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'''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.
The '''Virgin birth''' of [[Jesus Christ]] is miracle recorded in the Bible, revealing that Jesus was born of the [[Virgin Mary]], having been conceived by the [[Holy Spirit]], and not by relations with any man. This belief has been a primary tenet of the historical faith of [[Christianity]], and continues to be held by most Catholics and Protestants, and most Americans in general.<ref>[http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/88-americans-express-their-views-of-the-virgin-birth-of-christ Americans Express Their Views of the Virgin Birth of Christ] Barna research, December 17, 2007</ref> However, this fundamental doctrine is often attacked by those within [[liberal Christianity]].<ref>Roger E. Olson, ''The Westminster handbook to evangelical theology'', p. 281</ref><ref>Robert Paul Lightner, ''Handbook of evangelical theology: a historical, Biblical, and contemporary'', pp. 79,80</ref>
==Luke 1:26-38==
==Luke 1:26-38==
''"I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said."''
''"I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said."''
==History==
==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.<ref> See for example Donald K. McKim, ''Presbyterian questions, Presbyterian answers: exploring Christian faith'' (2003) [http://books.google.com/books?id=54f0oX23u5EC&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32&dq=presbyterian+%22virgin+birth%22&source=bl&ots=4ACahhqEHy&sig=5fDWvz5HKAHiFC4peLscgZp4UmE&hl=en&ei=fiGYSv-dFJOesgPl_9W1Ag&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#v=onepage&q=&f=false online pp. 31-2 ]</ref>
The doctrine was well established by the 2nd century, but theologians were always puzzled that Paul never mentioned it, though some commentators believe the wording of Galatians 4:4 alludes to the virgin birth.<ref>Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible; John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible; Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown; Robertson's word pictures in the New Testament</ref>
Roman Catholicism also holds that Mary remained a virgin even after her marriage to Joseph, which doctrine most [[Evangelical]] [[Protestants]] disagree with, due to the wording of Matthew 1:25, and the basic description of marriage, (Mt. 19:4,5; 1Cor. 7:2-5) and the absence of any discussion of Mary's perpetual virginity in the canonical gospels, and references indicating Mary had children. (Ps. 69:8; Mt. 12:46; 13:55; Jn. 2:12; 7:3,5,10; Acts 1:14; 1Cor. 9:5; Gal. 1:19) <ref>[http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/M/MARY International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ''Mary'']</ref><ref>http://www.letusreason.org/RC8.htm</ref> Roman Catholic apologists believe these texts refer to close kin outside the immediate family, and otherwise dispute the Protestant conclusions. <ref>Dwight Longenecker, David Gustafson, ''Mary: A Catholic Evangelical Debate'', p. 93-78</ref>
In 21st century mainstream Protestant denominations, belief in the Virgin Mary is considered optional.<ref>See for example Donald K. McKim, ''Presbyterian questions, Presbyterian answers: exploring Christian faith'' (2003) [http://books.google.com/books?id=54f0oX23u5EC&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32&dq=presbyterian+%22virgin+birth%22&source=bl&ots=4ACahhqEHy&sig=5fDWvz5HKAHiFC4peLscgZp4UmE&hl=en&ei=fiGYSv-dFJOesgPl_9W1Ag&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#v=onepage&q=&f=false online pp. 31-2 ]</ref>
==Worldview==
==Worldview==
Many people mistakenly identify others as worshippers of Mary. Mary's role was heavenly designed and unique as the Virgin birth or the Assumption adoration. True Christians love Mary but they only worship God.
Many people mistakenly identify others as worshipers of Mary. Mary's role was heavenly designed and unique as the Virgin birth or the Assumption adoration. True Christians love Mary but they only worship God.
The Islamic Koran contains Mary and Jesus. Mary is portrayed as an extraordinary mother of a great prophet. However, her role is vastly different. Mary was neither the Mother of God (deny Jesus is God) nor was Jesus conceived from a virgin mother.
The Islamic [[Koran]] contains references to Jesus and Mary, but this much later work by [[Muhammad]] is critically different. While Jesus is presented as a perfect man, and Mary is portrayed as an extraordinary mother of a great prophet, Muhammad denied the Divinity of Jesus, and that He was conceived from a virgin mother. In addition, he mistakenly understood that the Christian Trinity consisted of God, Jesus and Mary. (Sura 5:116-117) <ref>http://answering-islam.org/Why-not/13trinity.html</ref> None of the thousands of extant biblical manuscripts support the Islamic contradictions of the Bible, though it requires its support. {{Main|Qur'an}}
==Further reading==
==Further reading==