However, the danger in hearing a great story multiple times is that the narrative can become commonplace. Before we know it, the story that used to profoundly move us becomes ordinary and our sense of wonder is dulled. However, the story hasn't change.
This loss of wonder is the danger the follower of Jesus faces when hearing the account of His miraculous birth. The countless Christmas cards, Nativity scenes and decorations that consume so much of the season can slowly and subtly create the false assumption that the virgin birth is no more factual than Scrooge's memorable redemption.
However, the Bible not only claims the virgin birth occurred, but that it is vital to the redemption of mankind!
In Luke's gospel, he provides us with not only the account itself, but also communicates his desire to tell the truth about the life, events, and ministry of Jesus Christ:
“Insomuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4, ESV, Emphasis mine).
It is also important to remember that Luke provides us with a very unique perspective of Jesus’ story and claims when one considers that he was a Gentile, a physician, and the first historian of the Early Church.
Sir William Ramsey, an eminent archaeologist, once held that Luke's writings were not historically sound. His own subsequent investigation of near-eastern archaeology forced him to reverse his position and conclude that "Luke is a historian of the first rank."1
Further, as late philosopher Norman Geisler notes, “Ramsey spent twenty years of research in the area Luke wrote about. His conclusion was that in references to thirty-two countries, fifty-four cities, and nine islands Luke made no mistakes! That is a record to be envied by historians of any era.”2
Luke was a reliable source who paid great attention to detail!
However, can a thinking person really believe in miracles? I think so. Science has revealed that at some point in the finite past all space, matter and time exploded into existence out of nothing.3 This event is most often referred to as the "Big Bang." Logically, the cause of the universe's origin could not have been something (or someone) within nature because nature did not yet exist; therefore, whatever brought physical reality into existence must be outside of nature. And this is precisely what supernatural means! This evidence is what led agnostic astronomer Robert Jastrow to say:
“That there are what I or anyone would call supernatural forces at work is now, I think, a scientifically proven fact.”4
Einstein contemporary Arthur Eddington echoed Jastrow’s conclusion:
“The beginning seems to present insuperable difficulties unless we agree to look on it as frankly supernatural.”5
Thinker J.P. Moreland summarizes this evidence well:
"...since time, space, and matter did not exist earlier than the beginning of the universe, the universe's cause had to be timeless, spaceless, and immaterial. This cause cannot be physical or subject to scientific law since all such causes presuppose time, space, and matter to exist. The universe's immaterial cause was timeless, spaceless, and had the power to spontaneously bring the world into existence without changing first to do so. (If it had to change before bringing the world into existence, then that change, not the act of bringing the world into existence would be the first event.) Such a cause must have free will, and since only persons have free will, it is a personal Creator."6
In conclusion, we are offered an account from a "historian of the first rank" that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. Furthermore, we have seen that miracles are not only possible, but necessary to explain the existence of our universe. Therefore, a thinking person can indeed believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
From creation to the cradle to the cross to the empty tomb, God demonstrates His love for us.
Courage and Godspeed,
Chad
Footnotes:
1) W.M Ramsay, The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament p. 222; quoted in Bruce, F. F. The New Testament Documents - Are They Reliable?, p. 91.
In conclusion, we are offered an account from a "historian of the first rank" that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin. Furthermore, we have seen that miracles are not only possible, but necessary to explain the existence of our universe. Therefore, a thinking person can indeed believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
From creation to the cradle to the cross to the empty tomb, God demonstrates His love for us.
Courage and Godspeed,
Chad
Footnotes:
1) W.M Ramsay, The Bearing of Recent Discovery on the Trustworthiness of the New Testament p. 222; quoted in Bruce, F. F. The New Testament Documents - Are They Reliable?, p. 91.
2) Norman Geisler, Alleged Errors in Luke, Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, p. 431.
3) For more on the evidence that the universe began to exist, go here.
4) “A Scientist caught between Two Faiths: Interview with Robert Jastrow", Christianity Today, August 1982.
5) Arthur Eddington, The Expanding Universe, p. 178.
6) J.P. Moreland, "Does the Cosmological Argument Show There is God?," The Apologetics Study Bible, p. 806-807.
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4) “A Scientist caught between Two Faiths: Interview with Robert Jastrow", Christianity Today, August 1982.
5) Arthur Eddington, The Expanding Universe, p. 178.
6) J.P. Moreland, "Does the Cosmological Argument Show There is God?," The Apologetics Study Bible, p. 806-807.
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