Protoevangelium of James
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ส.ค. 2024
- The most significant ancient source for traditions about Mary is a late 2nd century text entitled, the Protoevangelium of James. Here we encounter the story of Mary’s parents, Joachim and Anna, who are tragically childless, despite their personal holiness. Divine intervention comes in the form of an angel of the Lord who appears to Anna, prophesying that she will give birth to a child “who will be talked about all over the world.” The text goes on to relate traditions about Mary’s birth, infancy, childhood, eventual association with Joseph, and the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. This is a must read for anyone who has a lively Marian devotion.
As an orthodox (former eastern catholic) we honor the Totokos parents at the end of our Divine Litergy (Latin rite calls mass) these history writings are taught to us.
Thank you for this video, Andrea. I recently read "The Mystical City of God" (abridged) by Mary of Jesus of Agreda, which covers much of the same subject matter of this Protoevangelium of James. This video has encouraged me to study that writing of James as well.
I am pleased that you enjoyed it. This legend was VERY popular throughout Church history, and as I noted in the video, many people have heard elements of this legend. (Although they could not identify the origin text of these stories.)
This was a great presentation, thanks for sharing it with us.
This was great! You should make a video on why the church does not recognize this as a part of the bible.
Very well presented
I am a Protestant--Anglican--who has often mused about converting to Roman Catholicism due to the love I have for Scholasticism. However, not transubstantiation, but rather ( the almost quasi-pagan)Marian devotion is the crux of the matter for me as to my never becoming Catholic. Shame, really.
Hello Paul. I'm not much for trying to convert anyone. My fascination with the Protoevangelium of James is its impact on Christian art and, through that art, on the Christian (particularly Roman Catholic; Greek and Russian Orthodox) imagination. I find it intriguing how ideas found in that text (e.g., the names of Mary's parents, the election of Joseph) are known by Christians without their being aware of the SOURCE of these legends. Of course, the ideas are filtered through Christian ART. Whether you have an active Marian devotion or not, I think this process is very interesting, wouldn't you say?
@@andreamolinari2810 I understand; I, too, adore Christian Art, but, like the good neo classicist that I am, I also love Goodness and Truth. Alas, the Protoevangelium of James is non of the above, as is demonstrative with this mid-2nd century, Gnostic text.
@@horationelson57 I have no idea where you got the idea that the Protoevangelium of James is Gnostic. It isn't. Actually, it has more in common with Jewish embellishments of tradition (as is found in Josephus' Antiquities and Jubilees). It also could be profitably thought of as a forerunner to Christian hagiography. In any event, it is representative of popular Christian concerns in that period (at least with regard to Mary and the birth narratives).
@@andreamolinari2810 I'm not NT scholar, nor did I arrive at this conclusion myself, but have heard the accusations of Gnosticism over they years from people(and academics) with no particular axes to grind. Notwithstanding, Roman Catholics do use this text to validate their Marian devotion.
@@horationelson57 Marian devotion is sealed from the cross my friend “behold your mother” were the words of Christ as he was been crucified; it can’t get any easier than that!
I find it interesting that the canonical gospels depict Mary as a normal woman (chosen by God to bear Jesus notwithstanding). No mention of perpetual virginity. Yet use a non-canonical book written way pass anyone's life time as proof of Mary's perpetual virginity. Priests teach Mary's virginity as if it's part of the canon (well not all religions). Most parishioners are not aware of this because church teachings never mention this teaching comes from the 2nd century writings. The way Jesus is born in the Infancy Gospel of James is how Mary remains a virgin. Yet in Matthew, it's implied Joseph and Mary had normal relations as a couple since they have other children. Plus the fact the James gospel tells the story of Joseph being an old man while the canonical gospels never mention Joseph being old and having children from a pervious marriage.
Reading the non-canonical gospels gives a good indication on how the early writers depict Jesus and other persons found in the bible. But it must it emphasized that many of the those books were written in the 2nd century and should read in that context.
The canonical gospels speaks of Mary's virginity. And nothing in them contradicts an earlier marriage of Joseph. No doctrine is based on this noncanonical text presented here.
This is a totally false and non-biblical view of the historicity of Mary's perpetual virginity. Nowhere in the gospels is it implied the Joseph and Mary had relations after the birth of Jesus. Nor is it implied they had other children. That verse you are referring to is simply stating that they had no relations prior to the birth. It in no way implies they had relations after. As far as the age of Joseph goes, it's never mentioned in the gospels. But we do know he died before Jesus was crucified, and likely before he started his ministry. Mary's perpetual virginity is mentioned by a disciple of John, St.Ignatius, as early as 107 AD. If anyone would know the status of Mary's virginity I suspect it would be John, who cared for Mary until her dormition.
Some of this information is confirmed in the last testament the Holy Quran
Yes. Gnostic writings absolutely influenced the Quran. I’m just now starting to study Islam, but one must be focused. So, as a Christian I’m studying the writings’ impacts upon the early church, for now. But it’s very interesting that you raise this point. Thank you.