Why would Mary remain a virgin...after marriage?

[Gabriel_of_12]

Is this book considered as sacred tradition of the church and doctrinal? If so, why was it not in the canon since the Catholic Church claims the canon happened later.

It’s not part of Sacred Tradition but a part of small “t” tradition. This book as other’s which support Catholic theology and faith never meets the canon used by the Catholic Church to measure = canon the books of the bible. Each book had to prove it was used in the Apostolic Liturgy (Mass) and an Apostolic successor had to prove it was handed down to them from an Apostle. The New Testament books we have today, the Church canonized them as authentic letters from the apostles inspired of God.

For the record, Officially the Catholic church’s first Protoevangelium is recorded in Genesis 3:15

Matthew records his witness of St. Joseph genealogy and that St. Joseph is a “righteous man”, who was visited by an angel multiple times regarding the blessed perpetual virgin.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Mary was married to and im guessing lived with her husband.
Why would they NOT engage in reproducing children?

The blessed Mother ever Virgin Mary remained a virgin after giving birth to God incarnate.

Isaiah 66:7
“Before she was in labor
she gave birth;
before her pain came upon her
she delivered a son.
8
Who has heard such a thing?
Who has seen such things?
Shall a land be born in one day?
9
Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?”
says the Lord;
“shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?”
says your God.
10
“Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,
all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy,

What biblical pronounced righteous man, visited by angels concerning the conception and virgin birth of Mary, spoken of and prophesized by Godly prophets, would not fear God, and allow the Word of God be fulfilled in St. Joseph righteous living before God.

Isaiah 7:9

 

[Marie5890]

It’s not part of Sacred Tradition but a part of small “t” tradition. This book as other’s which support Catholic theology and faith never meets the canon used by the Catholic Church to measure = canon the books of the bible. Each book had to prove it was used in the Apostolic Liturgy (Mass) and an Apostolic successor had to prove it was handed down to them from an Apostle. The New Testament books we have today, the Church canonized them as authentic letters from the apostles inspired of God.

For the record, Officially the Catholic church’s first Protoevangelium is recorded in Genesis 3:15

Matthew records his witness of St. Joseph genealogy and that St. Joseph is a “righteous man”, who was visited by an angel multiple times regarding the blessed perpetual virgin.

Gabriel, thanks for the explanation. I have a question that comes from the link I posted above.

The website declares the following

“We must point out again that while The Protoevangelium of St. James was condemned by the Church, many of the traditions concerning the Mother of God that it relates were accepted as a part of the deposit of faith by the Early Church.”

Is that a fair statement? That the Church “condemned” it, yet many of the traditions are apart of the deposit of faith by the Early Church?

Im trying to understand just how much weight and consideration should be given to it. The word “condemned” is pretty strong word, you know?

 

[Randy_Carson]

Is this book considered as sacred tradition of the church and doctrinal? If so, why was it not in the canon since the Catholic Church claims the canon happened later.

Not every book was inspired. However, that does not mean that it was not historically accurate or representative of what the early Christian believed.

The Didache provides a window into what the Early Church was thinking and doing.

 

[excaliber]

Joseph getting married to mary so that people would THINK christ was his son is dishonest.

And the idea that christ needed to have a traditional family to grow up in dosent make sense… would you lie to GOD and tell him that joseph was his father?

Jesus would have known that joseph was not his father because HE IS GOD and canot be lied to.

 

[Randy_Carson]

Joseph getting married to mary so that people would THINK christ was his son is dishonest.

Agreed. That is not what happened.

And the idea that christ needed to have a traditional family to grow up in dosent make sense… would you lie to GOD and tell him that joseph was his father?

No. That is not what happened.

Jesus would have known that joseph was not his father because HE IS GOD and canot be lied to.

Well, Jesus was also fully human. He had to grow up, go to school, learn as we learn. It’s a mystery as to how his two natures interacted.

I think Mary and Joseph were up front about his relationship to them.

 

[boomerang]

Joseph getting married to mary so that people would THINK christ was his son is dishonest.

And the idea that christ needed to have a traditional family to grow up in dosent make sense… would you lie to GOD and tell him that joseph was his father?

Jesus would have known that joseph was not his father because HE IS GOD and canot be lied to.

Nevertheless, Mary did tell Jesus that Joseph was His father:

When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

 

[cena]

If no man may have relations with Mary… EVEN AFTER she gave birth to Jesus and was married…
Why on earth was she married?

Are Nuns married to a man and then told not to have relations?
NO

Are priests married to women and then told not to have relations?
NO

If God tells a person that they must remain a virgin… then that person goes and gets married…that makes no sence.

UNLESS being full of grace has nothing to do with remaining a virgin your whole life.

Back then they had spiritual marriages. The couple would not have intercourse. Remember back then marriages had more roles than it does today. Women barely had any rights like it was scandalous to talk to one in public if you were a man. After their parents died women did not inherit property, sons did. Mary would have been left all alone if she did not marry a man. Also, in Jewish culture (at least back then it might have changed) betrothal was the first year of marriage. In scripture it says Joseph was going to divorce her quietly. If they were merely engaged then that would be pointless.

 

[cena]

catholic.com/blog/tim-staples/when-were-joseph-and-mary-married

 

[cena]

Agreed. That is not what happened.

No. That is not what happened.

Well, Jesus was also fully human. He had to grow up, go to school, learn as we learn. It’s a mystery as to how his two natures interacted.

I think Mary and Joseph were up front about his relationship to them.

When Jesus was twelve he talked about being about his father’s business. He said this as he was surrounded by doctors in a temple, not carpenters. Jesus knew who His father was.

 

[Randy_Carson]

Nevertheless, Mary did tell Jesus that Joseph was His father:

When Jesus was twelve he talked about being about his father’s business. He said this as he was surrounded by doctors in a temple, not carpenters. Jesus knew who His father was.

Would it make sense that sometime prior to Jesus’ trip to the Jerusalem when He was twelve, Mary and Joseph explained that Joseph was not his biological father?

Jesus would have known all about the details we read about in Luke 1 & 2, because Mary and Joseph would have shared those stories with Him.

So, IMO, even as a boy, Jesus knew that he had no biological father, an adoptive Father, Joseph, and a Heavenly Father, God.

Regarding that last bit, what exactly He knew and when exactly He knew it will have to wait until we get to the other side.

 

[SyroMalankara]

Mary, having had no other children after Jesus, would not have needed to explicitly say this for Jesus and his followers to know. In addition, the oldest Traditions of the Church record that St. Joseph was older and died before Jesus’ ministry, probably in Jesus’ youth.

Mary is not recorded as remarried.

Mary’s perpetual virginity is taught from before the 4th Century, it was in the 4th Century that a heretic stated that Mary was NOT a virgin. So you see, the Church condemned that error.

aleteia.org/en/religion/article/a-protestant-defense-of-marys-perpetual-virginity-4803001

 

[cena]

I do not think that is entirely correct because
49 - And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father’s business?
50 - And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them.

ewtn.com/faith/teachings/incaa2.htm
Jesus’ divine nature knew he was God, no one had to tell him.

 

[Marie5890]

Joseph getting married to mary so that people would THINK christ was his son is dishonest.

And the idea that christ needed to have a traditional family to grow up in dosent make sense… would you lie to GOD and tell him that joseph was his father?

Jesus would have known that joseph was not his father because HE IS GOD and canot be lied to.

I think you may find it helpful to do some research about that time period, the culture, what it was like to be a man, a woman, what family situations were like, etc.

You seem to be thinking in terms of 20th/21st century norms. Not that of the 1st century.

 

[rinnie]

If no man may have relations with Mary… EVEN AFTER she gave birth to Jesus and was married…
Why on earth was she married?

Are Nuns married to a man and then told not to have relations?
NO

Are priests married to women and then told not to have relations?
NO

If God tells a person that they must remain a virgin… then that person goes and gets married…that makes no sence.

UNLESS being full of grace has nothing to do with remaining a virgin your whole life.

Jewish Law. If a woman was with child without being married she would be stoned to death.

 

[rinnie]

Nevertheless, Mary did tell Jesus that Joseph was His father:

Joseph was the earthly Father of Jesus. Where was this ever denied.

Also where is it ever said that in order to be a Father of a child, you have to be his biological Father?

 

[rinnie]

Did Jesus, Mary, or Joseph give this information to someone verbally?
Would Mary have told her son at some point that she was a virgin, and then he told this information to the men who followed him?

I ponder why her perpetual virginity didn’t become doctrine until the 4th Century or so.

.

Why would Mary tell God anything? Jesus is God, God knows everything. God revealed himself as human for mans good.

Also the reason her Perpetual Virginity only became doctrine later, was because it was never questioned before that. It was always known as truth.

 

[rinnie]

When Jesus was twelve he talked about being about his father’s business. He said this as he was surrounded by doctors in a temple, not carpenters. Jesus knew who His father was.

He knew who his earthly Father was also, and that was Joseph.

And as stated with the Lost Child in the temple, he said do you not know I am in my Fathers house (where I belong) (my words there) but anyway the point I am trying to drive home is this, although he did not agree he did indeed leave with Mary and Joseph which showed he also had great respect for them.

Although Joseph was not his biological Father he showed great respect for him.

 

[rinnie]

Mary was married to and im guessing lived with her husband.
Why would they NOT engage in reproducing children?

Because Mary vowed to remain faithful to God. Like what we would call a nun today.

It would be like if today was when God would reveal himself as Man, and used a Virgin, and chose a Nun to be the Mother of God.

But today she could remain unmarried and not be stoned to death, but still keep her vow to be with no man to God. I would guess the Holy Spirit would have revealed this to the Pope so she could remain a Nun. Just guessing there.

 

[Randy_Carson]

I ponder why her perpetual virginity didn’t become doctrine until the 4th Century or so…

You have this backwards. It wasn’t until the fourth century that someone, Helvidius, even questioned this. Jerome squashed him in a scathing, written rebuke.