Posted by Big Al at 3cust104.tnt1.hou3.da.uu.net on November 15, 1999 at 10:25:57:
In Reply to: Dogma thoughts and Bible Question posted by Dr. Don on November 15, 1999 at 10:15:23:
: So, here's my Bible question: when Rufus brought up Bethany being a descendent of one of Jesus's *siblings* (pay attention, you critics :-)),
: I was expecting him to go on and cite chapter and verse where the Bible *says* Jesus has siblings. He's got four brothers that are mentioned by name ("James, Joseph, Simon and Judas", Matthew 13:55, see also Mark 3:31 and parallel verses), and an unmentioned number of sisters ("all his sisters", Matthew 13:56 -- Serendipity would not be suprised that the sisters don't get names.). Paul's letters and the book of Acts confirm that his brother James (not to be confused with the Apostle James, the son of Zebedee, Matthew 3:17 and Acts 12:2) took over the leadership of the movement after Jesus's departure (Galatians 1:19, Acts 15:13), and the book of James is traditionally believed to be written by this brother (who was executed just prior to the big Jewish rebellion in 66 CE.). So why did Kevin resort to this rather odd, hypothetical, "you don't think Joseph and Mary didn't do it, do you?" approach? It makes it seem like he's suggesting something controversial. I don't even understand why Bethany was so suprised. Is this something that is widely believed by Catholics, despite the Biblical evidence to the contrary?
Had to preface my statement with that, in case I'm proven wrong.
I think that the (Holy Roman?) Catholic church - if indeed the above verses are in thier bible - would say that the words 'brothers' and 'sisters' are being used liberally.
Which, I would like to note, would go against thier apparent claim that the bible is to be taken literally.
This would be my totally uneducated guess - about matter theological, I stand aloof.
(I only wish the Church would release the transcripts of Galileo's trial.)
Al