There are massive amounts of Scripture asserting Sola Scriptura.
And those with eyes to see and ears to hear will read the Bible and understand with a new heart given by God alone as the Holy Spirit guides their path.
There is nothing in Scripture about Mary being "immaculate." All Scripture points to the contrary.
Just what the Mormons said to defend the Book of Mormon.
Same gnosticism, different sect.
-A8
I'm amazed at threads like this. All these things we claim to KNOW as fact, yet not a one of us was there. Our human minds can't wrap around the awesome miraculous power of God, yet we argue with each other like we have all the answers.
Jesus came to earth, not as an earthly king, but as a baby. 100% human, yet 100% God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, grew in the belly of a human, Mary, a virgin.
Do I know whether she had pain, bled, delivered naturally or not? No, I wasn't there. Do I know whether her body was returned to her pre-pregnant/birth physical state? No, I wasn't there. Do I doubt that God could do anything in that moment? No, He's God, He can do anything. I wonder what He thinks about all this time spent discussing the physical state of Mary's private parts. Shouldn't the focus be on Jesus? He was born, a baby.
Do *I* believe Mary was sinless? No. I think scripture teaches that she was a human. Blessed and virtuous. But not sineless. Jesus was the only sinless one. He came to earth as a man, and lived a sinless life, as only God can.
Do I think she had other children? I don't know, I wasn't there. Nor do I give it a huge amount of thought. There is no proof one way or the other. I lean towards probably. It seems Jesus was raised in a 'normal' carpenter's family, until time for his ministry. Why wouldn't there be other children? But I don't know.
Do I think any of these side issues are essential to the Gospel? No. I doubt very seriously that we will be separated in heaven by whether we believe Mary's private parts were in this or that state.
Come on, folks. We are God's people. The light to the dying world. Let's put our eyes and hearts back where they belong .. on Jesus.
We know He came to earth, a MIRACLE, He lived a sinless life, was crucified, buried, and was resurrected. He conquered death, hell, and the grave! He left us with the Holy Spirit and with Power.
We should be continuing the work of Christ, winning the souls of the lost, fighting Satan's schemes. Not getting sucked into foolish and stupid arguments.
Let's all have a group hug, and go witness to someone who needs Jesus.