Ah, you've made a wild extrapolation there without even pausing to take a breath and notice some huge essential distinctions.
What I did say was that I never met a Catholic who thought sex between a husband and wife was dirty. What I didn't say was that after the Incarnation and Birth of God from her body, Mary and Joseph had sex.
I'm sure you can see the difference here.
Mary had already been overshadowed by the power of the Most High, and given to God to be the mother of the Divine Child. Being already given, she's not going to later consider herself God's "ex," God's divorcee, or God's widow, and thus be free to join herself to another spouse.
It's inconsistent for you --- I assume you're a sola Scriptura guy --- to pencil in that Mary and Joseph had sex, which is not stated in Scripture, and when no Christian even imagined such a thing until 1500 years after the Incarnation.
An even large issue, if possible, is that you assume that if a couple doesn't have sex, it must be because they think sex is dirty and sinful.
That doesn't follow. It doesn't follow for anyone. Especially in view of Mary's extraordinary intimacy with God, that deserves a little more thought, doesn't it?
HI MDO,
” It’s inconsistent for you -— I assume you’re a sola Scriptura guy -— to pencil in that Mary and Joseph had sex, which is not stated in Scripture, and when no Christian even imagined such a thing until 1500 years after the Incarnation.”
It is entirely consistent of me as someone who obeys and respects God’s revelation, to assume that:
1. Mary was an obedient follower of the will of God.
2. ALL married couples are commanded to have sex, except for short periods of time devoted to prayer.
3. Ergo, Mary and Joseph, obedient followers of God, fulfilled His commands with joy and satisfaction.
4. God never commanded Mary to abstain from sex forever in Scripture.
5. Joseph was never commanded to abstain from sex by God, as recorded in Scripture.
6. No record exists in Scripture that says they abstained from sex forever.
In other words, in Scripture, your claim is working from total silence.
However... I’m open to your evidence always. So...
Please show me any written record before 100 ad that demonstrates it was widely taught or believed that Mary was a perpetual virgin (or that she was assumed into heaven, for that matter).
The sources you quote to prove your claim can include any source before 100ad, including:
Extra-Biblical Christian writings
Christian art
Secular writings
Secular art
Have at it sis! I’m rootin’ for you!
As you gather up your sources (which will not fill a thimble, I predict), also remember that just because no believed something doesn’t prove it was true. People have a history of making up things and pretending they are true. So back to the sources and actual facts to prove your case.
AMPU
PS -
“An even large issue, if possible, is that you assume that if a couple doesn’t have sex, it must be because they think sex is dirty and sinful. “
No, if they are obedient Christians, they are only abstaining because they are not able to have sex or they are devoting time to prayer for a brief period.