Here’s an excerpt from Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell:

What if tomorrow someone digs up definitive proof that Jesus had a real, earthly, biological father named Larry, and archaeologists find Larry’s tomb and do DNA samples and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the virgin birth was really just a bit of mythologizing the Gospel writers threw in to appeal to the followers of the Mithra and Dionysian religious cults that were hugely popular at the time of Jesus, whose gods had virgin births? But what if as you study the origin of the word virgin, you discover that the word virgin in the gospel of Matthew actually comes from the book of Isaiah, and then you find out that in the Hebrew language at that time, the word virgin could mean several things. And what if you discover that in the first century being “born of a virgin” also referred to a child whose mother became pregnant the first time she had intercourse?

Apparently, there was some controversy about this passage. Some were up in arms, saying Bell’s position “is the repainting of historic liberal theology”

Others claim that “the outrage over these words only furthers the point that Rob was trying to make. That if we question our faith, for some people it can crumble.”

I’m not writing on this controversy, though. I’m writing about a question Bell goes on to ask- “Could you still be a Christian?”

How strong is your faith? If the things you have grown up knowing about your Saviour were called into question, could you still be a Christian or would it crumble?

As for me, the semantics and connotations of words do not matter to me; they are just that - words. It’s the actions, the dying on the cross and resurrection that truly matter to me. And that is a matter of faith. I may not have been there to witness that or other events. Others may call into question the writings about the event. But for me, I have seen and been through enough in my life that I can’t help but believe and have faith. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” - Hebrews 11:1. When I do have doubts, instead of running to the world and away from the Lord, I take comfort in Christ. Only He can provide the meaning and clarification that I may need.