Christianity is no myth
I suspect that Dan O’Neill’s column concerning the ‘myth of Christ’ was written with his tongue firmly in his cheek (Echo, December 12th). The historical reality of the One born at Christmas is confirmed every time we write the date. We currently live in the year 2012, or more fully, 2012 AD – that is, the ‘Year of our Lord’, 2012 years after the birth of Christ.
Dan also states that Matthew’s account of Christmas is based on ‘myths predating Christianity.’ This is not so. Matthew himself was one of the twelve disciples of the Lord Jesus. The information for his Gospel was thus gained first-hand, ‘at source.’ As a former tax officer, Matthew was used to the careful handling and presentation of hard facts. Matthew’s account of the first Christmas is complemented by Luke’s Gospel. Luke himself was a medical doctor. He was thus a scientist who only dealt with empirical evidence – and this he wrote down in his Gospel, after careful research.
What next of the aspersions Dan casts on Christ’s ‘virgin birth’? The virgin conception of Christ is revealed in the Bible as a matter of fact, and contained in all the historic creeds of Christendom. Whether this is believed or not depends on our presuppositions. If we believe in God, miracles such as the virgin birth of Christ present no difficulty, as the Almighty is not subject to our human limitations – ‘For with God nothing will be impossible’ (Luke 1:37). Interestingly, the fullest account of Christ’s virgin conception is contained in Luke’s Gospel. Dr Luke was not incredulous. The likelihood is that he gained the intimate details from Mary herself when he gained her confidence and, as it were, ‘took her into the surgery.’
All the above, of course, is of no concern to many, as the recent census reveals a decline in religious affiliation. A significant Christian minority however is still with us. These alone know the joyful reality behind Christmas – the ‘Good News of a great joy … a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:10,11). A cursory scan of the Echo shows that we all need a Saviour. The Christian Gospel proclaims that the Christ Who was born at Christmas is God’s own gracious provision for our deepest need.
Dr Timothy Cross
18 Virgil Court
Grangetown
CARDIFF CF11 6PE
Tel. 02920224856
