One of the most troubling details of the birth of Jesus is the claim that Mary was a virgin. I think of one popular Bible commentator, William Barkley, who has so many great insights to share, and yet rejects the virgin birth.
One of the reasons why we need to accept and believe in this truth is that it was prophesied by Isaiah.
Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Left by itself this verse might be overlooked, and Bible commentators will say that it had an application in the day in which it was pronounced. However, when you look at the gospels, you find that it is reinforced and reinterpreted to make it clear that God had this planned from the beginning.
Sometimes God works through the world of physics. Sometimes he works through the world of miracles. We have to be able to accept both and have the discernment to see, which is which. One of the litmus tests that I am able to use to determine whether someone is a biblical Christian is the virgin birth. it is a clear statement in both the old and New Testament. To my knowledge, there is no disagreement in the other church about it. The only disagreement is between the Catholic view, saying that she remained virgin and the protestants saying that she had other children.
Embrace the miracle. It’s part of the mystery of Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
homo unius libri
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