What about Matthew 12:46-50?

[NormalBeliever]

When we use Protestant apologists we have to be careful because no matter how much research they think they’ve done, in the end, they are really interpreting Scripture through the lens of what they already believe–in rejection of core Catholic teachings.

I’ll use another example: C. S. Lewis. I know of no Catholics who have read him who don’t get a great deal from his writings–me included. Indeed, I credit him for putting my feet on the path that ultimately led me to the Catholic Church. However, even Lewis cannot be fully trusted to explain Christ’s teachings in line with the Church. He had serious reservations about the authority of the Church–which is why he never “poped” as he would have put it. He was brought up Northern Irish Protestant under his materal grandfather’s ministry that railed against the Catholic Church. He was never able to put that bias aside, unfortunately.

We have to sift all we read from Protestants through the sieve of Church teaching. If it doesn’t match, it should be tossed aside. It is glaringly obvious that Mr. Holding doesn’t understand or accept Catholic Marian teachings. He skews his interpretation of Scripture accordingly. Therefore, on this matter, he cannot be trusted.

Ok.

But you should indeed look at his work.He may not be a Catholic,but some of his defenses of the Faith are neutral and can be accepted by both Catholics and Protestants!

 

[Della]

Ok.

But you should indeed look at his work.He may not be a Catholic,but some of his defenses of the Faith are neutral and can be accepted by both Catholics and Protestants!

I may. There are so many books/authors I’d like to read I simply don’t have the time for them all–so many books, so little time!

 

[Darryl_B]

Jesus was in a synagogue. Mary and the brothers were unable to enter the synagogue. They were forbidden. They were forbidden because they were unclean. They must have been unclean otherwise they would have been able to enter the synagogue and talk to Jesus directly. It was obviously a pressing matter that they couldn’t wait until Jesus had finished.

Being unclean can occur from contact with a dead body. Someone close to Mary and his brothers (not Mary’s sons) could have died. Someone important to the family.

 

[Della]

Jesus was in a synagogue. Mary and the brothers were unable to enter the synagogue. They were forbidden. They were forbidden because they were unclean. They must have been unclean otherwise they would have been able to enter the synagogue and talk to Jesus directly. It was obviously a pressing matter that they couldn’t wait until Jesus had finished.

Being unclean can occur from contact with a dead body. Someone close to Mary and his brothers (not Mary’s sons) could have died. Someone important to the family.

Of course, you mean only ritually unclean, if that was the case. But it could simply have been that the crowds were too large to admit more people.

 

[TimothyH]

Jesus was in a synagogue. Mary and the brothers were unable to enter the synagogue. They were forbidden. They were forbidden because they were unclean. They must have been unclean otherwise they would have been able to enter the synagogue and talk to Jesus directly. It was obviously a pressing matter that they couldn’t wait until Jesus had finished.

Being unclean can occur from contact with a dead body. Someone close to Mary and his brothers (not Mary’s sons) could have died. Someone important to the family.

The text does not say that he was in a synagogue. He was in a house.

Matthew 12:9 says that Jesus had been in the synagogue but verse 15 says that “He withdrew from there”. Verse 46 says that his mother and brethren “stood outside” and the first verse of chapter 13 says that Jesus left the house the next day.

Synagogues were purpose built as such and were not in houses. Jesus was most likely in a house, not a synagogue.

-Tim-

 

[Darryl_B]

I see a number of problems if it is just an ordinary house.

1. It is described as being his own house. But the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
2. Scribes and Pharisees invading Jesus home and accusing Him of having a devil. Politely ask them to leave is certainly a viable option? I would. I would certain also not accuse someone of something horrible if I was in their own home.
3. Contextually the many references to house and family in what Jesus said indicate a far greater house is implied.
4. Clearing out the house, the Fathers house, the temple.
5. Doing the will of the Father.
6. The house was not in his own country.