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Let’s get this virgin theory out of the way so that we can get to core. In other words, the virgin birth (as with the dozens of other virgin stories that each religion had). Basically there were three options that the Founding Fathers could have taken- and did! By the time the Gospels were written and came to us it was virgin story. The rumors of the day (in those days) followed one of these three scenarios: A-Jesus was conceived in wedlock, B-Conception by Joseph out of wedlock, and later legitimized, C-Conception outside of wedlock by an unknown person(s). If this is hard for you to even consider, can you imagine how difficult this is for a Catholic? But how could anyone even think of “C”? Well, let me probably shock you by saying in some ways it seems like the most valid (I’m not saying it is). Christians are so proud to talk about the poverty of the birth of Jesus, but let’s take it deeper than just the economic poverty. You ready for this?

The scandal of scandals!

There are many “scandals” when it comes to the life of Jesus: born in such poverty, whipped, and crucified. This is what Christians call a King, a Deliverer? These are hard enough to deal with, don’t be adding more. Again, I am NOT advocating that Jesus was an illegitimate child, born out of wedlock; but I am saying that would not be foreign to the Bible. When is the last time you read Hosea?

The story of GOMER (Who came up with that name anyway?) and Hosea 3:1 is a reminder that God is found in the lowest of places, the most unwanted circumstances. The possibility of Jesus coming from such a union mortifies our souls; however, unless you want to throw he book of Hosea out the window, don’t rule it out. A “woman loved by another man”, an adulteress- the scandal of divine love. It’s the kind of stuff where I find Jesus, God.

The last place the church seems to look.

But Paul remembered it (Romans 9:25)!

Peter remembered it (I Peter 2:10).

It might be good that we revisit that principle and embrace it without having to had made any concessions to the birth or life of Jesus. In other words, any impropriety on Joseph or Mary’s part does not change a thing when it comes to the divinity of Jesus, any more than does a virginal birth story. In fact, for most, the virgin birth story takes away truth and reality about Jesus and those who espouse such.

Tomorrow we’ll look at why Matthew had to defend the above arguments to his audience!