Expert: Edward Bode - 2/18/2006

Question
Hello Edward!

Some time ago a friend of mine, who does not attend a church, claimed that the church tries to attune everything to its own needs, and the way it's comfortable for this institution. For example she said that according to her Mary was a virgin not because she wanted or deemed it better to be a virgin but because the law (i'm not quite sure i think the law of the church)stated that it was better to be a virgin and so she was one. Another argument was that the bible says very little about Christ's relationship with women. She claims that the original version of the new testament (written i think in the language used by apostles) says more about Christ's relationship with women. And because of this the church, for example,rather dissaproves of sexual contacts especially before marriage. All in all what she's trying to say is that the church, the authorities in the church do everything in a way which seems to be more comfortable for them that is, for example, the translation of the original version of the N.T. is not so accurate, or the case with Mary and her virginity. What do you think about this, is it just rubbish? I think she must have read some books which disapprove the teachings of the church.
thanks

Answer
Rubbish it is!
Re virginity: The Jewish law and customs did not favor virginity but frowned upon it.  There are lamments about the woman without children.  I think it is Proverbs, where a verse talks about children like olive plants around the table.
Re NT: Indirect evidence points to an Aramaic substratum of parts of the gospels.  No evidence that the Greek Koine [common language of the empire, even in Rome]misunderstood or mistranslated the original oral traditions when the gospels were written in Greek. [There may have been some written Aramaic behind the gospel of Matthew.] Jesus talked against adultery and Paul against fornication.
Re comfort:  The teachings of the Church were hard for many to accept, as Jesus said.  Many died for the faith rather than change or deny it.
If you would like more, feel free to write again.
As always, Luke, best wishes!