tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443579080104189937.post8406580387686748579..comments2008-01-31T05:50:15.161-08:00Josh Gelatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09647646162506627232noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443579080104189937.post-44903242593423205242008-01-31T05:50:00.000-08:002008-01-31T05:50:00.000-08:00Mark,<BR/><BR/>Most of your comments are simply arguments from silence.Considering the brothers ill treatment of Jesus, it would be surprising if they were actually present at the crucifixion. Also, where in Luke 2:41-51 does it say that Jesus was the only child, or that no other children were with them? Again, an argument from silence!<BR/><BR/>Since the Gospels are about Jesus, we wouldn't expect information on Jesus brothers--yet they clearly give us reference to them.<BR/><BR/>Furthermore,Greek does have a word for cousin (anepsios). Since the New Testament was written in Greek, it is inconceivable that the Gospel writers wouldn't have used this term.<BR/><BR/>I would also challenge you as to why you feel the need to defend this so much. What do you lose if Mary married and had other children? Is she less holy because she bore more image-bearers of God? Is sexuality within the confines of marriage an evil thing?Josh Gelatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09647646162506627232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3443579080104189937.post-47214593284782744942008-01-28T23:45:00.000-08:002008-01-28T23:45:00.000-08:00If Mary and Joseph had other children then where are they in the infancy and early years of Jesus? Where are they at the nativity? Where are they when the Holy Family is in Egypt? Where are they when Jesus is twelve and stays behind in Jerusalem? (Luke 2:41-51) Are we to believe that Mary and Joseph had no other children for twelve years and then suddenly became fertile?<BR/><BR/>At the crucifixion, Mary alone is present from the family of Jesus? Where are his so-called brothers?<BR/><BR/>In John 19:25, Mary has a sister who is also called Mary. Her husband is named Clopas.<BR/><BR/>Matt 27:56,61 the "other Mary", the sister of the mother of Jesus, has two sons named James and Joseph.<BR/><BR/>Mark 6:3, James and Joseph are called brothers of Jesus, but are clearly his cousins. Hebrew has no word for cousin that is separate from brother.<BR/><BR/>Gen 29:15, Laban calls Jacob his "brother" even though Jacob is his nephew because in Hebrew "brother" can mean a cousin, a nephew, or a full brother.<BR/><BR/>Deut 23:7, the Edomites are called the "brother" of the Israelites, even though they are distant kin.<BR/><BR/>1 Chron 15:5-10, the "brethren" means the male members of the extended family.<BR/><BR/>Compare Luke 1:39-56 with 2 Samuel 6:2-18. The ark is a type that prefigures Mary. In these verses, Mary (the Ark) arose and went / David arose and went to the Ark. John the Baptist / King David leap for joy before Mary / Ark. Mary / the Ark remained in the house for about three months.<BR/><BR/>The ark cannot be touched by man. It is to remain ever pure from human hands. The ark contains the Word of God in the form of stone tablets. Mary contains the Word of God in the incarnate form of Jesus.<BR/><BR/>Justin Martyr, circa 155 AD, in Dialogue with Trypho, 100:<BR/><BR/>"He became man by the Virgin, in order that the disobedience which proceeded from the serpent might receive its destruction in the same manner in which it derived its origin. For Eve, who was a virgin and undefiled, having conceived the word of the serpent, brought forth disobedience and death. But the Virgin Mary received faith and joy, when the angel Gabriel announced the good tidings to her that the Spirit of the Lord would come upon her"Marknoreply@blogger.com