[monkfan]

"If Mary had taken a childhood vow of virginity for all her life, then why in the universe would she have agreed to become betrothed?"

For custodial purposes.

"As you well know, this was before the angel appeared to her. In fact, as I think about it, if she entered into a betrothal with the full intention of remaining a virgin, then she would have been guilty of the sin of fraud."

You assume a relationship geared towards procreation. Orthodox understanding is that Joseph was a widower of substantial age. The arrangement was for Mary's protection.

Consider this: Mary has just been told by God via Gabriel that she will bear a son. Her reaction is to point out that she has not known a man. Wouldn't it be more normal for her to just assume that this will happen in the usual way? If, after all, she is about to be married and have sexual intercourse as you say. Why does she question the Almighty about this if she has not vowed to keep her virginity?

[Full Court]

Why does she question the Almighty about this if she has not vowed to keep her virginity?

Where does the Bible say Mary vowed to stay a virgin?

if she did that, she never would of planned to marry.

[monkfan]

Oops. Kindly disregard. I didn't realize that everybody and their brother [/cousin/close relative] had already responded with the same answer. :)

[InterestedQuestioner]

"Consider this: Mary has just been told by God via Gabriel that she will bear a son. Her reaction is to point out that she has not known a man. Wouldn't it be more normal for her to just assume that this will happen in the usual way? If, after all, she is about to be married and have sexual intercourse as you say. Why does she question the Almighty about this if she has not vowed to keep her virginity?"

That's a nice reflection on Scripture, Monkfan, thanks for the ping.

If I recall correctly, in the Qu'uran, Mohammad contrasts Mary's questioning of the angel with Zechariah's questioning. Both individuals are told they will have a child, and both ask how it can be. Mary receives a beautiful response, while Zechariah is made unable to speak for a time. Mohammad had either been taught by Christians or was attentive enough to pick up that the reason for the difference was that Zachariah had been praying for a child, while Mary had not. I think your reflection really rounds out the contrast between the two. Mary should have been moving in with Joseph, so if it had been a typical marital relationship, there really shouldn't have been any question.