it was a flaming globe, and gradually it
became temperate; a crust was formed around it, and upon this crust plants
came into existence, then animals, and finally man.

The theologians say: "Then from your statement it has become evident and
clear that mankind is phenomenal upon the globe, and not eternal. Then
surely the first man had neither father nor mother, for the existence of
man is phenomenal. Is not the creation of man without father and mother,
even though gradually, more difficult than if he had simply come into
existence without a father? As you admit that the first man came into
existence without father or mother--whether it be gradually or at
once--there can remain no doubt that a man without a human father is also
possible and admissible; you cannot consider this impossible; otherwise,
you are illogical. For example, if you say that this lamp has once been
lighted without wick and oil, and then say that it is impossible to light
it without the wick, this is illogical." Christ had a mother; the first
man, as the materialists believe, had neither father nor mother.(81)

18: THE GREATNESS OF CHRIST IS DUE TO HIS PERFECTIONS

A great man is a great man, whether born of a human father or not. If
being without a father is a virtue, Adam is greater and more excellent
than all the Prophets and Messengers, for He had neither father nor
mother. That which causes honor and greatness is the splendor and bounty
of the divine perfections. The sun is born from substance and form, which
can be compared to father and mother, and it is absolute perfection; but
the darkness has neither substance nor form, neither father nor mother,
and it is absolute imperfection. The substance of Adam's physical life was
earth, but the substance of Abraham was pure sperm; it is certain that the
pure and chaste sperm is superior to earth.

Furthermore, in the first chapter of the Gospel of John, verses 12 and 13,
it is said: "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become
the sons of God, even to them that believed on His name:

"Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of God."(82)

From these verses it is obvious that the being of a disciple also is not
created by physical power, but by the spiritual reality. The honor and
greatness of Christ is not due to the fact that He did not have a human
father, but to His perfections, bounties and divine glory. If the
great