[wagglebee]

Then why haven't Lutherans changed their position? Why did John Wesley believe the same way more than two centuries later? Do you honestly believe that Mary and Joseph would have felt "reproached" if their parenting was limited to caring for the Son of God?

[HarleyD]

Then why haven't Lutherans changed their position?

Why? As I stated earlier, it is a very minor point within Protestantism whether Mary had children or not. Do you think they need to form a Council to investigate this matter?

Why did John Wesley believe the same way more than two centuries later?

John Wesley, in most cases, parrot everything that Calvin stated-for what little he stated. Regrettably in the important doctrines Wesley is deficient IMO.

Do you honestly believe that Mary and Joseph would have felt "reproached" if their parenting was limited to caring for the Son of God?

The scriptures state that Mary couldn't understand everything. When Jesus was a youth she was worried. When he gave a saying or created a miracle she "ponder it in her heart". Joseph is less talked about. However, to all her relatives one child wasn't a very large family in an era where large families were deemed respectable.

It is interesting that Catholics talk about how a large family is truly a blessing from God and then turn right around and say that Joseph and Mary should have had only one child.