Catholic cat tries so hard to catch the Light.
Posted on 03/12/2016 9:36:07 AM PST by Salvation
Perpetual virginity
3/9/2016
Question: I am a lifelong and devout Catholic and have always considered Mary to be ever virgin. But recently, I read in my Bible that Joseph had no relations with Mary “before” she bore a son (Mt 1:25). Now, I wonder if our belief does not contradict the Bible.— Eugene DeClue, Festus, Missouri
Answer: The Greek word “heos,” which your citation renders “before,” is more accurately translated “until,” which can be ambiguous without a wider context of time. It is true, in English, the usual sense of “until” is that I am doing or not doing something now “until” something changes, and then I start doing or not doing it. However, this is not always the case, even in Scripture.
If I say to you, “God bless you until we meet again.” I do not mean that after we meet again God’s blessing will cease or turn to curses. In this case, “until” is merely being used to refer to an indefinite period of time which may or may not ever occur. Surely, I hope we meet again, but it is possible we will not, so go with God’s blessings, whatever the case.
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In Scripture, too, we encounter “until” being used merely to indicate an indefinite period whose conditions may or may not be met. Thus, we read, “And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child until the day of her death” (2 Sam 6:23). Of course, this should not be taken to mean that she started having children after she died. If I say to you in English that Christ “must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet” (1 Cor 15:25), I do not mean his everlasting kingdom will actually end thereafter.
While “until” often suggests a future change of state, it does not necessarily mean that the change happens — or even can happen. Context is important. It is the same in Greek, where heos, or heos hou, require context to more fully understand what is being affirmed.
The teaching of the perpetual virginity of Mary does not rise or fall on one word, rather, a body of evidence from other sources such as: Mary’s question to the angel as to how a betrothed virgin would conceive; Jesus entrusting Mary to the care of a non-blood relative at this death; and also the long witness of ancient Tradition.
Oh?
Just who or what does ROME say rolled the stone away and what was the TIMING of it?
Locked doors seem to be no problem to Jesus...
John 20:19
Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said,
Oh; I see.
Did GOD create the Earth in 6 days or not?
If you are standing on it; the water needs only be about a foot deep.
I don't think so...
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.
It is not that difficult for Catholics to ignore direct questions when the bible clearly states something different than what the OTC teaches.
AMEN!!
No He didn't.
Matthew 28:1-7
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
“If you reject Christ’s guarantees to His Church in principle, you’ve rejected what He constituted as the pillar and foundation of the Truth.” Using the typical faux conflation, you have spread the typical catholic bull skat.
And we do thank mrsdon-o for her reply. She was willing to step up with a reply.
Self ping for later.
Thanks for posting the passage, but I tend to leave that poster’s ignorance up without rebuttal, because most reading these threads are more familiar with what The Bible teaches than that poster and others of the same ilk. ... Mrs Don-o and vladimir998 being the clear exceptions.
Catholic cat tries so hard to catch the Light.
I don't deny it at all!
Self ping for later.
This post seems significant I’m surprised no one responded.
I also want to thank Mrs. Don-o for her response. It was honest, thoughtful, thorough, and spot-on.
It is a good question from metmom. I thought about answering but was not sure how to respond. Mrs. Don-o’s response was very helpful to me.
A simple yes or no answer is not sufficient. Christ knows what is in our heart and is the ultimate judge of how willfully or obstinately we dissent from His Word.
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