“Conceived by the Holy Spirit”: Myth, Fact, or Both?

The doctrine of the virginal conception of Jesus Christ in the womb of his Mother Mary is widely considered an early Christian myth or legend. Allegedly, the story was designed simply to emphasize, in a fictional way, the nearness of Jesus to God, and the importance of his coming as Messiah and Son of God. But a closer look at the evidence reveals that the historical foundations of this doctrine go back to the very first Christians in Palestine, and probably back to the witness of Mary of Nazareth herself. Toward the end of this series we tackle the question of the importance of the factual, historical basis for this doctrine, and the vital difference it makes to the wider pattern of mainstream Christian belief.

Each part includes the full article, as well as a video presentation from Dr. Stackpole.