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20 Answers- Mary
The Handmaid of the Lord-
How can a human woman be God’s mother?
Where in the Bible does it say that Mary was sinless and a perpetual virgin?
Doesn’t praying to Mary and calling her “mediatrix” turn her into a kind of goddess?
What can I do to build and deepen my relationship with Mary as my spiritual mother in heaven?
In 20 Answers: Mary you’ll find smart, solid answers to these questions and many more. From the cross, as his mission of redemption reached its climax, Jesus gave us Mary to be our mother. In 20 Answers: Mary you’ll find biblical evidence for Marian doctrine and devotion, answers to common objections to Catholic teachings about Mary, and guidance on how to imitate Christ—which we should do in all things—by loving and honoring his mother.
The 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers offers hard facts, powerful arguments, and clear explanations of the most important topics facing the Church and the world—all in a compact, easy-to-read package. Check out dozens of other topics in the 20 Answers Series of booklets published by Catholic Answers Press .
How can a human woman be God’s mother?
Where in the Bible does it say that Mary was sinless and a perpetual virgin?
Doesn’t praying to Mary and calling her “mediatrix” turn her into a kind of goddess?
What can I do to build and deepen my relationship with Mary as my spiritual mother in heaven?
In 20 Answers: Mary you’ll find smart, solid answers to these questions and many more. From the cross, as his mission of redemption reached its climax, Jesus gave us Mary to be our mother. In 20 Answers: Mary you’ll find biblical evidence for Marian doctrine and devotion, answers to common objections to Catholic teachings about Mary, and guidance on how to imitate Christ—which we should do in all things—by loving and honoring his mother.
The 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers offers hard facts, powerful arguments, and clear explanations of the most important topics facing the Church and the world—all in a compact, easy-to-read package. Check out dozens of other topics in the 20 Answers Series of booklets published by Catholic Answers Press .
75 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2016
23 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Tim Staples
39 books56 followersTim Staples was raised in a Southern Baptist home in Virginia. Although he somewhat fell away from serious faith during his adolescent years, the preaching of several TV evangelists motivated Tim to give his life to Christ at the age of 18. Shortly thereafter Staples joined the Marine Corps to gain some much-needed discipline and get some help financing his college education. During his tour of duty he had the opportunity to participate in several Protestant ministries and bible studies. Before long, Tim enrolled in the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College and with an eye towards becoming an youth minister for the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal denomination.
However, during his final year in the Marines, Tim met a fellow soldier named Matt Dula who really challenged Tim to examine the Catholic Faith from a biblical and historical perspective. Tim's friendship with Matt sparked a two-year search for the truth. Though Tim was determined to prove Catholicism wrong, he wound up studying and praying his way right into the Roman Catholic Church!
After converting to Catholicism in 1988, Staples spent six years in formation for the priesthood. Tim began his journey towards ordination by earning a degree in philosophy from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Pennsylvania. He then went on to study graduate theology for two additional years at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
In 1994 Tim discerned through prayer and counsel that his calling was not to be a Catholic priest, but rather to be a lay Catholic apologist and evangelist. He has been hard at work ever since producing materials to help Catholics and non-Catholics alike understand the meaning and the biblical foundation of the Catholic faith. His works include Nuts and Bolts: A Practical How-To Guide for Explaining and Defending the Catholic Church, and Twisted Scripture(CD), a critique of the Protestant doctrine of "Sola Scriptura." Tim's personal conversion story can be found in written form in the book edited by Patrick Madrid entitled Surprised by Truth - 11 Stories of Conversion to the Catholic Church. Staples' journey of conversion is also available in an audio/video version under the title The Bible Made Me Do It! (VHS, Audio Tape, Compact Disk).
In hundreds of live appearances all over the country, Tim Staples has helped thousands of people find their way home to the Catholic Church. Tim makes his extensive knowledge of Scripture available in tapes, books, and talks, helping others to see the strong biblical basis under girding Catholic doctrine. Tim’s humor and infectious enthusiasm captivate his audiences, and his unique style has brought him worldwide renown. Tim currently resides in Southern California with his wife Valerie and their infant son, Tim Jr. He is currently a staff apologist for Catholic Answers in El Cajon, CA.
However, during his final year in the Marines, Tim met a fellow soldier named Matt Dula who really challenged Tim to examine the Catholic Faith from a biblical and historical perspective. Tim's friendship with Matt sparked a two-year search for the truth. Though Tim was determined to prove Catholicism wrong, he wound up studying and praying his way right into the Roman Catholic Church!
After converting to Catholicism in 1988, Staples spent six years in formation for the priesthood. Tim began his journey towards ordination by earning a degree in philosophy from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Pennsylvania. He then went on to study graduate theology for two additional years at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
In 1994 Tim discerned through prayer and counsel that his calling was not to be a Catholic priest, but rather to be a lay Catholic apologist and evangelist. He has been hard at work ever since producing materials to help Catholics and non-Catholics alike understand the meaning and the biblical foundation of the Catholic faith. His works include Nuts and Bolts: A Practical How-To Guide for Explaining and Defending the Catholic Church, and Twisted Scripture(CD), a critique of the Protestant doctrine of "Sola Scriptura." Tim's personal conversion story can be found in written form in the book edited by Patrick Madrid entitled Surprised by Truth - 11 Stories of Conversion to the Catholic Church. Staples' journey of conversion is also available in an audio/video version under the title The Bible Made Me Do It! (VHS, Audio Tape, Compact Disk).
In hundreds of live appearances all over the country, Tim Staples has helped thousands of people find their way home to the Catholic Church. Tim makes his extensive knowledge of Scripture available in tapes, books, and talks, helping others to see the strong biblical basis under girding Catholic doctrine. Tim’s humor and infectious enthusiasm captivate his audiences, and his unique style has brought him worldwide renown. Tim currently resides in Southern California with his wife Valerie and their infant son, Tim Jr. He is currently a staff apologist for Catholic Answers in El Cajon, CA.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 29, 2022
This is the first book in this amazing series that I have read. This series comprises 20 Books, 20 Topics, and 20 Questions on different aspects of Catholicism or Catholic answers to other religions. I recently read a challenge to read all 20 books in this series over lent. I was originally planning on reading them over a year, but after reading this volume I am up for the challenge. To read them all over lent would be about 25 pages of reading a day. But let's take a look at this specific book, Tim Staples book about Mary.
I have read a number of books on Mary over the years but this short concise volume has a lot of great information. It has information for Catholics to better understand theology surrounding our Mother. It has the answers to key questions that protestants raise regarding Mary and her role in salvation history. Tim Staples as a convert has a very different view of Mary then many cradle Catholics or even those who have come home to the Catholic Church. For Tim started out completely opposed to Mary specifically, and Catholicism in general, but in studying theology to refute Catholicism was convinced of the validity and converted.
The chapters and topics that Tim tackles in this book are:
1. Who is "Mary of Nazareth"?
2. What is the Immaculate Conception?
3. How could a mother be a virgin?
4. What is the Assumption of Mary, and what is the biblical evidence for it?
5. What does it mean to say that Mary is "Mediatrix"?
6. What does it mean to call Mary "co-redemptrix"? Isn't Jesus alone the Redeemer of the world?
7. Is there a queen in the kingdom of heaven?
8. How can God have a mother?
9. How can Mary be without sin?
10. If Jesus had "brothers," wouldn't that mean that Mary had other children?
11. What other arguments do Protestants make against the perpetual virginity of Mary?
12. Doesn't the Bible condemn the idea that Mary was assumed into heaven?
13. Doesn't the Bible condemn the idea of a "Queen of Heaven"?
14. How can Mary hear and answer our prayers in heaven?
15. Isn't it blasphemous to say Mary "redeems" or "saves" us?
16. What did the Fathers of the Church say about Mary?
17. Does the bible condemn praying to Mary?
18. But didn't Jesus condemn "repetitious prayers" like the rosary?
19. How do you know alleged "apparitions" of Mary are of God?
20. Why do I need to have a relationship with Mary?
Tim draws his answers predominately from scriptures, then from the Catechism, and also church history. He also draws heavily from early sources. He also dives into the Greek and Aramaic meanings of words and how they came to be translated or used the way they were.
This book was eye opening and as I mentioned I have read a number of books on Mary over the years. And I love that with the size of this book I can go back and reread it quickly as a refresher any time I want or need. This was an incredible little book, and I really look forward to reading the rest of the 20 Answers series!
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!
I have read a number of books on Mary over the years but this short concise volume has a lot of great information. It has information for Catholics to better understand theology surrounding our Mother. It has the answers to key questions that protestants raise regarding Mary and her role in salvation history. Tim Staples as a convert has a very different view of Mary then many cradle Catholics or even those who have come home to the Catholic Church. For Tim started out completely opposed to Mary specifically, and Catholicism in general, but in studying theology to refute Catholicism was convinced of the validity and converted.
The chapters and topics that Tim tackles in this book are:
1. Who is "Mary of Nazareth"?
2. What is the Immaculate Conception?
3. How could a mother be a virgin?
4. What is the Assumption of Mary, and what is the biblical evidence for it?
5. What does it mean to say that Mary is "Mediatrix"?
6. What does it mean to call Mary "co-redemptrix"? Isn't Jesus alone the Redeemer of the world?
7. Is there a queen in the kingdom of heaven?
8. How can God have a mother?
9. How can Mary be without sin?
10. If Jesus had "brothers," wouldn't that mean that Mary had other children?
11. What other arguments do Protestants make against the perpetual virginity of Mary?
12. Doesn't the Bible condemn the idea that Mary was assumed into heaven?
13. Doesn't the Bible condemn the idea of a "Queen of Heaven"?
14. How can Mary hear and answer our prayers in heaven?
15. Isn't it blasphemous to say Mary "redeems" or "saves" us?
16. What did the Fathers of the Church say about Mary?
17. Does the bible condemn praying to Mary?
18. But didn't Jesus condemn "repetitious prayers" like the rosary?
19. How do you know alleged "apparitions" of Mary are of God?
20. Why do I need to have a relationship with Mary?
Tim draws his answers predominately from scriptures, then from the Catechism, and also church history. He also draws heavily from early sources. He also dives into the Greek and Aramaic meanings of words and how they came to be translated or used the way they were.
This book was eye opening and as I mentioned I have read a number of books on Mary over the years. And I love that with the size of this book I can go back and reread it quickly as a refresher any time I want or need. This was an incredible little book, and I really look forward to reading the rest of the 20 Answers series!
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!
October 14, 2017
This is an excellent defense of the Catholic teachings regarding Mary. Due to his religious upbringing, Staples if able to accurately address Protestant oppositions in a way that a cradle Catholic could not. He draws from a number of sources, especially Scripture and the early Church. Staples addresses a wide array of topics ranging from oppositions to Mary, confusion about Catholic beliefs surrounding her, and why a devotion is an important part of Christian life.
One of the pleasant surprises in the book was a clear response regarding Catholic beliefs around salvation. Though Salvation by Jimmy Akin does a phenomenal job addressing this topic, the short section in this book was also really helpful. My one criticism is that he repeats some Bible verses several times throughout the book. Though they are relevant to each question he includes them in, it does become a little repetitive.
Despite that, I highly recommend that every Christian, especially Protestants who question Catholic devotion to Mary, take the time to read this booklet.
One of the pleasant surprises in the book was a clear response regarding Catholic beliefs around salvation. Though Salvation by Jimmy Akin does a phenomenal job addressing this topic, the short section in this book was also really helpful. My one criticism is that he repeats some Bible verses several times throughout the book. Though they are relevant to each question he includes them in, it does become a little repetitive.
Despite that, I highly recommend that every Christian, especially Protestants who question Catholic devotion to Mary, take the time to read this booklet.
October 29, 2024
Unele răspunsuri nu le-am mai întâlnit și au făcut lumină în anumite aspecte, însă altele mi s-au părut fie vagi, fie firul logic greu de urmărit. Doctrina catolică despre Fecioara Maria este un subiect de interes pentru mine, dacă poate recomanda cineva o lectură mai cuprinzătoare, chiar aștept cu interes
August 23, 2025
Growing up in the Catholic faith, I rarely questioned Church dogmas or had anyone challenge me on them. This little 80-page book answers provocative questions about Mary with Scripture. The author is a former fundamentalist and Assemblies of God minister who was challenged by a knowledgeable Marine buddy to study Catholicism. His attempts at refuting Catholic beliefs led him to become a leading apologist who shows strong Biblical evidence for Catholic doctrines.
Why do I need to have a relationship with Mary? This is the last question of the book, preceded by Biblical explanations of apparitions, whether the Bible condemns praying to Mary, Biblical evidence of the Assumption, and if Jesus had "brothers," wouldn't Mary have had other children and not been "ever virgin?"
Lots of eye opening explanations fill these brief pages. My favorite may be the fifth question: What does it mean to say Mary is "Mediatrix"? I've seen this term in reading matter but rarely ever heard it spoken. It is the feminine form of "mediator," "one who serves as a go-between. In the strict sense, Tim Staples states that Jesus Christ alone is the mediator between God and men, "however, this in no way means Christ could not empower members of his body, the Church, to participate in his meditation in a subordinate way." He points out that Paul commands all Christians to be intercessors/mediators including priests. "And yet, according to 1 Peter 2;5-9, all Christians are priests."
I love the key point he makes that mediation is not necessary. "The Church is not claiming that Christ couldn't get the job done so he needed to enlist the help of his mother and the Body of Christ to mediate graces to other members of Christ. Of course not! He could do it all--and all by himself--if he wanted to . . . But he chooses not to do everything himself, strictly speaking. He delights in using the members of his Body to communicate his life and love to the world."
If you scratch your head about some beliefs about Mary, I highly recommend this little answer book.
Why do I need to have a relationship with Mary? This is the last question of the book, preceded by Biblical explanations of apparitions, whether the Bible condemns praying to Mary, Biblical evidence of the Assumption, and if Jesus had "brothers," wouldn't Mary have had other children and not been "ever virgin?"
Lots of eye opening explanations fill these brief pages. My favorite may be the fifth question: What does it mean to say Mary is "Mediatrix"? I've seen this term in reading matter but rarely ever heard it spoken. It is the feminine form of "mediator," "one who serves as a go-between. In the strict sense, Tim Staples states that Jesus Christ alone is the mediator between God and men, "however, this in no way means Christ could not empower members of his body, the Church, to participate in his meditation in a subordinate way." He points out that Paul commands all Christians to be intercessors/mediators including priests. "And yet, according to 1 Peter 2;5-9, all Christians are priests."
I love the key point he makes that mediation is not necessary. "The Church is not claiming that Christ couldn't get the job done so he needed to enlist the help of his mother and the Body of Christ to mediate graces to other members of Christ. Of course not! He could do it all--and all by himself--if he wanted to . . . But he chooses not to do everything himself, strictly speaking. He delights in using the members of his Body to communicate his life and love to the world."
If you scratch your head about some beliefs about Mary, I highly recommend this little answer book.
December 10, 2019
Informative but not quite friendly.
January 13, 2020
Informative and an easy read
Gives you the knowledge to answer some the most important and popular questions asked by others concerning Mary in today’s secular world.
Gives you the knowledge to answer some the most important and popular questions asked by others concerning Mary in today’s secular world.
December 30, 2022
Loved learning more about the blessed mother
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews