Virgin Birth" of Jesus. Perhaps we may show the points of difference
more clearly by simply stating the opposing views and, afterwards,
giving the traditions of the Occult Brotherhoods and Societies on the
subject. We are enabled to state the opposing views without prejudice,
because we rest upon the Occult Teachings with a feeling of being
above and outside of the theological strife raging between the two
schools of Christian theologians. We trust that the reader will
reserve his decision until the consideration of the matter in this
lesson is completed. We think that it will be found that the Occult
Teachings give the Key to the Mystery and furnish the Reconciliation
between the opposing theological views which threaten to divide the
churches into two camps, i.e., (1) the adherents of the established
orthodox theology, and (2) the adherents of the views of the
Rationalists and the Higher Critics.

The school of theology which clings to the old orthodox teachings
regarding the Virgin Birth and which teachings are commonly accepted
without question by the mass of church-goers, hold as follows:

Mary, a young Jewish maiden, or virgin, was betrothed to
Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth in Galilee. Before her
marriage, she was informed by an angelic vision that she
would miraculously conceive a son, to whom she would give
birth, and who would reign on the Throne of David and be
called the Son of the Highest. This teaching is based solely
upon certain statements contained in the Gospels of Matthew
and Luke. Matthew's account is as follows:

"Now, the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as
his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came