Bible Study
See other Bible Study Articles
Title: Is the Virgin Birth Essential to Christianity?
Source:
[None]
URL Source: https://answersingenesis.org/jesus- ... rth-essential-to-christianity/
Published: Jan 10, 2017
Author: Avery Foley
Post Date: 2017-01-10 23:21:00 by A K A Stone
Keywords: None
Views: 2416
Comments: 9
Most of us are familiar with the narrative of Jesus’ birth: the angel who appears to Mary, the virgin conception, the babe in a manger in Bethlehem, the visit from the shepherds, and the gifts of the Magi. But do these events really matter to Christianity? Does It Matter How Jesus Came into the World? In a December 4, 2016, sermon, Pastor Andy Stanley, of North Point Community Church, introduced his sermon series Who Needs Christmas? with the following statement: One of the challenging things about the Christmas season, and one of the challenging things about the Christmas story, is in fact the Christmas story . . . as it relates to the birth of Jesus. Because there’s so much miraculous, there’s so much amazing, there’s so much that’s really unbelievable about it. And a lot of people just don’t believe it, and I understand that, and maybe the thought is they had to come up with some myth about the birth of Jesus to give him street cred later on, maybe that’s where that came from. It’s interesting because Matthew gives us a version of the birth of Christ, Luke does, but Mark and John, they don’t even mention it and a lot has been made of that. So before we jump in I just want to say one thing about that whole thing . . . if somebody could predict their own death and their own resurrection, I’m not all that concerned about how they got into the world because the whole resurrection thing is so amazing and . . . Christianity doesn’t hinge on the truth or even the stories around the birth of Jesus. It really hinges on the Resurrection of Jesus. Now, not surprisingly, this introduction created a great deal of controversy. Was Pastor Stanley really suggesting that events like the virgin birth are inconsequential to Christianity? To defend his statements, Stanley said to The Washington Post, Anyone who listens to all three [sermons in the series] will know that I stand firmly within the orthodox Christian tradition regarding the incarnation of Jesus — including the birth narratives as presented [in] Matthew and Luke.1 Now, Stanley may believe the events surrounding Christ’s birth. Indeed, he treats them as history throughout his three-part sermon series. But his introduction certainly implies that belief in the events described in Matthew and Luke are up for debate. Is he right in saying that only the Resurrection matters and how Jesus came into the world isn’t really a matter of concern? The Bible Tells Me So A central tenet of Christianity is indeed the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 15, But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:12–17) But this doesn’t mean everything else that Scripture tells us about Christ, including the birth narratives, are inconsequential. How is it that we know Christ was raised from the dead? As Paul puts it, “According to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4). We know Jesus was raised from the dead for the same reason we know Jesus walked on water, fed the 5,000, and was born of a virgin—God’s Word tells us so. IF WE CAN’T TRUST THE BIRTH NARRATIVES, THEN WHY SHOULD WE TRUST THE GOSPELS WHEN THEY TELL US JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD? If we can’t trust the birth narratives, then why should we trust the Gospels when they tell us Jesus was raised from the dead? After all, the events surrounding Jesus’ death and Resurrection are also miraculous and amazing. Dead people don’t normally bring themselves back from the dead, temple curtains don’t rip in half on their own, tombs don’t break open so the dead inside can come out, and angels don’t usually roll tomb stones away. Why should we believe all of these events actually took place if we can’t believe that the events in the earlier chapters of Matthew and Luke took place? Once you start doubting God’s Word, where do you stop? If It’s Only Mentioned Twice, Is It Important? Pastor Stanley mentions that, of the four Gospel writers, only Matthew and Luke include Jesus’ birth narratives. John begins with a discourse on Jesus as the eternal Word, and Mark jumps in with John the Baptist and Jesus’ baptism. But just because only two Gospels mention the birth narrative doesn’t mean it’s not important. Something only needs to appear once in Scripture for us to pay heed to it. The frequency of a teaching or narrative doesn’t determine its truth, historicity, or even its relevancy. The Virgin Birth Perhaps the most theologically important detail surrounding Christ’s birth is the virgin conception, popularly referred to as the virgin birth. Both Matthew and Luke mention it (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:27, 34). Because Jesus was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), He had a human mother, but not a human father. Due to His unique conception, Jesus, as the babe in the manger, was 100% God and 100% man. But if Jesus was not born of a virgin, if Joseph or another human man was His father, how could He be the God-man? And if He’s not the God-man, the perfect and acceptable sacrifice for our sin, how are we saved? The virgin birth is not a side issue that may or may not be believed by Christians. It’s an historical event that’s foundational to the gospel. Christianity—Grounded in History It’s interesting that Pastor Stanley begins his sermon by downplaying, or even dismissing, the importance of the birth narratives when the whole point of his sermon series was why we need Christmas. His whole first sermon was about the historical backdrop of Christ’s birth, going back to God’s promise to Abraham. But if we don’t need to be concerned with how Jesus came into the world, why should we care about the events over the millennia that led up to Jesus’ birth? Stanley’s sermon is inconsistent with his introduction. THE PROPHECIES OF THE MESSIAH’S BIRTH ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE STORYLINE THAT CANNOT BE SET ASIDE. Additionally, Stanley asserts that the Jews of that era would not have been looking for a baby born in a manger as their Messiah. While that is likely true, it is not because the Scriptures don’t indicate such. As he downplays the prophecies in the Old Testament, He reads portions of the birth narrative in Matthew. For some reason, he skips over Matthew 1:23, which includes the prophecy of the virgin birth of Immanuel from Isaiah 7:14. Although many had missed it, the virgin birth is indeed prophesied as part of the Father’s plan to send the Son into the world as Savior. The prophecies of the Messiah’s birth are an important part of the storyline that cannot be set aside. Christianity is a religion grounded in history and in the truth of God’s Word. How and why Jesus came as the virgin-conceived babe in the manger matters. Although the Christmas season is over, take time to reflect on what Jesus’ birth means to you for now and eternity.
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#1. To: A K A Stone (#0)
Yes. The fake pastor must be reading the Koran, aka fake news. Jesus didn't speak of his birth he spoke about what he came to accomplish. we need to focus on what he accomplished
You were obviously to lazy to read the article. Mr short sighted blind boy. His birth was foretold. If his birth wasn't of a virgin. We all still have sin nature or the Bible is bullshit. Which it isn't. If there was no Adam and Eve. There was no need to be redeemed.
The reason why this must be slapped down is because it sows doubt. Doubt is the what the "devil" uses to harm the sheep.
Bradley F. Lunsford says: August 30, 2016 at 1:59 pm I know what happened to the Chernobyl cloud. I saw it “pass” over Whitmore, California (the other Soviet Union) in 90. I was 9 years old. I think you would be referring to a sign, not exactly a trumpet. Excellent essay by the way. Truly very good. Nowadays were talking trumpets, maybe. There’s some hope today. Hope for today. What really did happen in the Spring of 2011. I believe it stopped overhead where I lived at the time and was “dissipated” there ( 89- 90. I remember one day in particular when the sky and surroundings seemed to turn golden. I thought to myself and heard in inward voice say that Jesus would be returning soon. I believed. Strangely enough a horrid wart appeared on my head near the same time. I still believe Jesus is returning soon and am only 34 years old, even though I feel like 95 years of age and have since that time. Dr. David Reagan, Dr. Carl Baugh, Dr. Kent Hovind and Dr. Beth Shook see if you can find any information on what happened to the so-called dust cloud of Chernobyl. I think it had to be funneled or something. I don’t know. I don’t think it just went away by itself. You guys would have better guesses and conclusions. Maybe it is all wrapped up in the Seventh Sign movie, who knows? I know one thing. Anyone who repeats “bloody Mary” often enough-well the wall will cave in. The Virgin Birth is is real. In other words, atheists (its not Dr. Dave Friend or I) will find the walls caving in on them in the end times. No, I am a devout believer-pure gold through Jesus. Amen. With Love, Brad F. Lunsford (the Clause) P.S. the anti-Christ is Anatoly Karpov. He probably accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior years ago now and Satan is currently animating an old carcass. Karpov how is the weather in paradise! I iron curtain came down to one head plus a few other ones. Sometimes you just have to burn through the iron curtain, but be sure to share the gospel while doing so. To be fair. You don’t kind of deal with the World. You got a hell of a deal World. I hope you know that. You will on the other side. See there, hopefully. I have to go. The sun (Christ Jesus is smiling on my today as he is everyday). Are that kind of believer-National Israel and National Russia. I hope so its going to get rocky for the unbelievers at the End of Time, as we know it. Can I stop qualifying all these statements. The Great Tribulation is aimed at National Israel and Russia towards the end. Know that. You brood of vipers. No, California now represents China-look up Asian Revolt against the anti-Christ and his followers, which includes the false messiah-Benjamin Nutty Pot. End. https://www.endtime.com/endtime-magazine-articles/chernobyl-third-trumpet- revelation/ If you ... don't use exclamation points --- you should't be typeing ! Commas - semicolons - question marks are for girlie boys !
The Virgin Birth is a fundamental stumbling block to Jews and "scientists". The divine fatherhood of Jesus is a fundamental stumbling block to Muslims. The UNIQUENESS of the Father and of Jesus in history is a fundamental stumbling block to Hindus and, derivatively, Bhuddists. That Jesus is the biological, human son of the Father, Creator of the universe, through a woman who was literally a virgin, that he was therefore himself divine - a god-man - and that he was the ONLY person ever so fathered - the ONLY begotten son, of the ONLY Most High God - really - is a stumbling block to every other belief set on earth, including the ancient Greco-Roman pagans (who had no trouble with the idea of gods fathering children with women, but who could not accept that there was only ONE Most High God - the One the Jews worshipped - and He only did it ONCE). It is all a set of historical facts that are fundamental to orthodox (which is to say true) Christianity. There are Christians who can't stand the thought either. They usually fall under the same error as the Muslims, which is the Arian Heresy. So yes, certainly, Easter is the grand climax of the show, but Christmas is the necessary first act. None of the true history of Jesus can be discarded and the truth about God be maintained. To put it differently: God thought it was important that Jesus be his own directly begotten son, of a virgin, and the only one he ever physically fathered. And since God thought it was important enough to do it that way, and not some other way, it is important. God COULD have brought forth Jesus anyway he pleased. He pleased to do it just exactly the way he did it. And therefore, it is very important. My personal favorite Christmas song is not one of the traditional carols. I love those, but this one moves me the most, because it touches on just exactly the tension that the world feels faced with the Virgin Birth and the humanity of the incarnate God in Jesus. It is only two stanzas long, and is called "Strange Way". It goes like this: Joseph must have been surprised at where this road had taken him. For never in a million lives could he have dreamed of Bethlehem. But standing at the manger he saw with his own eyes the message of the angel come to life. And Joseph said: Why me? I'm just a simple man of trade. Why him? With all the rulers in the world. Why here? Inside this stable filled with hay. Why her? She's just an ordinary girl. Now I'm not one to second-guess what angels have to say... But this is such a strange way to save the world. Think of how it would have been if Jesus had come as he deserved. There would have been no Bethlehem, no lonely shepherds at his birth. But Joseph knew the reason: Love had to reach so far. And has he held the Savior in his arms, he must have thought: Why me? I'm just a simple man of trade. Why him? With all the rulers in the world. Why here? Inside this stable filled with hay. Why her? She's just an ordinary girl. Now I'm not one to second-guess what angels have to say... But this is such a strange way... Isn't this a strange way?... This is such a strange way to save the world. That song captures exactly the essential challenge to mankind of the Virgin Birth and incarnation of Jesus. God must be grander than that! Some say. WRONG. He CHOSE to do it THIS way. God cannot simply be a baby with animals! Some say. WRONG. God did it THIS way. God cannot...God must not...God WOULD not... But God DID. That's the point - God DID it just this way. And he's omniscient and all-wise. So, if someone objects to some aspect of the Virgin Birth, in Bethlehem, and all that it means, that means that they have failed the litmus test that the event imposes. God did it THIS way - and whoever doesn't like that fact has something wrong with his OWN conception of God, because God DID IT THIS WAY, and not the way others would choose. Essentially, God smashed pride and human wisdom and false piety in the teeth and did it in an outrageous way, among people of no consequences, with only shepherds as witnesses. Every objection that anybody has to how God did it is an indictment of the individual making the objection - it highlights the way the person's mind is wrong. Not lofty enough? The person is infected with the sin of pride, and places too great importance on human status. God was born in a feeding trough, and that was good enough for HIM. Etc. The Virgin Birth in a stable in Bethlehem IS a strange way to save the world. But it's the way, the only way, that the world began to be saved. It's the beginning of the story, and you have to accept it and learn from it, because God was making exactly that point by it that so many people struggle against and object to. It's a litmus test. Those who can't accept it, cannot live with the truth.
way I see it if it is in the Bible we should believe it, and if it isn't we shouldn't. there are many agents of the anti-Christ among academics, christian or otherwise, just as there are many among the priesthood or ministry, as you say there to sow doubt
I agree. Progressives have been trying to use "science" to claim the bible can not be correct. But their so-called science keeps being proven wrong by real unbiased science. Sometimes it takes time to catch up to their propaganda. Keep the faith because thats all we have these days.
Is the Virgin Birth Essential to Christianity?
#2. To: A K A Stone (#0)
#3. To: paraclete (#2)
Jesus didn't speak of his birth he spoke about what he came to accomplish. we need to focus on what he accomplished
#4. To: hondo68 (#1)
(Edited)
#5. To: paraclete (#2)
Jesus didn't speak of his birth he spoke about what he came to accomplish. we need to focus on what he accomplished
#6. To: A K A Stone (#0)
#7. To: A K A Stone (#0)
(Edited)
#8. To: Justified (#5)
#9. To: paraclete (#8)
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
[Home] [Headlines] [Latest Articles] [Latest Comments] [Post] [Mail] [Sign-in] [Setup] [Help] [Register]