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To: Ohioan from Florida
As far as sibling rivalry goes, that's a good one! It is my understanding from Catholic tradition that where it talks about Jesus' brothers and sisters, that there was not a word in Aramaic to denote a close relative, such as a step- brother or sister or even first cousins. Herod's strange family is referred to in the same way, and his "siblings" are shown through history to be step-siblings.

It's my understanding that there is a difference in the greek and it is so written. But really my main point was about is experiences and how he had to experience all that we do so that he could be an appropriate sacrifice.

As far as whether or not any human has ever had parents who did not have sexual relations, I think Jesus qualifies. The rest of us, no.

When considering this I go back to the above. All people have had parents who had sex at least once. Nearly all people have had parents who have had sex multiple times.

Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Are there temptations associated with perceiving your mother or father as sexual creatures? Are there feelings and emotions to be overcome when dealing with the sexuality of your parents? I guess my point is that someone who is raised in unique circumstances isn't going to have much of a conception of what it's really like to be human and wouldn't seem to fit the spirit of Hebrews 4:15.

432 posted on 02/22/2004 8:56:12 PM PST by DouglasKC
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To: DouglasKC
I think I see what you are saying, but I'm also not sure. For example, "Are there temptations associated with perceiving your mother or father as sexual creatures?", my personal answer is "No, I've never even thought of that before."

And then this, "Are there feelings and emotions to be overcome when dealing with the sexuality of your parents?, my answer is "Yes, but feelings are not always sins." Jesus felt anger, and even acted angrily when he turned over the tables of the moneychangers. He didn't sin. So I'm not sure where you're going with this line of thinking.

The only thing I can tell you is that in my opinion, sin is like a tangled web, a downward spiral, so to speak, away from God. Some of us have temptations to things but don't give in to those particular ones, whereas other things tempt us to where we do sin. Which weaknesses we each give in to, well, I think that it's possible to not be affected by some things as much as others. I'm not sure where I'm going with this, other than to say if you give in to one type of sin, it's easier to give in again than it is to resist. I think we need God's grace to help us resist the temptation. The temptation might be there all the same. Am I making sense? Is this what you're even talking about?

433 posted on 02/22/2004 9:15:00 PM PST by Ohioan from Florida (The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.- Edmund Burke)
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