Everyone Believes in Some Form of a Virgin Birth, an Abnormal Beginning

In this case, when we speak of a virgin birth, whether it be of Jesus or our individual beginning, we are referring to events that happen where there is no clear explanation, but evidence that something did happen.

Why is the virgin birth often the most problematic miracle to accept?
Why is the virgin birth of Jesus often more troubling than the thought of Jesus walking on water, or the other miracles that he did?

Could it be that we are more content to let God do as he pleases with his own body, and we are delighted to receive things He has provided for us, but we are offended by the thought of a miracle that inconveniences us, that has potential to disrupt our plans and our preferences.

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.8 ¶ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The event of Jesus birth recorded in Luke 2 is possible and a fulfillment of a prophecy given to Isaiah 700 years before Jesus was actually born.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

All across the world, atheist campaigns each year try to influence the world to admit the Christian nativity scene is only a myth or to encourage people to celebrate reason instead of a Jesus season. The world constantly voices a separation between science and faith, and attempts to prove those who have faith in Jesus as the ones in error.

In an 1945 essay “Religion and Science,” C.S. Lewis exposed one of the most common false assumptions at the heart of the science/faith divide, particularly as it pertains to the nativity of Jesus. The assumption is that this “primitive” nativity was likewise filled with primitive thinkers devoid of any sort of knowledge of biology or natural reasoning. Here and in other works, Lewis saw that we hold our scientific advancements as something like demerits for prior generations, perpetuating the mentality that the only accurate thought is current thought. For many, especially those who place no faith in Orthodox Christianity, the only mind worth trusting is an ‘enlightened’ one, provided they are the ones who belong to that membership. C.S. Lewis, “Religion and Science,” Undeceptions (London: Geoffrey Bles, 1971), 48.

Princeton professor, Peter Singer, one of the world’s most influential atheists. answers this question: ‘Why are we here? “We can assume that somehow in the primeval soup we got collections of molecules that became self-replicating; and I don’t think we need any miraculous or mysterious [explanation].” “Is There a God,” Melbourne, Australia. 21 July 2011

How is it that getting self-replicating molecules in the primeval soup not count as a mysterious explanation? That sounds like something that is abnormal taking place without any clear explanation. God at least gives us an explanation of the virgin birth.

Cambridge physicist Stephen Hawking’s attempted to propose an atheistic explanation for our universe:
“…the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist.” Stephen Hawking, The Grand Design (New York: Bantam, 2010), 180.

A good question is, does physical matter normally materialize out of nothing? Any reasonable person who say no. So Hawking’s explanation presents itself as outside the realm of the ordinary. If he is correct in his reasoning, is this any less miraculous even taking place than the virgin birth of Jesus?

The prominent atheist philosopher Quentin Smith states, “The fact of the matter is that the most reasonable belief is that we came from nothing, by nothing and for nothing . . . We should . . . acknowledge our foundation in nothingness and feel awe at the marvelous fact that we have a chance to participate briefly in this incredible sunburst that interrupts without reason the reign of non-being.” Quentin Smith, “The Metaphilosophy of Naturalism,” Philo4.2., 2000.

How does one support the idea that a foundation in nothingness should be viewed as comparatively more reasonable than a foundation in God.

We can believe in the virgin birth of an atheistic universe that is indifferent to us, a universe where there is no design, no purpose, no evil and no good, nothing but indifference. The other option is, we can believe in the virgin birth of a God who loves us so deeply that he came to be born among us to satisfy the need that would allow fallen sinners such as ourselves, to be once again reunited in the right relation with a Holy God who is willing to call us His own.

Regardless of whether you believe in God, you are an atheist, or an agnostic, the truth is everyone believes in some type of abnormal beginning, whether it is the creation of the earth or God coming to His creation in the person a baby born of a virgin, Jesus Christ.

Most of the thought on this issue is discussed in several articles on Ravi Zacharias website. For more on this topic, see articles authored by Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale. Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.