The only reason I'm even posting here is because I think Legolas' response is not as complete as it could/should be in pointing out your misreading of the Bible.
From a theological perspective, Matthew (i.e., the author of the Gospel; whether or not that is really Matthew is another theological dispute) wants to emphasize that when Christ is born, Mary is STILL a virgin. She wasn't just a virgin upon conception; she was still a virgin at the moment of birth, which to Matthew's perspective is important to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah.
To extrapolate from a phrase like "and Joseph did not know Mary prior to the time when she bore a son" that he did consummate the relationship afterwards, while likely in the context of really any healthy marriage whatsoever, is not a logical consequence of the statement. The Koine is clear where the English might not be:
και ὀυκ ἐγινωσκεν ἀυτην ἑως ὁυ ἐτεκεν υἱον
The verb is in the imperfect, which shows a past ongoing action (he was not knowing) all the way up until (ἑως ὁυ) she had (aorist - simple one time event) a son. No implication is made regarding what may or may not have happened afterwards.
From a theological perspective, Matthew (i.e., the author of the Gospel; whether or not that is really Matthew is another theological dispute) wants to emphasize that when Christ is born, Mary is STILL a virgin. She wasn't just a virgin upon conception; she was still a virgin at the moment of birth, which to Matthew's perspective is important to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah.
To extrapolate from a phrase like "and Joseph did not know Mary prior to the time when she bore a son" that he did consummate the relationship afterwards, while likely in the context of really any healthy marriage whatsoever, is not a logical consequence of the statement. The Koine is clear where the English might not be:
και ὀυκ ἐγινωσκεν ἀυτην ἑως ὁυ ἐτεκεν υἱον
The verb is in the imperfect, which shows a past ongoing action (he was not knowing) all the way up until (ἑως ὁυ) she had (aorist - simple one time event) a son. No implication is made regarding what may or may not have happened afterwards.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
every time a republican candidate mentions rape, i think of the following video
25/10/2012 05:58:16 PM
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that's hilarious and evokes a "what the shit?" much like all those gop jackasses.
25/10/2012 08:03:24 PM
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The sole difference between Western and Mideast fundamentalists is the god blamed for intolerance
26/10/2012 01:29:54 AM
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I am SO GOING to get flamed for asking this
25/10/2012 08:45:21 PM
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No, because God did not have sex with Mary.
25/10/2012 09:23:12 PM
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Closer than Roland, but still off.
25/10/2012 09:51:12 PM
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However parsed, since Marys supposed sinlessness is through Christs conception, it is retroactive
25/10/2012 10:10:48 PM
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The point I am horrible job making is this
25/10/2012 10:12:53 PM
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The biblical narrative states an act of CONCEPTION without an act of SEX.
25/10/2012 10:37:48 PM
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One other thing
25/10/2012 10:14:27 PM
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It certainly does not say that
26/10/2012 01:15:45 AM
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New GOP Congressmen daily refute the GOPs pretended support of rape exceptions to abortion bans.
25/10/2012 10:07:21 PM
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This is not a source I generally resort to, but let me quote John Cornyn:
25/10/2012 11:11:04 PM
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I think he is an idiot for saying it
25/10/2012 11:53:01 PM
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Calling y Gods will calls x Gods will, because y depends on x.
26/10/2012 12:14:27 AM
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I'm really not going to debate theodicy with you, especially since I'm not even a believer.
26/10/2012 12:24:57 AM
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Choice forms a critical distinction there; small wonder Cornyn and Mourdock missed it.
26/10/2012 12:48:18 AM
- 492 Views