Mary's Parents, Blasphemy, and Disciples and Apostles by Pastor Walter Snyder Q: Who was Mary's mother? What were her mom's roots? A: Church tradition gives us the name of Anne as the mother of Mary, the mother of God. Martin Luther allegedly prayed to her when caught in a violent thunderstorm, promising that if he were spared, he would become a monk. Joachim is the traditional name given to Mary's father. However, no historical, Biblical evidence exists concerning any part of the lives of Mary's parents, including their names. The only stories about Mary's father and mother come to us through legend and tradition. The oldest mention comes from a document called the Gospel of James, although this document should never be considered to be historical or the Word of God. The legend in this story says that after years of childlessness, an angel appeared to tell Anne and Joachim that they would have a child. Much as Hannah dedicated Samuel, Anne promised to dedicate this child to God. Q: Hello. I would like to know what blastfemming means. Thanks. A: Actually, I think that the word you want is "blaspheming." The dictionary definition of blasphemy is "irreverent talk about God or sacred things." The literal meaning of the Greek word used in the New Testament is "speak evil." The Old Testament word translated "blasphemy" means to insult or curse the honor or name of God. In both of these, ~claiming to be God~ was included in the definition. Thus, Jesus was be accused (Mark 2:7) of this sin: "He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" The Jewish rulers called Stephen a blasphemer because he quoted Jesus' comments about the destruction of the temple and about His own fulfillment of the Law of Moses (Acts 6:11). Jesus cautions believers to avoid blaspheming "against the Holy Spirit" (Mark 3:29, Luke 12:10). In this sense, it means to reject the work of the Spirit, which is to bring people to faith through the Gospel and to keep them in that faith. In other words, it means intentionally resisting God's efforts to work conversion. Q: What is difference between disciples and apostles? I know some say they are one and the same. However, in seminary I was taught that the disciples were with Jesus while he ministered here on earth. The apostles are the ones who kept the ministry alive and also started the church. A: Depending upon definition, we could say they are "one and the same." However, they often mean different things. Your working definitions are among the correct usages for the two words. Disciple literally means "student" or "pupil." Its origin is the same as "discipline," which really means to place under instruction. Those who followed Jesus, both the 12 and the larger group, are often called disciples by Scripture. However, the believers of any time can rightly be called disciples, since we are pupils under Christ's "discipline." Through His Word, He teaches us who we are and whose we are. We are disciples (we are disciplined) not because He is strict with us but because He is honest. An apostle is one who is sent away, normally to perform a specific task. Jesus' disciples became apostles when he sends them out preaching, forgiving, and healing. The term in Acts usually means the Twelve (with Matthias chosen to replace Judas) or the Twelve plus Paul. Sometimes its meaning is broadened to include all who spread God's Word, started new congregations, or otherwise began or continued the growth of the Church. Some even call Mary Magdalene "the apostle to the apostles" because Jesus sent her to tell the Eleven that He was risen from the dead. Our creeds confess our belief in "one holy, Catholic (or Christian), and apostolic Church." This is because orthodox Christianity believes that through the divinely inspired words of the apostles in Scripture we are converted and taught. Also, we here confess that the sum of Christian doctrine (teaching) is the apostolic doctrine shared among the first believers. If you wish to narrow your definition, you could say that only one true Disciple, one actual Apostle, ever lived. Jesus was and remains under the "discipline" of the Father, and learned and followed all that comes from His Father. Likewise, He was the perfect Apostle since the Father sent Him to do His will and Jesus fulfilled that commission perfectly. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Ask the Pastor, © 2004 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."