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Virgin birth: Difference between revisions
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Betrothal at the time of Jesus legally effected a marital relationship as attested to in both the Old Testament and the Talmud. It was sealed when the husband-to-be paid the future bride’s father or guardian a “bride price” as compensation for his loss. Thereafter she was in his power and considered him her “Baal,” i.e., lord, master, husband. The betrothal could only be repudiated by a bill of divorce. If the woman lay with another man it was considered adultery. If the man died the woman was considered a widow and subject to the levirate. Thus marriage and betrothal carried similar rights and responsibilities. | Betrothal at the time of Jesus legally effected a marital relationship as attested to in both the Old Testament and the Talmud. It was sealed when the husband-to-be paid the future bride’s father or guardian a “bride price” as compensation for his loss. Thereafter she was in his power and considered him her “Baal,” i.e., lord, master, husband. The betrothal could only be repudiated by a bill of divorce. If the woman lay with another man it was considered adultery. If the man died the woman was considered a widow and subject to the levirate. Thus marriage and betrothal carried similar rights and responsibilities. | ||
<blockquote>Within a short time after the betrothal covenant was completed the boy had the privilege and obligation of cohabitation with his spouse. In the case of the earliest tradition pertaining to Hebrew marriage customs, there appears to have been only a few days lapse between the betrothal transaction and the cohabitation. The girl remained at the home of her father until the husband was ready to receive her. At that time there was usually a nuptial drinking party to celebrate the bride’s transference to the groom’s home. Intimate relations by betrothed couples were not prohibited in Jewish Scriptures. The Mishnah and the Talmud indicate that Palestinian Judaism showed considerable tolerance towards prenuptial unions in the era of the New Testament, and children conceived as a result were not stigmatized as illegitimate. | <blockquote>Within a short time after the betrothal covenant was completed the boy had the privilege and obligation of cohabitation with his spouse. In the case of the earliest tradition pertaining to Hebrew marriage customs, there appears to have been only a few days lapse between the betrothal transaction and the cohabitation. The girl remained at the home of her father until the husband was ready to receive her. At that time there was usually a nuptial drinking party to celebrate the bride’s transference to the groom’s home. Intimate relations by betrothed couples were not prohibited in Jewish Scriptures. The Mishnah and the Talmud indicate that Palestinian Judaism showed considerable tolerance towards prenuptial unions in the era of the New Testament, and children conceived as a result were not stigmatized as illegitimate.<ref>William E. Phipps, ''Was Jesus Married?'' (New York: Harper & Row, 1970), pp. 39–40.</ref></blockquote> | ||
== Hebrew attitudes toward procreation == | == Hebrew attitudes toward procreation == | ||
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== Implications of the doctrine == | == Implications of the doctrine == | ||
We must ask ourselves, since the prevalent theories regarding original sin are incorrect (since man is not conceived in sin, but conceived himself in sin through his first act of disobedience), why would it become necessary for God to make an exception to the established birth process in order to bring forth his only begotten Son—the Christ, who is born and lives in every son and daughter of the Most High? | We must ask ourselves, since the prevalent theories regarding [[original sin]] are incorrect (since man is not conceived in sin, but conceived himself in sin through his first act of disobedience), why would it become necessary for God to make an exception to the established birth process in order to bring forth his only begotten Son—the [[Christ]], who is born and lives in every son and daughter of the Most High? | ||
We perceive that inherent in this concept is not only the belief that sex is sinful, but the belief that Matter itself is not a suitable vehicle for the Spirit of God. Was Joseph any less holy than Mary? If her body was consecrated to bear the child Jesus, might not Joseph also have been consecrated by the Holy Spirit to bear the divine seed? If there were something inherently ungodly in the birth process, why would God use it in any form? If he could dispense with Joseph’s function, why could he not have dispensed with Mary’s and simply sent forth the Manchild direct from heaven? | We perceive that inherent in this concept is not only the belief that sex is sinful, but the belief that Matter itself is not a suitable vehicle for the Spirit of God. Was Joseph any less holy than Mary? If her body was consecrated to bear the child Jesus, might not Joseph also have been consecrated by the Holy Spirit to bear the divine seed? If there were something inherently ungodly in the birth process, why would God use it in any form? If he could dispense with Joseph’s function, why could he not have dispensed with Mary’s and simply sent forth the Manchild direct from heaven? | ||
It is precisely because the | It is precisely because the [[Luciferian]]s desired to keep all mankind in the consciousness of sin, acknowledging themselves as sinners, that they conceived of the idea of making Jesus the exception to the rule, thus making him so far above everyone else that no one could possibly hope to approximate his goodness. Thus, the goal of Christhood ordained by God for every manifestation of himself becomes unattainable if we accept the doctrine of the virgin birth. For if this is a condition of holiness, man is defeated before he even begins. | ||
We must ask ourselves if God would make an exception to his Law that would result in the exclusion from grace of all of his children save one. If Jesus were not fashioned like all other men, his mission would be pointless, for he came to teach men the way, not to win their salvation for them. He was the great exemplar, and he left a perfect example that can and must be followed in every respect if man is to reunite with God. Jesus came to show the only way man can find reunion, and his purpose in coming has been aborted because he has been worshipped and not imitated. | We must ask ourselves if God would make an exception to his Law that would result in the exclusion from grace of all of his children save one. If Jesus were not fashioned like all other men, his mission would be pointless, for he came to teach men the way, not to win their salvation for them. He was the great exemplar, and he left a perfect example that can and must be followed in every respect if man is to reunite with God. Jesus came to show the only way man can find reunion, and his purpose in coming has been aborted because he has been worshipped and not imitated. | ||
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We do not believe that the conception of Jesus by his father Joseph, as the agent of the Holy Spirit, in any way detracts from the divinity of his soul or the magnitude of the incarnate Word within him; rather does it enhance the availability of the fullness of God through his chosen and anointed human instruments. | We do not believe that the conception of Jesus by his father Joseph, as the agent of the Holy Spirit, in any way detracts from the divinity of his soul or the magnitude of the incarnate Word within him; rather does it enhance the availability of the fullness of God through his chosen and anointed human instruments. | ||
Every man and woman is the son of God (the Christ Self) whose seed is transmitted by God (the Holy Spirit). Every man and woman is the son of man (the four lower bodies, the vehicles that are conceived through Matter and evolving soul consciousness). | Every man and woman is the son of God (the Christ Self) whose seed is transmitted by God (the Holy Spirit). Every man and woman is the [[son of man]] (the [[four lower bodies]], the vehicles that are conceived through Matter and evolving soul consciousness). | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||