Alternate theory on virgin birth (see details)?

Question

"An early view critical of the virgin birth suggests that Mary had relations with a Roman soldier and then married Joseph who protected her from the harsh Jewish laws of the time which would have sentenced her to death by stoning for such an act. This version is recorded by Origen in the third century and attributed to Celsus of the second century, who said he heard it from a Jew, in Origen's Contra Celsum 1.28-32."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_the_mother_of_Jesus#Historical_records

For a moment let's suppose that this is the correct version of events (since it is the most plausible). What would this mean for christianity?

Answer 1

This is much more plausible.

The virgin birth was not always accepted as true by christianity. They voted on about 1000 years ago and decided it was true.
Jesus was not always accepted as the "son of god" but rather as a prophet who spoke good words (of god).

So nothing changes except that people may start to question their faith, and start asking the good questions about the unknown.

http://flushaholybook.com

Answer 2

It's impossible to make such an assumption because the prophecies of the old testament fulfilled in the life of Christ. The odds of Mary and some un named Roman soldier being able to conceive and deliver a baby exactly as prophesied are astronomical at best. The only explanation is that God was behind it.

Next, you need to understand the Jewish and Roman cultures at the time. Mary would have had nothing to do with a roman soldier, nor would a Roman soldier have anything to do with Mary. If in fact there was a relationship it would have been one of a forced sexual relationship. In that case, Joseph would not have protected Mary, he would have been bound by custom to seek retribution. There is no secular information to confirm this.

The record you speak of is a third or fourth hand account first told at least 200 years after the fact and recorded at least 300 years after the fact. So there were generations of gaps. Bible detractors claim that the 30 years between the death and Resurrection of Christ is a long enough period to muddy the information. So 300 years.... you get the idea.

Finally I would say that Wikipedia under any circumstance is not a reliable source of verifiable information. It is a community written resource of information and as such is not bound by ethical review for accuracy.

So I have a hard time assuming that this version of events are true and as such can not answer your question. Simply because this is preposterous and means nothing to Christianity.


{edit} to my supposedly learned colleague 'Red Eye Agnostic" above. You're wrong several humans exist without their parents ever having sex. Do a little research before making idiotic comments. The wonders of modern medicine.....

Answer 3

Origen may have recorded it, but he didn't believe it. He referred to it as a lie. Celsus was an adversary of Christianity, whom Origen refuted. The fact that Origen stated that Celsus only "heard" it, shows his disdain for the notion.

Nothing new! If you believe that Jesus was born of a virgin and the Spirit of God.....Then you must believe in God. If you don't want to believe in God...Then you must deny the virgin birth and come up with some other explaination.

Answer 4

There were many such stories about Jesus spread by doubters in the early days of christianity. The question is if he was just a Roman's son, then how did he do the things the he did, know the things that he knew, and say the things that he said?

Jesus is unique in history. Search, you will not find another like him. His uniqueness began with his birth.

Answer 5

Your question is moot, because of the fact an easily experience isn't a theoretical experience. Edit: Tiktaalik says: "and of path a mistranslation of the observe "almah" (in Isaiah) which potential 'youthful lady'. it incredibly is obvious via staring at different places the place the observe is used, which in context won't be able to quite be used to point virgin (like Rebbecca is an 'almah' whilst she is composed of the nicely, she comes as a youthful lady, she could desire to be a virgin, yet this needs no longer be the case, it is not implicit." I say: whilst it quite is actual the virgin in Biblical textual content cloth can recommend a youthful lady, interior the account of the two Rebekah and Mary, the textual content cloth of the Bible makes it sparkling that they had no longer had intercourse. They have been virgins in right this moment's experience of the observe.

Answer 6

Considering that the entire "myth" of Jesus' birth is actually just a re-do of the Mythras myth common with Romans (especially soldiers) at the time the new testament was written, I don't think it would affect christianity as a whole too much, as you will never get the majority of christians to believe anything than what is written in the scriptures.

Answer 7

If that were His parentage, then He would not have been able to do the incredible signs and wonders -- heal the sick and raise the dead!! He would not have been able to credibly teach the great moral precepts IF, as you say, people knew he had a roman parent ...]

The "atonement" would have been a fake. Christ would not be Risen. All would still be in their sins. That is what it would mean not just for "christianity" but for all peoples.

But, NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD, and is the first-fruits of the Resurrection.

Answer 8

No one can stop any one from coming out with such theories.It will not alter the faith of those who believe. Such theories hurt those who believe and are not in good taste.[I am no Christian though] Had it been something to do with Islam and Prophet you could have had murder ,mayhem,arson and terrible unrest in most parts of world. Remember the cartoon issue?

Answer 9

It would mean Christianity is a lie.

I would give Mary the benefit of the doubt though. She was probably raped by the roman soldier while engaged to Joseph.

Answer 10

Your version denies the truth of the word of God and calls God a liar. It also completely invalidate Christianity, since the virgin birth is critical to the divinity of Jesus.