Bible Review 4:5, October 1988
Can Scholars Take the Virgin Birth Seriously?
Three clear arguments support belief in the virgin birth1 of Jesus.
The first is textual. Both Matthew and Luke state clearly that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, without the aid of a human father:
Matthew | Luke |
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit” (1:18 RSV). | “ ‘And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his mane Jesus.’ … “And Mary said to the angel, ‘How shall this be since I have no husband?” “And the angel said to her, ‘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’ ” (1:31, 34–35 RSV). |
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