My Star of Bethlehem Challenge

[ozso]

Besides the historical and intercultural explanations that someone like Geza Vermes offers in his book, The Nativity (pp. 89-104), I personally think the phenomenon was one of the astronomical events mentioned in the BBC video I posted, and Matthew, being aware of it later on, included a generic reference to its coincidence with the Birth of Christ in his gospel.

I haven't taken the time to watch the video. But I probably will. I like astronomy. I wonder if Neil deGrasse Tyson has ever commented on it.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I haven't taken the time to watch the video. But I probably will. I like astronomy. I wonder if Neil deGrasse Tyson has ever commented on it.

Apparently, he has a while back.........

What was the Star of Bethlehem? Find out Friday from Neil Tyson

Preview our Extended Classic, "Holiday Lights," featuring Neil, Chuck Nice, Leighann Lord, Brother Guy Consolmagno, Seth MacFarlane, Bill Nye & Steven Soter

startalkmedia.com

... and his answer reflects one of the answers in the BBC video I posted.

 

[tampasteve]

ADMIN HAT ON

Just a note, this thread is OK where it is and in a fine forum as the topic pertains to astronomy.

ADMIN HAT OFF​

 

[ozso]

 

[AV1611VET]

There is nothing there to suggest that they followed the star all the way from "the East" to Bethlehem via Jerusalem. They said to Herod, "We have seen His star in the East," not "We have followed His star from the East."

Good point!

 

[AV1611VET]

For the record, I find it difficult that a comet, conjunction, or supernova can lead someone to a specific street address; let alone disappear then reappear.

In addition, I don't think comets and planetary conjunctions last two years.

Hale-Bopp did, however, last 18 months; but didn't act like the Star of Bethlehem did.

 

[ozso]

For the record, I find it difficult that a comet, conjunction, or supernova can lead someone to a specific street address; let alone disappear then reappear.

In addition, I don't think comets and planetary conjunctions last two years.

Hale-Bopp did, however, last 18 months; but didn't act like the Star of Bethlehem did.

I'm with you. I think it was a unique manifestation of some sort created especially for the events in which it appeared.

Airplane headlights often look like stars/planets so it didn't have to be a celestial body. It could have simply been a fairly low altitude light source.

 

[Jerry N.]

For the record, I find it difficult that a comet, conjunction, or supernova can lead someone to a specific street address; let alone disappear then reappear.

In addition, I don't think comets and planetary conjunctions last two years.

Hale-Bopp did, however, last 18 months; but didn't act like the Star of Bethlehem did.

The planetary conjunction may have told them that a Messiah king was born in Israel. The conjunction finished, and they asked directions. Bethlehem was a very small place, and a GPS angel gave them pinpoint directions. It didn’t even need to be an angel; maybe only a ball of light that only they could see. Whatever it was they saw, it didn’t seem to lead anybody else to the Holy Family. God would not have wanted Herod and his bunch to find Jesus.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

For the record, I find it difficult that a comet, conjunction, or supernova can lead someone to a specific street address; let alone disappear then reappear.

In addition, I don't think comets and planetary conjunctions last two years.

Hale-Bopp did, however, last 18 months; but didn't act like the Star of Bethlehem did.

Ok. What's your guess as to what the phenomenon was?

 

[AV1611VET]

Ok. What's your guess as to what the phenomena was?

I'm not sure.

Chuck Missler believes it was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

I also read it was a mental hologram that only the Wise Men saw.

Whatever it was, it did its job.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I'm not sure.

Chuck Missler believes it was a manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

I also read it was a mental hologram that only the Wise Men saw.

Whatever it was, it did its job.

Yes, we can both agree that whatever it was, it happened and that Matthew wasn't just dreaming up an utterly fabricated story.

 

[AV1611VET]

Yes, we can both agree that whatever it was, it happened and that Matthew wasn't just dreaming up an utterly fabricated story.

Yes indeed!