Comments on: What Was the Star of Bethlehem? http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/ Thoughts on God and life from a Christian perspective Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:09:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Barb http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6689 Barb Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:36:16 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6689 Ray, I have always believed that the star was a demonstration of God's Glory - whether an actual celestial body, or something unique, like the cloud and pillar. But it was there, and it declared His glory. Whatever we cannot understand will some day be answered when we sit at Jesus feet in heaven. Amen. Ray,
I have always believed that the star was a demonstration of God’s Glory – whether an actual celestial body, or something unique, like the cloud and pillar. But it was there, and it declared His glory. Whatever we cannot understand will some day be answered when we sit at Jesus feet in heaven. Amen.

]]> By: Start of the week Round Up | Byrnesys Blabberings http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6666 Start of the week Round Up | Byrnesys Blabberings Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:53:32 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6666 [...] Ray Fowler offers some theories about the Bethlehem Star which I have never hears, or to be honest, ever thought of before, they are interesting and engaging at this time of year when we begin to revisit Jesus birth narrative. [...] [...] Ray Fowler offers some theories about the Bethlehem Star which I have never hears, or to be honest, ever thought of before, they are interesting and engaging at this time of year when we begin to revisit Jesus birth narrative. [...]

]]> By: Latest Links | blog of dan http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6656 Latest Links | blog of dan Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:35:34 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6656 [...] What Was the Star of Bethlehem? [...] [...] What Was the Star of Bethlehem? [...]

]]> By: Ray Fowler http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6638 Ray Fowler Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:45:54 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6638 Excellent thoughts, Scott. Thanks for sharing. Excellent thoughts, Scott. Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Scott C http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6635 Scott C Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:33:09 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6635 There are interesting details in Matthew's account (chapter 2) that are often not considered. For example, vs. 2 calls it "His star" refering to the one "born King of the Jews." How did the magi know it was His star and what knowledge did they have that would lead them to think that in following this star they would find this King to worship Him? Did God speak to them? He did in vs. 12 (this is an inference since the word "God" does not actually occur in the verse). In reading the account carefully, it appears that only the magi saw the star. It also seems to have dissapeared when they came to Jerusalem, indicating that it led them first there and not Bethlehem. It its initial appearance the star only led them to the general location of the King's whereabouts. The star "went before them" again while in Jerusalem "until it came and stood where the Child was" (vs. 9). At this point, vs. 10 says, "And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." This suggests that it had disappeared while in Jerusalem and then reappeared to lead them to the specific location of Jesus which according to vs. 11 was a house where He and Mary resided. That suggests to me that the star hovered over the house low enough that it was clear that this was the precise location of the child. I believe it was a supernatural light source with the appearance of a star that was similar to the glory cloud of the OT. Whether its source was angelic or directly divine (like the glory cloud) is immaterial. It was God's doing nonetheless. I infer from God's communication to them in verse 12 that they were similarly informed by Him to make the journey in the first place. There are interesting details in Matthew’s account (chapter 2) that are often not considered. For example, vs. 2 calls it “His star” refering to the one “born King of the Jews.” How did the magi know it was His star and what knowledge did they have that would lead them to think that in following this star they would find this King to worship Him? Did God speak to them? He did in vs. 12 (this is an inference since the word “God” does not actually occur in the verse).

In reading the account carefully, it appears that only the magi saw the star. It also seems to have dissapeared when they came to Jerusalem, indicating that it led them first there and not Bethlehem. It its initial appearance the star only led them to the general location of the King’s whereabouts. The star “went before them” again while in Jerusalem “until it came and stood where the Child was” (vs. 9). At this point, vs. 10 says, “And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” This suggests that it had disappeared while in Jerusalem and then reappeared to lead them to the specific location of Jesus which according to vs. 11 was a house where He and Mary resided. That suggests to me that the star hovered over the house low enough that it was clear that this was the precise location of the child.

I believe it was a supernatural light source with the appearance of a star that was similar to the glory cloud of the OT. Whether its source was angelic or directly divine (like the glory cloud) is immaterial. It was God’s doing nonetheless. I infer from God’s communication to them in verse 12 that they were similarly informed by Him to make the journey in the first place.

]]> By: Ray Fowler http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6636 Ray Fowler Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:30:13 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6636 <b>Michael and Michael</b> - Thanks for providing the link to bethlehemstar.net. I am familiar with the site and with the theory that the star was a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, but I do not agree with the author's conclusions. I have several problems with the theory. The first is the date of Herod's death. The website claims that Herod died in the year 1 B.C., and states that "Excellent scholarship confirms that date." However, the one footnote to support this assertion is a single self-published book by author <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_L._Martin" rel="nofollow">Ernest L. Martin</a>, who wrote a number of books with sensational views. (Martin's book on the star is called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Star-That-Astonished-World/dp/0945657870/" rel="nofollow">The Star That Astonished the World</a>.) Most scholars accept the date of 4 B.C. for Herod's death, which would eliminate the Jupiter/Venus conjunction of 3/2 B.C. as a viable explanation for the star. Secondly, I believe Matthew's gospel indicates that the star directed the Magi not only to Bethlehem, but to the very house where Jesus was. So for me, none of the planetary conjunction theories provide a satisfying explanation. I guess those are my two main objections. I also disagree with the website's interpretation of the symbolism in Revelation 12. It is a beautifully designed site with many interesting facts, but it seems very much influenced by Martin's book which, as I stated before, seems to make some questionable claims. Michael and Michael – Thanks for providing the link to bethlehemstar.net. I am familiar with the site and with the theory that the star was a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, but I do not agree with the author’s conclusions.

I have several problems with the theory. The first is the date of Herod’s death. The website claims that Herod died in the year 1 B.C., and states that “Excellent scholarship confirms that date.” However, the one footnote to support this assertion is a single self-published book by author Ernest L. Martin, who wrote a number of books with sensational views. (Martin’s book on the star is called The Star That Astonished the World.) Most scholars accept the date of 4 B.C. for Herod’s death, which would eliminate the Jupiter/Venus conjunction of 3/2 B.C. as a viable explanation for the star.

Secondly, I believe Matthew’s gospel indicates that the star directed the Magi not only to Bethlehem, but to the very house where Jesus was. So for me, none of the planetary conjunction theories provide a satisfying explanation.

I guess those are my two main objections. I also disagree with the website’s interpretation of the symbolism in Revelation 12. It is a beautifully designed site with many interesting facts, but it seems very much influenced by Martin’s book which, as I stated before, seems to make some questionable claims.

]]> By: michael http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6634 michael Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:30:15 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6634 1 on bethlehemstar.net I saw him speak and was amazed at the information presented. His lecture/talk can bought on dvd. It's worth looking into! 1 on bethlehemstar.net

I saw him speak and was amazed at the information presented. His lecture/talk can bought on dvd. It’s worth looking into!

]]> By: Ray Fowler http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6637 Ray Fowler Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:35:35 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6637 <b>Noah</b> - Thank you for pointing out the angel theory. I am not familiar with Dale Allison's book. Noah – Thank you for pointing out the angel theory. I am not familiar with Dale Allison’s book.

]]> By: Noah Braymen http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6633 Noah Braymen Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:31:11 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6633 Check out Dale C. Allison, Jr.'s chapter in "Studies in Matthew: Interpretation Past and Present" on this. I think it's the first or second chapter. He comes to the conclusion that it's an angel (I think). Anyhow, he gives a bunch of conclusions people have come to in his discussion as well. In Christ, Noah Check out Dale C. Allison, Jr.’s chapter in “Studies in Matthew: Interpretation Past and Present” on this. I think it’s the first or second chapter. He comes to the conclusion that it’s an angel (I think). Anyhow, he gives a bunch of conclusions people have come to in his discussion as well.

In Christ,
Noah

]]> By: Michael Goodwin http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6632 Michael Goodwin Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:31:11 +0000 http://www.rayfowler.org/2008/12/10/what-was-the-star-of-bethlehem/#comment-6632 http://www.bethlehemstar.net/ http://www.bethlehemstar.net/

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