The name James is mentioned 42 times in the King James Version of the New Testament (NT) of the Bible. However by reference there is more than one man with that name, just as there are at least three distinct John’s, John the Baptist – the fore runner of Jesus, John Mark who traveled with St. Paul and John who wrote five books of the NT. (John, I John, II John, III John and The Revelation of Jesus Christ in case anyone asks.)
If we look at Acts 1:13 we see that there are two James’ listed with the disciples. At least one of these is clearly James the brother of John, these two are also called the sons of Zebedee or the sons of thunder. James the brother of John was beheaded by Herod (Acts 12) and in Acts there later appears another James as a leader.
I generally first look at what one calls himself. James (from the book of James) calls himself a servant of God. Jude, another writer calls himself the brother of James so whomever James is, he has at least one brother. Nowhere is there an indication that this James is the brother of John or the disciple James the son of Alphaeus, so there must be at least one more James. Paul, in Galatians 1:18-19 calls James the Lord’s Brother.
Paul uses the word Lord many times in his letters to the churches and only to refer to Jesus Christ. And he never uses the term the “Lord’s brother” to describe any of the other apostles. I cannot believe he would have bestowed this honor on James and ignored Peter and John, unless the James to which he referred was actually the natural half-brother of Jesus.
Why is whether Jesus had a physical brother such a problem? Because men generally approach God and His word with preconceived notions and try to get God and His word to fit them rather than them fitting their ideas to His plan.
Most Protestants can accept the fact that Mary and Joseph had children after Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Catholics, or better the Catholic leaders have a problem with this because this blows away the mysticism of Mary, the saint, the eternal virgin. I believe Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived and born however I find it impossible to believe she divorced Joseph after the birth.
I also find it impossible to believe that they would have lived together and not have other children. And Jesus himself mentions His BROTHERS (note plural) and SISTERS - in Matt 12:47-50. Now the detractors who wish to preserve what never existed say he is referring to spiritual not physical brothers and sisters but he answers that easily in the following three verses. The Bible must always be studied with verses in context. To do otherwise is to err in interpretation. But I am sure you know that in this the Bible and the Torah are not unique.
There is no doubt these are his natural family and he says they are no more important to him than the spiritual family he is starting with those who follow Him, BUT THE NATURAL FAMILY EXISTS! And why would the disciples use Mother and Brothers if they were spiritual family? Wouldn’t they have said followers? Why did they not routinely call other followers Mother and Brethern? Because these were his physical family. But to say this for some we “degrade” Mary by saying she birthed other children. In their eyes we make her less than Jesus and she is not one to be prayed to because she would not be “perfect.” It is amazing that here the Catholic Church praises, elevates and deifies not producing children and implies that one who has conceived children naturally is degraded.
But in the deification of Mary she is set up as a go-between because Jesus would not deny anything to his mother and she, because she is a woman, is more understanding, so pray to her. These attitudes neglect the scriptures. I Tim 2:5 – Jesus is the only mediator. Other scriptures say, “Ask anything in my name.” Prayer to anyone other than God or Jesus is akin to worship of idols. Even the Judaic priest that made the sacrifice for the people is no longer the go-between. When Jesus died the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom indicating that the holy of holies was open to man to meet with God. Mary should never have become a go-between. She was elevated enough as the mother of Jesus. And look again at Matt 12:50, whomsoever will do the will of my Father in heaven, the same is my brother and sister and mother. Each of those who do the will of the father has that right to come to him. The very scripture that is used to "prove" this hellish doctrine refutes it.
