THE VIRGIN BIRTH: HISTORY OR HYSTERIA?

 

According to Encyclopaedia Britanica, “the writing of history is based on the critical examination of sources, the selection of particular details from the authentic materials in those sources, and the synthesis of those details into a narrative that stands the test of critical examination.”

After reading the above paragraph, I re-read Luke 1:1-4. There, Luke used language similar to classical Greek. He began with a formal preface, common to historical works of that time. He stated his purpose for writing and identified the recipient. He acknowledged other reports on the subject and showed the need for his contribution. He presented his method of approach and sources of information. That was Luke’s approach to both books of the New Testament credited to his authorship.

He demonstrated his commitment to proper recording of events in reporting on the birth of Jesus. He provided specific names of political luminaries, he identified the locations and circumstances of the events. Luke’s reporting allows us to check the biblical and other historical records to verify the accuracy of his reporting. Ascertaining accuracy is critical because the events provide a foundation for major biblical doctrines.

The late Sir William Ramsay, a skilled archaeologist, did not believe that Luke was a very credible historian. Ramsay did not believe that there was enough archaeological evidence to verify the accuracy of Luke’s work in the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. So he travelled throughout Asia Minor, Greece and other regions in the late 1800’s to bolster his opinion. However, following years of study, he found the exact opposite to be true and he reversed his position. He went on to comment that “Luke is a historian of the first rank – not merely are his statements of fact trustworthy, he is possessed of the true historic sense…in short, this author should be placed along with the greatest historians.” Ramsey was so impressed with the historicity of Luke’s writings that he eventually became a Christian.

Luke was aware that he lived at a time when some contended that non-miraculous virgin births or parthenogenesis was possible. It was alleged that Romulus and Remus, twin founders of Rome, were born of the virgin Rhea Silvia. Some also contended that the Phrygo-Roman god, Attis, was born of a virgin. In such a culture, Luke as a historian was fully aware of the scepticism and risks in presenting the virgin birth of Jesus. Today, we are also aware that some birds, crayfish and sharks experience parthenogenesis, a sort of asexual fertilization process.

How then can Christians present a credible story of the Virgin Birth of Jesus? Firstly, we need to recognize that it is not our responsibility to recreate the birth of Jesus to accommodate a twenty-first century scientific mindset. Our obligation is to retell the story that Luke told – it is historically credible.

Luke’s story is not a legend. It was not based on the conclusions of communities over a long period of time. He argued that “eyewitnesses” were among the sources he contacted. In stating one of his purposes for writing, Luke said to Theophilus, he was compiling his findings “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:4). Luke was not attempting to embellish a story, in order to sensationalize the birth of Jesus. The mention of persons and circumstances that were not culturally elite, is consistent with accurate reporting and not exaggeration.

Some critics may contend that Luke’s story of the virgin birth was not corroborated by other New Testament writers. Agreed, Matthew was the only other evangelist to write on the virgin birth of Jesus. However, the silence of the other writers does not mean disagreement. “Silence does not equal denial.” What if the Jewish practice of downplaying the celebration of births could have prejudiced the thinking of the Jewish-influenced New Testament writers? Furthermore, what if the writers were satisfied and never saw the need for further comment, like their silence with the baptism of Jesus and the appearance of the Holy Spirit like a dove?

Honestly though, does the virgin birth really matter? It certainly does. The virgin birth affirms prophecy. Both Matthew and Luke believed that the virgin birth was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah  - “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign – the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). The virgin birth also affirms Scripture. Apart from Matthew and Luke, Paul alludes to the birth of Jesus in Galatians, “… God sent his Son, born of a woman…” (Galatians 4:4). The virgin birth further affirms our understanding of God’s sovereignty, incarnation, hamartiology, biblical genealogy and the Trinity.

MY THANKSGIVING MEMORIES

 

My family of five observed our first American Thanksgiving in 1991. A few months earlier, we began our graduate studies in a northern suburb of Chicago. We learned rather quickly that in America, Thanksgiving was a time for families to get together.

 

An American family invited us to join them for that first celebration. For five years, we celebrated with them in St. Louis. The joyous times made the 300-mile journey very tolerable. Now, thirty-three years later, the friendships we maintain are just as meaningful as in those early years.

 

When twenty-two of us gather this week in Nashville, I will be aware that our celebration would not be anything like the first American Thanksgiving.  The first observance of Thanksgiving in America was entirely religious in nature and involved no form of feasting. On Wednesday, December 4, 1619, a group of 38 English settlers arrived at Berkeley Plantation on the James River in Virginia. The charter of the group required that the day of arrival be observed as a Day of Thanksgiving to God.

 

The celebration was probably derived from the harvest-home ceremonies originally held in England. Those were days reserved to thank God for plentiful crops and a bountiful harvest. Accordingly, this holiday still takes place in England, late in the Fall Season, after crops have been gathered.

 

In 1789, following a proclamation issued by President George Washington, America celebrated its first official Day of Thanksgiving to God under its new constitution. That same year, the Protestant Episcopal Church announced that the first Thursday in November would become its regular day for giving thanks, “unless another day be appointed by the civil authorities.”

 

Yet, despite these early national proclamations, official Thanksgiving observances usually occurred only at the State level. Much of the credit for the adoption of a later annual national Thanksgiving Day may be attributed to Sarah Joseph Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book. For 30 years, she promoted the idea of a national Thanksgiving Day, contacting president after president until President Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863 by setting aside the last Thursday of November as a national Day of Thanksgiving. 

 

Over the next seventy-five years, Presidents followed Lincoln’s precedent, annually declaring a national Thanksgiving Day. In 1941, Congress permanently established the fourth Thursday of each November as a national holiday.

 

It is believed that the English idea of giving thanks for crops had its genesis among the Jews. In Leviticus 23:15-16, God commanded the Jews to count seven full weeks (49 days), beginning on the second day of Passover. The celebration was known by different names throughout the Bible. Among them were The Feast of Weeks, The Feast of the Fiftieth Day and the Day of Pentecost – from the Greek word pentecostes, meaning fiftieth.

 

Even with a cursory study of the Jewish, British and American practices of thanksgiving, a few common threads seem obvious. Each celebration was in keeping with harvest festivals and acknowledged God’s faithful provision. 

 

This year, let’s forget the turkey distraction for a while. Instead, let us focus on the value of practicing to say thanks. New research contends that practicing gratitude may be the fastest single pathway to happiness, health, long life and prosperity. In a remarkable study, people who kept a gratitude journal for just three weeks, measured 25% higher on a life satisfaction scale. Persons in the study exercised more, drank less alcohol, and their families and friends noticed that they were nicer to be around. The effects lasted for several months beyond the initial three-week study.

 

Results from science-based studies in positive psychology at a number of major universities, confirm the following results:

 

■ Practicing gratitude may help train the brain to experience improved mental health;

■ Grateful people tend to be more optimistic, a characteristic that researchers say boosts            the immune system;

■ People with a greater level of gratitude tend to have stronger relationships in that they           appreciate their loved ones more;

■ Grateful people sleep better and are better equipped to offer emotional support to                           others;

■ Gratitude can be a powerful coping mechanism for dealing with stress. When people                    acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of their lives, they may be better                    equipped to handle stress and adversity. This can result in increased resilience and                  a higher tolerance for stress.

 

As we celebrate this week, let us eat the turkey, but rejoice more in the value of being thankful. Paul argued in his letter to the Ephesians that a spirit of gratitude is a by-product of being controlled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18-20). I pray that for Thanksgiving 2024, each of us will attempt to cultivate a rhythm of gratitude.

 

 

 

EXCEPTIONAL LIVING

 

Ivy League universities have earned the reputation for academic excellence and rigorous admissions standards. Employers view their alumni among top-tier candidates in the job market. The Ivy League culture prepares graduates for exceptional living. Even a cursory study within the judiciary, the halls of government and academia will confirm my point of view. It would then be safe to conclude that one’s academic upbringing almost guarantees one’s quality of life.

In my most recent book, Exceptional Living: Growing Up Like Jesus, I contend that Jesus challenged the idea that one’s upbringing almost guarantees quality of life. His first-century upbringing in Nazareth was nothing like the city-life in neighboring Sepphoris, the provincial capital of Galilee. Both the New Testament and archaeological research confirm that Nazareth was not an affluent place. The rural community had just the basics to sustain itself and the families who lived there.  

Archaeologists contend, only about 300 persons may have lived in Nazareth during the time of Jesus. Although mentioned at least six times in the Gospel of Luke, Nazareth does not appear anywhere in the Old Testament. You may recall the disciple Philip telling Nathanael he had found Jesus of Nazareth, Nathanael replied, Can anything good come out of Nazareth?

How then, does one account for the extraordinary life of Jesus? Many speculations have emerged as enquirers have searched for answers. One theory is in the documentary/film, Jesus in India, directed by Paul Davids. This theory posits that Jesus studied and lived in India, learning from spiritual teachers and immersing Himself in Eastern philosophies and traditions before returning to Judea. Another document is The Life of Saint Issa, the Best of the Sons of Men.  This is an alleged text that claims to document the missing years of Jesus. The so-called text purports that during this time, Jesus (referred to as Issa) travelled to India, Nepal, and Tibet, where he studied and preached. Both film and text have been debunked as historically untenable fables.

In addition to citing the above paragraph, my recent paperback discusses the issue of Jesus’ upbringing under less-than-ideal conditions. The book is a study of Luke 2:52 – And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and mankind. The four chapters in the book explain the four primary areas in which Jesus grew. In the words of one reviewer, “this book helps us to identify with the humanity of Jesus and gives us a pattern of personal development we should all emulate”.

Exceptional Living contends that when Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us, He encountered the joys and the pains that we experience daily. John tells us that Jesus wept with the family of Lazarus. On one occasion He displayed wisdom beyond his age. Luke tells the story of the twelve-year-old Jesus.

The leaders among whom he was interacting, were amazed at his understanding and his answers. The term understanding here refers to Jesus’ deep and insightful grasp of the Scriptures. His ability to comprehend and interpret the law and the prophets was far beyond what would be expected of a twelve-year-old boy. Divine wisdom was the only explanation for that display of brilliance. James, Jesus’ brother, later described that wisdom as from above. It is first pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).

Jesus also grew physically or in stature. He went through the stages of human development. The fact that the city of Sepphoris was only about four miles from his hometown, Nazareth, it would not be ridiculous to assume that  Jesus may have attended or even participated in some of the cultural and sporting events for which the city was famous. Jesus would also have benefitted from the Mediterranean diet of first-century Judea. Studies suggest that meals were basic, but nutritious.

While exploring the development of Jesus, my book also discusses the physical and psychological value of rest, solitude and fasting. Today we understand that fasting can support brain functions, resulting in enhanced mental clarity. Fasting also improves cellular health. Fasting gives the digestive system a break, promoting better intestinal health. From His times of solitude, Jesus would have reduced stress levels and strengthened his immune system. These practices would certainly have been included when Jesus shared in our humanity (Hebrews 2:14).

In the closing chapters, Exceptional Living expands on Jesus’ spiritual and social growth. I was particularly struck by the time Jesus gave to prayer. For Him, prayer was like oxygen, He could not do without it. The same thing could be said about His knowledge and dependence on the Scriptures.

In His social life, the closing chapter invites the reader to consider how Jesus lived with others. He elevated women and children who were marginalized in His culture. From his interactions with critics and friends, Jesus taught how to respect people who shared differences in perspectives.

Amazon Books just released Exceptional Living: Growing Up Like Jesus. It is available in Kindle and Paperback formats. This book clearly reminds us that Jesus became like us, so that we might become like Him.