Let the Shepherd Lead

Few beliefs of Christians get attacked more than the virgin birth. Since discovering the nuts and bolts of how sexual reproduction occurs; many rational thinkers have criticized the virgin birth with a simple attack. For conception to occur sperm must fertilize egg. In Jesus’ case, with no human father, how did conception occur?

Without debating the morality of reproductive technologies, let’s consider these technologies as a way to start thinking about an answer to the doubts about the virgin birth. Today we have the ability to not only artificially inseminate, but we also have the capability of implanting an embryo into a surrogate (not biologically related). Ominously science promises that genetically manipulated embryos will arrive just over the horizon. If we have these reproductive capabilities due to our advanced technology, why would it be so hard to believe that a God who created the universe would have the knowledge to bring about conception in the womb of Mary as we read about in Luke 1:35-38?

While we cannot possibly answer every question about the virgin birth in a blog this short, we should consider the phrase that ties the whole of that account in Luke’s gospel together. We read in verse 1:37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Friends, belief in a being who is great enough to do what is impossible to us not only is rational, but foundational to faith in Christ. Our worldview is based on the belief in a God who is great enough that He could even have a virgin conceive and give birth. Such a God is great enough not only to forgive us but to resurrect us into an abundant and eternal life.