This "The Chosen" Roundtable may get me Cancelled

[@pamdodds8210]

I am glad you are not shying away from this subject. It is good to discuss this thoughtfully and prayerfully, as I know you did. Watching you for some years now, we should know you and your heart for people and your reverence for the word of God. I agree with your reading and studying of the Bible on this subject. It is a subject that I also believe is a defining tenet of our faith. You navigated the subject very well. I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t addressed this subject.

[@Digitally_Faith]

Props to you for respectfully talking about this while standing in your truth. I wish more people on KZbin were like that.

[@kathryncobb182]

I agree with your comments and I believe you shared them in a very respectful way Brandon, I wish the rest of the world would learn how to do that. I honestly don't care if he had brothers my focus is on Jesus Christ, who was the only perfect person to walk the earth....Not Mary but Jesus.

[@jemsmom97]

I can feel your last sentence deeply hurting Jesus’s heart.

[@bernadettehanna1117]

Virgin Mary is the mother of Jesus we must respect and honour her

[@amb7412]

Thank you so much Brandon for respectfully tackling this subject, which is hard to navigate with conflict. I do believe that Joseph knew his wife after Jesus was born and they did create a family. He was the best surrogate dad ever and she was a remarkable mom to our Lord and Savior. Thank you as always for your tactfulness.

[@dhiasmemyself]

Actually in Aramaic there is no word for cousin, so they use the word brother and sister for cousin...

[@lisadaniels2519]

Hey Brandon thank you for your unapologetic stand. I agree with you.

[@hemsty2]

I am sorry that Bishop Barron was not the Catholic representative in this roundtable - I am sure he would have explained this issue much better than the priest who sat in this time

[@andrewlashley2239]

Trent horn or better yet Tim staples.

[@andrewlashley2239]

@H even Martin Luther adhered to her perpetual virginity and immaculate conception. Luther merely recanted at the end of his life if I am correct. Calvin is where this belief really was first dropped by the "reformers" orthodox teach it as well.

[@tesicarmonawagner6966]

@@andrewlashley2239 or Scott Hahn!! I would really like them to dare call on him for when they do John 6.

[@paulmoy7954]

Here's my line of reasoning as to why Mary is our Blessed Mother, ergo perpetual virgin, and thus no other children. I think we can all start with the base that Jesus is the Son of God, and the Second Person in the Trinity, and God. So, with that said, He is sinless and would therefore not break any of the 10 commandments, as God Himself would be breaking His own commandments. So, with the verse in Matthew 12:48-50, that is captured in this video, maybe we could agree that it *sounds* like a slight, or something disrespectful, no? Or the other verse in John 2:4 "Woman, it is not my time..." You have to admit it sounds harsh and rather dismissive of a thing for Jesus to say to His mom. Wouldn't Jesus be breaking the commandment of honoring your father and mother? And if we can agree that Jesus is the Son of God, and God, He would be breaking His own commandment. And since we know that cannot possibly be the case, wouldn't it be plausible that there's a contextual and/or translation issue? Or there's the other passage in Luke 11:27-28: "Blessed is the mother...rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (NIV) It's really challenging as the Greek text could mean other things, such "even more so" or "more than that" (NKJV). The premise of my argument is, translations are difficult, and the Bible was written with high context for people of that time. That's why some things are a mystery, and we will eventually understand. 1 Corinthians 13:12. Second to last Matthew 19:26: "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible," also "Hail, full of grace (Luke 1:28). What that grace involves, I don't know, but it's plausible to me that Mary has some sort of special dispensation. On a lighter note, a joke that my Jewish neighbor told me: "If you lock 10 rabbis in a room, and ask them a question, you'll get 11 answers." God bless.

[@andrewlashley2239]

@H the point is that this was taught from the time of the apostles until Calvin. Every Christian for the first 1500 years was taught this. Sorry but I trust interpretations closer to the source. Jesus is our savior. Not Calvin not Luther not you.

[@arxarx6795]

Hello! Great topic. The angel declared, “Hail, full of grace.” If something is full of grace, it cannot have sin within it. He was speaking to whom? Mary. 😇 God bless! Just stumbled onto your channel. 😎

[@lance9249]

Acts 6:8-15 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Stephen too? at this point all these sinless people 😂

[@arxarx6795]

@@lance9249 if you are in a state of grace, then technically, yes. But many humans probably cannot maintain it for long. One profanity or impure thought and sin is on your scoreboard again, lol.

[@barbarascott3362]

Thanks, Brandon, for giving voice to my beliefs in such a patient, thoughtful way.

[@jembenjamin]

The priest is a very good priest, but for this delicate subject, what was needed with somebody very great in theological specialization. As a former protestant turn Catholic, I think a very good articulation on this is covered in the book Behold Your Mother by Tim Staples. He is a former Assemblies of God minister turned to Catholic, who gets into the Hebrew, Greek, culture in history that support the Catholic view of Mary. Also, Dallas to his credit mentioned that Martin Luther and John Calvin both affirmed the perpetual virginity of Mary. When I was a protestant I definitely believe they were Bible believing Christians and I’m sure my present protestant brothers and sisters in Christ believe the same thing too.

[@texaslocoman1]

The priest did his best. The show is run by a protestant and are mostly protestants the one conducting this drama. The priest know he won't convert anyone Catholicism. I would't be there in the first place.

[@deb9806]

Bishop Barren has given opinions and I think less shy with Dallas and others. I can believe what I believe and accept others don't but am surprised when an Evangelical thinks she has to change me or says I'm going to hell. I don't get that from the JW or Mormon"s who knock on my door on occasion. Respect is something we are losing in this country.

[@BigAL68xyz]

A JW will never tell you you're going to hell because they don't believe in hell. js@@deb9806

[@annietoups5531]

Agree.

[@JenniferFutch]

I had never heard that Mary didn’t have other children, and never heard that Mary was believed to be a perpetual virgin, and never heard that Mary was also sinless until I saw Catholics get upset when familial relationships were mentioned. I read the Bible. Brother means brother, sister means sister, cousin means cousin.

[@JohnPrepuce]

I call my friend "brother" sometimes, my adopted daughter I call "daughter" even though she is not biologically related to me. Brother does not always mean the same thing as "brother", brother.

[@TerriPatillo]

No. Certain old Jewish dialect have no word for brother, sister, cousin. Educate yourself

[@jayschwartz6131]

so you believe that Abraham and Lot where sons of the same woman because Abraham calls Lot by brother in the Bible?

[@jemsmom97]

Sorry Jennifer but you’re forgetting the Bible wasn’t written in English. We’ve got a translation issue here.

[@EvelynElaineSmith]

In Hebrew or Aramaic, any male relative was a "brother", although one might assume from the cultural context (& the Protestant idea of Solus scriptura) that Yeshua had half brothers or sisters. Similarly, in Aramaic & Hebrew, the word "yod" means hand, but so does the arm.

[@atgred]

I have been Catholic my whole life. I am 48, and I never have seen or heard someone portray Mary as equal to her Son, never. But we do have her in a very high place because God exalted her, not us. By calling her through the Archangel “Kaire, Kecharitomene!” And not only in Luke we read what God has done for her GREAT THINGS, although she doesn’t specify what great things, but maybe one of them is to prevent her from sin? But also in the Old Testament passages like Psalm 45, which in the first part we can clearly read Jesus being prophesied. And after verse 9 we read about a woman which has parallels to NT passages: Psalms‬ ‭45:9-17 ‭‭(references and thoughts in parenthesis) “Kings' daughters were among thy HONORABLE women: upon thy right hand did stand the QUEEN (Rev. 12) in gold of Ophir. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; So shall the KING GREATLY DESIRE THY BEAUTY: for HE IS THY LORD; and worship thou him (only). And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift (Lk. 1:28); even the rich among the people shall ENTREAT THY FAVOUR (intercession). The king's daughter is all GLORIOUS WITHIN (immaculate): her clothing is of wrought gold. SHE shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins (religious women) her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace (heaven). Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children (mother of the christians) whom thou mayest make princes (bishops) in all the earth. I WILL make THY NAME to be REMEMBERED IN ALL GENERATIONS (Lk. 1:48) therefore shall the people PRAISE THEE FOR EVER AND EVER.” ‬

[@deb9806]

I never knew the lies told about Catholics until recently and I'm 63 and have known non Catholics most of my life. Maybe not all believe those things or they were just respectful. I was attacked by a woman from a Chosen forum for not being "born again" and baptism which is all Jesus had and others is not enough. I didn't engage because it wasn't good. Sometimes you need to do that on the internet, in person is much better.

[@sylviehardy6543]

For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:22,23,24 Mary also need the redemption of Christ. Let’s not let her distract us from Jesus. Worship God only. A saint is one who has been set apart for God’s purposes. Not an untouchable thing. And again having sex with one’s husband is not against holiness. Please!

[@AuthenticityVeritas]

@@sylviehardy6543 Mary doesn't distract us, she always leads to her son. Protestants project a lot of their fears onto practices and doctrines they don't understand. And those two common objections to her sinlessness you've pointed out don't actually stand muster. Jesus never sinned, so does "All" there mean "literally every single human" or just a general "all" that can admit an exception or two or three? If Jesus is excluded, then clearly that's a general "all". And yes, Mary needed a redeemer, Catholics are the first to admit so. We just believe that in HER exceptional case, as the new Ark carrying not just a staff, manna, and tablets in her womb, but the eternal High Priest, the Bread of Life, and the Logos of God uniting himself to her very flesh, this salvific grace was applied to her at conception, preparing her the same way the old Ark was prepared with great care and specification, to be the one through whom the Word came. None of this contradicts the Bible in ANY way! We just interpret it differently from you. On our side, though, we have also the testimony of the earliest Christians who viewed her the same way we do (As the New Eve, New Ark, Queen Mother of the New Covenant Kingdom, Mother of Christians given to us at the foot of the cross) ... and nothing at all like the late protestant ideas about her that started popping up 1500 years after Christianity started. And not just her: the early church viewed St. John the Baptist as sinless, as well. But no one has ever believed anyone gained grace apart from Christ's grace.

[@jozettacameron1522]

Thank you, Brandon, for speaking the TRUTH in love without compromise, even at the risk of offending men!!! The TRUTH of correct doctrine matters for we are to "obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). The truth of Scripture offends as the Word of God testifies that it would. I am a former Catholic, and truthfully, I didn't really know the history of Catholicism. I was raised to go to Mass and believe in God. I am grateful for being taught to believe in God, but truthfully, I had no understanding of Scripture, because I wasn't reading it. I never heard about the term, "being born again." Honestly, I prayed the rosary, because that is what I was I taught. I personally was oblivious to the false teachings of the Vatican/papacy, teaching of purgatory, infant baptism, and of Maryoligy or the sinlessness of the virgin Mary. I called out to God for myself being completely broken and ashamed of the sin in my life that I couldn't even confess to the Catholic priest, that I needed true deliverance and help to be free. I needed peace. I was craving to be free from these sins, which I hated, that when I went straight to God Himself by crying out to Him, the next morning, I experienced a complete deliverance and liberty that the virgin Mary nor man's tradition could give me. I experienced a real authentic change that lead me to begin reading the Bible for myself and introduced me to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I confess I continued at the time to attend the Catholic Church, but I slowly discovered the Lord was teaching me through reading His Word that there is a difference between the spirit of truth vs. the spirit of error. So, I left. I began learning that there are false teachings/doctrines and that as Born Again believers we must stand with the truth of God's Word and not man's traditions. There is one Mediator between God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). He alone is the atonement for our sins!! I will also say it was when I discovered the Catholic Priest on The Chosen Round Table, that I was first convicted by the Spirit of the Lord that something wasn't quite right. I eventually stopped watching after Season 2, because the Lord continued to lead me to see things that convicted me in watching it. The last thing, however, was when I was seeing Jonathon Rhoumie's image and the other actors in my mind when I was praying. I knew I couldn't continue to watch. Thank you so much again for loving your subscribers, even those who are Catholics, for being honest about salvation coming through Jesus Christ alone.

[@CyndeeRandall]

Excellent discussion. I agree with you, Brandon. I seem to recall one of your very early podcasts where you also discussed Mary as being on a high Catholic pedestal while protestants almost dismiss her other that at Christmas and at the foot of the cross with John. You called for balance. I love your heart for people, the Gospel, and Jesus. Keep standing for biblical truth.

[@craigdeming8391]

And as you said this is not something to break fellowship over as many in Catholic circles see Mary as highly favored, (Luke 1:28) and yet fully acknowledge she was waiting for our savior just like the rest of us. No worries.

[@jamesajiduah2001]

If someone is about to fall into a pit and they are prevented from falling, aren't they saved?

[@ComedyBros5]

As a former-Catholic turned non-labeled Christian, I remember Catholics putting Mary on the same pedestal of Jesus/the Holy Trinity. There was a whole Mass that was solely dedicated to the "Immaculate Conception."

[@williamfinch9858]

For some reason, Jesus' brothers and sisters aren't mentioned when He gets rejected in Nazareth. The line “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” isn't in the show for some reason.

[@texaslocoman1]

Pay attention "ALL HIS SISTERS" means much more than just 2, those are a lot of YOUNGER SIBLINGS. Where are they in Egypt?

[@storyhourwithmissbarbara7246]

I agree with your thinking, Brandon, as a member of the Church of Christ, having grown up Catholic. My mother and I once discussed Jesus having siblings and she too felt her trump card was Jesus giving his mother to John. I couldn't get her past it. I appreciated your counterargument. Also, scripture shows Mary hanging around with James and the rest and them being at Jesus' home in Nazareth, she could have easily stayed with them, but like you said, they weren't believers, yet. I find the idea that Mary has to be sexless to be sinless offensive. Of course, Mary and Joseph needed the physical intimacy, as God designed it, to bind them together and help them to be good parents to Jesus. I like the idea of Jesus growing up with siblings. We can't celebrate his sinlessness if it had no testing! There is no mention of his siblings, though, on the trip to Jerusalem when he was 12, although it could explain why his parents were so easily distracted!

[@perfectpeace00]

​@Carmelo Junior How long do you think they were in Egypt? Perhaps it was less than a year since they were only there waiting for Herod to die which he did in the Spring of 4 BC likely around passover which means Jesus spent Passover in Egypt which holds alot of meaning. Jesus was under age 2 when they went to Egypt. That was my interpretation from what I have read. She could have had more children after returning from Egypt.

[@hadassahpurim6489]

@@storyhourwithmissbarbara7246 John was Mary's nephew. Salome was Mary's sister. When you read their story they were family. John and James was Jesus' first cousins. John the Baptizer was his 2 or third cousin.

[@texaslocoman1]

@@perfectpeace00 Herod the Great died 6 years after the birth of Jesus. It is 4AD not 4BC. The Anno Domini calendar has 2 years lapse. So if you are inferring(by error) that Joseph and Mary started having sex immediately after Jesus's birth Mary should have been pregnant or at least with one or two children by the time the Magi finally found Jesus(two years) or by the time they returned to the land of Israel(3 more years). We know this time frame because we know that Herod Archaelo, Jr did not take reign as "tetrarch" after 3 years of his father's death! The tetrarchy started 3 years after Herod's death. Jesus was like 5-6 years old when they returned to Israel! You need to prove Mary was on birth control during all this period of time until Jesus was 12. You can't prove that because the Bible does not mention any other children besides Jesus. Those are inventions of DEMONS. NOTE: There are still images and icons from the first and second century showing Mary with Jesus as a 5-6 years old in Egypt! No other children!!!

[@MaurBasi15]

I would really recommend watching a video on Pints with Aquinas, with William Albrecht and Fr. Christiaan Kappas where they try to tackle objections about Marian doctrine/dogma. I feel that this would help push the conversation forward because I agree its a very tough subject and a very personal one for Catholics like myself, so I'm glad that you are asking the questions.

[@jemsmom97]

Thank you I’m going to watch it right now!!

[@kristinaloncar778]

2000 years of theology > personal interpretation

[@lance9249]

Actual scripture that makes it clear. Matthew 1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 BUT HE DID NOT CONSUMMATE THIER MARRIAGE UNTIL SHE GAVE BIRTH TO A SON. And he gave him the name Jesus. If only Catholics desired the truth

[@tyregehenna4830]

@kristinaloncar778 “2000 years of theology,” ie, traditional Bible-based Christianity, would indicate things like **only Jesus is sinless.** For instance, look what Terteulian writes: “For God alone is without sin; and the only human without sin is Christ, since Christ is also God” (Tertullian, On the Soul 41).

[@texaslocoman1]

It should be "Sorry I do not believe in the Church's 2000 years teaching that Mary was preserved from original sin" LOL

[@lance9249]

The same people who say she was a virgin and had no children that "church"? Matthew 1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. It really looks like that 2000 year old teaching comes from people who never read scripture. You made her into God she is not like all men she was born into sin and needed the savior.

[@texaslocoman1]

@@lance9249 the original text says Joseph didn't have sex with her

[@arlenewellbank]

Ancient. Texts say that Mary had taken vow to be a virgin as some did and remained even after marriage.

[@texaslocoman1]

@@arlenewellbank her question to the archangel has no sense if she was legally married to Joseph

[@arlenewellbank]

She was betrothed. The angel told Joseph not to be afraid of taking Mary as his wife

[@constancedowns134]

I agree with you 100%. I'm not sure where they got this idea, but God is pretty clear on stuff that matters. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to believe that Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, but she was just a human being. Just like us

[@joannapilgrim]

You talking right, Brandon! I agree with you

[@maryholter2971]

Dr Scott Hahn would be best source for explaining and clarifying Catholic Church doctrine teaching on the Blessed Virgin Mary

[@ComedyBros5]

It's hard to clarify putting her on the same level of Jesus, calling her sinless/immaculate.

[@loremipsum2989]

​@@ComedyBros5No one in the Catholic Church says that Mary is equal to Jesus. What a nonsense! Inform yourself adequately and without prejudice!

[@ComedyBros5]

@@loremipsum2989 Please do not tell me to inform myself on this. I was born and raised Catholic, baptized by a priest at 1mo old, went to a private Catholic school k-8th grade, had my First Communion in 2nd grade, was confirmed when I was 16, and was a practicing Catholic til I was 18yrs before deciding to step away from the Catholic traditions. Catholics may not come out and directly say that Mary is equal to Jesus, but calling her Immaculate is the equivalent to calling her sinless, and the only sinless being to ever walk the Earth is Jesus. Please, go and explain if I'm ill-informed here.

[@loremipsum2989]

@@ComedyBros5 You are totally mistaken. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Your Catholic education seems to be very defective.

[@lyndavonkanel8603]

@@ComedyBros5 Mary herself told Bernadette that she is "the Immaculate Conception". I believe her.

[@noradorsey6901]

For ALL have sinned and fallen short ....

[@kdmdlo]

Well, you have a problem there ... because Jesus was fully man and, if this phrase actually means ALL, then He would have had to sin also.

[@seanyonthemic]

@@kdmdlo No…Paul was talking about humanity who had fallen. He wants including Jesus, our Savior and the only person to never have sinned. He was God in human flesh.

[@jamesajiduah2001]

And what sins do babies commit?

[@vaIcria]

1 peter 2:22 and 2 corinthians 5:21. it’s important to read the Word.

[@kdhander]

@@jamesajiduah2001 I'm guessing you've never had kids. They do sin, though they don't understand its sin. Paul is also referencing the sin nature that every person is born with.

[@texaslocoman1]

"And God will give you a SIGN: the VIRGIN will CONCEIVED and GIVE BIRTH a son" The virgin will remain virgin before, during and after giving birth

[@Dayspringdunamis]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I used to be Catholic but now I minister in Evangelical circles. It was so interesting to hear both sides of the argument.

[@baldwinthefourth4098]

Why did you leave the Apostolic Church?

[@elisabethalvarez-fager6669]

I have to agree. He asked John to care for his Mother because he believed in Jesus.

[@kathyp2880]

Good job, Brandon. Thanks for having the courage to speak Truth! So many religions base their faith on extra-Biblical material and/or tradition rather than the pure unadulterated Word of God.

[@diamondlou1]

Sacred Tradition was handed on by the Apostles, to their disciples and so on. Obviously you know that not everything Jesus said or did has been captured in Scripture. Oral tradition is historically accurate in many cultures, including the first centuries of the Church.

[@marielacolon7510]

@@diamondlou1All the dogmas and sacraments, and teachings of the Catholic Church are Bible based. But when you pick up the scriptures and try to interpret them on your own, without the authority of the Church, your going to come up with many interpretations, hence the 44,000+ denominations of Christian churches.

[@Xerxes2005]

I'm a Catholic and I think that priest is not the best to present Catholic doctrine. Mgr Barron was far better. Christ was not sinless because of Mary. Mary was sinless because of Christ. Jesus is also Mary's savior. As for Mary being the New Ark of Covenant, you can see that in the Visitation to Elizabeth, which is to be put in parallel with the recovering of the Ark by King David. The Philistines stole the Ark of Covenant, but since it was bringing them all sorts of ills, they sent it back to Israel, and it's in the hill country that David found it, saying: "How can the Ark of the Lord come to me?" David also danced and leaped in front of the Ark, and it stayed in the home of Obed-Edom for three months. When Mary learned that Elizabeth was pregnant, she went to her home in the hill country, and Elizabeth said upon seeing her: "Why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" And then she said that her child leaped in her womb when Mary arrived. A thing to note is that John was of the priestly cast, and David, though from Judah, was wearing an ephod, a sacerdotal garment, when he danced before the Ark. And then Mary remained in Elizabeth's house for three months. It is clear that Luke is presenting the Holy Virgin as the Ark of Covenant. And what was in the Ark of Covenant? The two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's Rod, and a jar of manna. And what is Jesus if not the Word of God made flesh, our new High Priest and the bread of the Eucharist, which represents his sacrifice on the cross? Then there is the Book of Revelation. Chapter 11 ends with this sentence: "Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm." Chapter 12 begins with: "A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth." Of course the division in chapters and verses did not exist when John wrote his Apocalypse. So here again, you have Mary who is compared with the Ark of Covenant.

[@jerilowehowell6015]

The women with the crown of 12 stars is not Mary. None of those events occurred to her. She wasn't in the wilderness for 3.5 years with Satan coming after. They went to Egypt to flee Herod, but that was not for 3.5 years and Herod was not THE Antichrist. The woman in labor was Israel. Personification. The Ark is not Mary. The Ark pictures Christ. One door through which we can enter salvation. And it's not Mary.

[@jonetaniratutokarua3457]

Thank you, Brandon, for having the guts! to stay true to your faith and scripture. Me and my family are Methodist. I don't know what the Methodist take on the topic is, but my father strongly believes Jesus had no biological siblings. I actually used to think that, too, but recently, I've looked deep into scripture and listened to debates about it, I'm starting to believe that it's more logical that he would've had biological siblings. Anywho, thank you for your deep dive into their conversation Brandon, truly has blessed me today. God bless ❤.

[@jorinebustraan9659]

Whichever way you look at it, though, He cannot have fully biological siblings, as Joseph was not his father

[@rp44477]

Mary says it herself in Luke 1:38, "And Mary said to the angel, Behold the handmaid (servant) of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." Hebrew translation of handmaid: "a female servant who serves." Hagar was also described as the handmaid of Sarah.

[@deno1954]

Just seeing this. Frankly I’ve held that Mary was a virgin until after Jesus was born. I also often wondered why it seems that Catholic’s seem to venerate her as sinless? But it’s not so. When it comes to religion there are different beliefs. Who is to say who is right or wrong? Protestants, Jews,Eastern Orthodox , all have their own ideology. I really never dwelled much on the virginity of Mary, but rather that she was willing to do what God asked her to do.

[@angieponders3844]

I really appreciate how you stated your position. Thank you.

[@ComedyBros5]

Exactly. You've pulled the words right out of my mouth! As a former-Catholic turned non-labeled Christian, I remember Catholics putting Mary on the same pedestal of Jesus/the Holy Trinity. There was a whole Mass that was solely dedicated to the "Immaculate Conception," meaning she was sinless the rest of her life after the conception of Jesus. I don't understand where they got this from, and was one of the largest reasons for me leaving their traditions.

[@isaiahgonzales9989]

@@ComedyBros5 If you believed we put Mary on the same level as The Trinity, you were mistaken from the beginning.

[@ComedyBros5]

@@isaiahgonzales9989 Then please tell me how I mistake her being called "Immaculate?" As mentioned, Immaculate means sinless and perfect, and the only being to ever walk this earth to earn that title is Jesus - so how is that not putting her in the same group as the Holy Trinity? Catholics may not come out and directly say it, but their traditions do everything else to say she's as perfect as Jesus is. Growing up, my parents always said we don't worship Mary, but then why did we have a whole Mass dedicated to her and the Immaculate Conception? Or the Rosary, a prayer that's dedicated solely to her?

[@maxwelltheportlycorgi7299]

@@ComedyBros5 I was just scrolling through the comments and briefly saw the mention of the rosary. The Lord's Prayer is a huge part of it and the "Hail Mary" are simple the construct of the words from the Angel Gabriel's greeting and Elizabeth's to her. The rest of the rosary is formed with the Mysteries which start at the Incarnation of the Lord, and Go through the events at Pentecost all found in scriptures. There are only two mysteries that are pious tradition her assumption in to heaven ( why wouldn't Jesus raise his own mother?) and her crowning as queen ( we have mothers of kings called queen here below so it is just a title of respect. I believe God can do all things. To create a creature sinless to carry his son is not impossible for Him. To say so would be limiting God's power. All that said even She would agree the MOST important thing is to revere and worship her son, not her. After all HER words, "Do whatever HE tells you" is her command.

[@jemsmom97]

I gave you a thumbs up even though I’m Catholic and my beliefs are quite opposite of yours on the subject of Mary. Not quite ready to subscribe, since I only just recently came across your channel but you seem like a sincere person. I would like to ask you, though why do you think so many protestants are being lead to Catholicism through Scripture? I’ve been Catholic all my life so I love hearing conversion stories.

[@SanzL1]

I DO want to know if you, Brandon, have been selected to be in The Chosen, Season 4. I contributed to Season 4 in your name. Did you make it? I hope so! I would be delighted for you and Vanessa to be a part of a series that you support as much as you do!

[@TheSnipeLife]

Hey! Yes we’re planning on attending the filming in Utah!

[@SanzL1]

Oh I’m pumped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@paragonpiper4081]

Also, there’s good indication that John was Jesus’ first cousin. But more importantly not only was James and Jude not believers, but he knew John would not be martyred. She was safest within her sister’s household. And traveling with John. Who became the head of the church in Ephesus, she’d be a part of that ministry on some level.

[@jamesajiduah2001]

James and Jude write books of the New Testament. More accurately, He gives John to Mary because He's her only natural child.

[@paragonpiper4081]

@@jamesajiduah2001 well, that’s debatable. Which is what this episode’s discussion is about. Catholics and the Orthodox believe Jesus is her only natural child. Protestants believe Mary also bore James, Jude, Joses, and Simon (plus some daughters). So, what I wrote is from a Protestant perspective.

[@jayschwartz6131]

So James and Jude grew alongside Jesus, with Mary as their mother and Jesus as their eldest yet they both turned heartless cowards who would not be able to be by their mother when she would need the consolation by her remaining children the most. Not even their supposed sisters. John and Mary Magdalene were there by her side but her children had better things to do than being by their mother. I insist that growing in Jesus' household turns you into coward children.

[@margaretkariuki1378]

Hello Brandon, you mentioned that people will be upset with you for this. Well, I am not, there is no need to. I am Catholic and proud to be one and I have been watching and following The Chosen. Yes, it is important to unpack these issues of the Bible and tradition. I firmly believe in Our Blessed Mother's perpetual virginity, yes I do. She was born for that role, to be the mother of Jesus, and Jesus is God.She has a very special relationship with The Triune God which no other creature has (She is daughter of God The Father-as we are all children of God, She is Mother of God The Son, and Spouse of God The Holy Spirit) and yes, we venerate her as the mother of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We do not worship her, we venerate her. There is a difference. You mentioned the issue of culture and why you don't think that the perpetual virginity of Mary would sit well within the Jewish cultural context. Well, just return to the scriptures and see how Our Lord Jesus's Teaching clashes with the Jewish culture.....how He does things that go against what was culturally and religiously "wrong" according to the Jewish culture...touching lepers, relating to women, widows, and people of ill repute. So, your cultural argument is not quite conclusive...It was possible for Mary to stay a virgin, I guess much to the disgust of family and extended family. There are clues in scripture that highlight that the family of Jesus were not quite in favour of how He was doing things and at some point they thought He had lost His mind. No wonder He and His Mother were excluded by family and John takes her to his home after Jesus dies. I think that there is more that was going on about this that scripture spares us, but it doesn't mean it didn't happen. So, look at this and the issue of Mary not having other children besides Our Lord? I would go on and on, but let me summarize this: Before you throw out tradition in favour of sola scriptura, remember one key aspect; Jesus Christ on His Ascension into Heaven did not leave behind a book, He left behind a Church, which is rich with various people's narratives, experiences and occurrences about Our Lord Himself, Mary, the apostles and more. John the apostle clearly says that if all were to be written, the whole world would be covered with books! So yes, tradition plays a key role and can not be disregarded. There are many stories of Mary, Joseph and the apostles that aren't in print. There are also myriads of private revelations on many of Christian teachings that would blow your mind...Please read The Dolorous Passion of Christ by Catherine Emmerich and you will see the details of Our Lord's Passion which are not recorded in scripture. We must be cognizant of the fact that not everything concerning our Christian Faith is recorded in scripture. Please also note the historical dates of the compilation of the Bible...It was way way after Our Lord ascended into Heaven, and Christianity was very much alive- without the Bible! On the other hand, I also think that it's generally human nature to think that everything has to make sense, that everything has to have backup evidence, well, God's ways and thoughts are way above what makes sense to us. If He created the whole universe just by The word of His mouth, He parted the sea so that His children walked through dry-shod, He sent His only Son into the world to die for our sins, He took Elijah to heaven body and soul....etc... what would stop Him from choosing one of His daughters on earth to be The Mother of His only Son and in the process to fill Her with the Grace of remaining a perpetual virgin? Is there anything impossible or too hard for Him? So Brandon, no hard feelings, I am just presenting a lay Catholic's perspective. May God Bless you.

[@catherinealtmire2337]

Thank you for that reply...I have so many thoughts about it, but I am not good at putting them into words. You did awesome!Brandon, no hard feelings. We should be having healthy discussions about this and many other things. Thanks for not shying away and also for respecting the fact that others may think differently...and that is ok. God bless!

[@margaretkariuki1378]

@@catherinealtmire2337 Thank you Catherine and May you and your family receive God's abundant blessings. For Brandon and all those who have made their comments here, may God Bless you and your families too. Remember that what we have in common is much more than what divides us. We all converge on Jesus, Son of The Living God, and none of these discussions would take place were it not for Him! Let us remember His Command to each one of us; "Love one another as I have Loved you" Love to you all.

[@cjford5458]

My understanding is the reason they say Jesus was in a lineage going back to King David is because King David traces back as far as Seth who came from Adam. And who was the father of Adam? God.

[@anne-marieboucher9751]

Catholic teaching is that Mary was preserved from all sin by the same grace that preserves us all when we don't sin, and forgives us when we do: the grace that comes from the perfect sacrifice of Jesus in his death and resurrection. That grace is not bound by time. She was "redeemed from the moment of her conception," as the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it. This is ancient Christian Tradition, in line with Scripture--"full of grace"--but not yet fully expressed there. You may limit yourself to "sola Scriptura," though that principle is not itself in the Scriptures, but you needn't tremble to express your thoughts as honestly and respectfully as you do , and I will not unsubscribe from your delightful channel because of it 🥰

[@arlenewellbank]

Mary was the new e ve. Eve was created sinless like eve but theerits of her sons redemption which were applied to her. She is not divine. She was redeemed at conception.

[@lance9249]

@@arlenewellbank Not biblical whatsoever this is just worship of man.

[@arlenewellbank]

The merits of Christ 's redemption were applied to Mary at conception. She was redeemed by her son. She is the new Eve. He is the new Adam.

[@loranna1118]

Brandon you are entitled to your opinion and shouldn’t feel the need to apologize. Keep up the good work you do.

[@harrymaciolek9629]

Someday in heaven we’ll all talk about how far off our theology was. No one has it perfect.

[@lance9249]

No one does but anyone with the reading comprehension of a 5 year old knows Mary was not a virgin much longer after Jesus birth and she had 4 sons after Jesus and at least 2 daughters but the daughters were not named like the sons.

[@100two1]

Good points. Also, was Mary’s mother perfect? If her mother wasn’t perfect isn’t it conceivable, according to that logic, that she could have given Mary an imperfect state. Somewhere along the line someone had to be born sinless while having an imperfect parent. To me it makes the most sense to start with Jesus.

[@sandiefrankenstein8972]

This is so good Brandon. Thank you for taking on this very sensitive topic. I know it wasn’t easy…your heart is so right. I just learned as well that James’s name was really Jacob 😮

[@perfectpeace00]

Yep. The names were changed during the 1609s with the King James Bible. Jacob became James, and Miriam became Mary to make them sound more European and less Jewish.

[@sandiefrankenstein8972]

@@perfectpeace00 Thank you! I’m learning so much and being totally blown away and loving it more than I can express.

[@lindacato8364]

It’s your show you talk about what you want to discuss. Peace

[@byronlewis4847]

Here is something to think about. Bible themes are repeated. Hannah miraculously gave birth to her first born son Samuel. Then she dedicated him to the Lord. Then she had more children. Similarly, Mary had Jesus her first born miraculously and then had other children.

[@mathurm100]

if Mary wasn't sinless then you have changed the nature of God. the God of the OT wouldn't even let someone unworthy touch the ark. yet we're supposed to believe he went "meh.. yeah its the NT era, i'm a different God now, let me inhabit a sinner" Aaron must be pretty mad in his grave that his sons were vaporized... the ONLY way to understand the consistency of the God of the NT and the God of the OT is to understand that the first ark and the new ark are treated the same way. and we can see in revelation 12 that Mary was protected from the attacks of the devil (the earth swallowed the assault) so the way she was saved was by preservation from sin. and this is the ONLY way that the God of the OT and NT are consistent and have not changed God's nature with respect to his law which we know is impossible.

[@chickenlittle2054]

My Bible says "He had no relations with her at any time before she bore a son whom they named Jesus". making it clear that he was not his physical father .Not mentioning anything about after.

[@loremipsum2989]

There is a Scriptural evidence that Jesus didn't have physical siblings. Jesus has no brothers or sisters as other children of His mother! This is founded in Scripture, as it is demonstrated by Dr. L. Neidhart, a German Roman Catholic theologian in his study: «The "brothers of Jesus": Did Mary have several children or did she always live virgin?» Especially Chapter three: «Scriptural evidence for the fact that Jesus had no physical siblings.» Author: Dr. L. Neidhart Augsburg, Germany. Year: 2015 (search with "neidhart brueder jesu") . You can find the file with the German text cited above and put it in one if the famous machine translators to translate it.

[@arthurellison9600]

HOLY SPIRIT just now confirmed with me that siblings of JESUS were the children of Miryam (Mary). The HOLY SPIRIT is never wrong.@@loremipsum2989

[@lance9249]

Read it again might need to do it a few times lies we were taught are hard to break free of. Matthew 1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. You see it's saying he did not consummate until after the birth but the marriage was consummated.

[@kayte13]

As a Catholic, we believe mother Mary is a virgin never had children. Because Jesus is the son of God, who came down to us to be a man he is still the son of God. He does not have brothers and sisters.

[@katharinemenning]

Very well said, Brandon. I completely agree with you. I also appreciate how delicately you discussed and handled this topic. I had several Catholic friends and I usually just avoid this topic since I never know how to talk about it without possibly offending someone.

[@TheSnipeLife]

It's really really hard, but My heart yearns for this subject.

[@jeannesamuels1236]

Former Catholic here. I now fully believe in Scripture. "until" means they had sexual relations. Scripture clearly states Jesus had siblings and I believe God's Word. Mary was not sinless as she refers to Him as "savior". What saddens me about my former church is their obvious pride in being the only apostolic church founded by Jesus and them being responsible for the Bible. My sadness and also the reason for getting out is that they operate in direct opposition to scripture. The question is whether they even read the Bible they so proudly proclaim is their product. Fallible bishops added so much to what catholics believe that I fear for the souls of those who have been so deceived and who actively believe and live out these man-made Dogma and catholic Doctrine that is so contradictory to God's Word. I can only pray for them, family and friends. Christ and Scripture Alone.

[@jamesajiduah2001]

​@@jeannesamuels1236So according to you, Jesus failed, because somehow the gates of hell prevailed against the Church. Your founders in the Protestant reformation had no problems believing Mary was ever Virgin. This goes back even to John, Mary's very caretaker.

[@SanzL1]

@@jeannesamuels1236 oh please. You have so many errors here that I can’t begin to address them.

[@lukewilliams448]

@@SanzL1 What errors?

[@JoyceF8099]

I was born and raised Catholic but when I reflect on this subject I have no problem with Mary and Joseph, being married, loving each other. I also believe Jesus most likely had siblings. Why these possibilities offend people makes no sense. I think Jesus lived a normal childhood before his ministry started. Mary was Chosen to be Jesus’ mother but she was human. I don’t even believe that she was the absolute perfect mom, she had no experience as a mother, she had to learn, learning happens not only through doing things right it’s also through mistakes. Think she didn’t get frustrated with a crying baby in the middle of the night. Get real. I look so forward to the day we can sit and talk to her and learn what really happened.

[@susanshadrake6193]

Thanks, you are voicing what I have been thinking.

[@candaceblanks2385]

I like the way you think! Your view of Mary, the blessed mother of our Savior, is spot on. God didn't require perfection in Mary, other than His virgin birth.

[@rippleguys]

Mary was required by the law of Moses to offer sacrifices for her purification (Leviticus 12:8) - which we see her doing in Luke 2:22-24

[@Whisper-md9hs]

The passage says that the sacrifice were for “their” purification, meaning both Mary & Jesus. So if you’re saying this means Mary sinned, then that would also have to mean that Jesus sinned which isn’t plausible

[@kb-mt8vr]

@@Whisper-md9hs reread Leviticus 12:6-8. It’s for the mother’s sins

[@rippleguys]

@@Whisper-md9hs Leviticus 12:7 and he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. Atonement needed to be made for HER - only sinners need atonement

[@jamesajiduah2001]

@@rippleguys So pregnancy is sinful then. Or more accurately Leviticus is following the principle of life being in the blood, and blood making a person unclean. Else, anyone who performs an act involving blood was thereby sinful since they were unclean.

[@Whisper-md9hs]

@@rippleguys It’s a purification offering for childbirth though, a temporary state of ritual impurity-not a permanent state of sinfulness. So the offering of two pigeons was not for healing a sinful relationship with God, but for cleansing an uncleanness which is not the same as sinfulness. That is obvious based on the terminology utilized in Leviticus 4-5 versus Leviticus 11-15. If Mary had followed the sin offering from Leviticus 4-5 instead of Leviticus 11-15, then there would be a solid case against it. But she didn’t

[@Elvidb]

It is known that a lot of Eastern people and even Chinese people call their cousins brothers. I know that through people I know. Pluss Joseph is believed to be an older man and he died when Jesus was very young.

[@rhianonthomas4421]

I think it is a very important point. Totally with you - in fact putting my foot down with you!! but hopefully gently, like you do so kindly and politely x It is good to be able to discuss these things which are important to so many people and we need to be able to agree to disagree without stomping out the room and cancelling each other. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and our Life. p.s. I've just hit that subscribe button!!😊

[@catherinelamb6710]

Please, don’t ever, ever, ever apologize for saying the truth. Being respectful to Catholic believers is one thing, but it is neither right nor loving to allow someone to believe a fabrication. Thank you for standing for the truth.

[@sandym.2485]

Brandon I respect how you came to your conclusion but as for me one KZbin video will not undo thousands of years of faith, tradition and dogma. I wish you the best.

[@lance9249]

It would for those seeking the truth. But some people don't want the truth they want tradition the rabbis who claimed they worshiped God had God in the flesh before them instead they wanted their rules their traditions and God to be the one they imagined.

[@celestebacalso7345]

Mary's IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - Mary conceived without original sin!

[@crzycatldy4]

I really think that you have a good point about John 19:26. I think there's this idea that family drama wasn't a thing back then, maybe even especially in Jewish communities because of the "honor thy father and thy mother" comment. But I don't think it's misplaced that James and Jude would have not only avoided Jesus but Mary as well because she "chose Jesus' side" or "favored him".

[@texaslocoman1]

These are suppositions not actual Church's teaching. And sadly those suppositions do not make any sense at all. Go with what makes sense. Church's teachings on this for more than 2000 years have more sense that these suppositions made 500 years ago. Do not follow Satan .

[@jerilowehowell6015]

@@texaslocoman1 Doctrines of Demons arise when Scripture is set aside for man's "tradition" and "teaching". Forget a church's teaching. Scripture is God's infallible, inerrant eternal Word. Anything which contradicts that or supposes things not there is suspect at best, wrong at worst.

[@texaslocoman1]

@@jerilowehowell6015 What is "Scripture"? Are you talking about the Bible which was established and authorized by the CHURCH in the 3d century? The same Church that follows tradition and teachings from the first Christians? There is also oral tradition and teachings that Jesus authorized and is guided by the Holy Spirit. These oral traditions and teachings match with "scripture" and ancient prophecies. Is up to you to deny the revealed TRUTH or just continue to read "scripture" and interpret it as you will.

[@kirbyjakescarborough4515]

a great discussion, mate. I am like-minded to your view of Mary. It makes sense to me, as always has. Discussing these things is vital to discernment with prayer and careful scripture study. Another view cannot steal your Faith, if it is true. LOL We can learn from the church leaders corrupted in the past and speak honestly, and in peace. God Bless and keep you all, Friends. I am loving the show! Again, with prayer and scriptural study... As ya do.

[@kimbers1238]

I was raised catholic but haven't been for 25 years. Part of the reason I left was because every time I asked a priest a question he could never show it to me in scripture. The priest will say we'll tradition or past down but not answers. My son and I had this conversation just a few days ago. I told him there was no sinless person on this earth but Jesus. And I told him that Mary had sin. Which he agreed.

[@SanzL1]

So you haven’t been Catholic for 25 years, and you think you can speak out about it. Usually, people who do this have a grade school understanding of Catholicism, and when they discuss the faith, they point to other Catholics who also have a grade school understanding. It’s a pretty deep and heady faith. But the priests you turned to have answered correctly. Catholicism does go by Scripture and tradition, that is, by church magisterium, which is probably a word that you never heard, given how superficially you seem to have looked into the faith. Jesus DID say that he came to give us a church-not a book, although that book is profoundly important. That book DOES say not to divorce, and Catholics are not supposed to, though Protestants ignore that mandate by never bringing it up and divorcing and remarrying as much as they please. I’ve answered re: Mary in other posts. This will be my final one.

[@majorteal]

@@SanzL1 I can speak out about it and I haven't been a Catholic for almost a half century. Went to church and through 6th grade there. And yes, I was given a catacism.. not a bible to get my answers from. What I heard from the Bible was when the priest spoke during service. Other than that it wasn't until I started going to proestant churches that the Word of God was encouraged. Probably wasn't used at Catholic church or school that often because as I read I would have questions....and they didn't want to deal with that.

[@kimbers1238]

@@majorteal my experience also

[@SanzL1]

@@majorteal as we got older, Bibles were introduced. I'm 66 years old. I had Bible Study in the 9th grade. Also, you're proving me correct. You have a grade-school understanding of Catholicism. And you certainly can speak about it, but you are doing so from the view of your childhood, not from your adult experience.

[@janethms3]

❤ Love you, brother. Blessings.

[@reneaeasey8429]

You are absolutely right! I love how you talked through it, because when I talk to Catholics that say this…. I’m not as graceful as you! 😂 good for you for having the courage to talk about this.

[@modernjosephus356]

Sex within marriage is not sin, so I don't get how her having other children makes her a sinner (if you look at it through Catholic eyes).

[@MrMoritzbi]

I agree with hemsty2 and wish Bishop Barron was present. That said, let me quickly share my understanding of this controversial subject. Put simply, Jesus had to be born human, but without the sin nature, or original sin of Adam, thus not deserving of the punishment that Paul describes in Rom 5:12-20. So of course He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. But what about the egg?? Is Adam's sin only passed on thru the male 'seed'? .. and not also the female egg?? Mary knew God as her "Savior" Lk 1:47, but something impossible must've also happened to Mary with the "Rejoice highly favored one, the Lord is with you; Blessed are you among women!" Lk 1:28, in order that her part of the conception was free of the sin and resulting condemnation (Rm 5:16) of the sin of Adam. I know the Catholic and Protestant arguments but I don't know which is right ... I just know SOMETHING MIRACULOUS had to happen to Mary beyond our own understanding of Regeneration, right?

[@larky3487]

Reformed Catholic here. It had always perplexed me the little faith a religion based on the mighty importance it is in having Faith in Christ for ones Salvation seemingly has so little Faith in what the weight of that necessity is....meaning, Christ is THE SON OF GOD, ONLY ONE WAY TO HIM IS THRU CHRIST....yet the rosary is said to Mary, the prayers to saints as though their roles are diluted to mere lucky charms is astonishing. The relationship to be had is ones relationship with Christ ALONE, yet the teaching precludes Catholics from having that relationship. When a religion only forgives sin through a confession to a priest, who is as well a sinful human...where is Christ in that? It elevates everyone but Christ, to the christ role. (Exhibit A the role of the pope is essentially the human christ, it is his interpretation that is taught). Whereas the protestant teaching is Biblically based, one on one relationship with Christ, for there is no substitute on this side of Glory. It is a life changer event when as an individual you on your own give your life to Christ. Faith through parental baptism, does not a Salvation make.

[@lindym698]

Brandon, I always was led to believe that Mary was very young at conception, maybe no more than 13 or 14. Most girls that age are of course still pure. She then lived through her 20s, her 30s, and maybe more before Jesus began his ministry in his late 20s and early 30s. I am sure that in between those decades she may have had normal human emotions of doubt, anger, and fear. I too believe that Jesus was the only sinless person to ever walk this earth.

[@loremipsum2989]

Human emotions of doubt (of course not in the sense of manifesting disbelief!!), anger and fear aren't sins. Sin is disbelief in God and/or disobedience to God's will. Mary was always obedient to God's will and preserved and pre-redeemed by God from original sin to be the humble and pure Ark of the New Covenant, the Mother of God and if all Christians. She was praised therefore by Elizabeth (see Luke 1:43-45).

[@jerilowehowell6015]

@lorem ipsum2 No. Scripture does not give her sinlessness. It says nothing of the kind. It says she has unedited favor (grace) and was blessed to be chosen to be mother of the Messiah. Not even early church fathers proclaimed her sinless.

[@loremipsum2989]

@@jerilowehowell6015 Wrong again! As early as the 2nd century, Irenaeus of Lyon believed that Mary did not bear original sin. He was the first to compare Eve and Mary and wrote: "Eve had to be restored in Mary necessarily, so that a virgin, by becoming the advocate of a virgin, might undo virginal disobedience by her virginal obedience." (On the Proof of the Apostolic Annunciation [Epideixis], 33).

[@loremipsum2989]

@@jerilowehowell6015 From St. Andrew of Crete [c. 660-740] Homily 1 on the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God) Today, humanity recovers the gift it had received when first formed by divine hands, and returns immaculate to its original nobility. The shame of sin had cast a shadow upon the splendor and charm of human nature; but when the Mother of Him Who is Beauty itself is born, this nature recovers in her person its ancient privileges, and is fashioned according to a perfect model, truly worthy of God. And this fashioning is a perfect restoration; this restoration is a divinization, and this divinization is an assimilation to the primitive state… In a word, the reformation of our nature begins today; the world, which had grown old, undergoes a transformation which is wholly divine, and receives the first fruits of its second creation Who indeed was this Virgin and from what sort of parents did she come? Mary, the glory of all, was born of the tribe of David, and from the seed of Joachim. She was descended from Eve, and was the child of Anna. Joachim was a gentle man, pious, raised in God's law. Living prudently and walking before God he grew old without child: the years of his prime provided no continuation of his lineage. Anna was likewise God-loving, prudent, but barren; she lived in harmony with her husband, but was childless. As much concerned about this, as about the observance of the law of the Lord, she indeed was daily stung by the grief of childlessness and suffered that which is the usual lot of the childless-she grieved, she sorrowed, she was distressed, and impatient at being childless. Thus, Joachim and his spouse lamented that they had no successor to continue their line; yet the spark of hope was not extinguished in them completely: both intensified their prayer about the granting to them of a child to continue their line. In imitation of the prayer heard of Hannah (1 Kings 1: 10), both without leaving the temple fervently beseeched God that He would undo her sterility and make fruitful her childlessness. And they did not give up on their efforts, until their wish be fulfilled. The Bestower of Gifts did not condemn the gift of their hope. The unceasing power came quickly in help to those praying and beseeching God, and it made capable both the one and the other to produce and bear a child. In such manner, from sterile and barren parents, as it were from irrigated trees, was borne for us a most glorious fruition-the Immaculate Virgin. Thus the immaculate fruition issuing forth from the womb occurred from an infertile mother, and then the parents, in the first blossoming of her growth brought her to the temple and dedicated her to God. The priest, then offering the order of services, beheld the face of the girl, and he became gladdened and joyful, seeing as it were the actual fulfillment of the Divine promise.

[@jerilowehowell6015]

@lorem ipsum2 Pretty sure you are incorrect though I don't doubt you were taught that. But to be blunt it wouldn't matter one bit because everyone who knew her did not attribute this deity and sinlessness to her. It is not in Scripture and as Scripture says "Let God be true and every man a liar.". Amen. Sola Scriptura. His Word is true. And He stands by it to perform it.

[@kathyforman9631]

It is NOT a sin for a married couple to have intimate relations. As a mater of fact the scripture says… “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[@karensmarie98320]

I fully agree with your opinions presented. So much of this ( did Jesus have brothers and sisters) doesn’t matter to me whatsoever. It’s all noise I just don’t care about! Keep up the good work. I appreciate all your effort.

[@jayschwartz6131]

Protestants reject by principle Maria Dogmas, not so much because of their implications on Jesus Identity and Nature, but mostly because accepting any of them required acknowledging that the Catholic Church indeed has Real Authority in defining Christian Dogma and that their personal or imperfect interpretations of the Bible are inaccurate. Most Protestants will claim the Bible is their Authority but never ponder which translation? What interpretation? Under which Real Authority can such translation of interpretation be trusted as being indeed God's will?

[@maxwelltheportlycorgi7299]

I always have found this topic of great interest when it comes to Protestant disbelief in this possibility. We know God does not dwell within sinful nature. It is cast out. So in order for Mary to have carried God incarnate she could not be stained by sin. I think the theological argument could be made at what point was she free from sin "Full of Grace or the Highly Favored One" Both are translations of the same title conferred on Mary by the angel in scriptures. That is where the theological difference is, within the interpretation of the language with which it was written. Scholarly arguments aside, I like to ponder it this way. Did God create her to be free from sin to carry His son ? It is certainly possible! "Nothing is impossible with God". Or did she become free from sin the moment the Spirit overshadowed her and she conceived? She was at that moment filled with the presence of God and He can not dwell in sin. This is one of those mysteries of our faith that many denominations disagree on and it is ok to do so! We will all know the answer when we go home to our Heavenly Father and I'm sure The Mother of Our Lord will welcome us all no matter what faith we followed just so long as we loved her Son well and shared THAT love with others.

[@drrick2466]

The mother-son motif is EVERYWHERE in basically ALL cultures.

[@kayakittyfeathers4647]

I am not seeing this until now but I agree with you about Mary, looking at Genesis leads me to bellieve that sin is passed down through the male line as Adam willfully sinned Eve was decieved, it was not until Adam ate that the covering over them lifted

[@Gigiof2]

I agree that Jesus had fleshly brothers and sisters!! Thank you for all you do Brandon

[@jesusibarra0822]

Great episode, Thank you for your content, hope to see more!!! God Bless!!

[@shayroo]

This is a strong subject and I appreciate your willingness to speak your truth. ❤

[@kdmdlo]

But there isn't HIS truth ... or YOUR truth ... or MY truth. There is simply one truth. And, unfortunately, the speaker has missed the mark on this one.

[@susalkasarahi]

The Gospel was written decades after Jesus was on earth. If Mary was such a significant figure to Christ and the early church, you’d think she would be mentioned more than she is. She’s basically only mentioned in the beginning/Christmas story and then she’s barely if at all mentioned. If we are supposed to hold her to the reverence the Catholic Church does, I think Jesus would’ve made a point to mention it.

[@lyndavonkanel8603]

Being "Full of Grace" there was no sin in her. Period.

[@mariapadron3914]

I am so glad you did this for even though I was raised Catholic even did the confirmation at 13 years old there’s a lot that I disagree with the catholic beliefs. My father and I never saw Mary as a continued virgin and felt she had other children for historically that was expected from every married couple! Not even knowing all of scripture my feelings were that Mary and Joseph were for all sense of it in God’s eyes a righteous couple and human!! They were chosen to be the Son of God human parents to raise care for, teach and guide him! As human parents it makes no sense that God would take away their right as a human couple that is to procreate as is written in God’s Law! So I agree Mary was a righteous holy chosen woman but Human and as All Humans are sinners hence she’s included in that. Virgin birth was the only thing that was ever mentioned!

[@karendidier4293]

2 Timothy 1:9 -who has freed us and has called us to HIS holy vocation, not according to our works, but according to HIS own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus, “BEFORE” the ages of time. Biblical proof that God exists outside of time and HE had a plan FROM THE BEGINNING! Yes, Mary was saved, and because God exists outside of time and the crucifixion was planned from the beginning as a perpetual sacrifice for all of time, and ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE FOR GOD, NEVER put limits to the ALMIGHTY, then it is possible that GOD preserved HIS Mother from all sin so that HE could dwell in her womb, because GOD can not dwell in an impure unclean place. Just as we have to be purified before entering heaven; GOD could not come down from heaven in the form of an infant in an unclean vessel. Also, have you not noticed the parallels that Luke 1:39-56 was making in his gospel to 2 Samuel 6:10-14? Luke is absolutely telling everyone that Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant! Everything in the Old Testament is fulfilled by the New Testament!

[@eochoa6957]

Brandon thank you for being so respectfull, but the word "until" doesnt necessary mean after. One example is when it talks about Davids first wife , her not having children until her death. That doesnt mean she had children after she died. There are also other examples. Also just the fact that your founding Father (Martin Luther) believed in her perpetual Virginity says alot. The church believed it for over 1500 yrs. The Holy Spirit could not have let them be wrong all of that time. Also when u say that Jesus left John in care of his mom because his supposed brothers did not approve of him , with all do respect makes no sence. They would have been upset at Jesus not Mary. These are just a few points. Thank u so much and may God bless you.

[@marybramble6688]

Yes, good for you addressing this head-on. And, for the Chosen also! We need to hear all sides and listen to the scriptural references to become familiar with the evidence and why others believe otherwise. It helps us to understand and discuss responsibly these important issues. Thank you for being willing to do this. We appreciate your devotion to the truth. 😊

[@themusicalhallway3422]

I personally feel like you were very respectful on how you shared your opinion and belief, but that might be because I can see where you're coming from. I believe that, just like you said, Mary was not sinless. But she had to have been very righteous for God to give her the responsibility of bearing His only begotten son. Righteousness is not being perfect, it's doing your best to follow God's commandments and repent and try again when you falter. Because she chose to be righteous, God gave her this important mission. If we are righteous, God may also trust us with important things that He needs us to do and He will help us accomplish them. We all sin, but He trusts us to do important things as we try to be righteous! I hope this perspective of mine makes sense.

[@karenpatriciacrigger1138]

Well done. Well said

[@brandonwheaton1081]

If they never became one in flesh, then you can't call them married.

[@rickkelly5652]

your a 1000 percent right, I agree with the culture aspect, and good point with the line of David I have been doing study into what the catholics believe, I like their end times stuff. But rhe whole mary doctrine thing is their hardest one for me to get my head around on what they think. I forget who I heard it from on the net, maybe it was chuck missler I think. For the older church they adopted some of the pagam stuff. There was a lot of mother worship of pagan gods like Juno, athena, Isis etc, this gave reason for pagans to convert if they used mary to replace them . For some reason they feel mary had to be without sin. Your best point is why do we need jesus then if mary was witout sin, yet the catholics seem to pray to mary more than jesus, and the saints. Which gets us into the second reason why I wont become catholic, Not to catholic bash, but I do listen to a lot of trent horn and jimmy akins, their both very smart guys with catholic doctrine. I recommend those two to study the catholics, and a bit of catholic answers. Theres some good and bad points about them,,,, Im finding though that christians try to make atheist christian well catholics try to make christians catholic ,,,lol

[@simeonwaia]

The lack of discernment and even disdain for the Blessed Mother in this comment section is very alarming, considering it's from people who sincerely believe themselves to be Christians. The Apostles and Church Fathers (notably St Jerome) would be shocked at modern day protestant beliefs about Mary. People don't realise that by denying Mary's immaculate conception and perpetual virginity, they are denying the divinity of Christ. To put it simply, Mary is the new ark of the covenant. She carried the Word made flesh in her womb, and more than that, she is the source of His humanity. How could a person subject to the corruption of original sin be united with the second person of the Holy Trinity? How could the body that carried God and nursed Him, not be holy, consecrated and set apart?

[@loveone4life361]

Thax bro for this video. You are right. Even Marys own tesimony in Luke 1:47 she says "my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior." If she was sinless she would not have said this statement.

[@Whisper-md9hs]

Suppose a man falls into a deep pit, and someone reaches down to pull him out. The man has been “saved” from the pit. Now imagine a woman walking along, and she too is about to topple into the pit, but at the very moment that she is to fall in, someone holds her back and prevents her. She too has been saved from the pit, but in an even better way: She was not simply taken out of the pit, she was prevented from getting stained by the mud in the first place. This is the illustration Christians have used for a thousand years to explain how Mary was saved by Christ. By receiving Christ’s grace at her conception, she had his grace applied to her before she was able to become mired in original sin and its stain.

[@glenn1611]

@@Whisper-md9hs You’d have to imagine it, because it isn’t biblical.

[@Whisper-md9hs]

@@glenn1611 1,500 years of Church history proves quite the contrary

[@jamesajiduah2001]

@@glenn1611 You'd have us believe the Church could be in error for 1500 years after Jesus, so you know what imagination is.

[@glenn1611]

Don’t confuse the church with roman catholicism. And scripture is the final authority, not “church history”.

[@beentheredonethat5908]

This is one reason I left the catholic church and became Christian with no group. The Bible doesn't say anything about Mary being perfect or an ever virgin. I respect them, but I didn't believe outside the bible. I dint want to argue or have issues with people's faith. God guides us all. In my humble opinion and faith , I must follow the path I do. I'm always growing and learning , I'm nit perfect and I avoid judging. Still currently this is my faith, purely biblical. If the church can show me evidence, I'm open, but I don't see it. Jesus was the only sinless person to walk the earth.

[@myheartwalks]

As a Catholic, i also align my thinking with yours, Brandon. All of your "bullet points" make perfect sense. Maybe that makes me not a true Catholic.

[@susanhoffman1350]

Same here! Mary had sin. We are all born with sin except Jesus.

[@marcelcrouse3811]

Josef did not 'know' Mary until the birth of Christ.

[@lyndavonkanel8603]

The angel said to not know her until then but it was not said that it happened. People only assume it.

[@sallymorin4748]

It says in Matthew that Mary and Joseph did not have union until Jesus was born

[@jayschwartz6131]

And after? Does it say they did after? which verse says so?

[@susanhoffman1350]

Matthew 1 verse 25

[@susanhoffman1350]

I agree Brandon!

[@Hope-kx9lz]

I like your arguments very much. I agree and really appreciate the way you have approached this sensitive issue. Unfortunately, I don't have the diplomacy to do that. If you consider that Jesus' lineage was full of sinners known to us and the Holy Scriptures emphasize that ALL people have been sinners since Adam and Eve, i.e. since the beginning of mankind, after the Fall, Jesus' mother MUST also be counted among the sinners - of course there are gradations among human beings in this respect, but nonetheless no human being - except Jesus the Christ (who was also fully God) - is absolutely sinless.

[@lisazaccaro587]

You are so right !!! God will richly bless you for showing all the truth of Scriptures

[@bernadettehanna1117]

With my respect of all your opinions about the Virgin Mary she didn't have any more children after Jesus (ask the orthodox Church they know the best about her. The brothers and sisters they were talking about they were the children of her sister, and in the old time in the Jewish community called cousins sisters and brothers. Please talk the orthodox Church. This is the the oldest church special the Coptic orthodox.

[@Wowsheeka55]

I definitely side with you on this Bible interpretation-perhaps because I was raised Protestant. I try to skirt the question with my Catholic friends; one day, a lot of these issues will be made clear, so it isn’t something I want to argue about now.

[@texaslocoman1]

Try to study and read scripture, the prophets , compare millennium old beliefs with 500 years of protestant doctrines

[@jerilowehowell6015]

Scripture always interprets Scripture. Some of these issues impact the Gospel being preached. Mary is not sinless; she is not co-Redemptrix or Co-Mediatrix, as some of the RCC dogma states (from popes). There is no "Queen of Heaven".

[@texaslocoman1]

@@jerilowehowell6015 Do you believe Mary had 7 or 9 more children besides Jesus? Do you believe Jesus is God? Do you believe Mary is full of grace the most precious creature God has made, the Mother of our Lord and God Jesus? Or you believe Mary is just an ordinary woman, a sinner, not so full of grace, the Archangel didn't actually praised her like a queen or saluted her like an empress saying AVE Miriam? You need to try to understand the basis before going into the complex?

[@jerilowehowell6015]

@Carmelo Junior Yes, Christ had siblings. Scripture is clear on this and the plan for sexual union within marriage outlined by both Christ and the Father as well as Paul would indicate that virginity within a marriage is not Biblical.

[@jerilowehowell6015]

@Carmelo Junior As for Mary, she was humble and obedient and Scripture calls her blessed for being chosen to bear the Messiah, but it does not affirm any sinless deification that the RCC attributes to her out of whole cloth.

[@jembenjamin]

Old Testament: On the Day of the Dedication in the Temple which Solomon built, there were 120 priests present (2 Chronicles 5:11). The Ark of the Covenant was carried into the Temple (2 Chronicles 5:7) and fire came down from Heaven to consume the burnt offering (2 Chronicles 7:7). New Testament: On the Day of Pentecost, there were 120 disciples of Jesus present in the Upper Room (Acts 1:13-15). Mary (the Mother of Jesus and the Ark of the New Covenant) was also present while the Holy Spirit came down from Heaven as tongues of fire (Acts 2:1-3).

[@lukewilliams448]

If only Protestants would read the NT in light of the OT.

[@nebucamv5524]

There's actually a verse in the Old Testament that 100% shows, that Jesus had brothers (in Hebrew it ONLY can mean brother, not cousin) and that Mary had several sons: Psalm 69,9. This psalm is messianic. Several of its verses are referred to Jesus in the NT.

[@jamesajiduah2001]

I guess Jesus was a sinner then. God, you know my folly; my faults are not hidden from you. Psalms 69:6 NABRE

[@loremipsum2989]

Jesus has no brothers or sisters as other children of His mother! This is founded in Scripture, as it is demonstrated by Dr. L. Neidhart, a German Roman Catholic theologian in his study: «The "brothers of Jesus": Did Mary have several children or did she always live virgin?» Especially Chapter three: «Scriptural evidence for the fact that Jesus had no physical siblings.» Author: Dr. L. Neidhart Augsburg, Germany. Year: 2015 (search with "neidhart brueder jesu") . You can find the file with the German text cited above and put it in one if the famous machine translators to translate it.

[@jerilowehowell6015]

@@jamesajiduah2001 That's not what that verse says: May those who wait for You not be ashamed through me, O Lord [fn]GOD of hosts; May those who seek You not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel,

[@MJBJ-cb2jd]

I've heard this before. The ladies understand the legal difference between Adams disobedience and Eve's being deceived. This resulted in those born by the seed of man having sin legally. But by the Holy Spirit Jesus escaped that legal stain.

[@MJBJ-cb2jd]

Sorry, I hold services in prison. They are the ladies who understand the legal difference between Adam's sin and Eve's.

[@janlembright6469]

It says in the Bible he had sisters and brothers. When they were meeting, his mother and brothers came to see Jesus and he said "these are my brothers and sisters who are doing

[@janlembright6469]

The will of my Father

[@deb9806]

Theologians say the language then was different than now and words meant different things. Even today people say "hey brother" or sister to each other, they don't mean you are his actual brother. A priest who studied different languages showed us once how words in different languages mean different things too and translation and audience. I respect others beliefs and if it brings you closer to God. One day if we are blessed, we will know all the little things and it wont matter if you thought one way or another.

[@susanmanti7560]

Sacred hearts of JESUS AND MARY AMEN.

[@ivettevega8041]

She was not devine, she was only the vessel chosen for this big responsibility

[@SanzL1]

You're also proving me correct when I jokingly answered someone else that according to evangelicals, God just grabbed the first womb he could find! 😂

[@kmsongbird]

@@SanzL1 Just because we evangelicals hold to scripture's very clear description of the family of Mary and Joseph being a "normal" family who would be like any other as "Jesus grew in wisdom, and stature and favor with God and men" most certainly does not give anyone a reason to cheapen our respect for the bearer of the Son of God. We echo her own words that all the people will call her blessed. She was the most blessed woman on the earth. What a great privilege, what a great responsibility she was given! What an honor and one she holds for eternity! But as Jesus said, "my mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and obey..." thankfully she did just that. Remember, too, that she kept all the divine and mysterious secrets surrounding his birth and hid them in her heart. It is entirely possible that both she and Joseph would have agreed not to talk about it for the very same reason that Jesus did not until after he turned 30... his time had not yet come, nobody would have been able to understand, and he had emptied himself, becoming nothing, being made in human likeness, having humbled himself and become a servant..." (Philippians 2...) Jesus was the son of GOD, and his brothers were the sons of Joseph, a sinner. Sin nature is passed down through the fathers. She was a young teen when she gave birth to our Savior. And that was her job. Jesus gave her to John to care for because John was a believer, and her other sons were not yet believers. It makes perfect sense. Far more sense than attributing sinlessness to a human woman devoid of divinity, no matter how "highly favored" she was.

[@kmsongbird]

May I just add that it does pain me and I'm sure a lot of us, that this sticky point (Mary's perpetual virginity vs her being like "the rest of us" but blessed, favored, chosen by God to bear the Son, AND the argument over Jesus having half brothers or their being some other type of relative) divides us so deeply and hinders our fellowship. I know there are other divisive issues between Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants, but I believe there is a great movement of the Holy Spirit going on right now, prompting us ALL to pray as Jesus did in John 17, for unity, that we would be ONE. There is ONE truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Him, and on that we all agree! Praise God for that thread that binds us together is a cord that cannot be broken and the lifeline to fellowship which we must all hold tightly to. So much love and respect for all of you. Let us pursue Jesus, let us abide in Him and nothing else.

[@SanzL1]

@@kmsongbird what a wonderful response! You did much better that I, with my debating and such. I appreciate you-and your pointing us toward our precious Lord. Let us not take our eyes away from him, lest we sink beneath the waves, as Simon did.

[@alyce-kayruckelshaus1224]

@@kmsongbird If I could "like" this a hundred times, I would!

[@Mikaflyd]

I totally agree with you!!! Your spot on!!!