January 01, 2005
Truth reigns: ‘Brother of Jesus’ box a forgery
The find of a ancient burial box with the inscription “James, brother of Jesus” was announced as “proof” that the Catholic Church was wrong in naming Jesus as an only child. In the Old and New Testaments, the word “brother” is used to describe male relatives, whether they be cousins, uncles or other. The Catholic Church has long insisted that Mary was a perpetual virgin, following in the customs of her time. However, on burial boxes the word “cousin” would have been used, rather than “brother.” So the find of an ancient burial box, believed from around the time of Christ, with the inscription “James, brother of Jesus” was hailed as proof that the Church was wrong.
Now fastforward to the present - Israel has just indicted those who found the box on charges of fraud. Apparently the men would find old artifacts and then inscribe them with religiously-inspired writings. This means we’re back to the beginning: there is absolutely no historical proof that Mary had other children or Jesus had actual brothers. In other words, the protestant supposition is exactly that. And it betrays a lack of understanding of the Old Testament use of “brother” and the reality of the time Christ lived in – it was completely understandable for a husband and wife to take vows of chastity.
Just more evidence of the truth that can be found in the oral Word – Tradition. As St. Paul writes:
2 Thess 2:15. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.
For Scriptural analysis see The brothers and sisters of Jesus: Did Mary have other children? Or for information on obeying the oral Word as well as the written, see A Quick Overview of Sola Scriptura: The Bible Alone.
God bless,
Jay
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Jay,
What does it matter. The status of Mary after Jesus is born has nothing to do with salvation or the teachings of God. Whether or she consumated with her husband or stayed virgin is irrelavent. Christ is our purpose and should be the focus.
Posted by: Stan at January 3, 2005 01:06 AMStan,
It matters because people use this as an excuse to stay out of the Church Christ founded. Thus, it becomes a key issue.
God bless,
Jay
Jay,
Sorry to get off topic. The key issue keeping most Protestants from CC is cultural(notice that the root of Culture is Cult). Basically Protestantism is the predominate faith of this country(most people are born into it) their religion is at a surface level and not a serious part of their lives. Your average Protestant has no Idea that the Catholics believe Mary was an ever virgin. I would love to say that everyone has sat down and studied and prayed about their religious choices but most don't. The same can be said for most Catholics, muslims, budhist, etc.
Sorry if I come of as critical of your passion for this site. I just belived that the more important issue is developing a personal relationtship with Christ. Once a person has that its all they need to find truth. With out that relationship life is pretty darn pointless in my opinion. Personally I have never gone to one of my Catholic friends and argued them out of the CC. I pray with them, study with them and they come to their conclusions themselves of what the truth is.
God Bless
Posted by: Stan at January 3, 2005 12:01 PMStan, in my experience it's the average Catholic whose religion is at surface level. Actually, it's less than that. Most Catholics I know go to mass just on Christmas Eve once they're confirmed and will only marry a Catholic, but otherwise there's little to it. Perhaps this has to do with what part of the country you're in. This is my experience in the northeast. John Kerry is more serious about being Catholic than most Catholics I've known in the northeast.
On the main issue, I'm not sure what the concern should be anyway, Jay. The box wasn't even established to be about the Jesus of the Bible anyway. That did happen to be one of the most common male names in those days. Most scholars who defended its authenticity thought that it was likely to be a good shot at being the James who wrote James and was a central elder in the congregation in Jerusalem. They didn't think it was a sure thing. I think the only one I saw putting a number said that there could have been maybe three or so people named Jesus/Joshua having someone named James as a brother in that region from that time.
Posted by: Jeremy Pierce at January 8, 2005 04:46 PMDear friends,
Muslim, Budhism, Jainism, Hindusm,and Sikhism response to christian faith or understanding to Jesus Christ.
If you can send me or advise the book that I request you,I will be very thankful to you.
Thinking you
your's in christ
Jehu lal
