In Christianity, Mary the mother of Jesus is one of the most beloved and controversial women of the Bible. There are many discussions over what her proper place in our memories should be and what kind of role she plays today. While there are many opinions from various churches and religions, the Bible is the best way to know for sure where she stands.

We know that the Bible says Mary was a blessed woman and virtuous woman.

Luke 1:28 - And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.

Luke 1:42 - And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb.

So, it is true that Mary and the role of being Jesus' mother was a very big deal to God.

The Bible clearly says that when Jesus Christ was born, Mary was still a virgin.

Luke 1:34 - Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

From the Bible, we can see these things about Mary, and I believe that she is one of the women in the Bible that deserves the greatest respect and even admiration in our memories.

As with all humans though, there is a clear line between respect and near worship. While no Christian will ever say they worship Mary, the admiration for her is often taken to a degree that should be reserved for God alone.

For example, there is a common prayer known as the "Hail, Mary." While it does have some Bible verse in it, there are parts of it that include doctrine not found in the Bible, such as praying for the dead and asking Mary to intervene for our sins.

Now many will again say this is not worship, but merely respect. Whether this is true or not, the Bible shows that even such heavy respect can take our focus off of God and place it on people instead.

There are other ideas around Mary that are problems and even borderline heresy. She is commonly called "the Mother of God," yet this phrase never appears in the Bible once. There are claims that she ascended into heaven and was sinless, yet again, neither doctrine appears or is even hinted at in the Bible.

Some say that for Jesus to be sinless, His mother also had to be. I ask anyone who thinks this though, then where did Mary get her sinless nature? Wouldn't she also need a sinless mother and father? What about them? Jesus had God as a Father. He did not need a sinless mother to be sinless Himself.

Another idea taught is that in Revelation, Mary shall be crowned and made a sort of Queen of Heaven. The woman of Revelation is not Mary though, but the nation of Israel.

Revelation 12:1-2 - And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Revelation 12:13-14 - And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Revelation 12:17 - And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation is talking about the last days. Israel, the nation that brought forth Jesus and the woman in this chapter, is so hated by Satan that in the last days the Jewish people will wander the earth in hiding. They shall be protected by God as Satan tries to wipe them out. We know this because first, the twelve stars are the twelve tribes. Second, Mary will not be on earth in the last times. Finally, why would God need to prophesy about something that has already happened years ago? We know Israel will be tormented in the last days, but Mary can not be, she will be in heaven.

Finally, I think the words of Jesus Christ can help us understand whether we should teach and pray such things about Mary. The emphasis of our lives ought not to be on the great men and women of the past, who though can teach us much are still sinners who have failed, but rather on God and His Word.

Luke 11:27-28 - And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.