form of Crypto-Nestorianism
Usually, the Assyrian Church of the East denies that it teaches [[Nestorianism]]. On the other hand, it has recognized [[Theodore of Mopsuestia]] as a [[saint]].
== Nestorianism in Protestant Theology as a form of Crypto-Nestorianism ==In their refusal to venerate the [[Virgin Mary]], modern Evangelical Some Protestants may deny the use of the term [[Theotokos]]. In defending and would defend this, many Evangelical Protestants argue by arguing that the Virgin Mary could not have given birth to God but only to the man Jesus. They thus This reasoning again separate separates in the Theandric Godman Jesus a human and a Divine person and teach teaches Nestorianism. However, the common claim that 'most' or 'all' Evangelical Protestants are crypto-Nestorians has no basis in fact and is without merit. Most Protestant demoninations freely accept the unity of Christ's divine and human natures, without referring to Mary as 'Mother of God'; a term that has no basis in Scripture.
The error of this Nestorian thinking lies in the failure to understand the intricacies of Christology and the doctrine of Incarnation. A proper understanding of the [[Virgin Mary]] is required for a proper understanding of [[Jesus Christ]]. If Mary is not Theotokos, then Christ is not Godman. Likewise, if Christ is Godman, then Mary is Theotokos. If Mary is not Ever-Virgin, then Christ did not become God Incarnate. If Christ became God Incarnate, then Mary is Ever-Virgin. If Mary is not the Queen Mother, then Christ is not King; if Christ is King, then Mary is 'Queen Mother'. Having said this, there are no references to Mary being 'Queen Mother' in the Scriptures and references to her as such are based on the traditions of the non-Protestant churches. It is certain that the Apostles did not bestow apon Mary this level of import.
For more on the importance of Our Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary to a proper understanding of the dogmas of the Incarnation and the Trinity, see George S. Gabriel, ''Mary, the Untrodden Portal of God''
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