British clergy have doubts about virgin birth

The Telegraph via SMH ^ | December 23 2002

[mikeb704]

The survey did find some comfort for traditionalists: 64per cent of those arguing against the idea of a virgin birth still believed in some sort of resurrection of Christ, whether physical or otherwise.

This is the silver lining? Good grief.

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[eastsider]

64per cent of those arguing against the idea of a virgin birth still believed in some sort of resurrection of Christ, whether physical or otherwise.

The apostles died proclaiming the physical resurrection of Jesus, not a banal "otherwise."

[aimhigh]

He declined to be named, saying: "I have a very traditional bishop and this is one of those topics I do not go public on. I need to keep the job I have got."

Not only is he a heretic, he's a coward. The scriptures are very clear on the miraculous birth of Jesus.

[Cicero]

I'm sorry to say, this doesn't surprise me.

"Bad translations"? We have the original Greek and Hebrew, and I very much doubt whether any of these folks can point out the spots where texts concerning the virgin birth were mistranslated.

Sure, there are a lot of bad Bible translations out there right now, but they are mostly the work of the past 20 or 30 years, under pressure from political correctness and the gender police. The NRSV, the New Jerusalem Bible, and most of the "new new" Bibles are to be avoided. They are not the product of credulous traditional Christian scholars, however; they are the work of modernizers and liberals.

[ClearCase_guy]

Scripture does seem pretty clear on this. Are these wise men claiming that God is not powerful enough to perform miracles? Why do they call themselves Christian?

[Protagoras]

Not only is he a heretic, he's a coward.

I guess it would be more "heroic" to just keep all of his doubts to himself? I agree that he should find a new job, quit this one, and then say what he thinks. But if everyone who had doubts about certain aspects of their faith was concidered a coward, only "heros" would be left. And their numbers would be very small.

[niteowl77]

The survey did find some comfort for traditionalists: 64per cent of those arguing against the idea of a virgin birth still believed in some sort of resurrection of Christ, whether physical or otherwise. How comforting.

Others surveyed believe that Marxism will eventually work somewhere, Islam means peace, and pedophaelia isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[Cincinatus]

We have the original Greek and Hebrew, and I very much doubt whether any of these folks can point out the spots where texts concerning the virgin birth were mistranslated.

More than you ever wanted to know about this topic.

[Grammy]

I guess more than a quarter of the clergy is not really Christian then. I have long contended that many of the clergy are there because they like pomp and ritual (which you don't get as a social worker) not because they are Christian.

[Walkingfeather]

This guy is worried about his job...???? When his soul is on the line? Sheesh

[pgyanke]

He isn't a coward for what he thinks. He's a coward for "pretending" to be a priest in the Anglican faith just to stay employed.

[ClearCase_guy]

But if everyone who had doubts about certain aspects of their faith was concidered a coward, only "heros" would be left.

Let's be clear: "faith" can mean a religious denomination (Baptist rather than Lutheran). "Faith" should mean love and allegiance to God.

Faith is usually considered a requirement for Salvation. Faith is the antithesis of doubt. Faith is not easy. To be Faithful requires some heroism. Certainly, if a member of the Clery lacks Faith, they should resign their office.

[ex-snook]

"British clergy have doubts about virgin birth"

I have doubts about the British clergy.

[Lysander]

... that Jesus would leave town forever.

...and raise a family in France? Now that should stir things up around here. Duck and cover!

[Dajjal]

heresy bump

[Protagoras]

I said what I thought he should do. I merely point out that not everyone responds to their intellectual conclusions the "proper" way.

If a person doesn't believe in the virgin birth they shouldn't be clergy I guess. But I suspect that very few denominations would have adequate clergy if every single tenet of their denomination had to believed heart and soul by those who are otherwise Christian. It's a difficult question and I doubt that many could pass the test in thier own minds. Better to live a lie until you can make other arrangements I suppose.

[Protagoras]

"The central tenet of Christianity is the resurrection"

I agree wholeheartedly. I disagree with everything else you posted.