Understanding Roman Catholicism
Mary: Perpetual Virgin
The Catechism records that Mary remained a virgin throughout her entire life:
| "Mary remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving
birth to him, a virgin in carrying him, a virgin in nursing him at her
breast, always a virgin." Pg. 128 #510
"And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the 'Ever-virgin.'" Pg. 126, #499 |
Either Mary remained a virgin or she didn't. The position you will take depends upon who you believe... the traditions of men, or God's Word.
The Bible states that after giving birth to Jesus, Mary bore other children:
| "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary?
and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and
Judas? Matthew 13:55
"Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him." Mark 6:3 |
The Apostle Paul wrote:
| "But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother." Galatians 1:19 |
Because these verses so clearly contradict Catholic doctrine, the Catechism gives this explanation:
| "The Church has always understood these passages as not referring to other children of the Virgin Mary. In fact James and Joseph, 'brothers of Jesus,' are the sons of another Mary, a disciple of Christ..." Pg. 126 #500). |
Another Mary? Why the twisting of scripture? These verses clearly refer to Mary, the mother of Jesus. So why does the Catholic church deliberately mislead its members?
Is it to propagate an image of Mary as this divine creature, who is above having a normal marital relationship with her husband, Joseph?
Is it to make Mary appear more like current priests and nuns, leading a celibate life?
These are questions you must answer for yourself.
The pagan connection
Why elevate Mary to this "ever-virgin" state? Although it is beyond the scope of this book, there is an amazing resemblance between the Mary of Roman Catholicism and pagan deities that were worshipped in Old Testament times. It should be disconcerting to all Catholics that the Mary of their religion more closely resembles a pagan deity than the Mary of the Bible.
Conclusion
Was Mary this mystical "ever-virgin" or wasn't she? Your choice is again the same. Accept the traditions of men and reject the Word of God. Or believe God's Word as it is written:
| "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever." Psalm 119:160 |
Understanding Roman Catholicism © 1995 by Rick Jones
