Was Jesus really born in Bethlehem?

[Scruffyzach]

I've been reading J.P. Meier's A Marginal Jew and Raymond Brown's Birth of the Messiah (both excellent books). However, I've noticed that both authors seem to think that it is more likely that Jesus was born in Nazareth rather than Bethlehem and that birth in Bethlehem was a theologoumenon showing that Jesus was the Davidic Messiah. Has anymore here heard anything about this?

[GioD]

I've heard it, but there's no evidence for it. As NT Wright points out with ancient political meanings of the text, there is no reason to believe the story is false, rather than the writers looking at a true story through a prophetic/political/etc. lens.

[Scruffyzach]

Thanks, but do you remember where Wright said this?

[GioD]

Thanks, but do you remember where Wright said this?

Somewhere in The Resurrection of the Son of God. As I said, it's about political meanings, but can apply just as well to prophecy and theological meanings.