Does it Matter?

Recently I listened to a podcast where two of the most influential 21st century Western voices, Jordan Peterson and Richard Dawkins, debated the validity of the claim that Jesus was born of a virgin. The fact that these two men are discussing the nature of “universal themes” (their words) such as a human need to believe in the miraculous is startling. In some ways, their conclusions are immaterial compared to their interest in including this topic in a podcast heard by over 1 million listeners. At one point in the conversation, Dawkins asks Peterson, “Do you think it really happened scientifically? Would your answer just be, I don't know?” *

Let’s take a step back and consider why their conversation matters. Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor, wrote an influential book entitled, Man’s Search for Meaning, in which he notes that those Nazi concentration camp inmates who survived did so largely because they had a positive outlook on the future. He argued that if people could imagine a future which included a purpose for their existence they were far more likely to withstand the constant abuse and suffering at the hands of their tormentors. When I consider that God had a plan for all of humanity, including me, it should fill me with purpose. Mary understood that.

From a Christian perspective, the virgin birth does matter for two reasons. One is that the biblical writers, both the Old Testament prophets and the Gospel writers, believed that Mary would be a virgin when she carried Jesus in her womb. The second is that the virgin birth is essential to Jesus’ incarnation as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Kevin Deyoung put it this way in an article entitled, “Why Does it Matter That Jesus was Born of a Virgin” (Gospel Coalition Blog - December 21, 2020): “If Jesus had not been born of a human, we could not believe in his full humanity. At the same time, if his birth were like any other human birth—through the union of a human father and mother—we would question his full divinity. The virgin birth is necessary to secure both a real human nature and a completely divine nature.”*

The conclusion is that both secular philosophers and Christian thinkers seem to be in agreement that the virgin birth matters. For modern day Christians, some of us can become apologetic when speaking about this miraculous notion, as if the claim itself is so beyond the possible that we downplay it. In reality, we should never minimize its relevance but vigorously defend its factual reality, something that is essential to our faith.

God, during this Christmas season, fill me with wonder anew that your perfect redemption plan included using a seemingly innocent young woman to fulfill your promises to humanity. What an inspiration to those alive today that you still choose to use the weak to confound the strong.

Throughout this day: Ponder the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and imagine having the many conversations she would have had with those who doubted her story.

*From The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast: 491. Symbolic Patterns: Memes, Archetypes, Dragons, Genes | Dr. Richard Dawkins & Alex O’Connor, Oct 21, 2024