Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: jhpb@granjon.garage.att.com Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Mary's Virginity & Jesus's Siblings Message-ID: Date: 13 Jul 90 09:04:32 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: AT&T Bell Labs (Liberty Corner) Lines: 26 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu For those who have a real interest in the Catholic scripture interpretation on this subject, I suggest the Catholic encyclopedia's article on the "Brethren of the Lord", and St. Jerome's work against Helvidius. The arguments are far too long to post. I will mention a couple things, though. Take, for example, "He knew her not UNTIL she had brought forth her FIRST-BORN son." As St. Jerome demonstrates, the UNTIL implies nothing about what comes afterwards. For example: Behold, I am with you all days, even unto the consummation of the world. (Matt. 28:20) St. Jerome gives a few other examples. Also, The FIRST-BORN is a technical term; it implies nothing about a second-born. Keep in mind that the doctrine did not arise from Scripture interpretation in the early Church, it was traditional. Joe Buehler