Was Mary a Virgin?

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
Actually, Matthew 1:25 of the NLV says "she remained a virgin until her son was born."

This is logically different than the version you gave, which states, "But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son."

I could construct various scenarios in which one holds but not the other.

I imagine my source was referring to the original Greek text regarding Luke's unique account of virgin birth. Can anybody comment on that?

Be careful. The NLV is a paraphrase, not a translation. It's just trying to tell you what the paraphrasers think the author meant. It's not trying to necessarily translate literally.

So you're really reading what the NLV paraphrasers think Matthew meant when he said Joseph didn't have any union with Mary.

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
Actually, Matthew 1:25 of the NLV says "she remained a virgin until her son was born."

This is logically different than the version you gave, which states, "But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son."

I could construct various scenarios in which one holds but not the other.

I imagine my source was referring to the original Greek text regarding Luke's unique account of virgin birth. Can anybody comment on that?

Comment on your imagination? The Greek? Only one account? What are you looking for, exactly?

Originally posted by joelek
It's just trying to tell you what the paraphrasers think the author meant. It's not trying to necessarily translate literally.

So you're really reading what the NLV paraphrasers think Matthew meant when he said Joseph didn't have any union with Mary.

This is what all translations are. A literal translation would be incomprehensible in the target language and in most cases impossible to achieve.

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
Comment on your imagination? The Greek? Only one account? What are you looking for, exactly?

I want to know if it is the case that

1) None of the original texts of Matthew, Mark and John describe Mary as a virgin at the time of conception, and

2) The original text of Luke does describe Mary as a virgin at the time of conception.

what the point of this thread.

Originally posted by trevor33
what the point of this thread.

To determine whether my source's claim is true, and whether his explanation has any merit.

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
I want to know if it is the case that

1) None of the original texts of Mattheew, Mark and John describe Mary as a virgin at the time of conception, and

2) The original text of Luke does describe Mary as a virgin at the time of conception.

I'm quite sure there aren't ANY "original texts" of any of the Gospels. Matthew pretty clearly states that Joseph hadn't had sex with Mary until after Jesus was born. Are you suggesting somebody else might have?

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
I want to know if it is the case that

1) None of the original texts of Matthew, Mark and John describe Mary as a virgin at the time of conception, and

2) The original text of Luke does describe Mary as a virgin at the time of conception.

Only Mark jumps into the action, post birth. Matthew, Luke and John all describe Mary as a virgin.

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
To determine whether my source's claim is true, and whether his explanation has any merit.

what is your source

Originally posted by no1marauder
Are you suggesting somebody else might have?

For this thread, I am concerned only with the texts themselves, not with their factuality.

Originally posted by trevor33
what is your source

An interview with Joseph Campbell, an expert in mythology and comparative religion, regarding thematic occurrences of female goddesses.

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
An interview with Joseph Campbell, an expert in mythology and comparative religion, regarding thematic occurrences of female goddesses.

Do you know the link to it, i would like to read it.

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
Only Mark jumps into the action, post birth.

So joelek is wrong when he claims that John does not give an account of the birth?

I did not read it. It was part of a DVD production entitled Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005MEVQ/102-5850624-9261718?v=glance&n=130

Originally posted by DoctorScribbles
For this thread, I am concerned only with the texts themselves, not with their factuality.

Well, I would say Luke says she was a virgin explicitly and Matthew strongly suggests it. I can't find any mention in John of a virgin birth and Mark doesn't address his birth at all.