In a secular age many consider belief in the virgin birth of Jesus an indication of inferior intellect. Incredibly, even some who profess to be Christian hold the doctrine to be either untenable or unnecessary. To them, you can still be a Christian without believing in the virgin birth. And as secularism deepens its roots in our society this vital teaching will continue to be assaulted, mocked, and compromised.

Nicholas Kristof wrote a column for The New York Times in which he said: “The Virgin Mary is an interesting prism through which to examine America’s emphasis on faith because most biblical scholars regard the evidence for the Virgin Birth as so shaky that it pretty much has to be a leap of faith.” Rest assured, the so-called scholars to whom he refers are modernistic liberals who reject the authority of Scripture. They’re a dime a dozen these days.

So on this Christmas Day, I will briefly address the issue. Is belief in the virgin birth necessary for salvation? Well, first of all, let me point out that a person could conceivably receive Christ and become a Christian without knowledge of the doctrine. But that’s not the issue. The issue is whether one who is aware of the doctrine and deliberately rejects it can be a Christian. The answer is an unequivocal “no.”

Because the Word of God clearly teaches, beyond any doubt, that Jesus was born to Mary without a human father, every Christian is obligated to embrace its truth.

Because the Word of God clearly teaches, beyond any doubt, that Jesus was born to Mary without a human father, every Christian is obligated to embrace its truth. Since the Bible asserts this truth, it cannot be denied without putting every other doctrine at risk. At the same time, if Jesus was not virgin born, we are left wondering whom was his actual father. Carl Henry, considered the dean of evangelical theologians, stated that the virgin birth is “the essential, historical indication of the Incarnation, bearing not only in analogy to the divine and human natures of the Incarnate, but also bringing out the nature, purpose, and bearing of this work of God to salvation.”

Thus, the doctrine of Jesus’ virgin birth is taught in Scripture, has been embraced and proclaimed by the true church throughout history, and remains fundamental to saving faith. Any group, scholar, or religious organization that teaches otherwise is simply not Christianity.