Jesus' brethren and Mary's Virginity

[ElizabethAnne]

Today I was watching an interview with this woman who wrote a book from the perspective of Jesus as a child. I thought it sounded interesting even if it is a bit out of the ordinary. I was a little bit sceptical since I think it’s a bit presumptuous to take the first person when it comes to Jesus.

But the author was talking about how she had a religious conversion back to Catholicism after being an atheist for 30 years. She said that she wanted to dedicate the rest of her life to writing about Jesus. I thought, that’s great!

Then she was saying that she studied the Bible and historical facts about the timeperiod before writing. She said large families were typical during Jesus’ life and that he would have had many cousins. I like the idea of emphasizing his family relationships and showing his humanity.

Next, she starts talking about Jesus’ siblings and how they are clearly mentioned in the Bible. I was shocked. Here is this woman who is a revert to Catholicism who wants to dedicate the rest of her career to Christ, and she’s talking about Jesus’ biological siblings without batting an eyelash. Apparently none of the “studying” she did in preparation for the book was from Catholic sources.

 

[Brendan]

Cynic,

I repeat this again, as you may have not seen it

Gal 1:18-19 shows a great example of how the term “Brethren” is used.

" Then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and I tarried with him fifteen days - But other of the Apostles, I saw none, except for James, the brother of the Lord"

Now there were 2 Apostles named James,

James the son of Zebedee and James the son of Alphaeus. James, the son of Zebedee was beheaded in AD 44 (Acts 12), so the only Apostle ‘James’ that Paul could have met was James the son of Alphaeus.

So unless Mary was an adultress with Alphaeus (which no Christian can hold to); the title given James as “brother of the Lord” was meant to describe that of close companionship, or possibly a family relationship such as cousin, does it not?

 

[RCCDefender]

Just wanted Cynic to see this…

 

[Catholic_Dude]

Here is what Calvin said in his commentaries here on Matt13:55 where “brothers” is mentioned.

1. Is not this the carpenter’s son?.. It was, we are aware, by the wonderful purpose of God, that Christ remained in private life till he was thirty years of age. Most improperly and unjustly, therefore, were the inhabitants of Nazareth offended on this account; for they ought rather to have received him with reverence, as one who had suddenly come down from heaven. They see God working in Christ, and intentionally turn away their eyes from this sight, to behold Joseph, and Mary, and all his relatives; thus interposing a veil to shut out the clearest light. The word brothers, we have formerly mentioned, is employed, agreeably to the Hebrew idiom, to denote any relatives whatever; and, accordingly, **Helvidius **displayed excessive ignorance in concluding that Mary must have had many sons, because Christ’s brothers are sometimes mentioned.
   For those Calvinists who have until this time held this incorrect view, please, dont be like Helvidius.