Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: ckp@grebyn.com (Checkpoint Technologies) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Mary's Virginity & Jesus's Siblings Message-ID: Date: 16 Jul 90 06:59:15 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Grebyn Timesharing, Vienna, VA, USA Lines: 35 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article jhpb@granjon.garage.att.com writes: >That our Lady was in the state of consecrated virginity for her whole >life is also the ancient teaching. I have never checked, but I find it >extremely doubtful that one will find any other teaching among the >Orthodox, and perhaps the Monophysites, just because of the antiquity of >the doctrine. Martin Luther also held to this belief. What many non-Catholics don't realize is that Mary was _conceived_ without sin. She was concieved in the normal way (through sexual intercourse) but through a special grace of God befitting her special role in the salvation of mankind, no trace of sin was propogated into her body or soul from the moment of conception. Like Adam and Eve, she was created in the state of supernatural grace. But she accomplished what Adam and Eve were unable to accomplish -- she never sinned. Yes, she had free will, and yes, she was sorely tempted (as we all are). But of all _creatures_ in the universe, she is unique in having perfectly assented to God's will in all things. To me it makes "aesthetic" sense that the Most Holy Virgin Mary -- a _creature_ without equal in all the universe, greater than all the angels and saints together (but certain incomparable to God Himself) -- would remain physically celibate for her entire earthly life. With all due respect to Saint Joseph, her Most Chaste Spouse, I just can't imagine the only sinless creature in the universe making it with one of us mere, fallen, sinful mortals. Besides, the Church teaches (infallibly) that she always was and is now Perpetually Virgin. And that's good enough for me! chris -- First comes the logo: C H E C K P O I N T T E C H N O L O G I E S / / \\ / / Then, the disclaimer: All expressed opinions are, indeed, opinions. \ / o Now for the witty part: I'm pink, therefore, I'm spam! \/