{"id":75140,"date":"2023-07-27T09:05:11","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T13:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/?p=75140"},"modified":"2023-07-28T17:05:09","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T21:05:09","slug":"marys-perpetual-virginity-undeniable-scriptural-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/07\/marys-perpetual-virginity-undeniable-scriptural-facts.html","title":{"rendered":"Mary’s Perpetual Virginity: Undeniable Scriptural Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>
Several \u201cwhy didn\u2019t they use these terms?\u201d arguments<\/strong><\/div>\n
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n
[originally posted on Facebook on 8-31-22]<\/div>\n
*
\nWe see such arguments used to deny<\/em> Mary\u2019s perpetual virginity, so why not the other way around, too?<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
For example, Jesus\u2019 \u201cbrethren\u201d<\/span> in Scripture are never called the children of Mary<\/span>, and Mary is never called their mother<\/span>, as in the case of Jesus:<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
\n
John 2:1<\/strong> (RSV) On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
John 19:25<\/strong> . . . standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother\u2019s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag\u2019dalene.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
In at least two instances, these \u201cbrothers\u201d were mentioned but Mary wasn\u2019t called their mother; only Jesus\u2018 mother:<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
\n
Acts 1:14<\/strong> All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Mark 6:3<\/strong> Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?\u201d . . .<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
*<\/div>\n
Doesn\u2019t it stand to reason and isn\u2019t it common sense that if these \u201cbrothers\u201d were indeed the siblings of Jesus, that Acts 1:14 would read, instead: \u201cMary the mother of Jesus and his brothers\u201d? Then we wouldn\u2019t be having this dispute; it would have been so clear and undeniable. A similar argument could be made for Mark 6:3.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
But instead, we have Jesus only being called \u201cthe son of Mary\u201d there, while \u201cson of Mary\u201d referring to someone besides Jesus, or the phrase \u201csons of Mary\u201d never appear in Holy Scripture.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Adelphos<\/em> (\u201cbrother\u201d) was used in the NT because it was following Aramaic \/ Hebrew cultural practice. They would say \u201cbrother\u201d for both siblings and cousins and even for nephews (Abraham and Lot). We have to think how they thought then in that culture and with that language, not like we do today.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
But even today we often use \u201cbrother\u201d in the broader sense: \u201cBand of brothers\u201d, \u201cBrother Jed will preach the sermon today\u201d, \u201cBrother\u201d and \u201csister\u201d for monks and nuns (and non-literal \u201cFather\u201d for priests), \u201cam I my brother\u2019s keeper?\u201d, Ringo Starr (an only child) calling the other three Beatles \u201cbrothers\u201d etc.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
\u201cCousin\u201d appears four times in the entire OT in the RSV (three of those in Jeremiah, another in Leviticus). But \u201cbrother[s]\u201d appears 390 times, \u201cbrethren\u201d 154 times and \u201csister[s]\u201d 110 times. So by a 654-4 ratio, we have those terms (which at first glance sound like siblings) used over against \u201ccousin.\u201d Obviously, many times they were used for non-sibling relatives. Here are some examples of that:<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Lot, who was called Abraham\u2019s \u201cbrother\u201d (Gen. 14:14), was the son of Haran, Abraham\u2019s sibling (Gen. 11:26\u201328); therefore, was Abraham\u2019s nephew, not his sibling or blood brother. Jacob is, likewise, referred to as the \u201cbrother\u201d of Laban, who was literally his uncle (Gen. 29:15). Eleazar\u2019s daughters married their \u201cbrethren,\u201d who were the sons of Kish (Eleazar\u2019s literal sibling). These \u201cbrethren\u201d, then, were actually their first cousins (1 Chr. 23:21\u201322).<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
\u201cBrother\u201d and \u201csister\u201d could also refer to kinsmen (Dt. 23:7; Neh. 5:7; Jer. 34:9), as in the reference to the forty-two \u201cbrethren\u201d of King Azariah (2 Kgs. 10:13\u201314). Many more such examples could be given.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
The NT (which came out of the same culture, and was Jewish-written save for Luke) totally reflects this. It has \u201cbrother[s]\u201d 159 times, \u201cbrethren\u201d 191, and \u201csister[s]\u201d 24 times, while \u201ccousin\u201d appears exactly once (Col 4:10).<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
So that\u2019s a 374-1 ratio (even more lopsided than the OT), and for the entire Bible (minus the Deuterocanon), the numbers are 1028-5, or \u201ccousin\u201d used instead of \u201cbrother\u201d or \u201csister\u201d once in every 206 times a relative is mentioned.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
And so we see the exact same thing in the NT (use of \u201cbrother\u201d for \u201ccousin\u201d) that occurs in the OT: in comparing Matthew 27:56, Mark 15:40, and John 19:25, we find that James and Joseph (mentioned in Matthew 13:55 with Simon and Jude as Jesus\u2019 \u201cbrothers\u201d) are the sons of Mary, wife of Clopas.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
This other Mary (Mt 27:61; 28:1) is called Our Lady\u2019s adelphe<\/em>\u00a0in John 19:25. Obviously, there are not two women named \u201cMary\u201d in one family. One opinion, based on early patristic evidence, that I hold myself, is that this second Mary was the Blessed Virgin Mary\u2019s sister in-law (Clopas being Joseph\u2019s sibling). In this scenario, a sister-in-law is called \u201csister\u201d in the NT (which we often do today in our own culture). In any event, we know for sure, from the above information, that James and Joseph were not Jesus\u2019 siblings. They were likely His first cousins, or possibly more distant cousins.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Jude is called the Lord\u2019s \u201cbrother\u201d in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3. If this is the same Jude who wrote the epistle bearing that name (as many think), he calls himself \u201ca servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James\u201d (Jude 1:1). Now, suppose for a moment that he was Jesus\u2019 blood brother. In that case, he refrains from referring to himself as the Lord\u2019s own sibling (while we are told that such a phraseology occurs several times in the New Testament, referring to a sibling relationship) and chooses instead to identify himself as James\u2019 brother. This is far too strange and implausible to believe.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Moreover, James also refrains from calling himself Jesus\u2019 brother, in his epistle (James 1:1: \u201cservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ\u201d): even though St. Paul calls him \u201cthe Lord\u2019s brother\u201d (Gal 1:19).<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Strikingly, it looks like every time St. Paul uses adelphos<\/em>\u00a0(unless I missed one or two), he means it as something other than blood brother or sibling. He uses the word or related cognates no less than 138 times in this way. Yet we often hear about Galatians 1:19: \u201cJames the Lord\u2019s brother.\u201d 137 other times, Paul means non-sibling<\/em>, yet amazingly enough, here he must mean sibling<\/em>, because (so we are told) he uses the word adelphos<\/em>? That doesn\u2019t make any sense.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
***<\/div>\n
\n

Seemingly \u201cOnly Son\u201d References to Jesus, With His \u201cBrothers\u201d Apparently Placed in a Category Other Than Siblings \/ Liberal Protestant Version (LPV) Fashionable, Trendy Renderings <\/em>[1-6-24]<\/p>\n

\n
Another little interesting tidbit to ponder, is how two Gospel writers (recording spoken words) described Jesus and His brothers in relation to Mary:
\n*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Mark 6:3<\/strong> \u201cIs not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?\u201d And they took offense at him.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
*
\nMatthew 13:55<\/strong> \u201cIs not this the carpenter\u2019s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?\u201d<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\n
*
\nWhat is notable is the singular use of \u201cson\u201d in describing Jesus. This would seem to (at the very least, possibly) suggest \u201conly son.\u201d Importantly, it\u2019s in the context<\/em>\u00a0of mentioning four of His \u201cbrothers\u201d and also \u201csisters\u201d in Mark. Now, if they are all understood to be \u2014 and were in fact \u2014 His siblings, why is He called \u201cthe son of Mary\u201d and \u201cthe carpenter\u2019s son\u201d? Note also that in both passages, only He is called Mary\u2019s \u201cson\u201d and also Joseph\u2019s (in Matthew). The others are not.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
It seems to me (maybe I\u2019m weird), as an argument from implausibility, that this is not the language we would expect God to inspire the evangelists to use (remember, we\u2019re talking about divinely inspired revelation), if in fact, Jesus had siblings. It would have been easy as pie for these passages to read so clearly, so manifestly plain, that there never would have been any dispute about the nature of the \u201cbrothers\u201d of Jesus. All it would have taken would be a few changes of words. I submit that the passages would have read something like the following, if Jesus had siblings:
\n*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
Mark 6:3<\/strong> [Liberal Protestant Version: LPV] \u201cIs not this the carpenter, one of the sons of Mary, along with his brothers James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?\u201d And they took offense at him.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
*
\nMatthew 13:55<\/strong> \u201cIs not this one of the carpenter\u2019s sons? Is not his mother and the mother of his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas called Mary?\u201d<\/span>
\n*<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\n
One good reason why at least James and Joseph are not described as the Blessed Virgin Mary\u2019s son in these passages, is because they are specifically called in other passages the sons of \u201cthe other Mary\u201d: who is called a \u201csister\u201d of Jesus\u2019 mother Mary. The Bible is self-consistent as always.
\n*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Simple; easy; elementary. Instead, we get \u201cthe son of Mary\u201d and \u201cthe carpenter\u2019s son\u201d: even when \u201cbrothers\u201d are being discussed in the same context. These \u201cbrothers\u201d and \u201csisters\u201d are neither described as sons or daughters of Mary, nor of Joseph. Only Jesus is, using the singular \u201cson.\u201d<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
There are at least three other similar passages, from the other two Gospel writers (Luke wrote the Book of Acts):<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\nJohn 1:45<\/strong> Philip found Nathan\u2019a-el, and said to him, \u201cWe have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
John 6:42<\/strong> They said, \u201cIs not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? . . .<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
\n
Acts 1:14<\/strong> All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\nSee how in the latter, a distinction is made between Mary as the mother of Jesus and \u201chis brothers\u201d, who are not<\/em>\u00a0called Mary\u2019s sons? Nor is she called their mother.
\n*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
The Liberal Protestant Version (LPV) would likely render these \u201ctoo Catholic\u201d verses as follows \u2014 and if Jesus had siblings, I think God would have made that crystal clear in Holy Scripture (saving us all of these endless disputes and wranglings about it):<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
*
\nJohn 1:45<\/strong> Philip found Nathan\u2019a-el, and said to him, \u201cWe have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, one of the sons [or, \u201cchildren\u201d] of Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
*<\/div>\n
John 6:42<\/strong> They said, \u201cIs not this Jesus, one of the sons of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? . . .\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
\n
*<\/div>\n
Acts 1:14<\/strong> All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
\n
*
\nBut God didn\u2019t make it plain and undeniable. Those verses do not<\/em>\u00a0read that way. I\u2019d like to ask those who deny Mary\u2019s perpetual virginity: why do you think that is? Why wouldn\u2019t God have made it easy to understand and logically and grammatically impossible to deny, if Jesus had siblings?
\n*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
There were many opportunities and contexts in Holy Scripture where this could easily have taken place, but for some odd reason they never do. And so, here we are 2,000 years later debating the issue, since Protestants in the late 17th and early 18th centuries decided to depart from the rest of Christendom and start denying that the Blessed Virgin Mary was a perpetual virgin.
\n*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

***<\/p>\n

Practical Matters<\/em><\/strong>: Perhaps some of my 4,300+ free online articles (the most comprehensive \u201cone-stop\u201d Catholic apologetics site) or\u00a0fifty-three books<\/a>\u00a0have helped you (by God\u2019s grace) to decide to\u00a0become Catholic<\/a>\u00a0or to\u00a0return to the Church<\/a>,\u00a0or better understand some doctrines and\u00a0why<\/em>\u00a0we believe them<\/a>.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. I\u2019m always in need of more funds: especially\u00a0monthly<\/em>\u00a0support. \u201cThe laborer is worthy of his wages\u201d (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a\u00a0full-time Catholic apologist<\/a>, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
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***<\/p>\n

Photo credit<\/strong>: The Annunciation<\/em>, by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)<\/span>\u00a0[public domain \/\u00a0Wikimedia Commons<\/a>]<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Summary<\/em>: Explanation of how Hebrew culture used \u201cbrother\u201d to describe non-siblings, and various interesting descriptions that are consistent with Mary\u2019s Perpetual Virginity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Several \u201cwhy didn\u2019t they use these terms?\u201d arguments [originally posted on Facebook on 8-31-22] * We see such arguments used to deny Mary\u2019s perpetual virginity, so why not the other way around, too? * For example, Jesus\u2019 \u201cbrethren\u201d in Scripture are never called the children of Mary, and Mary is never called their mother, as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2331,"featured_media":75143,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[16827,11156,14797,16235,39,11159],"class_list":["post-75140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blessed-virgin-mary","tag-adelphos","tag-brothers-of-jesus","tag-cousins-of-jesus","tag-marys-perpetual-virginity","tag-perpetual-virginity-of-mary","tag-siblings-of-jesus"],"yoast_head":"\nMary's Perpetual Virginity: Undeniable Scriptural Facts Mary's Perpetual 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Christianity since 1981, and Catholicism in particular since 1991 (full-time since December 2001). Formerly a campus missionary, as a Protestant, Dave was received into the Catholic Church in February 1991, by the late, well-known catechist and theologian, Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave\u2019s articles have appeared in many influential Catholic periodicals, including \\\"This Rock\\\" (now called \\\"Catholic Answers Magazine\\\"), \\\"Envoy Magazine\\\" (Patrick Madrid), \\\"The Catholic Answer,\\\" \\\"The Coming Home Journal,\\\" \\\"Gilbert Magazine\\\" (American Chesterton Society), and \\\"The Latin Mass.\\\" He also writes a featured column for every issue of \\\"The Michigan Catholic\\\": published by the archdiocese of Detroit, and was editor for most of the apologetics tracts published by the St. Paul Street Evangelization apostolate. Dave\u2019s apologetics and writing apostolate was the subject of a feature article in the May 2002 issue of \\\"Envoy Magazine.\\\" He served as the staff moderator at the Internet discussion forum for The Coming Home Network, from 2007-2010. Dave has been interviewed on many nationally syndicated Catholic radio shows, including \\\"Catholic Answers Live\\\" (twice), \\\"Faith and Family Live\\\" (Steve Wood), \\\"Kresta in the Afternoon,\\\" \\\"Son Rise Morning Show,\\\" \\\"Catholic Connection\\\" (Teresa Tomeo), and \\\"The Catholics Next Door.\\\" His large and popular website, \\\"Biblical Evidence for Catholicism,\\\" was online from March 1997 to March 2007, and received the 1998 Catholic Website of the Year award from \\\"Envoy Magazine.\\\" His blog of the same name (now transferred to Patheos), begun in February 2004, contains more than 1,500 papers, at least 500 debates or dialogues, and over 50 distinct \\\"index\\\" web pages. Unsolicited correspondence has indicated many hundreds of conversions (or returns) to the Catholic faith as a result, by God's grace, of these writings. Dave's conversion story was published in the bestselling book \\\"Surprised by Truth\\\" (edited by Patrick Madrid; San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994). Sophia Institute Press has published six of his books: \\\"A Biblical Defense of Catholicism\\\" (Foreword by Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J., 1996 \/ 2003), \\\"The Catholic Verses\\\" (2004), \\\"The One-Minute Apologist\\\" (2007), \\\"Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths\\\" (2009), \\\"The Quotable Newman\\\" (editor: 2012), and \\\"Proving the Catholic Faith is Biblical\\\" (2015). He is co-author (with Dr. Paul Thigpen) of the inserts for \\\"The New Catholic Answer Bible\\\" (Our Sunday Visitor: 2005), and editor for \\\"The Wisdom of Mr. Chesterton: The Very Best Quotes, Quips, and Cracks from the Pen of G. K. Chesterton\\\" (Saint Benedict Press \/ TAN Books: 2009). \\\"100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura\\\" was published by Catholic Answers in May 2012. His \\\"Quotable Wesley\\\" compilation was published by (Protestant \/ Wesleyan publisher) Beacon Hill Press in April 2014. Several of his 49 books are bestsellers in their field. Dave maintains a popular personal Facebook page, a Facebook author page, and has a Twitter account as well. He offers almost all of his books in e-book form on his own Biblical Catholicism site (http:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/), at a permanent deep discount: only $2.99 for ePub, mobi, and AZW, and $1.99 for PDF. His writing has been enthusiastically endorsed or recommended by many leading Catholic apologists, authors, and priests, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Marcus Grodi, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Tim Staples, Devin Rose, Mike Aquilina, Al Kresta, Karl Keating, Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Brandon Vogt, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, and Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. They have three sons and a daughter, and reside in southeast Michigan (metro Detroit).\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/\",\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dave.armstrong.798\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LuxVeritatisApologetics\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/author\/davearmstrong\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Mary's Perpetual Virginity: Undeniable Scriptural Facts Mary's Perpetual Virginity: Undeniable Scriptural Facts","description":"Several \u201cwhy didn\u2019t they use these terms?\u201d arguments * We see such arguments used to deny Mary's perpetual virginity, so why not the other way around, Explanation of how Hebrew culture used \"brother\" to describe non-siblings, and various interesting descriptions that are consistent with Mary's Perpetual 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Virginity.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/07\/marys-perpetual-virginity-undeniable-scriptural-facts.html#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/07\/marys-perpetual-virginity-undeniable-scriptural-facts.html"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2023\/07\/marys-perpetual-virginity-undeniable-scriptural-facts.html#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Mary’s Perpetual Virginity: Undeniable Scriptural Facts"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/","name":"Biblical Evidence for Catholicism","description":"Catholic biblical 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Formerly a campus missionary, as a Protestant, Dave was received into the Catholic Church in February 1991, by the late, well-known catechist and theologian, Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave\u2019s articles have appeared in many influential Catholic periodicals, including \"This Rock\" (now called \"Catholic Answers Magazine\"), \"Envoy Magazine\" (Patrick Madrid), \"The Catholic Answer,\" \"The Coming Home Journal,\" \"Gilbert Magazine\" (American Chesterton Society), and \"The Latin Mass.\" He also writes a featured column for every issue of \"The Michigan Catholic\": published by the archdiocese of Detroit, and was editor for most of the apologetics tracts published by the St. Paul Street Evangelization apostolate. Dave\u2019s apologetics and writing apostolate was the subject of a feature article in the May 2002 issue of \"Envoy Magazine.\" He served as the staff moderator at the Internet discussion forum for The Coming Home Network, from 2007-2010. Dave has been interviewed on many nationally syndicated Catholic radio shows, including \"Catholic Answers Live\" (twice), \"Faith and Family Live\" (Steve Wood), \"Kresta in the Afternoon,\" \"Son Rise Morning Show,\" \"Catholic Connection\" (Teresa Tomeo), and \"The Catholics Next Door.\" His large and popular website, \"Biblical Evidence for Catholicism,\" was online from March 1997 to March 2007, and received the 1998 Catholic Website of the Year award from \"Envoy Magazine.\" His blog of the same name (now transferred to Patheos), begun in February 2004, contains more than 1,500 papers, at least 500 debates or dialogues, and over 50 distinct \"index\" web pages. Unsolicited correspondence has indicated many hundreds of conversions (or returns) to the Catholic faith as a result, by God's grace, of these writings. Dave's conversion story was published in the bestselling book \"Surprised by Truth\" (edited by Patrick Madrid; San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994). Sophia Institute Press has published six of his books: \"A Biblical Defense of Catholicism\" (Foreword by Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J., 1996 \/ 2003), \"The Catholic Verses\" (2004), \"The One-Minute Apologist\" (2007), \"Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths\" (2009), \"The Quotable Newman\" (editor: 2012), and \"Proving the Catholic Faith is Biblical\" (2015). He is co-author (with Dr. Paul Thigpen) of the inserts for \"The New Catholic Answer Bible\" (Our Sunday Visitor: 2005), and editor for \"The Wisdom of Mr. Chesterton: The Very Best Quotes, Quips, and Cracks from the Pen of G. K. Chesterton\" (Saint Benedict Press \/ TAN Books: 2009). \"100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura\" was published by Catholic Answers in May 2012. His \"Quotable Wesley\" compilation was published by (Protestant \/ Wesleyan publisher) Beacon Hill Press in April 2014. Several of his 49 books are bestsellers in their field. Dave maintains a popular personal Facebook page, a Facebook author page, and has a Twitter account as well. He offers almost all of his books in e-book form on his own Biblical Catholicism site (http:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/), at a permanent deep discount: only $2.99 for ePub, mobi, and AZW, and $1.99 for PDF. His writing has been enthusiastically endorsed or recommended by many leading Catholic apologists, authors, and priests, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Marcus Grodi, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Tim Staples, Devin Rose, Mike Aquilina, Al Kresta, Karl Keating, Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Brandon Vogt, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, and Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. They have three sons and a daughter, and reside in southeast Michigan (metro Detroit).","sameAs":["https:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dave.armstrong.798","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LuxVeritatisApologetics"],"url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/author\/davearmstrong"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75140","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2331"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75140"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75140\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75140"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75140"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75140"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}