The Book of Concord doesn't say a whole lot about Mary, the Mother of God. But what it does say, I assert, says quite a bit in itself.
Most Lutheran parishioners in the 21st century deny the historic Christian position of the Semper Virgo, or the perpetual virginity of Mary. A recent poll in a facebook group in which I am administrator bears this out. It seems that at the very least, 75% of Lutherans reject this position. I am estimating here, but this estimate is pretty conservative in my mind.
I am not one of these people. Perhaps even some of my blog mates disagree with me here. I am not certain where they all stand on this particular topic.
I contend that it is most likely that our Lutheran forbears were absolutely referring to the ever-virginity of Mary in the final clause of the quoted Solid Declaration above.
Therefore she is truly the mother of God, and nevertheless remained a virgin.
The biggest reason I believe this to be so is that all of the early Reformers held to the Semper Virgo. Martin Luther certainly did.
The other reason I believe that the Solid Declaration is teaching the Semper Virgo is that it makes no sense whatsoever to include the final clause "...and nevertheless remained a virgin" if they are meaning to talk about something else. It just doesn't make any sense that they mean something like "she remained a virgin until after she had borne Christ." Since they have already strongly asserted the Virgin Birth, they really do not need to throw this clause in there unless they are referring to something more, such as the Semper Virgo.
Certainly I do recognize that there are arguments in the other direction, and both sides in this discussion use Scripture to support their stances, but that is a discussion for another day.
Yet, if the Semper Virgo is indeed the stance our Confessions take, should we not be believing it?
Yet, if the Semper Virgo is indeed the stance our Confessions take, should we not be believing it?
As for now, this will suffice.
This Confessional Lutheran blogger affirms the Semper Virgo.
+Pax+
+Pax+
My wife (a former nun) certainly supports this. My understanding is that its citation in the Book on Concord (to which all confession Lutheran pastors subscribe) is in the Latin, but not in the German version (which again, as a layman, I understand is the "official" one). My initial reaction is contrary, but I am willing to learn and what Scripture says, is the truth.
ReplyDeleteEric - I think either position can be held by a Confessional Lutheran.
ReplyDelete