Unveiling the Divine Mystery: The Virginal Conception of Christ Explained

The Virginal Conception of Christ

The Virginal Conception of Christ is a significant doctrine in Christianity. It refers to the belief that Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity Incarnate, was conceived without a human biological father. This doctrine is supported by scripture and affirmed by early Christians. However, it is important to distinguish the true doctrine of the Virginal Conception from false views that have emerged over time.

Definition

When Christians talk about the Virgin Birth, they actually mean the Virginal Conception (Virginitas ante partum). This means that Jesus was conceived without a human father, but it does not imply anything miraculous about the birth itself. Early Christian writers such as Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian affirmed this doctrine. However, there are false views that need to be distinguished:

a) Virginitas in partu: This view suggests that Mary gave birth in a way that avoided labor pains and kept her hymen intact. It was first found in gnostic texts from the late 1st century and later cited by Clement of Alexandria, but rejected by Tertullian and Origen. This view contradicts Luke's mention of "every male that opens the womb" and is inconsistent with the idea of Mary being free from labor pains.

b) Virginitas post partum or perpetual virginity: This view suggests that Mary remained a virgin even after giving birth to Jesus. It was first asserted in the Protoevangelium of James and later defended by Roman Catholics. However, Tertullian strongly opposed this doctrine, and it is not supported by biblical evidence or the teachings of early Christians.

c) Immaculate conception: This doctrine refers to the idea that Mary was conceived without the taint of original sin. It was not defined by Rome until 1854, and it contradicts Mary's admission that she needed a savior and her offering of a sin offering at the temple. Early Church Fathers, such as Tertullian, Origen, Basil the Great, and John Chrysostom, did not believe in Mary's sinlessness.

Theological Significance

The Virginal Conception has theological significance in several ways:

a) It points to the union of God and man in Christ. While it does not prove the Incarnation or exclude other possibilities, it signifies the coming together of divinity and humanity in Jesus.

b) It represents a new beginning of God's redemption of creation. By becoming part of His creation through the Virginal Conception, God made a fresh start in rescuing fallen humanity from sin.

c) It affirms the full humanity of Jesus. Although He is the Second Person of the Trinity, Jesus took on full human nature while remaining fully God.

d) It demonstrates that God's redemption is solely by grace. Mary's acceptance of God's plan for her to conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit illustrates how our humanity does nothing more than accept God's gracious gift.

It was also necessary for Jesus to be physically descended from Mary to fulfill the prophecies regarding His lineage. The Protevangelium of Gen. 3:15, which both early Christians and Jewish Targums regarded as Messianic, refers to "the seed of the woman." Furthermore, for Jesus to die for our sins, He had to share in our humanity. The Prophet Isaiah spoke of Him as the 'Kinsman-Redeemer,' implying a blood relationship with those He redeems.

Old Testament References

Several passages in the Old Testament allude to the Virginal Conception:

a) Genesis 3:15: This verse speaks of enmity between the serpent and the woman's offspring. Many have interpreted the seed mentioned here as the Messiah, including Jewish Targums. The Septuagint translation of this verse suggests a messianic understanding among the translators.

b) Isaiah 7:14: This verse is often cited as a prophecy of the Virginal Conception. It speaks of a virgin conceiving and giving birth to a son called Immanuel. The context of this verse indicates that it was a sign to the house of David during a time of threat. The Hebrew word used for virgin, 'almah, can also mean 'young woman,' but the Septuagint translates it as 'parthenos,' meaning virgin.

Miracles

Some argue against the Virginal Conception based on the idea that miracles violate scientific laws. However, this argument is flawed because it assumes that scientific laws have no exceptions and that miracles are impossible. Scientific laws are descriptive, not prescriptive, and do not prohibit miracles. Belief in miracles does not necessarily lead to belief in superstitions or other unscientific ideas.

Reliability of the Birth Narratives

Critics often raise objections regarding the census mentioned in Luke and alleged contradictions in the genealogies presented in Matthew and Luke. However, these objections can be addressed:

a) The census: The alleged mistake concerning the census in Quirinius' day can be explained by understanding that Luke was referring to a different census that took place before Quirinius became governor of Syria. This interpretation is supported by the Greek term used in Luke's account, which can also mean 'before.'

b) The genealogies: Alleged discrepancies in the genealogies can be explained by considering their different purposes. Matthew traces Joseph's legal lineage from David, while Luke traces Mary's ancestry. Matthew intentionally omits certain names to create three groups of fourteen, possibly for symbolic reasons. Luke's use of language indicates that he is presenting Mary's line, and the absence of the definite article before Joseph's name suggests that he is not part of the genealogical series.

Alleged Silence of Mark, John, and Paul

Some argue that the silence of Mark, John, and Paul regarding the Virginal Conception implies disbelief or lack of knowledge. However, arguments from silence are inconclusive. Paul's use of language suggests acceptance of the Virginal Conception, and Mark and John address rumors and objections related to Jesus' birth.

Spong's Midrash Theory

John Shelby Spong proposes that the Virginal Conception accounts are examples of midrash, a literary genre used to interpret and retell sacred stories. However, Spong's understanding of midrash is flawed. True midrash involves commentary on actual biblical texts and does not include the invention of non-literal stories.

Alleged Pagan Derivation

Critics often claim that the Virginal Conception parallels pagan myths. However, these alleged parallels are not valid. The pagan myths do not involve true virgin conception but rather sexual intercourse between gods and humans. The early Christians were Jews who rejected paganism, making it unlikely that they derived their beliefs from pagan sources.

In conclusion, the Virginal Conception of Christ is a significant doctrine in Christianity supported by scripture and affirmed by early Christians. It has theological significance in highlighting the union of God and humanity in Jesus and demonstrating God's redemption by grace. Objections to this doctrine can be addressed through careful examination of scripture and historical context.