Help Me to understand "Ever Virgin"

[Free_Grace]

I wanted to take a moment and say thank you very much to all who have responded to my question. You have each given me tones to think about.

 

[hurst]

longhawk:

–It suggests that Joseph was older and had older children by the time he was betrothed to Mary, which offers a reasonable explanation for the “brothers of Jesus” references in Scripture.

This is readily repudiated by Scripture, for all those named in the Bible as Jesus’ brethren were also identified as the children of others in another part of the Bible. So they were not the children of Joseph by a previous marriage, either.

hurst

 

[Free_Grace]

Would I be correct in my thinking to say that Mary is “Ever Virgin” because she was and still is a perfect and living example of the awsome greatness of God in salvation? That is, if anyone would want to see an example of what salvation is, and what salvation will be, they can find that in Mary? It seems to me that many people look at the word “virgin” and get hung up on it because, in their thinking, they can’t get past a preconceived sexual notion that really isn’t the point. Yes she was a virgin in body, but you must move beyond that to discover the theological truths that God is wanting to communicate, one of which is that she is a living example of what His salvation looks like. For example, in the OT Israel often played the harlot and went after other gods. Embodied in Mary would be a photo, if you will, of the true Israel, one who did not play the harlot, but remained true and chaste to God. Israel was often pictured as the spouse of God. If we look at that through Mary, then we do see the true picture of what Israel was to be, and what we find is what Paul calls the “true Israel of God.” – pure, chaste.

Would that also be somewhere in the ball park?

F.G.

 

[VociMike]

Free Grace!:

Would I be correct in my thinking to say that Mary is “Ever Virgin” because she was and still is a perfect and living example of the awsome greatness of God in salvation? That is, if anyone would want to see an example of what salvation is, and what salvation will be, they can find that in Mary? It seems to me that many people look at the word “virgin” and get hung up on it because, in their thinking, they can’t get past a preconceived sexual notion that really isn’t the point. Yes she was a virgin in body, but you must move beyond that to discover the theological truths that God is wanting to communicate, one of which is that she is a living example of what His salvation looks like. For example, in the OT Israel often played the harlot and went after other gods. Embodied in Mary would be a photo, if you will, of the true Israel, one who did not play the harlot, but remained true and chaste to God. Israel was often pictured as the spouse of God. If we look at that through Mary, then we do see the true picture of what Israel was to be, and what we find is what Paul calls the “true Israel of God.” – pure, chaste.

Yes, Mary is certainly our living example of humanity fully in the image and likeness of God. She is, by the gift of God, our example of the person we were all created to be. Since, in Genesis, we see that one of the first results of the Fall is that sex “became an issue” (they were afraid because of their nakedness), Mary’s ever-virginity also represents humanity in the pre-Fall state

 

[gusano]

Free Grace!:

Hello!

First off, do you have a clear unserstanding of ** VIRGIN ** ?
as opposed to “promiscuous”

1. Theologically speaking, did Mary need to be a Perpetual Virgin? I am not asking in referance to the Virginal Conception, or Virgin Birth. Was there a theological reason for Mary to remain a virgin?

I would say she had a “need” to be virgin because she CHOSE to be HOLY … since a person’s “need” to have sex can keep him / her OUT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. (1 Cor. 6: 9)

1. Is there any theological connection being the “Ever Virgin” and the redemption and reconciliation that was made by Christ at the cross?

There is ONE theoligical connection that I am aware of;
IT is prefigured by The Ark of the Covenant.
In The New Covenant Mary, Ever Virgin, is tha Ark of The New Covenant.,

1. In regards to the ancient Christological heresies, what role did the teachings of Mary play in the safe guarding of the Person of Christ?

For some reason Love and Respect for Mary, Ever Virgin, brings home Purity, Modesty, Self Control of Body, Mind, and Spirit as well as Purity and Clarity, Love of Truth, Love of the Gospel and how one OBEYS the Gospel.

Again, thank you so much in advance for taking the time out to answer my questions. I am not wanting to debate the answers you give. I am wanting to understand theology on a grander scale than my previous persuits allowed.

F.G.

You are mosr welcome, I hope my 2 cents helps.

gusano