Don Stewart :: How Could a Virgin Birth Be Possible? (The Generation of Christ)

Granting that the Scriptures teach the Virgin Birth, the question always comes up as to how such an event could be possible.

The Details Of How It Happened Are Not Stated

It must be stated that the intricate details of how God worked within the body of Mary are not given to us. What is revealed is that the Virgin Birth was a supernatural act of God:

Then Mary said to the angel, 'How can this be, since I do not know a man?' And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God' (Luke 1:34,35).

Mary Is Passive In The Matter

Mary was entirely passive in the matter of the virgin birth. The Bible says that Mary did not cooperate in any way in the process that brought about Jesus. It was entirely a supernatural work of God.

Nothing Is Impossible With God

The angel told Mary that nothing is impossible with God.

For nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

It Was A Supernatural Act

One of the reasons the people deny the Virgin Birth of Jesus is because of its supernatural character. The Scripture, however, makes no apology for teaching the Virgin Birth. It is a miracle. But it is no more or less miraculous than other events the Bible records.

It is inconsistent to accept some of the Bible miracles and yet deny others. If one grants the possibility of God performing miracles, then why, it may be asked, is the Virgin Birth so remarkable? If one can accept at face value the statement of Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," it is inconsistent to question His ability to perform any other miracle. If God can speak the universe into existence, He certainly possesses the power to allow a virgin to conceive a child. The God of the Bible has told humankind that He has that power.

Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:27).

Summary

The virgin birth of Christ is a miracle. The Bible, however, does not tell us how it occurred - it merely states the fact that it did occur. It should not be regarded as any more spectacular than other miracles in which the Bible records. Once the possibility of a miracle is granted then the virgin birth of Christ must be decided upon the evidence.