How do we know that Mary was without sin and forever a virgin

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If she was planning on having sexual intercourse with Joseph, she would be just as surprised to find out she was going to conceive as she would be even if she wasn’t planning sexual intercourse!
See, this is what makes no sense. If you are planning on having sex, and you’re told you will get pregnant, how would that news be “just as surprising” as it would be if you were not planning on having sex? “How can that be?” is not the reaction of someone who knows exactly how that can be.
 
Hi, i cant but help feel, that for someone who would imply a grasp of logic, that your argument and the use of the quote from davidmlamb, flies in the face of logic and common sense.
Actually your comment lacks common sense.
(This is not intended as a personal attack :)).
Yet it is
It is not illogical for someone when they have just been told that they will be having a baby, (from an angelic source or otherwise), to question how this can be possible, when they know they have not had sexual intercourse!!
What you ignore is that she is married so the question is illogical. Logically she would assume that she and Joseph would be having a baby after all he was her husband. So logically speaking she should have assumed that her husband would assume his privileges as a husband. Just because they weren’t having sex why would she assume this to be a continuing condition. You see you aren’t using common sense.
Why would Mary not ask this question, whether she was or wasn’t planning on having a sexual relationship with Joseph???
Because she was a married woman so why would she ask it.
If she was planning on having sexual intercourse with Joseph, she would be just as surprised to find out she was going to conceive as she would be even if she wasn’t planning sexual intercourse!
Maybe but she wouldn’t ask how?
I would very much doubt that Mary was ignorant of the fact that generally, a man and a woman needed to have sex for the possibility of conception to take place!
I agree.
That Mary says “i know not a man”, rather than, i have not known Joseph, and advocate an “ever virgin” doctrine from that premise, goes beyond illogical and grasping at straws
.
That is just one thing that is wrong with her statement. The fact that she says that she knows not man is a strange statement from a married woman. One which you have not explained.
Is it too far fetched to consider a virgin being given an angelic visit (and i don’t think Gabriel gave prior notice), and being told she will be having a baby (the promised messiah none the less), to blurt out (i will use vernacular license), how can that be ive not had sex???
Yep it is strange that she didn’t blurt out. Joseph and I will have a baby since she was married. If you were to tell an engaged woman she would have a baby, she wouldn’t say but I don’t have sex. She would assume that the baby would be with her future husband. But we don’t have that scenario. We have a married woman being told she would have a baby.
Matt 1, clearly shows they were espoused, Joseph had not as yet taken Mary to the marital home (according to custom), finds out she is pregnant so seeks to put her away privately, then has an angelic visit to allay his fears/concerns in that Mary has conceived the Messiah by the Holy ghost, then takes her to the marital home and did not “know” her as a wife till she brought forth her firstborn.
Agreed they were in the first part of marriage where they did not live together.
To not see that as a logical progression(shown in no mean place but in sacred writ), but to countenance heresay and the imaginations of men, with no scriptural perogative, baffles.
Sorry but this makes no sense.
It is illogical to try and explain away the revealed word of the Infallible God with vain imaginationings of fallible man… Let God be true and every man a liar.🙂
Shame on you. It is because you do not follow God that you make false accusations. It is clear in scripture that Jesus established an authority of His Church which in the pride of man you have rejected.
In all your huffing and puffing you have not answered why a married woman would say that she knew not man. You may not like the point but the fact that she makes it general rather than specific means something. Like I said anti Catholicism at work.
 
See, this is what makes no sense. If you are planning on having sex, and you’re told you will get pregnant, how would that news be “just as surprising” as it would be if you were not planning on having sex? “How can that be?” is not the reaction of someone who knows exactly how that can be.
Hi,:). The thrust of what i attempted to communicate has maybe been lost due to my wording!
To hopefully clarify: Whether Mary was planning to have sexual intercourse with Joseph or not
was not the heart of my reply, rather it was her knowing that she hadnt had intercourse with Joseph prior to the angelic visitation which was the cause of her exclamation!
If i was “planning” on having sex with my wife on our wedding night (which was say, 2 weeks into the future), and found out she was pregnant before that, of course i would be surprised knowing that the physical act hadnt taken place as yet. Similarly, if i wasnt planning on having sex with my wife on my wedding night, which was at a future date (which i admit is a possibility due to any number of reasons), i would be just as surprised to find out that she was pregnant. Hence the quote “Why would Mary ask that question if she was planning on having normal marital relations with Joseph? She would have reasoned that she would have conceived on her wedding night and never asked the question to begin with”. does not make true sense, if Mary was “planning” to , she would have been surprised as the “plan” had not reached fruition.
I hope this clears up any confusion, if not i will seek to present my argument in another manner if i can.🙂
 
Actually your comment lacks common sense.

Yet it is

What you ignore is that she is married so the question is illogical. Logically she would assume that she and Joseph would be having a baby after all he was her husband. So logically speaking she should have assumed that her husband would assume his privileges as a husband. Just because they weren’t having sex why would she assume this to be a continuing condition. You see you aren’t using common sense.

Because she was a married woman so why would she ask it.

Maybe but she wouldn’t ask how?

I agree.
.
That is just one thing that is wrong with her statement. The fact that she says that she knows not man is a strange statement from a married woman. One which you have not explained.

Yep it is strange that she didn’t blurt out. Joseph and I will have a baby since she was married. If you were to tell an engaged woman she would have a baby, she wouldn’t say but I don’t have sex. She would assume that the baby would be with her future husband. But we don’t have that scenario. We have a married woman being told she would have a baby.

Agreed they were in the first part of marriage where they did not live together.

Sorry but this makes no sense.

Shame on you. It is because you do not follow God that you make false accusations. It is clear in scripture that Jesus established an authority of His Church which in the pride of man you have rejected.
In all your huffing and puffing you have not answered why a married woman would say that she knew not man. You may not like the point but the fact that she makes it general rather than specific means something. Like I said anti Catholicism at work.
Hi 🙂 My reply was meant as a refutation of your post, not something that was aimed at you personally, (my reply would have been the same no matter who made the post), hence my saying this is not a personal attack!🙂
You state to take into consideration the “customs of the day”, I do not ignore the fact she is married (betrothed), rather the fact that she had not as yet been taken to the family home and therefor,e “as was the custom of the day”, sexual intercourse hadnt taken place. “Logically she would assume that she and Joseph would be having a baby after all he was her husband. So logically speaking she should have assumed that her husband would assume his privileges as a husband”. Yes she would assume that they both would be having a baby and that Joseph would expect his marital privileges, i fail to see how my comment negates this? but rather reinforces it! Consumation of the betrothal did not take place until the wife was taken to the family home,Matt 1: 18-25, would support. so it would not be illogical nor surprising to someone to find out they where going to have a baby without sexual consumation having taken place!! (" Just because they weren’t having sex why would she assume this to be a continuing condition"). :confused: why would she not assume this to be a continuing condition and not be surprised to be pregnant in this instance, knowing sex hadnt taken place?? Was IVF and similar practices common and not surprising in biblical times?? Your own quote does not take into account the custom of the day, nor bear the fruit of logic and common sense.
"Maybe but she wouldn’t ask how? " so if someone finds out they will be bearing a child without the normal physical act taking place, would not ask how this could be?? I think a poll taken of both male and female, would illicit this reply in a high % of those approached.

“That is just one thing that is wrong with her statement. The fact that she says that she knows not man is a strange statement from a married woman. One which you have not explained”. I believe i did explain, for a married (betrothed,espoused) woman who hadnt had sex with her husband, due to the scriptural fact that they “hadnt come together”, as was the manner in those days, and the reason why Joseph was going to put her away. For Mary not to exclaim (how can this be), would be strange and illogical, was virgin birth an accepted norm and no great surprise??
“Yep it is strange that she didn’t blurt out. Joseph and I will have a baby since she was married. If you were to tell an engaged woman she would have a baby, she wouldn’t say but I don’t have sex. She would assume that the baby would be with her future husband. But we don’t have that scenario. We have a married woman being told she would have a baby”. it would not be strange for an “engaged woman”, to assume that at some point in the future she and her husband would have a baby, It was the fact she was pregnant at that point in time and no sex been engaged in, any woman would have found to be strange!
Remember to take the term “marriage” (betrothed,espoused), within the context of the custom of the day.🙂 (which you do do at various point but not all).

I believe i have answered, “answered why a married woman would say that she knew not man”. What false accusation have i made? To hold to a biblical account, than adhere to a doctrine that has no scriptural basis, but supports itself on assumptions and extra biblical writings?? It is clear from scripture, that the Lord used scripture in all of His assertions, Luke 24:27, John 5:39, 45-47. I do not reject the authority of the word of God, but rather seek to be guided by it, because i DO know God and seek in all ways to follow Him. Yes it is clear in scripture that the Lord established Authority 1Thess 5:12,13, (and many other places), which i humbly place my self under, yet i also would be like the Lord and the bereans, and search the scriptures daily to see if “IT IS WRITTEN”.
If this is my shame, then i gladly bear it:)
 
To hopefully clarify: Whether Mary was planning to have sexual intercourse with Joseph or not was not the heart of my reply, rather it was her knowing that she hadnt had intercourse with Joseph prior to the angelic visitation which was the cause of her exclamation!
The angel Gabriel did not tell her, “You’re pregnant.” He needed her consent before God could become incarnate in her womb. Rather, he told her:
the angel Gabriel:
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Hardly something to be questioned by a young woman who was betrothed and awaiting the physical consummation of her marriage.
 
Hi 🙂 Your own quote does not take into account the custom of the day, nor bear the fruit of logic and common sense.
How so. Because you don’t use the quote function it is really hard to follow your reasoning.
"Maybe but she wouldn’t ask how? " so if someone finds out they will be bearing a child without the normal physical act taking place, would not ask how this could be?? I think a poll taken of both male and female, would illicit this reply in a high % of those approached.
The problem here is that all the angel said at this point is that she would conceive not how. It was only after she said she did not “know” man that the angel explained the miraculous component. If you would tell a male or female who was married that they were going to conceive what % do you think would answer but I don’t have sex?
"
That is just one thing that is wrong with her statement. The fact that she says that she knows not man is a strange statement from a married woman. One which you have not explained".
I believe i did explain, for a married (betrothed,espoused) woman who hadnt had sex with her husband, due to the scriptural fact that they “hadnt come together”, as was the manner in those days, and the reason why Joseph was going to put her away.
No this does not explain. Yes they were in that part of the marriage that they didn’t have sex but what you don’t explain is why Mary wouldn’t have thought that the angel was referring to the second part of marriage. Mary would have been waiting for he husband to come and get her. The question than is why didn’t she assume that Joseph would be coming and she would then get pregnant. Your answer does not suffice.
For Mary not to exclaim (how can this be), would be strange and illogical, was virgin birth an accepted norm and no great surprise??
As already stated, the Angel had not told her how it would accomplished until she asked her strange question.
“Yep it is strange that she didn’t blurt out. Joseph and I will have a baby since she was married. If you were to tell an engaged woman she would have a baby, she wouldn’t say but I don’t have sex. She would assume that the baby would be with her future husband. But we don’t have that scenario. We have a married woman being told she would have a baby”. it would not be strange for an “engaged woman”, to assume that at some point in the future she and her husband would have a baby,
It was the fact she was pregnant at that point in time and no sex been engaged in, any woman would have found to be strange!
Remember to take the term “marriage” (betrothed,espoused), within the context of the custom of the day.🙂 (which you do do at various point but not all).
aemcpa has answered this I do not see the need to repeat what he stated accurately and well.
I believe i have answered, “answered why a married woman would say that she knew not man”. What false accusation have i made? To hold to a biblical account, than adhere to a doctrine that has no scriptural basis, but supports itself on assumptions and extra biblical writings??
First of all where does it say that we are to use scripture only? You are being dishonest when you state there is no basis. You may state that you don’t see it but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there. The question is strange with your interpretation but your prejudice will not allow you to see it or admit it.

It is clear from scripture, that the Lord used scripture in all of His assertions, Luke 24:27, John 5:39, 45-47.
This would get us off topic. I invite you to start a thread. 1. I don’t see how relates to this thread. 2. the quoted scripture does not reflect your statement that Jesus uses Scripture in “all” of His assertions.
I do not reject the authority of the word of God, but rather seek to be guided by it, because i DO know God and seek in all ways to follow Him. Yes it is clear in scripture that the Lord established Authority 1Thess 5:12,13, (and many other places), which i humbly place my self under, yet i also would be like the Lord and the bereans, and search the scriptures daily to see if “IT IS WRITTEN”.
If this is my shame, then i gladly bear it:)
If you did nto reject the word of God, than you would be Catholic.
 
The angel Gabriel did not tell her, “You’re pregnant.” He needed her consent before God could become incarnate in her womb. Rather, he told her:

Hardly something to be questioned by a young woman who was betrothed and awaiting the physical consummation of her marriage.
👍
 
I’d like to chime in from an Orthodox point of view.

Mary is not prominent in Scripture. You can see more references of St. Peter and St. Paul. She disappears from Scripture after Acts, and very early on in Acts. The thing is, understanding Mary is not easy for someone who is not within the Church. She is the symbol of a true Christian, and until you understand what a Christian is, Mary does not make sense. So when we preach, we preach about Christ and his life and death and resurrection. We talk about Christ as the man, the teacher, the prophet, and our God. But only once one becomes truly a Christian can one enter our church and know about Mary.
 
I’d like to chime in from an Orthodox point of view.

Mary is not prominent in Scripture. You can see more references of St. Peter and St. Paul. She disappears from Scripture after Acts, and very early on in Acts. The thing is, understanding Mary is not easy for someone who is not within the Church. She is the symbol of a true Christian, and until you understand what a Christian is, Mary does not make sense. So when we preach, we preach about Christ and his life and death and resurrection. We talk about Christ as the man, the teacher, the prophet, and our God. But only once one becomes truly a Christian can one enter our church and know about Mary.
St. Louis Marie deMontfort spoke about this, as well. He taught that Mary was God’s gift to the Church to help it in later ages when we would need her the most. I’m paraphrasing his words, of course. She was the first church, the first disciple, his most faithful one, and the one who loved and obeyed even when she didn’t understand. She is the living image of what a Christian ought to be. When Scripture was written the Church was busy evangelizing and just trying to survive. But when it had become established it could take the time to explore Mary’s role more carefully. Indeed, the Marian teachings are more than mere piety, they are bulwarks against heresy and helps to us in our walk with Christ. To be miminalistic about Mary is to miss the mark theologically and to cut oneself off from one of the greatest treasures God has given to us.
 
I’d like to chime in from an Orthodox point of view.

Mary is not prominent in Scripture. You can see more references of St. Peter and St. Paul. She disappears from Scripture after Acts, and very early on in Acts. The thing is, understanding Mary is not easy for someone who is not within the Church. She is the symbol of a true Christian, and until you understand what a Christian is, Mary does not make sense. So when we preach, we preach about Christ and his life and death and resurrection. We talk about Christ as the man, the teacher, the prophet, and our God. But only once one becomes truly a Christian can one enter our church and know about Mary.
WOW! What a statement of truth that I have never heard before. Thank you for your contribution.
 
Firstly, let me apologise for not using the quote function properly, i am just getting used to the layout.🙂 Think i have it sussed now!
Yes they were in that part of the marriage that they didn’t have sex but what you don’t explain is why Mary wouldn’t have thought that the angel was referring to the second part of marriage. Mary would have been waiting for he husband to come and get her. The question than is why didn’t she assume that Joseph would be coming and she would then get pregnant.
Secondly, i now understand the thrust off your question in the light of your above comment.
Mary, asks how the angels declaration could be so as she states she was a virgin, why she never reasoned Joseph into the equation, i can give no dogmatic reply! It could be argued that having an angelic visitation which caused her to be troubled and fearful, would be enough for anyone to give a reply that would seem strange, when viewed from a calm and untroubled viewpoint! I am sure that many hypothesis could be put forward, that would not detract from her declaration.
But as i said, i could give no scriptural or otherwise dogmatic answer.
Scripture attests to the virgin birth of Christ, there is much in the way of scripture that would support the belief that Mary was not ever virgin, and i also know that “brethren, brother”, does not always mean children from the same mother/father, (though in many cases it would seem the proper rendition).
But to infer, Mary’s declaration can only logically mean, she never planned to have marital sex with Joseph and to build a doctrine of “ever virgin” on postulation, is shaky to say the least!
She may have been ever virgin, she may not have been.
To give such weight to a doctrine that has no clear scriptural basis, and in no way adds to the finished work of Christ, i would leave to those who would chase a moot point.
First of all where does it say that we are to use scripture only? You are being dishonest when you state there is no basis.
I stated there is no Scriptural basis, where is the dishonesty in that?
Where does it say scripture is not sufficient?
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Tim 3:16
It is clear from scripture, that the Lord used scripture in all of His assertions, Luke 24:27, John 5:39, 45-47.
This would get us off topic. I invite you to start a thread. 1. I don’t see how relates to this thread. 2. the quoted scripture does not reflect your statement that Jesus uses Scripture in “all” of His assertions.
I felt it was appropriate as the Lord would make reference to scripture in support of many, (not “all”, i retract “all”)(though i have never seen/read in the bible where his teachings had no scriptural basis) of his teachings, but never (that i am aware of), to the traditions of men, which posts on this thread have done.
It is not my claim that you have done such directly.
If you did nto reject the word of God, than you would be Catholic.
  1. Where have i rejected the word of God?
  2. So only catholics (assume you mean Roman Catholic), embrace the word of God? Perhaps that is a thread you would care to instigate?
    Because i hold opinions not held by catholics, does not make me “anti catholic”, just as disagreeing with a gay lifestyle does not make me homophobic. 🙂
 
The angel Gabriel did not tell her, “You’re pregnant.” He needed her consent before God could become incarnate in her womb.
You are of course correct, i was reading Matt 1,(where Joseph was going to put Mary away for being pregnant), that coupled with the late hour in Scotland, and my tired eyes and brain, i made an error,i should get into the habit of proof reading, but i am new at this type of thing, :eek:thanks for highlighting it graciously ( wish my wife had the same mentality)!!!😃

Hardly something to be questioned by a young woman who was betrothed and awaiting the physical consummation of her marriage.

I hope my recent post to “adrift”, is clearer in explanation, as i did have the wrong end of the stick:)
 
Ezekiel 44:2 - And the Lord said to me: This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall pass through it: because the Lord the God of Israel hath entered in by it, and it shall be shut
 
Hence the analogy of the Fathers, calling Mary the second Eve.
Must admit i am ignorant of the teachings calling Mary the second Eve (even in my previous 25yrs as a professing RC)🙂

So not sure how it relates to my implying that Mary,allegedly being free from original sin, would not keep her from the desire to sin?🙂
 
The fact is if Mary and therefore Jesus had “REAL” brothers He would have NOT call out to Her from the Cross and state in:
John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home.
That would have been an affront to His real brothers, for it is the DUTY of a son to honor and care for your parents in their old age.
That is why it was so important for a wife to have children that would care for her in her old age.
And if a woman widowed and she had brothers in law she could ask the father in law to allow her to have children with one of his sons.
See the Genesis 38:4
Do you believe Jesus who knew perfectly well the scriptures would have done that?
 
The fact is if Mary and therefore Jesus had “REAL” brothers He would have NOT call out to Her from the Cross and state in:
That would have been an affront to His real brothers, for it is the DUTY of a son to honor and care for your parents in their old age.
If as a commonly held belief in RC tradition, that Christs brethren were Josephs children from a previous marriage, would not the care of Mary fall upon them? Would it not also mean that they failed to honour her?

That is why it was so important for a wife to have children that would care for her in her old age.
And if a woman widowed and she had brothers in law she could ask the father in law to allow her to have children with one of his sons.
See the Genesis 38:4
Do you believe Jesus who knew perfectly well the scriptures would have done that?
By the same standard you have set forth, would not Jesus also know that Mary could " ask the father in law to allow her to have children with one of his sons"?

Peter himself was not present at the cross, but was rather denying Him, his brethren had rejected him, Psalm 69:8. Other than the woman, only John the beloved stood by. So Christ seeing this, entrusted the keeping of his mother to one who did not deny and desert Him and His mother at her time of need!!
Sound plausible?🙂
 
If as a commonly held belief in RC tradition, that Christs brethren were Josephs children from a previous marriage, would not the care of Mary fall upon them? Would it not also mean that they failed to honour her?
We do not believe that Jesus’ brethren were Joseph’s children, but Jesus’ cousins. There wasn’t any word for ‘cousin’ back then, so due to the closeness of the relation, brother/sister was a better word than relative, which, even today, sounds very cold and distant.

But it doesn’t matter who they were historically. The thing that mattered was that many of them did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Rather, they saw Him as the son of the carpenter, the little boy who grew up with them.
That is why it was so important for a wife to have children that would care for her in her old age.
And if a woman widowed and she had brothers in law she could ask the father in law to allow her to have children with one of his sons.
See the Genesis 38:4

By the same standard you have set forth, would not Jesus also know that Mary could " ask the father in law to allow her to have children with one of his sons"?
If St. Joseph himself were dead, I do think his father would have been long gone. 🙂 Mary had to be totally alone for Jesus to entrust her to John while she was still here on earth.
Peter himself was not present at the cross, but was rather denying Him, his brethren had rejected him, Psalm 69:8. Other than the woman, only John the beloved stood by. So Christ seeing this, entrusted the keeping of his mother to one who did not deny and desert Him and His mother at her time of need!!
Sound plausible?🙂
The beloved disciple was supposed to represent all Christians. That is why he’s never named, although we know for sure that he’s John. John 19:27 encourages the Christian to accept Mary as his mother and to take her into his home.
 
Must admit i am ignorant of the teachings calling Mary the second Eve (even in my previous 25yrs as a professing RC)🙂

So not sure how it relates to my implying that Mary,allegedly being free from original sin, would not keep her from the desire to sin?🙂
Eve did not have concupiscence before the fall; neither did Mary. Concupiscence is not “the desire to sin” per se; the Catechism defines it thusly in paragraph 2515:
Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Etymologically, “concupiscence” can refer to any intense form of human desire. Christian theology has given it a particular meaning: the movement of the sensitive appetite contrary to the operation of the human reason. The apostle St. Paul identifies it with the rebellion of the “flesh” against the “spirit.” Concupiscence stems from the disobedience of the first sin. It unsettles man’s moral faculties and, without being in itself an offense, inclines man to commit sins.
Eve’s flesh did not rebel against her spirit, inclining her to sin; she made a wholly spiritual and rational decision to sin.

Mary’s flesh did not rebel against her spirit, inclining her to sin; she made a wholly spiritual and rational decision not to sin.
 
Firstly, let me apologise for not using the quote function properly, i am just getting used to the layout.🙂 Think i have it sussed now!
👍 I am still learning so no worry. Most have trouble when they first start and even when we have been here awhile. :o
Secondly, i now understand the thrust off your question in the light of your above comment.
:dancing:
Mary, asks how the angels declaration could be so as she states she was a virgin, why she never reasoned Joseph into the equation, i can give no dogmatic reply! It could be argued that having an angelic visitation which caused her to be troubled and fearful, would be enough for anyone to give a reply that would seem strange, when viewed from a calm and untroubled viewpoint! I am sure that many hypothesis could be put forward, that would not detract from her declaration.
This is the first time I have read something that made some kind of sense. Yes indeed it would be more than a traumatic event. However, us usually in such cases most would blurt out the truth as Mary does. I would also point out that the Angel does not seem to think it is a strange question for he answers her question. So even though you have made a good try to explain it, it doesn’t for if she was planning a normal marriage her truth would
have been an assumption that she and Joseph would have children.
But as i said, i could give no scriptural or otherwise dogmatic answer.
Even though you say that you don’t find scripture that she remained ever virgin neither will you find scripture that says she didn’t. I would disagree that there is not other scripture besides this one. I would ask you to consider Samuel 6:6 Uzzah is killed for putting his hands on the ark. How could any many dare to touch the place where God dwelled. It is unthinkable to me that Joseph would dare approach where Jesus had been.
Scripture attests to the virgin birth of Christ, there is much in the way of scripture that would support the belief that Mary was not ever virgin, and i also know that “brethren, brother”, does not always mean children from the same mother/father, (though in many cases it would seem the proper rendition).
There is actually no scripture that supports that Mary did not remain a virgin. Now I want to make a statement here. Just because Scripture does not support that Mary had other children does not necessarily prove that she remained a virgin. Scripture does not support that Jesus had uterine brothers. You have already been provided the Scripture at the foot of the cross. There is also John 7:3-4; Mark 3:21 -Jesus brothers are advising Him. In their culture, this would have been disrespectful for a younger brother but not for an older brother. In that culture, younger brothers didn’t offer advise to an older nor would they try to seize Him.
But to infer, Mary’s declaration can only logically mean, she never planned to have marital sex with Joseph and to build a doctrine of “ever virgin” on postulation, is shaky to say the least!
And yet we are left with that question.😉
She may have been ever virgin, she may not have been.
To give such weight to a doctrine that has no clear scriptural basis, and in no way adds to the finished work of Christ, i would leave to those who would chase a moot point.
Everything including Mary’s virginity points and tells us about Jesus. St. Ambrose of Milan wrote that Mary’s virginity was “so great an example of material virtue” because it demonstrated her total devotion to Jesus. In Mary, we see an example of the purity our own hearts must have in total dedication to God. Her virginity also tells us something about the Church, which, like Mary, is both mother to the faithful and “pure bride to her one husband” (2 Cor. 11:2)
I stated there is no Scriptural basis, where is the dishonesty in that?
Because there is.
Where does it say scripture is not sufficient?
Where does it say that it is?
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Tim 3:16
That doesn’t say that all will be found in Scripture. In fact, Scripture says the opposite. Jesus didn’t say to go and write but go and preach. The Church did not come out of Scripture but Scripture came out of the Church.
Verses 16-17 were the texts I and others had always turned to buttress our belief in sola Scriptura, so to this I quickly turned my attention. Among many things, three important things became very clear, for the first time: (1) when Paul used the term “scripture” in this verse, he could only have meant when we call the Old Testament. The New Testament canon would not be established for another 300 years! (2) “All” scripture does not mean “only” scripture nor specifically what we have in our modern bibles. And (3), the emphasis in the context of this verse (verses 14-15) is the trustworthiness of the oral tradition Timothy had received from his mother and others—not sola Scriptura!
1 Timothy 3: 14-15
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.
 
I felt it was appropriate as the Lord would make reference to scripture in support of many, (not “all”, i retract “all”)(though i have never seen/read in the bible where his teachings had no scriptural basis) of his teachings, but never (that i am aware of), to the traditions of men, which posts on this thread have done.
The tradition of men I find you posting so there we are.
It is not my claim that you have done such directly.
Thats o.k. I know it is more your ignorance than the truth.
  1. Where have i rejected the word of God?
Jesus establishes a Church. You reject that Church.
  1. So only catholics (assume you mean Roman Catholic), embrace the word of God?
No but we embrace the fullness.
Roman Catholic has three camps maybe more
  1. Those who don’t care
  2. Those who rejoice in being associated with the Pope
  3. Those who resents the pejorative term and prefer the more accurate term Catholic.
    Perhaps that is a thread you would care to instigate?
Because i hold opinions not held by catholics, does not make me “anti catholic”, just as disagreeing with a gay lifestyle does not make me homophobic. 🙂
Not because you hold a different opinions but how you express that difference.
 
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