Perpetual Virginity of Mary

disputed Mariology

Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after Christ's birth.

This doctrine is actively contested between major traditions. Faithful Christians disagree.

Denominations

Who binds this

Every affiliated congregation inherits its denomination's position. Follow a chip to see the confession's language.

Affirm · 3

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of AmericaSTRONG Orthodox Church in AmericaSTRONG Roman Catholic ChurchSTRONG

Deny · 22

African Methodist Episcopal Church American Baptist Churches USAweak Assemblies of God USA Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)Christian Reformed Church Church of God in Christ Church of the Nazarene Churches of Christ Cooperative Baptist Fellowshipweak Evangelical Presbyterian Churchweak General Association of Regular Baptist Churches Global Methodist Church International Church of the Foursquare Gospel Mennonite Church USA National Baptist Convention, USA Orthodox Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church (USA)weak Presbyterian Church in America Reformed Church in Americaweak Southern Baptist Convention The Wesleyan Church United Methodist Churchweak

Wrestle with · 6

Anglican Church in North Americaweak Church of Englandweak Evangelical Lutheran Church in Americaweak Lutheran Church—Missouri Synodweak The Episcopal Churchweak Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synodweak

Key scriptures

Ezek 44:2 — Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.
Gal 4:4 — But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Isa 7:14 — Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
John 19:25 — Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
Luke 1:27 — To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Luke 1:34 — Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
Luke 2:7 — And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Mark 6:3 — Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Matt 1:23 — Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matt 1:25 — And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Rev 12:1 — And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

Confessional witness

What the confessions say

Articles of the historic confessions that address this doctrine.

Lutheran Augsburg Confession Article 3 — Of the Son of God
Reformed Belgic Confession Art19 — The Two Natures of Christ
Reformed Canons of Dort 4.R8 — Of the Perseverance of the Saints
Reformed Canons of Dort 4.A15 — Of the Perseverance of the Saints
Reformed Baptist 1689 London Baptist Confession 8.2 — Of Christ the Mediator
Reformed Westminster Larger Catechism Q37 — How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Voices from the tradition

The Church Fathers

The earliest Fathers who commented on the Scriptures above.

And the priest said to Joseph, You have been chosen by lot to take into your keeping the virgin of the Lord. But Joseph refused, saying: I have children, and I am an old man, and she is a young girl. I am afraid lest I become a laughing-stock to the sons of Israel.

— Protoevangelium of James (150) on Mark 6:3

And hear again how Isaiah in express words foretold that He should be born of a virgin; for he spoke thus: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bring forth a son, and they shall say for His name, `God with us.'" For things which were incredible and seemed impossible with men, these God predicted by the Spirit of prophecy as about to…

— Justin Martyr (165) on Isa 7:14

Certain of these heretics brought accusation against Symeon, the son of Clopas, on the ground that he was a descendant of David and a Christian; and thus he suffered martyrdom, at the age of one hundred and twenty years, while Trajan was emperor and Atticus governor... They came, therefore, and took the lead of every church as…

— Hegesippus (180) on John 19:25

With Him is nothing incomplete or out of due season, just as with the Father there is nothing incongruous. For all these things were foreknown by the Father; but the Son works them out at the proper time in perfect order and sequence. This was the reason why, when Mary was urging [Him] on to [perform] the wonderful miracle of the wine,…

— Irenaeus (202) on Gal 4:4

Jude, who wrote the Catholic Epistle, the brother of the sons of Joseph, and very religious, while knowing the near relationship of the Lord, yet did not say that he himself was His brother. But what said he? "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ,"— of Him as Lord; but "the brother of James." [Jude 1] For this is true; he was His brother,…

— Clement of Alexandria (215) on Mark 6:3

Begin we, therefore, to prove that the Birth of Christ was announced by prophets; as Isaiah (e.g., ) foretells, "Hear ye, house of David; no petty contest have ye with men, since God is proposing a struggle. Therefore God Himself will give you a sign; Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and ye shall call his name…

— Tertullian (220) on Matt 1:23

Related doctrines

Theotokos

Mariology · major

Immaculate Conception

Mariology · disputed

Assumption of Mary

Mariology · disputed