Special Mid-Summer Bible Conversation on Hard Sayings in the Bible (Reserve Question C - Blessed Virgin Mary)

 

Reserve question C –The Blessed Virgin Mary: we know that, in order for God’s salvific plan to be accomplished, Jesus could not have been born through human reproduction; a virgin was chosen to carry His human life in her womb. The virgin, of course, was Mary; however, did she remain a virgin after Jesus’ birth? Even though she is venerated by a number of denominations, is it appropriate to pray to her or “through” her? (Luke 1:26-56)  Some denominations say yes, however, scripture tells us that Jesus had brothers and sisters. Read Matthew 12:46-50. One of Jesus’ brothers, James, is credited with writing the epistle James. The Roman Catholic tradition says about Mary's "Perpetual Virginity: Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus. This is a blatant contradiction of scripture. They perceive her to be a "co-redemptrix" with Jesus, implying that Jesus was not enough to save, that Mary was obliged to coordinate and cooperate with Jesus in the role of salvation. Tradition also says that Mary had no other children - only Jesus. Yet, there are some in Roman Catholic leadership who are contesting that view, because they opened their Bibles and read it for themselves. Still, they are contesting minimally, or silently in some cases. 

As far as praying through her, see 1 Timothy 2:5-6. There is only ONE mediator between God and man, and it is not Mary. Even though she was blessed to be used for a divine purpose, she was not perfect and therefore could not fulfill the role of a mediator for sins or for a prayer stand-in. The Roman Catholic tradition teaches, however, that when the angel Gabriel asked her about bearing God's Son, that at the moment of her consent, she was made perfect, that the "stain" of sin was removed. And that her consent/assent to be used by God obliged her to remain a virgin all of her life. 

Then why was Joseph even in the picture???