Here, a complete refutation of SV using only basic logic and the plain words of Scripture:
- Marriage is the one-flesh union (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Ephesians 5:31).
- The one-flesh union is, at least in necessary part, sex (there is no other possible interpretation).
- Joseph was commanded by God to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20–25).
- Joseph was a just/righteous man (Matthew 1:19).
- Righteous men obey God.
- Joseph took Mary as his wife (i.e., they were married).
[3+4+5.] - This means that Joseph and Mary had sexual relations.
[1+2+6.]
∴, Mary was not a ‘perpetual virgin’; rather, she was a faithful wife to a faithful husband and had other children (Matthew 12:46, Matthew 13:55–56, Galatians 1:19).
To expand further on 2: Every civilization worthy of mention has recognized that a marriage is invalid without consummation (i.e., sexual intercourse); thus, sexual intercourse is a necessary component of marriage — Scripture refers to this as a “one-flesh union”.
