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To: XeniaSt
Why in the world are modern Protestants so obsessed with proving that the Blessed Virgin Mary was not a perpetual virgin?
25 And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

25 "Till she brought forth her firstborn son"... From these words Helvidius and other heretics most impiously inferred that the blessed Virgin Mary had other children besides Christ; but St. Jerome shews, by divers examples, that this expression of the Evangelist was a manner of speaking usual among the Hebrews, to denote by the word until, only what is done, without any regard to the future. Thus it is said, Genesis 8. 6 and 7, that Noe sent forth a raven, which went forth, and did not return till the waters were dried up on the earth. That is, did not return any more. Also Isaias 46. 4, God says: I am till you grow old. Who dare infer that God should then cease to be: Also in the first book of Machabees 5. 54, And they went up to mount Sion with joy and gladness, and offered holocausts, because not one of them was slain till they had returned in peace. That is, not one was slain before or after they had returned. God saith to his divine Son: Sit on my right hand till I make thy enemies thy footstool. Shall he sit no longer after his enemies are subdued? Yea and for all eternity. St. Jerome also proves by Scripture examples, that an only begotten son, was also called firstborn, or first begotten: because according to the law, the firstborn males were to be consecrated to God; Sanctify unto me, saith the Lord, every firstborn that openeth the womb among the children of Israel, etc. Ex. 13. 2.

Scripture teaches that the Blessed Virgin took a vow of virginity before her marriage, which she never broke. See Ezekiel 44:2-3a (allegorical), St. Luke 1:27, 34 and St. John 19:26-27:

Her virginity also itself was on this account more pleasing and accepted, in that it was not that Christ being conceived in her, rescued it beforehand from a husband who would violate it, Himself to preserve it; but, before He was conceived, chose it, already dedicated to God, as that from which to be born. This is shown by the words which Mary spake in answer to the Angel announcing to her her conception; "How," saith she, "shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" Which assuredly she would not say, unless she had before vowed herself unto God as a virgin. (St. Augustine, On Holy Virginity, 4)

107 posted on 12/27/2005 1:51:28 PM PST by gbcdoj (Let us ask the Lord with tears, that according to his will so he would shew his mercy to us Jud 8:17)
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To: gbcdoj
Why in the world are modern Protestants so obsessed with proving that the Blessed Virgin Mary was not a perpetual virgin?

You frame the inversion of the question.

I don't care nor is it important to me that Miriam remained a virgin after the birth of Y'shua.

Jerome introduced many errors into Christianity, this is one of them.

"How," saith she, "shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"Which assuredly she would not say, unless she had before vowed herself unto God as a virgin. (St. Augustine, On Holy Virginity, 4)

Very pious, but unsubstantiated. Augustine introduced many errors as well.

b'shem Y'shua

108 posted on 12/27/2005 2:23:30 PM PST by Uri’el-2012 (Trust in the LORD for ever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:4))
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