Andrew T. Lincoln is Professor of New Testament, University of Gloucestershire. His recent publications include Colossians (Abingdon 2000), Truth on Trial (Hendrickson 2000) and The Gospel According to St. John (Continuum 2005).

Many Christians find the virgin birth a difficult doctrine and are not sure how to handle it. This book examines why that is by addressing the whole range of issues that arise - literary, historical and hermeneutical - from a perspective that takes seriously creedal confession and theological and ecclesiological concerns. incoln's investigation of the primary sources for the virgin birth leads him to consider the literary genre and distinctive characteristics of the New Testament birth narratives as part of ancient biography, and to reassess the likely historicity of the traditions that Matthew and Luke have in common. He then looks at how changes in our views of history and biology decisively affect any traditional understanding of the virgin birth, exploring what that means for the authority of Scripture and creed, and for our understanding of Christology.

Andrew Lincoln

Cover page

About the author

Title page

Imprint

Dedication

Preface

Abbreviations

1. What is there to explore?

2. Beyond the infancy narratives: the so-called ‘silent witness’ of the New Testament

3. What are the infancy narratives?

4. Conceiving Jesus in Matthew

5. Conceiving Jesus in Luke

6. Behind the New Testament: historical exploration

7. After the New Testament: the rise to dominance of the virginal conception tradition

8. Reconceiving the tradition: the case of Schleiermacher

9. Reconceiving Jesus: Scripture and hermeneutics

10. Reconceiving Jesus: Christology and creed

Bibliography

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Many Christians find the virgin birth a difficult doctrine and are not sure how to handle it. This book examines why that is by addressing the whole range of issues that arise - literary, historical and hermeneutical - from a perspective that takes seriously creedal confession and theological and ecclesiological concerns.

Many Christians find the virgin birth a difficult doctrine and are not sure how to handle it. This book examines why that is by addressing the whole range of issues that arise - literary, historical and hermeneutical - from a perspective that takes seriously creedal confession and theological and ecclesiological concerns. Lincoln's investigation of the primary sources for the virgin birth leads him to consider the literary genre and distinctive characteristics of the New Testament birth narratives as part of ancient biography, and to reassess the likely historicity of the traditions that Matthew and Luke have in common. He then looks at how changes in our views of history and biology decisively affect any traditional understanding of the virgin birth, exploring what that means for the authority of Scripture and creed, and for our understanding of Christology.

Edward Adams-- King's College London"A thorough and far-reaching investigation of the topic of Jesus' conception. Andrew Lincoln, one of the finest New Testament exegetes of our time, challenges the view that the New Testament offers a single perspective on Jesus' birth, and he makes a strong case for disentangling the doctrine of the incarnation from the tradition of the 'virgin birth.' This book offers the most important contribution to the subject of Jesus' earthly origins in many years."James McGrath-- Butler University"Certain topics are such a focus of controversy and attention that eventually we come to feel that all has been said that can or should be said. Then along comes a groundbreaking book that arrives like a breath of fresh air and allows us to see the familiar with new eyes. Andrew Lincoln's volume on the virginal conception is such a work. Not only does it offer insightful explanation of what the infancy stories in Matthew and Luke say, but it also identifies and explores the contrasting perspectives on the topic from other New Testament authors. . . . Lincoln's excellent, clear, and comprehensive treatment is sure to be considered the volume to turn to on this topic for many years to come."Helen Bond-- University of Edinburgh"With an engaging blend of sensitivity and erudition, Lincoln charts the rise to dominance of the 'virgin birth' -- despite other New Testament accounts of Jesus' origins -- and shows how recent biblical scholarship, biology, and worldviews demand a reappraisal of the tradition for the modern church. This masterly study is essential reading for confessing Christians who struggle with accepting the historicity of the virginal conception. I cannot recommend it highly enough."Robert Morgan-- Linacre College, Oxford"Lincoln's masterly literary and historical analyses of the traditions relating to Jesus' birth in the New Testament and beyond offer theological and hermeneutical reflection at its best and a model for maintaining a res

Born of a Virgin?

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