Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Forest Keeper; jo kus; annalex; Agrarian
Does that mean that the Orthodox do not believe in Mary's perpetual virginity?

The Catholic and Orthodox Churches believe in absolute, inviolate, and perptual virginity of Theotokos, the Birthgiver of God, Mary His Mother. It is inconceivable that Mary would have carnal relations, or desires after having carried the precious and sacred Child. She loved God with all her heart and mind and soul. Nor would Blessed Jospeh have been the man he was if he defiled "Sacred Ground" as Agrarian states.

This passage is a difficult one (so much for five year-old children understanding Scripture!), especially in view of the word ewV which means till or until, but is also translated as unto. The word eginwosken, which comes from "to know" (ginwsko) which was a Jewish idiom for sexcual intercourse, and does not support what the Church came to believe.

Personally, I can't imagine that someone as blessed as she was would even entartain the thought, and +Josph would tremble at the thought; yet +Matthew seems to make a strong case that this was not so, and is troubling.

5,505 posted on 05/03/2006 4:08:19 PM PDT by kosta50 (Eastern Orthodoxy is pure Christianity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5446 | View Replies ]


To: kosta50

But the miracle was Jesus, not Mary.


5,511 posted on 05/03/2006 4:20:07 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5505 | View Replies ]

To: kosta50; Forest Keeper; jo kus; Agrarian
+Matthew seems to make a strong case that this was not so, and is troubling

Matthew does not speak to what happened after the Nativity at all. "Eos" is a very common word that is used several times with the clear meaning "even unto, but possibly also after" by Matthew himself. In 1:25 his focus is on the miraculous birth, so he speaks on what happened before the birth. I don't see what is so troubling to you, other that late-Protestant machinations.

5,514 posted on 05/03/2006 4:26:30 PM PDT by annalex
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5505 | View Replies ]

To: kosta50; Forest Keeper; jo kus; annalex; Agrarian
With all due respects to the blessed Mary, she was in need of a Savior just as we all are:

She wasn't perfect contrary to popular myth. The only reason you think Matt 1:25 is hard is simply because you have flawed concept. There is nothing evil or wrong about Joseph having sexual relationship with Mary. It states in several places about our Lord Jesus' "brothers"

There are a few others. The scripture also has our Lord Jesus minimizing Mary,

I will add that John Calvin thought Mary was a perpetual virgin which only goes to show you can't be right about everything.
5,523 posted on 05/03/2006 4:47:55 PM PDT by HarleyD ("Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" Luk 24:45)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5505 | View Replies ]

To: kosta50; Forest Keeper; jo kus; annalex; Agrarian; Dr. Eckleburg; 1000 silverlings; HarleyD; qua

"It is inconceivable that Mary would have carnal relations, or desires after having carried the precious and sacred Child."

Why is that so inconceivable when Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 3:16 that we are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in us and we still sin? Aren't they co-equal in the Godhead? Does one deserve more veneration than the other?


5,582 posted on 05/04/2006 6:56:18 AM PDT by blue-duncan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5505 | View Replies ]

To: kosta50
The Catholic and Orthodox Churches believe in absolute, inviolate, and perpetual virginity of Theotokos, the Birthgiver of God, Mary His Mother.

Yes, I should have known that. When I thought about it some more, I remembered that I think it was you who told me what "BEV" means. I think that would pretty much sum up your view on the subject. :)

5,832 posted on 05/07/2006 12:17:40 AM PDT by Forest Keeper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5505 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson