Anyone read the book "Was Jesus Married?&q...

by Judith 21 Replies latest jw friends

  • Judith
    Judith

    Patio34 and Closer2fine

    Thanks for helping.

    I will check out all responses.

  • closer2fine
    closer2fine
  • Judith
    Judith

    Hi Closer

    a bit more then I wanted to spend. But you are getting close. I was just checking out the other site you listed.

    Judith

  • Judith
    Judith

    Just found a copy on Amazon Auctions and $25.00 takes the book. I got the book. Thanks for all your help

  • Abaddon
    Abaddon

    SUGGESTIVE EVIDENCE
    It's an interesting topic, although inconclusive and quite possibly irrelevant!

    http://www.grailchurch.org/marriedjesus.htm

    1. The marriage of Jesus Christ is a taboo subject because most Christians regard it as an impious suggestion. They think this way because marriage implies sexuality, and sexuality is defiled in Christian dogma. A married Christ is rejected for theological reasons, not because of historical facts which may disprove the thesis.

    2. While the New Testament "appears" to be silent on the subject, it was not until Clement of Alexandria, from the 2nd Century, that any Christian leader denied that Jesus Christ was married. Clement believed that a married Jesus was inconsistent with His role as the Savior of the world, not that marriage would have disqualified Him, but rather, that His public ministry was too demanding to allow Him the opportunity for marriage.

    3. All later references in the Patristic writings show the Church Fathers following the same pattern: they deny that Jesus was married based upon the supposed silence of the Scriptures and doctrinal problems which were inconsistent with the Church's dogma (e.g. a celibate priesthood, the ritual defilement of seminal emissions, etc.).

    4. There was a 2nd Century tradition among various heretical sects which taught that Jesus was married. Clement and others may have been reacting to those movements.

    5. Although he didn't say one way or the other, Ireneaus' Doctrine of Recapitulation supports the notion of a married Savior. With a style similar to the Druids, Ireneaus, another 2nd Century leader, taught that Jesus Christ symbolically entered every critical stage of human existence and sanctified it. Since family life, including sexuality, is central to our lives, it seems logically consistent with the mission of a Savior to redeem and sanctify this aspect of our experience, as well.

    6. In their dispute with Augustine, the Celtic Pelagians argued that the Atonement of Christ cancelled Original Sin. If Original Sin was, as Augustine argued, a sexually transmitted disease of the soul, then Christ has reversed the process and made it a transmitter of healing, health, and virtue.

    7. In keeping with the Creeds of the Church, the offspring of Christ would not have represented a "divine race". The Creeds teach that Christ had two natures: one human and one divine, without mingling and without confusion. Since procreation is a human function, we can reasonably say that the children of Jesus would have been just as human as any other human being.

    INDIRECT EVIDENCE

    1. Jewish customs of Jesus' day required married Rabbis. Unmarried men were considered a curse to Jewish society. Jesus would not have had much credibility as a leader had He not been married. Although Jesus was a non-conformist and had many conflicts with Jewish tradition, His parents, Joseph and Mary, were not. The Bible says that they were careful to perfectly obey the laws of their people. It also says that Jesus was "subject unto them". Since Jewish culture practiced arranged marriages and early marriage, as well (a Jewish boy was marriageable at age 16), it is reasonable to assume that Jesus' parents would have performed their parental duties faithfully and arranged a bride for the young Jesus. There are 18 silent years in His life (12 - 30). The Gospel of John tells us that there were many other things which Jesus did which have not been recorded.

    This point is important because it shifts the weight of presumption. Given the cultural milieu in which Jesus lived and the supporting Biblical evidence, the burden of proof lies with those who do not believe Jesus was married. They must show why Jesus and His parents would have been derelict in their civic responsibilities and not contracted a marriage.

    2. According to Josephus, descendants of the House of David felt a moral obligation to perpetuate their line, never knowing which one among their descendants would be the chosen Messiah. Jesus may or may not have known who He was, but regardless, He lived as a normal person until called by the ministry of John the Baptist.

    DIRECT EVIDENCE

    1. Hippolytus, a Christian leader from the late 2nd Century, was followed by Origen in the 3rd Century in saying that the Song of Solomon was a prophecy of a marital union between Christ and Mary Magdalene. Although they believed Mary was symbolic of the Church, nevertheless, the notion presupposed a real, albeit a spiritual (meaning non-sexual), marriage between Mary and Jesus.

    2. There are hints scattered in the Gospels of a special relationship between Jesus and Mary. If she is the same Mary of Bethany in John 11, then we can explain why Martha arose to greet Jesus and not Mary. Some scholars say she was sitting sheva according to Jewish custom. "Sheva" was when a woman was in mourning. Married women were not allowed to break-off from their mourning unless called by their husbands. In this story, Mary does not come to Jesus, until He calls her.

    At the Resurrection, when Mary meets Jesus in the Garden, there is a degree of intimacy (see the Aramaic here) which one would expect between lovers, not friends.

    The Greek word for "woman" and "wife" is the same. Translators must rely upon the context in deciding how to translate it. Sometimes, the translation is arbitrary. When Mary is referred to as a "woman" who followed Jesus, it can just as easily be translated as "wife".

    4. The story of Mary with the alabaster jar anointing the feet of Jesus is cited by some scholars as the most direct witness to their marriage. It is in all four Gospels and was a story in which Jesus gave express command that it be preserved. This ceremony was an ancient one among many royal houses in the ancient world, which sealed the marital union between the king and his priestess spouse. We find it mentioned briefly in the Song of Solomon. Although we may not understand its significance, Jesus and Mary knew exactly what they were doing. To be the valid Messiah, He had to be anointed first by the Bride. They were by-passing the corrupt Jewish establishment.

    There is more support for the marital status of Jesus. However, it involves a discussion of the Old Testament prophets which would be too tedious to undertake, here. It is important to realize, however, that belief in a married Jesus does not require any more faith than a resurrected Jesus. And if you know where to look, you can find just as much biblical evidence for both.

    Keep on rocking in the free world...

  • Judith
    Judith

    Abaddon

    I agree that whether Jesus was married or not is probably of little importance. Except for catholic clergy who do not marry. But I wanted to put the book back in my library of religion. Perhaps it will be a good coffee table book. Imagine the discussions that will begin with that. Or maybe not. Don't want to lose any friends over the discussion of religion. Did that in the past.

  • MegaDude
    MegaDude

    Imagine the discussions that will begin with that. Or maybe not. Don't want to lose any friends over the discussion of religion. Did that in the past.
    --------------------------------------------------------

    Judith, if you would like an interesting discussion with your religious friends, you could simply invite them to watch "The Last Temptation of Christ" which is guaranteed to upset any fundy. Great film though, and it portrays Jesus getting married to Mary Magdalene, and later to Mary and Elizabeth, and having lots of children.
    Best film I have ever seen on the struggle between humaness and spirituality. I'll bet you've seen it already.

    "The God that comes before skepticism may bear little resemblence to the God that comes after."

    M. Scott Peck (The Road Less Traveled)

  • Judith
    Judith

    MegaDude

    Actually I have never seen "The Last Temptation of Christ" I believe it was on the list of movies not to watch. Now I can watch it if I choose. "The God that comes before skepticism may bear little resemblence to the God that comes after," that you put at the end of your post is most thought provoking. After giving up the WT recently, I feel the void of there not being a God. I am sure that I will keep my mind open to the possibility of a "Loving God." And I will wait for that God that comes after.

    Thanks

  • MegaDude
    MegaDude

    Judith,

    What you're going through is a normal process of spirituality. It is difficult to retain a belief in God, envision a loving God, when that belief has been so seriously distorted by the Watchtower Society.
    Some find it impossible. Others move on after a time and find a spiritual grace.

    I love the film "Last Temptation of Christ." I think you will also. It doesn't pretend to be a factual retelling of the Jesus of the Gospels, but a clever "What if Jesus was just like you and I and was chosen to be the Messiah." Religious fundies hated the film because they saw it as denigrating to the image of Christ. But they miss the point of the film in that it shows so clearly what any person experiences when they travel down a spiritual path. In my opinion, it is the best religious/spiritual film I've ever seen, and I recommend it highly. The climatic ending of the film is inspiring.

    "The God that comes before skepticism may bear little resemblence to the God that comes after."

    M. Scott Peck (The Road Less Traveled)

  • Judith
    Judith

    MegaDude

    After 28 years of believing in the WTS's version of religion, I felt such a void, a black emptiness when I saw through the lies. How could I have been so dumb? It all seems so easy to see right now I am so angry. Perhaps more with myself for being taken in and studying, always studying and so much of my life wasted on lies. Thinking that the true religion (what I was seeking since I was 9 years old) would require total obedience, tons of studying, sacrifices, and non-questioning (cause God might get mad if I didn't give up my entire life). Thank you for your insight into what I am feeling right now.

    I will try to rent "The Last Temptation of Christ" and watch it tonight.

    Thanks

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