Product Description

The Star of Bethlehem is still one of the most popular and puzzling mysteries of the Bible. Its inclusion, at the very beginning of the very first Gospel, raises so many awkward questions for orthodox Christianity that one has to wonder how it ever made the canonical cut in the first place. So why would the authors (and editors) of the Christian gospels choose Zoroastrian Magi and astrology to herald the coming of Jesus Christ? Did the Magi have some special significance then that we have since lost? After all, the New Testament narrative opens with them. So who were the Magi and did their astrological beliefs really lead them to Jesus? Now, for the first time, in THE STAR OF THE MAGI, an author with a solid background in the history of astrology in ancient religion, examines the Star. The result is a breathtaking blend of history, religious studies, astronomy and astrology that tells the whole story as it has never been told before. The Magi had definite expectations of a coming world saviour who would be born of a virgin; all mysteriously encoded and foretold in Magian astrology. These ancient Persian beliefs had tremendous bearing on the development of Jewish Messianic expectations - it inspired early Christians and their Jewish and Persian neighbours and gave them hope in their desperate battles against the Romans. Astronomy alone cannot unlock the secrets of the Star. There are simply too many phenomena to choose from even astronomers concede that that we must now look to astrology for better answers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #281812 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 223 pages

Customer Reviews

Biblical puzzle explained
I see from the paper(The Sun 20 Dec 2007) that the Archbishop of Canterbury believes the three wise men were mythical figures and there was no star heralding the birth of the saviour. Might I recommend this excellent book to your grace?You will find out who the wise men were and what astrological event foretold new dynasties and messiahs. Fascinating ideas about the origins of revealed religions and why they have not been studied up till now.There are no wacky conspiracy theories to swallow - just sound research.