Wisdom of the Middle Way

A reader has commented on my comments about the Virgin Birth a few days ago under the heading "The Baptism of the Lord." He believes in the Virgin Birth, but thinks its probably not a core or essential doctrine. I think that may be the wisdom of the middle way. I think that I too would be offended by someone who insisted that one would be a nut to believe in the Virgin Birth--one way or the other it just isn't that big a deal. To insist one's belief conform to one view or the other on this matter is just unnecessary.

I think the essential doctrine here is the doctrine of the incarnation, of God becoming one with us humans. Paul puts this doctrine rather well with no reference to the Virgin Birth. So, when we are looking for "witnesses" to the teaching about the Virgin Birth we have only two of the four Gospel writers. The "non-witnesses" to this belief include the other two Gospels and Paul. This does not "prove" that Matthew and Luke are wrong, but that the message and work of Jesus can be understood and embraced without taking a "fight to the death" stand on the doctrine of the Virgin Birth. So let's stick with the middle way on this one.