-
1
Celsus, Toledot Yeshu and Early Traces of Apology for Virginal Birth of Jesus
Published 2016-04-01“…In this article New Testament passages referring to the birth of Jesus are related to Celsus’ anti-Christian arguments and the Jewish Toledot Yeshu tradition with a new question: Why it was so difficult to speak about the virgin birth of Jesus? It is argued that the concept of the virgin birth of Jesus was seen to be problematic for two reasons: 1) The concept was liable to result in scurrilous rumours, even scoffing and parodic episodes revolving on its sexual aspects. 2) Every attempt to explain that God was in some way the agent when a young girl conceived came too close to Gen. 6:1–4 – the text which explained in ancient Judaism the origin of the demonic world. …”
Get full text
Article -
2
Human birth and spiritual rebirth in the theological thought of John Chrysostom
Published 2017-01-01“…After this an analysis of Chrysostom’s understanding of the virgin birth of Jesus by Mary was given, showing againthat this birth event was yet another typological device that directed the faith of the believer towards spiritual rebirth. …”
Get full text
Article -
3
Fully Human and Fully Divine: The Birth of Christ and the Role of Mary
Published 2015-03-01“…The Christian confession of the virgin birth of Jesus (stated within the Apostles and Nicene creeds) is a statement of faith that God became incarnate through the power of the Holy Spirit in the flesh of the human Jesus and, likewise, that God continues to become incarnate in our flesh and in the messy details of our lives. …”
Get full text
Article