S8 Ep164: Virgin Birth Theology and Historical Family Reality — James Tabor — Tabor analyzes the Protoevangelium of James, an apocryphal Christian text depicting Mary as a temple-raised perpetual virg

Virgin Birth Theology and Historical Family Reality — James Tabor — Tabor analyzes the Protoevangelium of James, an apocryphal Christian text depicting Mary as a temple-raised perpetual virgin and Joseph as an elderly protective guardian specifically appointed to explain away Jesus's documented siblings mentioned in Gospel narratives. Tabor contrasts this "fantastic story" theological construction with historical reality of a typical Jewish woman—Mary—who likely maintained a large extended family and experienced early widowhood following Joseph's death, situating her within ordinary Jewish family and social structures rather than exceptional sacred status. 1698