The question is addressed to all those who profess faith in Jesus Christ. Albert Mohler, president of Baptist Theological Seminary, penned this piece in 2010. His question requires a yes or no answer; either we believe Mary was a virgin when she was found to be with child through the power of the Holy Spirit, or we choose to reject the narrative found in the gospels and chalk it up, as some do, to a “pious legend.” Dr. Mohler answers the question:
In one of his columns for The New York Times, Nicholas Kristof once pointed to belief in the Virgin Birth as evidence that conservative Christians are “less intellectual.” Are we saddled with an untenable doctrine? Is belief in the Virgin Birth really necessary?
Kristof is absolutely aghast that so many Americans believe in the Virgin Birth. “The faith in the Virgin Birth reflects the way American Christianity is becoming less intellectual and more mystical over time,” he explains, and the percentage of Americans who believe in the Virgin Birth “actually rose five points in the latest poll.” Yikes! Is this evidence of secular backsliding?