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>> “ it was her choice to remain a Virgin, and Joseph’s to remain chaste” <<
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Completely contrary to what scripture states.
The scripture plainly says that Joseph “knew” her after Yeshua was born, and that she had sons and daughters.
Peter said that James was the brother of Yeshua, so did Paul.
When she came to interrupt his ministry, he said to all present that they, the crowd, were his mother and his brothers.
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No, completely contrary to what YOUR INTERPRETATION of scripture states.
Matthew 1:25
"And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."
It says nothing about what happened after Jesus was born.
There are several instances in the bible where the word 'till' or 'until' clearly indicates that the preceding action continued. So interpreting this "till' to allow that the abstinence continued after the birth is not unreasonable. Matthew himself uses it again in this context:
Matthew 26:36
Then Jesus came with them into a country place which is called Gethsemani; and he said to his disciples: Sit you here, till I go yonder and pray.
We know that Jesus didn't mean that they should leave as soon as he went to pray. He came back to check on them and expected them to be there.
Here are a couple more:
Acts Of Apostles 8:40
But Philip was found in Azotus; and passing through, he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Did Philip stop preaching when he reached Caesarea? Unlikely.
Judith 6:4
and thou shalt be stabbed and fall among the wounded of Israel, and thou shalt breathe no more till thou be destroyed with them.
Clearly here the 'breath no more' will continue after the destruction.
There are more, but these show that the word 'till' as used in the old and new testaments doesn't always imply that the action before the 'till' stops afterward.
My interpretation is that the action 'abstinence' did continue after the birth of Jesus. Your interpretation may be different, but it doesn't make mine impossible.
Also, I find it interesting that some posters blame Mary for a 'sexless, sinful marriage' to Joseph as if Joseph had no choice in the matter. I believe that God chose the best people on earth to be His parents, and that they both did what He asked of them.
Love, O2