While heretics like Andy Stanley abound preaching that the virgin birth is not an important doctrine to the Christian faith, as we celebrate Christmas, it’s important to understand exactly why these people are wrong.

“Christianity doesn’t hinge on the truth or even the stories around the birth of Jesus,” Andy Stanley preached in a 2016 Christmas sermon. “It really hinges on the resurrection of Jesus.”

Despite what he says, the doctrine of the virgin birth is a crucial tenet of Christianity, and without it, the entire faith crumbles. This doctrine, which affirms that Jesus was born of a virgin named Mary, is a cornerstone of the Christian faith and is supported by the Bible. The virgin birth of Jesus is important for a number of reasons, one of which is that it demonstrates that Jesus did not have a sin nature.

This is significant because, according to biblical theology, all human beings are born with a sin nature that we inherit from Adam and Eve. Because of our corrupt nature, we are all in need of salvation, and only through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross can we be saved.

The virgin birth proves that Jesus was different from other human beings and that He did not have a sin nature since, according to the Bible, Mary was a virgin when she conceived and gave birth to Jesus. This means that He was not conceived in the same way that other human beings are. Instead, He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and therefore did not inherit Adam’s sin nature that comes from being conceived through the union of a man and a woman.

Extremely importantly, it also proves that Jesus was both fully human and also fully divine—the doctrine of the hypostatic union. As a man, He was subject to the same temptations and challenges that we all face, but because He did not have a sin nature, unlike us, He was able to resist these temptations and remain sinless during his entire Earthly life. This, in turn, made Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins as He was able to offer Himself as a spotless lamb to God on our behalf.

One of the most well-known passages that support the virgin birth is found in the Gospel of Matthew, which states: “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). This passage clearly affirms that Mary was a virgin when she conceived and gave birth to Jesus, making it an essential part of the Christian doctrine.

Another important passage in the Bible that speaks to the importance of the virgin birth is found in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah 7:14, the prophet foretells the birth of a child who will be called “Immanuel,” which means “God with us,” leaving no doubt that the coming savior would be born of a virgin.

Further, in Matthew 1:18-25, the apostle writes about the angel Gabriel appearing to Joseph in a dream and telling him that Mary, his betrothed, will give birth to a son, even though she is a virgin. This passage makes it clear that the birth of Jesus was miraculous and not the result of a normal human conception.

The doctrine of the virgin birth is not just an interesting or trivial aspect of the Christian faith. Instead, it is a crucial and essential doctrine that is central to our understanding of who Jesus is and what he came to accomplish.

For Christians, the virgin birth of Jesus is a clear and undeniable proof of his divine nature. It is a sign that he is not just a man, but also the Son of God. The virgin birth also demonstrates the power of God, as it shows that he is able to accomplish things that are impossible for us mere mortals.

Furthermore, the virgin birth of Jesus is essential to our understanding of the atonement. As the Son of God, Jesus was able to live a sinless life and offer himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. This is something that would not have been possible if he had been born in the normal way.