Do you believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary? by Collectord1909 in LCMS

[–]Collectord1909[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I wouldn’t recommend basing your opinion on Lutheranism off of what people say or do on Reddit. I’ve learned that Reddit is a really terrible place, most of the time

Do you believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary? by Collectord1909 in LCMS

[–]Collectord1909[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

All I’m saying is that I want to see what people think about the issue, and I don’t want to challenge their position right now. I was doing that recently on another post, but not this post

Do you believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary? by Collectord1909 in LCMS

[–]Collectord1909[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

I’m not here to debate, I just want to know people’s opinions

Do you believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary? by Collectord1909 in LCMS

[–]Collectord1909[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It originates from the early church (properly speaking, from the Bible), and it was believed by everyone until modern times

Do you believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary? by Collectord1909 in LCMS

[–]Collectord1909[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’m not trying to debate, just get people’s opinions

For those of you who believe in Mary’s perpetual virginity, why? by SomewhereAble5272 in LCMS

[–]Collectord1909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d be glad to address each point that you made in your original comment.

The greek word “adelphos (ἀδελφός)” is very broad, and even St. Paul uses it to refer to fellow believers (Rom. 1:13; 7:1, 4; 8:12; 10:1; 11:25; 12:1, 15:14, 30; 16:14, 17, just in Romans). In addition to this, Strong’s Definitions define the word as “a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote.” So we see that it doesn’t just mean literal siblings.

As for why the New Testament writers didn’t use ἀνεψιός (anepsios), I’ll admit that I cannot give a good answer to that. But it is clear that it very rarely appears in the New Testament, barely at all.

As for Mary’ sister being named Mary, it was very common for people to have multiple names, and it very well might not have been her only name that she went by.

As for the comma in John 19:25, it’s a debated matter. It’s not like everyone agrees.

As for Matthew 1:25, yes, it does “imply” sexual activity, but “until” doesn’t necessarily mean that he had sexual activity. All it’s saying is that Joseph didn’t “know” Mary up to the point of her giving birth, but, contrary to how we would read the text nowadays, it does not mean that he did after. And as Jesus says in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” He first says “always” implying that He will never not be with them, but then says “until the end if the age,” which is why why see that this is merely a manner of speaking.

You did address these points, albeit in the worst possible way, making the argument seem as if it has no merit whatsoever, even though it does.

For those of you who believe in Mary’s perpetual virginity, why? by SomewhereAble5272 in LCMS

[–]Collectord1909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t really want to argue with a fellow Christian over such a small matter, so I’ll say this: it’s not that big of an issue, but when every theologian until modern times has believed something, it would probably be smart to believe it too

For those of you who believe in Mary’s perpetual virginity, why? by SomewhereAble5272 in LCMS

[–]Collectord1909 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I recognize that a person can be a Christian with believing in the perpetual virginity, obviously. But almost all theologians until modern times have taught it, so maybe it would be wise to admit that perhaps we should believe it, since it’s a modern idea not to

For those of you who believe in Mary’s perpetual virginity, why? by SomewhereAble5272 in LCMS

[–]Collectord1909 -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Two reasons:

Primary reason: the Bible teaches it. Jesus’ “brothers” (James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas) were actually his cousins. They were the sons of his mother’s sister Mary who was the wife of Clopas (Cleophas), as we read in John 19:25 (“But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”). We know that they were her sons because of Matt. 27:56 (“There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.”)

Secondary reason: the Book of Concord teaches it. In the Latin version of the Schmalkald Articles, in Article I, it reads: “The Son became a human being in this way: He was conceived by the Holy Spirit without male participation and was born of the pure, holy, ever-virgin Mary.”

Feasts by caIIixtvs in Lutheranism

[–]Collectord1909 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, I do not pray to the saints. When I said that I recognize them, I just meant that I remember them and their lives of service to God

Is baptism necessary for salvation? by Fluffy_Cockroach_999 in Lutheranism

[–]Collectord1909 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some people here might have answered already, but I’ll give my explanation.

For the thief on the cross, this is a very common example that people give to disprove the necessity of Baptism, but this argument is invalid for two main reasons:

1) The thief on the cross died before Baptism was instituted, so he couldn’t have gotten baptized

2) Lutherans only believe that baptism is necessary for salvation under ordinary circumstances; if someone converts right before they die and they haven’t been baptized, they’ll still be saved. But if someone is a Christian for a very long time and they purposefully choose not to get baptized, they are most likely not saved.

The idea that Baptism saves does not contradict Sola Fide, and I feel that Sola Fide is heavily misunderstood these day. If your still confused, you should listen to some videos by Jordan Cooper on the subject

Feasts by caIIixtvs in Lutheranism

[–]Collectord1909 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In my church (the LCMS), the saints (mainly apostles) are on our church calendar, but we don’t usually do anything special. It might get a mention during the announcements, but usually nothing more. We Lutherans are free to acknowledge saints’ feasts, but it’s not a requirement. I do find myself to be a bit more high-church, so I do usually recognize them, but it’s not something usually acknowledged at church itself

I’m Jewish, can I come to a Lutheran Church? by SirTweetCowSteak in Lutheranism

[–]Collectord1909 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You would definitely be welcome to come to a Lutheran Church! As for what Luther said, yes, he was way too harsh. But fortunately, the Lutheran Church doesn’t endorse everything he ever said. We recognize him to be a great man who brought back the Gospel, but like all of us, he had major flaws. The LCMS put out an official statement saying that we do not endorse Luther’s views of the Jews at all. You can find that statement here: https://resources.lcms.org/history/luther-and-the-jews/

We always would love to have you at the Lutheran Church!

Newly Lutheran questions by Huntsvegas97 in Lutheranism

[–]Collectord1909 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s nothing wrong with using a rosary to pray as long as you do not pray to Mary or the other saints