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Iscool (#96) Mary had a whole herd of kids after Jesus...Biblically, that is

Some Protestants refuse to accept the fact that in the Mediterranean and Balkan cultures the term "brothers" and "sister" is used for first cousins. In Serbia, for instance, the first counsins are considered "brothers" which is to say "the same blood," so that no possible marriage could take place between them. In fact, the Serbian language doesn't even have a word for a "first cousin."

It's this kind of nonsense that comes out of beliefs based on sola scriptura heresy, imo, taken out of context of the historical, geographic, cultural and lignuistic setting of the Gospels, and misinterpreted in the present-day mindset and New World culture, based on a translation of a translation.

Some Protestants refuse to accept the fact that in the Mediterranean and Balkan cultures the term "brothers" and "sister" is used for first cousins. In Serbia, for instance, the first counsins are considered "brothers" which is to say "the same blood," so that no possible marriage could take place between them. In fact, the Serbian language doesn't even have a word for a "first cousin."

It's this kind of nonsense that comes out of beliefs based on sola scriptura heresy, imo, taken out of context of the historical, geographic, cultural and lignuistic setting of the Gospels, and misinterpreted in the present-day mindset and New World culture, based on a translation of a translation.

In fact, the Serbian language doesn't even have a word for a "first cousin."

But fortunately for we bible believers, the Greek language knows the difference between a brother and a cousin...And the Apostles knew it as well...

G80
ἀδελφός
adelphos
ad-el-fos'
From G1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like [H1]): - brother.

G4773
συγγενής
suggenēs
soong-ghen-ace'
From G4862 and G1085; a relative (by blood); by extension a fellow countryman: - cousin, kin (-sfolk, -sman).

Don't you just hate it when the 'Greek proves the bible right???

So much for your history lesson...

"Some Protestants refuse to accept the fact that in the Mediterranean and Balkan cultures the term "brothers" and "sister" is used for first cousins."
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If you don't agree with the Scriptural references, how about your early church fathers. Origen discounts the claim of Mary's perpetual virginity in his "Origen Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, ch. XVII.

Other sources outside of Scripture would be Pliny the Younger referring to "James, the brother of Jesus" and Joesephus's "Jewish Antiquities" refers to James in Jerusalem the brother of Jesus.

There is this,

1) a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother
2) having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman
3) any fellow or man
4) a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection
5) an associate in employment or office
6) brethren in Christ
a) his brothers by blood
b) all men
c) apostles
d) Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place