What are the main arguments Protestants use against the idea of the perpetual virginity of Mary?

Question

Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodoxy have the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary. Protestants generally don't have that belief.

This question is the opposite of this one.

Geremia · Accepted Answer · 2022-05-24 22:20:49Z

2

They tend to be those of the heretic Helvidus, who held that:

St. Mary had other children besides Jesus
St. Joseph "knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son" (Matt. 1:25) means that he did know her after His birth

and thus she was not a perpetual virgin.

answered May 24, 2022 at 22:04

Geremia

37.8k4 gold badges47 silver badges96 bronze badges

Too bad Jerome didn't address Tertullian's points, but merely did what he condemned at point 24. Oddly Jerome uses one argument of Tertullian's proof of a normal birth as a normal birth (no virginity remaining), but simply asserts a continued miracle as was the conception at point 20. Perhaps so, but perhaps not. Ah well,
– SLM
May 25, 2022 at 4:57

Add a comment |

1 Answer 1