Deepertruth: The Faces of Mary

Biblical Christianity recognizes that Mary is seen through Old Testament prophecies such as “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers: He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel” (Genesis 3:15).
The woman here originally represents Eve and the offspring represents the descendants of man. However, with the revelation of Jesus Christ as the “Son of Man”, the woman’s offspring then is primarily Jesus Christ.

St. Irenaeus, a second century Church Father, viewed Mary as the “New Eve”. The first Eve was disobedient causing mankind to fall into a fallen race.

Mary, as the “New Eve” was obedient to God’s command restoring the relationship that was lost through the merits of Jesus Christ. Mary’s role is clearly shown from the beginning of the Church age.

As Jesus is the “New Adam”, Mary is the “New Eve”. The implication from the above scripture is that the woman will have a unique relationship with her Son.

Isaiah 7:14 gives another clue to the woman saying, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall name him Immanuel”.Immanuel is a name that means,”God is with us”. This is important for the Christian who believes in the Divinity of Jesus Christ.

That Jesus would have no earthly Father, but the Word made flesh would come into the world through a humble virgin.

At the appointed time, when Mary was a Young girl, the Archangel Gabriel is sent to Mary to announce the good news of the coming Messiah.