- Common Objections to Belief in the Virgin Birth
- the first objection some scholars raise centers on the language of the Bible. Some translations of Isaiah 7:14 read “ a young woman shall conceive and bear a son” rather than “a virgin shall conceive.
When Isaiah was written in the Hebrew language did the word that’s translated as “virgin” mean what we think it means? Had Mary truly been a virgin or was she “just a young woman?”
The Isaiah 7 word that is usually translated “virgin” is the Hebrew word almah. It occurs only seven times in the entire Bible. Scholars have noted that in every case, “virgin” is the only meaning attached to the word.
When the translators were taking the Hebrew to the Greek they used the Greek word, parthenos, which can only mean virgin.
- The second objection is disbelief in miracles
For about 150 years, since the theory of evolution became popular, there has been a widespread belief that miracles do not occur.
Naturalism says that there can be no miracles, absolutely nothing supernatural. For them God is not a factor, they think the universe evolved. One objection they use is against the virgin birth because it goes “against nature”.
The naturalist says “The virgin birth story arose at a time when people were too ignorant to know better, after all we all know how babies are made.”
Think of the arrogance behind that statement. Do they really think that people 2,700 years ago didn’t know how babies are made?
So how does all of this relate to the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ? Simple, If God is powerful enough to create this planet and all of the people on it why wouldn’t He have the ability to work within it.
Who Jesus was and what Jesus did and what he said all of these mean nothing if Jesus was born mortal like us.
The Greatest act of Caring
Matthew 18-12-14
You matter to God. Jesus virgin birth and miraculous life are proof positive that God cares for you.
Because of sin, there was need for a Savior. Jesus Christ met all the qualification for “saviorhood. Psalm 40 was written hundreds of years before Jesus was born and later cited in Hebrews 10:4 as proof of Jesus authenticity, predicts that God would one day take on human form.
79% of Americans say they believe in the virgin birth.
Parent/Teen Discussion:
What do you think your friend's objections to the virgin birth of Christ might be?
Parents, you may want to share the opinion you had before trusting in Jesus as Savior or share the opinions of some of your friends with your teen.
Do you believe in miracles? Why or Why not?
Why do you think the virgin birth is important to our faith?
Spend a few minutes reading together the scriptures cited above and talk about any questions or interesting thoughts either of you might have.
