Evidence for God from Science

Scholar and researcher Dr. Gavin Ortlund examines Catholic reports of modern sightings of Mary

Dr. Gavin Ortlund is a Biblical scholar, researcher, theologian and researcher into all things concerning spiritual beliefs, Christianity, and the Bible. In this remarkable video, he reveals his analysis of the supposed "Marian" sightings (supposed modern encounters with the mother of Jesus). He especially delves into the reports of Marian apparitions in Zeitoun, Egypt, from 1968-1971. Of course, there are many other reported instances of those asserting to have seen Mary. And he gives his overview on these as well (see the video link at the bottom of this post).

Note that in May 2024, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith's Prefect, Víctor Manuel Fernández, published a text signed by Pope Francis - which replaced the 1978 Normae Congregationis rulings. It sets new norms and guidelines for Catholic bishops in discerning claims of private revelations such as the Marian apparitions.

Covered in perhaps the most rigorous overview and investigation into the many reports concerning supposed appearances of Mary, Dr. Ortlund takes a look and comments on the following:

. Where and when have the key sightings of Mary occurred - especially those with multiple witnesses?

. Were the sightings authentic / did they actually occur?

. Are the eyewitnesses credible?

. What are the reported differences in Mary's appearance between groups claiming to have seen her?

. Are the sightings truly supernatural, or are there other explanations?

. Could the sightings be demonic?

. What did "Mary" communicate in these appearances? Did she lift up Jesus or faith in herself?

. Given the evidences of these supposed appearances and what "Mary" supposedly said - do these line up with what Scripture teaches about her? About Jesus? About Jesus' supreme authority?

. Of the many reports of supposed interactions with and sightings of Mary, why has the Catholic Church validated or accepted only such a small number of them?

See Dr. Ortlund's video on the so-called Marian apparitions HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjTEegtsRmw

See more examination of beliefs and claims about Mary from Dr. John Ankerberg, HERE: https://jashow.org/articles/mary-fully- ... ly-divine/

I met a Muslim woman about 15 years ago. In her apartment was a photo of the Virgin Mary. I asked her why she had that picture on her wall. She told me she loved the Virgin... she actually called the woman in the picture “Virgin Mary”. Islam recognizes a woman named Mary as the mother of the quranic Jesus but this Muslim Mary isn’t a virgin. At the time I thought she just had an aberrant admiration for the quranic version of Mary. After seeing the YouTube video linked above, I now understand this woman probably had some connection to the Marian apparitions at Zeitoun.

Interesting.

I met a Muslim woman about 15 years ago. In her apartment was a photo of the Virgin Mary. I asked her why she had that picture on her wall. She told me she loved the Virgin... she actually called the woman in the picture “Virgin Mary”. Islam recognizes a woman named Mary as the mother of the quranic Jesus but Mary in the Quran isn’t a virgin. At the time I thought she just had an aberrant admiration for the quranic version of Mary. After seeing the YouTube video linked above, I now understand this woman probably had some connection to the Marian apparitions at Zeitoun.

Interesting.