--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But the work which most richly…" description: "\"“But the work which most richly embroidered the gospel narratives and was destined to exert a tremendous influence on later Mariology was the Protoevan..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/j-n-d-kelly-138446_christianity_but-the-work-which-most-richly-embroider_466997.jpg" --- # But the work which most richly embroidered the gospel… ![“But the work which most richly embroidered the gospel narratives and was destined to exert a tremendous influence on later Mariology was the Protoevangelium of James. Written for Mary's glorification, this described her divinely ordered birth when her parents, Joachim and Anna, were advanced in…” quote by J.N.D. Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/j-n-d-kelly-138446_christianity_but-the-work-which-most-richly-embroider_466997.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/j-n-d-kelly-138446_christianity_but-the-work-which-most-richly-embroider_466997.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/j-n-d-kelly-138446_christianity_but-the-work-which-most-richly-embroider_466997.jpg) > ““But the work which most richly embroidered the gospel narratives and was destined to exert a tremendous influence on later Mariology was the Protoevangelium of James. Written for Mary's glorification, this described her divinely ordered birth when her parents, Joachim and Anna, were advanced in years, her miraculous infancy and childhood, and her dedication to the Temple, where her parents had prayed that God would give her 'a name renowned for ever among all generations'. It made the point that when she was engaged to Joseph he was already an elderly widower with sons of his own; and it accumulated evidence both that she had conceived Jesus without sexual intercourse and that her physical nature had remained intact when she bore Him. These ideas were far from being immediately accepted in the Church at large. Iranaeus, it is true, held that Mary's childbearing was exempt from physical travail, as did Clement of Alexandria (appealing to the Protoevangelium of James). Tertullian, however, repudiated the suggestion, finding the opening of her womb prophesied in Exodus 13, 2, and Origen followed him and argued that she had needed the purification prescribed by the Law. On the other hand, while Tertullian assumed that she had had normal conjugal relations with Joseph after Jesus's birth, the 'brethren of the Lord' being his true brothers, Origen maintained that she had remained a virgin for the rest of her life('virginity post partum') and that Jesus's so-called brothers were sons of Joseph but not by her...In contrast to the later belief in her moral and spiritual perfection, none of these theologians had the least scruple about attributing faults to her. Irenaeus and Tertullian recalled occasions on which, as they read the gospel stories, she had earned her Son's rebuke, and Origen insisted that, like all human beings, she needed redemption from her sins; ...”” J.N.D. Kelly ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage outlines early theological debates about Mary's virginity, conception, and role, highlighting differing views among Church Fathers. **In simple terms:** Early Christians debated Mary's nature and role. Key Takeaway Understand historical theological diversity. Themes theology history Mariology Mood academic thoughtful Type Christianity:1 Church fathers:1 Early-church:1 Immaculate conception:0 Mariology:1 Mary:1 Sexual intercourse:0 Virgin mary:0 Later Mariology:0 Conceived Jesus:0 Tertullian Assumed:0 Written Mary:0 Mary Glorification:0 When to use this quote - religious education - academic research - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts virginity conception church doctrine Questions to Reflect On - How do these debates affect contemporary belief? - What can we learn from early theological disagreements? 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It made the point that when she was engaged to Joseph he was already an elderly widower with sons of his own; and it accumulated evidence both that she had conceived Jesus without sexual intercourse and that her physical nature had remained intact when she bore Him. These ideas were far from being immediately accepted in the Church at large. Iranaeus, it is true, held that Mary's childbearing was exempt from physical travail, as did Clement of Alexandria (appealing to the Protoevangelium of James). Tertullian, however, repudiated the suggestion, finding the opening of her womb prophesied in Exodus 13, 2, and Origen followed him and argued that she had needed the purification prescribed by the Law. On the other hand, while Tertullian assumed that she had had normal conjugal relations with Joseph after Jesus's birth, the 'brethren of the Lord' being his true brothers, Origen maintained that she had remained a virgin for the rest of her life('virginity post partum') and that Jesus's so-called brothers were sons of Joseph but not by her...In contrast to the later belief in her moral and spiritual perfection, none of these theologians had the least scruple about attributing faults to her. Irenaeus and Tertullian recalled occasions on which, as they read the gospel stories, she had earned her Son's rebuke, and Origen insisted that, like all human beings, she needed redemption from her sins; ...”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J.N.D. 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