When Did the Church Decide Mary Was the Mother of God?

The concept of Mary as the Mother of God originated from the early Christian belief that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was incarnated in the flesh through the Virgin Mary. This belief is deeply rooted in the Gospel of John, where Jesus is described as the Word made flesh (John 1:14). If Jesus is God, then by extension Mary is the Mother of God, as she is the one through whom His divinity is manifested in human form.

It is crucial to understand that when referring to Mary as the Mother of God, the Church is acknowledging a theological principle rather than asserting that God originated from Mary. Instead, it is recognizing that Jesus, who is both God and man, was brought into the world as a human being through Mary. This can be compared to the genetic makeup in human reproduction, where a woman's contribution to the sex of the child is limited, while the man's contribution is more decisive.

Just as a man cannot separate his masculinity from his human persona, neither can Jesus be divided into separate aspects of divinity and humanity. Jesus’ divine nature and human nature are intrinsically united in the Incarnation, without confusion or separation. This union is known as the Hypostatic Union.

The Church's Position

The Church did not decide that Mary was the Mother of God. This title is based on biblical texts and centuries of theological reflection. The scriptures that reference Mary, particularly in the Gospel of Luke, clearly indicate that Mary was chosen by God to bear the Son of the Most High.

Consider the first chapter of St. Luke's Gospel. The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive and bear the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:35). Mary’s response, "Let it be done unto me according to your word," (Luke 1:38) solidifies her role as the mother of the Jesus, the Divine Word, the Son of the Father, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.

At the time of the Incarnation, the Divine Person with a divine nature took on a full human nature as well. Thus, Mary is not simply the mother of a human being, but the mother of the God-Man, Jesus Christ, in whom the two complete natures are united without confusion or separation.

While she is not the mother of the Father or the Holy Spirit, Mary is the Theotokos, the God-bearer, representing the vessel through which God became human. This concept was officially recognized at the Council of Ephesus in 432 AD, where the title Theotokos was bestowed upon her.

Conclusion

The title 'Mother of God' is significant in Christian theology and history. It acknowledges the unique role and reverence due to Mary, who played a pivotal part in the Incarnation. Understanding the theological and scriptural basis for this title enriches our comprehension of one of the most profound aspects of Christian faith.