Quote from vhehn:
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/james_still/virgin_birth.html
The Virgin Birth and Childhood
Mysteries of Jesus
James Still
Biblical scholars have long ago dismissed the literal interpretation of the miraculous virgin-birth of Jesus. Also, many liberal Christian denominations have either quietly purged the curious piece of teaching from their body of philosophy, or conveniently ignore the issue altogether. Despite this, the allure of such an intriguing concept is still very powerful and Jesus' virgin birth continues to enjoy the unquestioning belief of millions of people. The purpose of this essay is to explore the mythological connections between prodigal children in history with an emphasis on the meaning and symbology of virgin birth as it particularly relates to Jesus. In this way Jesus' virgin birth and the mysteries surrounding it will be fully explored in the mythological context from which it derives.
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http://www.awitness.org/essays/virgin.html
THE ORIGINS OF THE
STORY OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
Why did Matthew find it necessary
to insist that Christ was born of a virgin?
There is no suggestion of a virgin birth in Mark's gospel, and the first we hear of it is in the Gospel of Matthew. Mark's gospel tells the story of a radical Jewish rabbi who led his people in rebellion against the religious system of the day, and was crucified for this very reason. Like a good Jew, in Mark's gospel Christ insists that no one call him good, âfor there is no one good except God alone,' and that if you want to find salvation and enter the kingdom of heaven, you should keep the commandments of God (a very Jewish response which you can contrast with the later Christian theological description of salvation described in the formula âbelieve in me and thou shalt be saved.' This concept is alien to Mark's gospel, and is also uncharacteristic of the other synoptic gospels.) Mark's Christ is a very Jewish rabbi and revolutionary, while Matthew's Christ
How out of context can your jerk off "webmasters get?
Here is the passage in context - notice the point jesus makes in the end. It is the point of the gospel. it is almost impossible to earn salvation. But with Jesus salavation is possibile.
try reading it _
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
Mar 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God.
(could Jesus have been pointing out he is God here? Just picture the point of this teaching and you are likely to say ah now i get it. )
Mar 10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Mar 10:20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
(this guy is claiming he is a very very good Jew - keeping all the commandments)
Mar 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Mar 10:22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Mar 10:23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Mar 10:24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
Mar 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mar 10:26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
Mar 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Get it -
with men it is impossible - but with God plan all things are possible.
Jesus - just let you know he was God to start the passage.
Your dopey internet commentators missed the whole point.