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Quite Contrary: A Biblical Reconsideration of the Apparitions of Mary
"One day through the Rosary and Scapular I will save the world." (Apparition of Mary to St. Dominic Guzman, France, 1206 A.D.).
Such was the promise delivered to St. Dominic by the vision of Mary, and thus began the popular use of the Rosary and the Scapular. In the words of some, "the Rosary and the Scapular are inseparable," and both are still in widespread use today. In 1830, the apparition completed its array of religious articles by adding the use of the Miraculous Medal to its other forms of devotion, and the Roman Catholic Church has not only approved of their use but has steadfastly encouraged it.
These three articles all seem to have come from Mary, and the devotion they inspire has certainly withstood the test of time.
Now it is time to see if they can withstand a test by fire.
In Quite Contrary, Kauffman details his former devotion to the apparitions of Mary and explains why he abandoned the use of these Marian articles. By considering the teachings and rituals of the many apparitions in the world, Kauffman explores—and ultimately rejects—their claims in light of the Bible.
Quite Contrary is the story of a man who was lost in Marian devotion and then set free by the power of God's Word. Quite Contrary is a Biblical reconsideration of the apparitions of Mary.
Such was the promise delivered to St. Dominic by the vision of Mary, and thus began the popular use of the Rosary and the Scapular. In the words of some, "the Rosary and the Scapular are inseparable," and both are still in widespread use today. In 1830, the apparition completed its array of religious articles by adding the use of the Miraculous Medal to its other forms of devotion, and the Roman Catholic Church has not only approved of their use but has steadfastly encouraged it.
These three articles all seem to have come from Mary, and the devotion they inspire has certainly withstood the test of time.
Now it is time to see if they can withstand a test by fire.
In Quite Contrary, Kauffman details his former devotion to the apparitions of Mary and explains why he abandoned the use of these Marian articles. By considering the teachings and rituals of the many apparitions in the world, Kauffman explores—and ultimately rejects—their claims in light of the Bible.
Quite Contrary is the story of a man who was lost in Marian devotion and then set free by the power of God's Word. Quite Contrary is a Biblical reconsideration of the apparitions of Mary.
203 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1993
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August 23, 2024
Outstanding book demonstrating the dangers of the apparitions of Mary. Until now I did not realize that there have been very many documented instances of appearances of spirits claiming to be the Virgin Mary in history and particularly in recent times.
Many appearances have been officially or tacitly verified and endorsed to some degree by the Roman Catholic Church. And some have even instituted what were later decreed as "infallible dogmas," such as the immaculate conception of Mary (Rue du Bac apparition in 1830; Lourdes apparition in 1858), and papal infallibility (LaSalette apparition in 1846; Apparition to Don Bosco in Feb. 1870). These two dogmas then allowed Pope Pius XII in 1950 to proclaim the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary, which is logically dependent on the former two doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1).
Further, some apparitions have instituted the ritual wearing of the Rosary (apparition to Dominic Guzmán in 1206), Brown Scapular (apparition to Simon Stock in 1251), and the Miraculous Medal (apparition to Catherine Labouré in 1830). The apparitions of Mary have promulgated many false doctrines about Mary—that she is Redemptress, Mediatrix, High Priestess, Messiah, and even a Goddess and Queen of Heaven—all of which subvert the unique prerogatives and Mediatorial offices of the Lord Jesus Christ. Kauffman brings receipts. Lots of primary source quotes proving these blasphemous and idolatrous claims. The apparitions always promote the papacy, the sacrifice of the Mass, prayers to saints, the use of religious relics, idols, salvation by works, etc., and they always downplay, distract, pervert, and deny the sufficiency of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Of course, none of these things can be supported by God's Word, and moreover they all militate against the Gospel and the truths of the Bible. Kauffman masterfully debunks these false doctrines from Scripture, and also demonstrates how several of them are contradictory and irrational. He also demonstrates that it is not logically consistent for Catholic Marian dogmas and the Bible to both be true. The apparitions fail the biblical tests: "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." (2 Corinthians 11:4). "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8). "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." (1 John 4:1-3)
If the apparitions are not authentically the Virgin Mary, and they are real appearances that have been legitimately experienced by many people, then the only conclusion left is that they are demons hell-bent on deceiving people and turning them away from the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ. "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14). "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1). This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the Marian apparitions from a biblical perspective!
As an aside, I was awestruck by how similar the various phenomenon about these Marian apparitions (e.g. the Miracle of the Sun, the brainwashing and extreme mystical fervor of those "abducted" by the apparitions, etc.) are to the ongoing unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP/UFO). Clearly the same evil spirits seeking to deceive mankind through whatever means necessary.
Many appearances have been officially or tacitly verified and endorsed to some degree by the Roman Catholic Church. And some have even instituted what were later decreed as "infallible dogmas," such as the immaculate conception of Mary (Rue du Bac apparition in 1830; Lourdes apparition in 1858), and papal infallibility (LaSalette apparition in 1846; Apparition to Don Bosco in Feb. 1870). These two dogmas then allowed Pope Pius XII in 1950 to proclaim the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary, which is logically dependent on the former two doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1).
Further, some apparitions have instituted the ritual wearing of the Rosary (apparition to Dominic Guzmán in 1206), Brown Scapular (apparition to Simon Stock in 1251), and the Miraculous Medal (apparition to Catherine Labouré in 1830). The apparitions of Mary have promulgated many false doctrines about Mary—that she is Redemptress, Mediatrix, High Priestess, Messiah, and even a Goddess and Queen of Heaven—all of which subvert the unique prerogatives and Mediatorial offices of the Lord Jesus Christ. Kauffman brings receipts. Lots of primary source quotes proving these blasphemous and idolatrous claims. The apparitions always promote the papacy, the sacrifice of the Mass, prayers to saints, the use of religious relics, idols, salvation by works, etc., and they always downplay, distract, pervert, and deny the sufficiency of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Of course, none of these things can be supported by God's Word, and moreover they all militate against the Gospel and the truths of the Bible. Kauffman masterfully debunks these false doctrines from Scripture, and also demonstrates how several of them are contradictory and irrational. He also demonstrates that it is not logically consistent for Catholic Marian dogmas and the Bible to both be true. The apparitions fail the biblical tests: "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." (2 Corinthians 11:4). "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8). "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." (1 John 4:1-3)
If the apparitions are not authentically the Virgin Mary, and they are real appearances that have been legitimately experienced by many people, then the only conclusion left is that they are demons hell-bent on deceiving people and turning them away from the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ. "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14). "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1). This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the Marian apparitions from a biblical perspective!
As an aside, I was awestruck by how similar the various phenomenon about these Marian apparitions (e.g. the Miracle of the Sun, the brainwashing and extreme mystical fervor of those "abducted" by the apparitions, etc.) are to the ongoing unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP/UFO). Clearly the same evil spirits seeking to deceive mankind through whatever means necessary.
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