Mary Perpetual Virginity
The following biblical quotation is considered messianic. Psalm 69:8-9, "I am a stanger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons; for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me." Some say that this proves that Jesus had brothers. Can you please explain this scripture?
Also is Mary's perpetual virginity a doctrine or dogma? Can a Catholic freely disagree with it and remain in good standing with the Church?
Thank you and God Bless
QUESTION from Charles on February 12, 2004
ANSWER by Staff on February 19, 2004
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Dear Charles: There are many verses in the Old Testament that are "types" that apply to Christ or are thought to look forward to, or foreshadow Christ. As a foreshadowing these verses are not going to be literally accurate to Christ in every dotted "i". They are a shadow, not a precise prophecy. Thus the passage you quote does not even begin to prove that Jesus had blood brothers. The idea that Jesus had brothers is posited by ignorant people without a hoot of a notion in how to read the Bible, and who are often anti-Catholic. The idea of Jesus having brothers was not a notion that was commonly posited until 1500 years after Jesus was on this earth. It is, like most of Protestantism, a man-made doctrine. The perpetual virginity of Mary is a dogma required for belief from all Catholics. The basis of this teaching comes from the Old Testament and the nature of the Sacred. A discussion of this is made in a previous post: Click here. God Bless, |