THE TRUTH BEHIND
- The Assumption of Mary -
is it biblical?
No.
WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
This doctrine mainly comes from the “Transitus Mariae”.
This is a collection of apocryphal Christian texts from the 5th and 6th centuries that describe the death, Assumption, and subsequent glorification of the Virgin Mary.
WHY IS IT APOCRYPHAL?
Emerged in the 5th and 6th centuries, the ‘Transitus Mariae’ texts appeared significantly later than the events of Mary’s life, and well after the death of Mary.
These texts detail aspects of Mary’s death not found in earlier works attributed to the apostles. They describe angels carrying her body and interventions by Jesus and various apostles, narratives that are absent in the Bible.
Some versions of the ‘Transitus Mariae’ even mention the apostles being miraculously transported from their missionary journeys to Mary’s deathbed, a detail not mentioned in the Book of Acts or other post-Gospel works.
The texts also show similarities to goddess cults:
Isis: An Egyptian goddess revered for her roles in magic, motherhood, and as a protective figure, often depicted with her son, Horus.
Demeter: A Greek goddess of the harvest and fertility, known for her loss and reunion with her daughter, Persephone.
Cybele: An Anatolian mother goddess, associated with fertility and nature, worshipped in Rome.
Asherah: A mother goddess in ancient Semitic religions, linked with fertility and motherhood.
Inanna/Ishtar: A prominent figure in Sumerian and Mesopotamian mythology, embodying aspects of love, war, and fertility.
These elements in the ‘Transitus Mariae’ suggest an influence from or parallels with various ancient goddess traditions.
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Preparation for Mary’s Death: The narrative often begins with the Virgin Mary receiving a forewarning about her impending death, sometimes through an angelic message. This foretelling prepares her and those around her for her departure from the world.
Gathering of the Apostles: In many versions, the apostles are miraculously brought together from their missionary journeys to be at Mary’s side. This gathering, often through divine intervention, allows them to witness her final moments and sometimes participate in theological discussions about her role and significance.
Mary’s Death: The actual death of Mary is typically portrayed as peaceful and surrounded by the apostles. It’s often described in a manner that emphasizes her holiness and the sanctity of the moment.
Miraculous Events: Various miraculous events are described surrounding her death. These might include extraordinary phenomena like the presence of angels, a sweet fragrance filling the air, or a light enveloping her.
Assumption into Heaven: The central and most significant aspect of these texts is the assumption of Mary into heaven. It’s described as her being taken up, either in body and soul or in some spiritual manner, into heavenly glory. This event signifies her special status and purity, distinguishing her from other human beings.
Role of Jesus: In some versions, Jesus Christ himself appears to receive his mother into heaven, underscoring the unique relationship between Mary and her divine son.
Reaction of Apostles and Witnesses: The apostles and other witnesses often respond to these events with a mixture of awe, sorrow, and joy. Their reactions serve to emphasize the importance of the event and to bear witness to Mary’s elevated status.
Theological Significance: The “Transitus Mariae” texts, beyond narrating the end of Mary’s earthly life, delve into her role in salvation history, often highlighting her purity, her role as the Mother of God, and her intercessory power.
how did it become dogma?
On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII officially declared the Assumption of Mary as a dogma of the Catholic Church, despite the primary texts describing this event, the ‘Transitus Mariae,’ being categorized as apocryphal.
This declaration was seen as logical by the Church, positing that Mary’s body, which bore God incarnate, would not undergo corruption. However, this belief is not explicitly supported by biblical proof.
A key argument for the Assumption centers around the lack of physical relics of Mary’s body, which is unusual considering the veneration of relics in early Christianity.
The Church draws a parallel between Mary and the Ark of the Covenant, as mentioned in Revelation 11:19. This comparison, however, is a subjective interpretation of the scripture and not a universally accepted fact.
The Assumption is viewed as a foretaste of the resurrection promised to all Christians. Yet, this significant event is notably absent from the biblical narrative, raising questions about its omission.
WHY NOT EARLIER?
The Assumption was not recognized by the early Church councils, such as those of Hippo in 393 and Carthage in 397, which played crucial roles in establishing the New Testament canon and formalizing Christian doctrine.
