The Cult of the Virgin: Catholic Mariology and the Apparitions of Mary

190 Pages·1992·5.549 MB·English

by  Elliot Miller, Kenneth R. Samples, Norman L. Geisler, Mitch Pacwa

The Cult
o f the Virgin
CRI
Bools
Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jesus Christ, and the Gospel of John, Robert M.
Bowman, Jr.
A Crash Course on the New Age Movement: Describing and Evaluating a
Growing Social Force, Elliot Miller
Why You Should Believe in the Trinity, Robert M. Bowman, Jr.
The Counterfeit Christ of the New Age Movement, Ron Rhodes
Understanding Jehovah’s Witnesses: Why They Read the Bible the Way They
Do, Robert M. Bowman, Jr.
UFOs in the New Age: Extraterrestrial Messages and the Truth of Scripture,
William M. Alnor
The Cult of the Virgin: Catholic Mariology and the Apparitions of Mary,
Elliot Miller & Kenneth R. Samples
Elliot Miller is editor-in-chief of publications for the Christian
Research Institute (CRI), an evangelical investigative organization.
He is author of A Crash Course on the New Age Movement, has served
as a major contributor to two books, and has also written several
pamphlets, articles, and fact sheets dealing with new religious
movements, apologetics, and doctrinal controversies. In addition to
his literary work, he is an ordained minister and has served as a
pastor and Bible teacher. He holds a B.A. in ministry from Anaheim
Christian College and an M.A. in apologetics from the Simon
Greenleaf School of Law.
Kenneth R. Samples is senior research consultant at the Christian
Research Institute. He is also a college instructor who has written for
numerous publications, and a popular speaker, regularly featured on
the radio program “The Bible Answer Man.” He has an M.A. in
systematic theology from Talbot School of Theology and is now
pursuing advanced studies in philosophy.
The Cult
o f the Virgin
Catholic Mariology
and the Apparitions o f Mary
Elliot Miller
and Kenneth R. Samples
Foreword by Norm an L Geisler
Response by M itchell Pacwa, S.J.
D » BAKER BOOK HOUSE
O B Grand Rapids, Michigan 49516
f!J~~~
.1.,.,.~'tl
Copyright 1992 by
B<tkc. Book House Company __~ ~
Box 6287 ~
Grand Rapids, MI 495~
~tates
Printed in me of America
Unless india led ornawisc, du: $criprurc V<:l'$ion used is N= Ammciln Bibu.
Ubnry of Cong~$ Cataloging-in-Publication Data
MiIlcr,ElIiol.
The cult of me Virgin: Catholic Mariology and of Mary I ElliOT
Miller and Kenneth R. $vnples " 'm~,d I
p. em.
Includes bibliographical
ISBN 0-8010-6291-8
:;:ary,
~~;~;~~:';;. ,~2. Blessed Virgin. Saim-
232.91-dc20 92-4273
Much of the content of this book originally appeared in the Christi"n R~4rch loumill
bctwt<:n Summer 1990:rna Spring 1991. (For $l1bscripr;:»~n write: Christian
Research In.uiruIC, P.O. Box SOO, San Juan Capislrano. F'~OO.)
Ph,,~ 4t~fI!)
c.,. .
0" "'" 117-20 """ by P,W
~~
This book is fondly dedicated to the memory of
Walter Martin
founder of the Christian Research Institute.
It was he who first modeled for us
a balanced approach to Roman Catholicism.
He freely acknowledged that there are
many true Christians
and much that is orthodox within the Catholic church,
but he did not gloss over
the serious differences that remain
between Catholics and Protestants.

Contents
Acknowledgments 9
Foreword by Norman L. Geisler 11
Introduction: The Cult of the Virgin Revives 13
Part 1 From Lowly Handmaid to Queen of Heaven:
The Mary ofR oman Catholic Theology
1 Divine Maternity 19
2 Perpetual Virginity 24
3 The Immaculate Conception 30
4 The Assumption 36
5 Spiritual Motherhood 41
6 Coredemptrix and Mediatrix 46
7 Queen of Heaven 63
8 Hyperveneration 68
Part 2 Apparitions of the Virgin Mary:
A Protestant Look at a Catholic Phenomenon
9 What Is an Apparition? 79
10 The Catholic Church’s Evaluation 81
7
11 A Survey of Marian Apparitions 88
12 The Mystery of Medjugorje 100
13 How Apparitions Have Influenced
Catholic Piety 121
14 A Protestant Evangelical Response 126
Notes 137
Glossary 147
Appendix A
Medjugorje Up Close: Interviews with Key
People Surrounding the Apparitions 149
Appendix B
A Catholic Scholars Response to This Book 161
Appendix C
The Authors’ Reply to Father Pacwa 169
Postscript 175
Bibliography 179
Subject Index 183
Scripture Index 187
8 Contents