Can a Christian deny the virgin birth?

More contemporary attacks on the virgin birth of Christ have emerged from figures such as retired Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong and German New Testament scholar Gerd Luedemann. Luedemann acknowledges that 'most Christians in all the churches in the world confess as they recite the Apostles' Creed that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. Now ... modern Christians completely discount the historicity of the virgin birth and understand it in a figurative sense.'

Obviously, the 'modern Christians' Luedemann identifies are those who allow the modern secular worldview to establish the frame for reality into which the claims of the Bible must be fitted. Those doctrines that do not fit easily within the secular frame automatically must be discarded. As might be expected, Luedemann's denial of biblical truth is not limited to the virgin birth. He denies virtually everything the Bible reveals about Jesus Christ. In summarizing his argument, Luedemann states: 'The tomb was full and the manger empty.' That is to say, Luedemann believes that Jesus was not born of a virgin and that he was not raised from the dead.

I find it fascinating as a pastor how in a quest to make Christianity more appealing to the masses, many have essentially destroyed the Christian message.

The gospel must be contextualized. But must the gospel be denied in order to be presented in a particular context?

If you are working to contextualize the gospel in a naturalist context, some theologians and pastors do not seek to challenge the basic worldview of naturalism. Rather they seek to understand the gospel in light of naturalism, seeking scientific and natural causes for the accounts in Scripture.

But is this really contextualization? Contextualization is to present an idea in a particular context. So to present the virgin birth idea in a naturalist context is to challenge the very worldview of the naturalist.

Ultimately the naturalist must decide to accept the supernatural as an explanation for the virgin birth or they must deny the virgin birth and remain committed to their worldview.

Hmmm...to change your mind and realize that your worldview is incorrect...doesn't that sound like repentance?

And isn't that the message of the gospel? Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!