The Church says? What about the Bible says?

Normally I wouldn’t get involved in discussing religious issues. It can get really ugly and usually people are going to believe what they believe simply because it is what they’ve been taught since birth, and no amount of new information can get into a closed mind. Having said that, let us look at this issue of Jesus’ siblings.

Matthew 1:18-20 clearly states that Joseph and Mary were husband and wife. Yes, Mary conceived as a virgin by Holy Spirit. However, it is physically impossible for a woman to remain a virgin after a child has passed through the birth canal. The hymen would be completely destroyed.

Where does God tell this couple they can never have any more children? Where does the Bible say Mary remained a “perpetual virgin”?

Matthew 1:25 says: ”But he (Joseph) had no intercourse with her until after she gave birth to a son; and he called his name Jesus.” This implies that, yes, they did have intercourse. Matt. 13:55,56; Luke 8:19-21; John 7:3,5 also refer to Jesus as having brothers and sisters.

As far as Jesus being God, Colossians 1:15 says Jesus is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Since the God of the Bible has no beginning and no end He cannot be “firstborn” or “created.”

The “perpetual virginity” of Mary does not anchor the Christian faith. The Ransom Sacrifice and subsequent Resurrection of Jesus Christ are the anchors we should cling to.

Even more so we should never forget his Father who allowed his only begotten Son Jesus to undergo and endure unspeakable tortures and death so that we, who are undeserving, may enjoy everlasting life.

Russell Murphy

Fayetteville, Ga.

login to post comments