Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society Who Was The Virgin Mary
Dec 19, 2025
In this fascinating discussion, historian Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch delves into the complex legacy of the Virgin Mary. He explores the significance of her virginity in Christianity and its ties to broader cultural narratives about sex. MacCulloch contrasts early biblical depictions of Mary with the later mythologized accounts, questioning the historical basis of her perpetual virginity. He also discusses the rise of Marian devotion and its implications for gender roles in early Christian society, offering a captivating look at the intersections of faith, sexuality, and history.
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Personal Motivation For The Book
- Diarmaid MacCulloch says his lived experience as a gay man and long career as a historian motivated his book on sex and Christianity.
- He combined personal perspective with historical training to write Lower Than the Angels.
Virginity Emerged Later In Christianity
- The cult of virginity in Christianity developed well after the New Testament, emerging strongly in 2nd-century Syria.
- Monasticism and eastern influences (Buddhist/Hindu) helped popularize celibacy and perpetual virginity.
Miracles Explain An Irregular Birth
- The Gospels present Mary as Jesus' mother but add miraculous elements to explain an irregular birth where Joseph is not the father.
- These miracle stories were invented to make sense of an unusual maternal origin while stressing Jesus' special status.