No worries, it's a common question. Jesus's brothers were considered to be Joseph's older sons by a previous marriage (since Joseph apparently died during the silent years between Jesus's 12th and 30th birthdays, he is thought to have been significantly older than Mary. No proof, just tradition) or they were cousins. This line of thinking is "extra-biblical" meaning it's not in the text but became part of the early church tradition. Some extra-biblical stories are more trustworthy than others.
Mary was not perpetually a virgin and the catholic worship of her is idolatrous. The Bible is clear on Whom we are to worship. I believe this elevation of Mary is not what she would have wanted. Multiple times in the gospels she points to Jesus and asks people to do whatever He asks. She was a humble woman who worshiped her Savior, and would probably be horrified at what the catholic church has done of her.
Natalia, my article describes part of the development of the beliefs that surround Mary. I am not saying they are all equally true, but knowing how these teachings came about can help us all understand each other’s beliefs. None of my research has uncovered teaching that supports worshipping her as a deity, equal to her Son, though it’s very possible that it happens “on the ground” no matter what the official teaching of the church says. In fact, even the pope recently rebutted some people‘s devotion to her as co-redemptrix, saying that she definitely was not that, that only Jesus Christ saves us. I was glad to hear that from him. If you have any resources from your own cultural background that discuss Mary, I’d love to see them.
FABULOUS article!!
Forgive my ignorance but then how did they explain Jesus’s brothers? Is there evidence that Joseph had a second wife or concubine?
No worries, it's a common question. Jesus's brothers were considered to be Joseph's older sons by a previous marriage (since Joseph apparently died during the silent years between Jesus's 12th and 30th birthdays, he is thought to have been significantly older than Mary. No proof, just tradition) or they were cousins. This line of thinking is "extra-biblical" meaning it's not in the text but became part of the early church tradition. Some extra-biblical stories are more trustworthy than others.
Mary was not perpetually a virgin and the catholic worship of her is idolatrous. The Bible is clear on Whom we are to worship. I believe this elevation of Mary is not what she would have wanted. Multiple times in the gospels she points to Jesus and asks people to do whatever He asks. She was a humble woman who worshiped her Savior, and would probably be horrified at what the catholic church has done of her.
Natalia, my article describes part of the development of the beliefs that surround Mary. I am not saying they are all equally true, but knowing how these teachings came about can help us all understand each other’s beliefs. None of my research has uncovered teaching that supports worshipping her as a deity, equal to her Son, though it’s very possible that it happens “on the ground” no matter what the official teaching of the church says. In fact, even the pope recently rebutted some people‘s devotion to her as co-redemptrix, saying that she definitely was not that, that only Jesus Christ saves us. I was glad to hear that from him. If you have any resources from your own cultural background that discuss Mary, I’d love to see them.