The Virgin Birth

1. The Virgin Birth A central doctrine or “Something blown out of nothing”? (Spong) Themes in Christology

2. 1. A clear assertion of Scripture • Matthew 1:18 “Before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit.” • Matthew 1:20 “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (cf Matt 1:24f). • Luke 1:34f “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the son of God” (cg Lk 3:23) Themes in Christology

3. 2. A central tenet of the church • The Virgin Birth is a key doctrine of the Christian faith, and is also held by Muslims (Qur'an 3.47). The doctrine asserts that Jesus was conceived in the womb of his mother, the Virgin Mary, without the participation of a human father. • According to Christian doctrine, endorsed by the Apostles’ Creed, the Virginal Conception (which should not be confused with the Immaculate Conception ) of Mary who was to become the mother of Jesus, happened by the power of the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:35). Themes in Christology

4. Mary's Immaculate Conception • The virgin conception of Jesus is often referred to as the "Immaculate Conception." However, this is contrary to the term's original meaning. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, taught by the Roman Catholic Church, states that Mary was conceived "without the stain of original sin". Mary was conceived in the ordinary way: i.e. she had a human father as well as a human mother (whose names, according to Catholic and Orthodox tradition, were 'Joachim' and 'Anna'/'Anne'). • Whilst Protestant denominations adhere to the doctrine of the Virgin Birth, they do not adhere to the idea of Mary's Immaculate Conception, nor of her perpetual virginity. Themes in Christology

5. 3. A crucial doctrine for Christological comprehension • A reason that Christians who accept the Virgin Birth consider it to be significant is that it shows Jesus' divine and human natures at once united, paving the way for all of humanity to be united with God. Eastern Orthodox tradition says that from the time Jesus was born, the flaming sword was removed from the Garden of Eden, making it possible for humanity to re-enter Paradise. Themes in Christology

6. However… • However, the possibility is often questioned for the fact that parthenogenesis has never been observed in a human being. It’s life Jim, but not as we know it. • Also, some proclaimed Christians do not believe in the Virgin Birth. Research indicates that among both the clergy and the laity beliefs in central tenets of the faith such as Virgin Birth or bodily Resurrection is highly variable. Themes in Christology

7. The Muslim perspective • Although they believe in the Virgin Birth, Muslims do not call Jesus "Son of God", rather "Servant of God". In the Qur'an, Jesus (Isa in Arabic) is consistently termed "Isa ibn Maryam" - a matronymic - because, in Muslim belief, he had no biological father. Themes in Christology

8. Three doctrinal implications • It shows that salvation ultimately must come from the Lord (Look at Gal 4:4-5) • The virgin birth makes possible the uniting of deity and humanity in one person (John 3:16; Gal 4:4) • The virgin birth makes possible Christ’s true humanity without inherited sin (Lk 1:35) Themes in Christology

9. Is the doctrine found elsewhere? • Why is Mark silent on the subject? • Why are Paul’s references so obscure? (Rom 1:3; Gal 4:4; Phil 2:7) • John’s references to pre-existence. • So how did “the word become flesh”? • And is “born of the Spirit” (Jn 3) connecting our spiritual birth with Jesus’ birth? • Considering Jn 6:42 Themes in Christology

10. Liberal scholarship • “Virgin birth is impossible. The stories are childish fabrications” H.E.G.Paulus 1828. • “A myth from later Christian thought on basis of Isaiah 7:14” D.Strauss 1835. • Bultmann on “myth” • Literary editorialism of Isaiah and Ps 2:7. Cf Vincent Taylor 1957 • J.A.T.Robinson “Later additions” Themes in Christology

11. The Consequences of non-historicity • The Gospels of Matthew and Luke attest to a virgin birth for Jesus Christ. Some now disregard or even refute this doctrine. • A non-virgin birth would seem to require some form of adoptionism. This is because a human conception and birth would seem to yield a fully human Jesus, with some other mechanism required to make Jesus divine as well Themes in Christology

12. Donald MacLeod: (1) Highlights salvation as a supernatural act of God rather than an act of human initiative. (2) Avoids adoptionism (which is virtually required if a normal birth).(3) Reinforces the sinlessness of Christ, especially as it relates to Christ being outside the sin of Adam (original sin). • A non-virgin birth would seem to support the full humanity of Jesus. William Barclay: states, “The supreme problem of the virgin birth is that it does quite undeniably differentiate Jesus from all men; it does leave us with an incomplete incarnation.” • What do you think? Themes in Christology

13. Consequences of historicity • Treating the Bible with due respect • Acknowledging a mystery • Accepting a difference between Son and sons • Jesus: a unique birth and a unique life… Themes in Christology