I’m a British born foreign national (i.e I was born here but I am not a British citizen, except by naturalisation). I was baptised at about 8 weeks old and have been raised as a Catholic ever since. This is diverting the thread too much, If you want to ask any more questions about me then send me a PM
So in this case I guess that Cain didn’t have a brother but a relation instead?
Yes,I admit that I have met a number of venom spewing Catholics on here. Generally, though, they are not offering you 'their" interpretation, but the one that was handed down to us from the Apostles.
It is true that modern offshoots (children of the Reformation) have departed from the Apostolic faith, and have substituted freedom for license. The Catholic Church is often being accused of being “backward” and “too strict” because we adhere to the faith that was passed down to us from the Apostles. I can understand people’ reluctance to embrace this difficult way of life. We believe that Jesus asks for everything. I had it myself for a long time. It is really hard sometimes to do things you do n’t want to do just to be obedient.
I am sure you believe He is strong enough to do whatever you want to believe. What I am suggesting is that you believe He is too weak to do what Catholics believe He has done. You seem to believe He can preserve His written Word, but cannot preserve the Word He entrusted to the Church. This means that you believe the weakness of men is stronger than His HS, and HIs promises.
Yes, but you read them in isolation from the Apostolic Teaching that is preserved within the Church, as He promised. Part of that Teaching is that Mary had only one child, Jesus. Those in scripture referred to as “his brethren” were not children of Mary.And I have read all of the apostles’ words many times, believe them, and know that these words also apply to me, as a Christian!
You make the most salient point. Once we begin to relinquish any part of the Truth to the onslaught of the doubting, what guarantee is there that we will not cave in on another Truth? The Apostles committed ONE FAITH to the Church, and it must be held without parting it out, separating, and disposing of any part. This is why Catholics defend the Truths about Mary that were committed to the Church.
Scripture clearly states that Joseph took her into his home. If he was not willing to be legally considered her husband, this would have caused them both to be guilty. He accepted her vows of chastity. This was the custom if a virgin was to be given in marriage. The male responsible for her, her father, or her husband, must approve of her vow to celibacy. This is how it is written in Mosaic law.It is very curious how much effort is put forth, trying to “prove” that Joseph and Mary, did not marry
It is always harmful to relinquish the Truth.
You are certainly free to believe whatever you like.
Mormons also say that Christ, the Holy spirit and God are three completely different Gods, because Jesus was talking to someone when he prayed and that he couldn’t have been talking to him self!
They were married, legally speaking. When Joseph took Mary to himself (into his home) he assumed legal responsibility for her. This was the custom. If a woman made a vow of celibacy, she had to be cared for by a man, either her father, brother, or husband. The only “unattached” women were prostitutes.
No, this is not true. Truth can be found even among Pagans, as Scripture clearly states. The fact that you reject part of the Truth does not mean you have none. You are obviously a very fervent Christian, acting with integrity on all the Truth that you do know and embrace.And to say that we do not know the Truth, is to mock God, and deny His grace to anyone who is not catholic
Not a bit. When you get to the Gate, you will see His Mother there with Him, and you will no longer doubt. We will see Him as He really is, and He is the only child of His mother.
Rejection of the Truth can keep people out of heaven. Whether or not it keeps you is between you, and your Maker.
You are basically saying that Jesus is too weak to preserve the Word He committed to the Church.
The Apostles taught us not to judge before the time. It is up to God.
Wow.
Really - this is just silliness … When and exactly how does one determine that a child is an “only born” … Firstborn is a distinct characterization especially in the Jewish culture [and others as well] … and that designation is important whether there are zero [0] siblings that follow or twenty [20] …
So, if a non-believer came to Christ, say in someone’s home, who wasn’t catholic; would this Christ be a different Saviour than the One in the cc?
Yes but my college classes over ran it’s time… 7:30pm. I am sad about it but there’s nothing I can do.
I don’t believe that!And in another thread, someone said that Christ could only be found in the catholic church
No way!So, if a non-believer came to Christ, say in someone’s home, who wasn’t catholic; would this Christ be a different Saviour than the One in the cc?
I know, it does clearly seem that way. If we did not have the opposite teaching handed down to us by the Apostles,we would probably understand it the same way. I is “clearly seen” this way by those who are separated from the Apostolic Succession, and have not had to opportunity to recieve the fullness of the faith.
You make a good point. It would be much easier to take the “simple” road, and abandon the faith that was passed down to us from the Apostles, and adopt this view, which is much less complicated.
We interpret everything we read. Catholics interpret scripture in the light of the Apostolic Teaching that produced it. You interpret it in a state of separate from that faith.
Zundrah,the "brothers’ of Christ mentioned in scripture are the children of another Mary, who is also referred to as the “sister” of the mother of Jesus. You are right that we don’t have details on these people. We know they are the sons of Alpheus (Clopas), but we don’t know if either of these people is the sibling of Joseph, or Mary, or another near kin. What we do know is that they are very close relatives, and that they were raised like brothers and sisters. We also know that the mother of James the “brother of the Lord” also followed Him to the cross,a nd was present there with his mother.
Is that so? :coffeeread:The bible.
The mother of John,the disciple whom Jesus loved, was also present at the cross. John also did not name himself in this story, which is one reason that the Church accepts that Jesus gave His Mother to all who are willing to stand at the foot of His cross.
The Greek word for “until” is heos which never references the future. The evangelist is telling us that Mary and Joseph had no relations “up to the point” of the birth of Jesus - nothing more - to assure the Jews whom he addressed that our Lord’s conception and birth were virginal in fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14.
The angel Gabriel said to Mary: “The power of the Most High will overshadow you.” I suggest you look up the meaning of this Hebraic euphemism and discover why Joseph wouldn’t even contemplate having relations with his spouse. The evangelist wrote his gospel in the Greek, but the angel spoke to Mary in Aramaic, her mother tongue and a semitic language.
