Virgin birth

Virgin birth is the religious belief of Catholics and Fundamentalists--and many other Protestants as well--that Jesus was born of Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit and not by relations with any man.

Luke 1:26-38

The Angel Gabriel went to Mary and said,

"Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Mary responds,

"How will this be since I am a virgin?"

The Angel answered,

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."

Mary proclaims,

"I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said."

History

The doctrine was well established by the 2nd century, but theologians were always puzzled that Paul never mentioned it. In 21st century mainstream Protestant denominations, belief in the Virgin Mary is considered optional.

Further reading

• Robert Gromacki, The Virgin Birth: A Biblical Study of the Deity of Jesus Christ (2nd ed. 2002), Evangelical perspective. excerpt and text search