Blog Search Results

The Mystery Of Epiphany And The star Of Bethlehem

As the Church celebrates Epiphany, we reflect on the Magi's visit to the Christ child, guided by a star—a sign of God’s revelation to the nations. This story, steeped in wonder and mystery, has sparked fascination for centuries. What was this “star of Bethlehem” that led the wise men to Jesus? Was it a miraculous light, or could it have been a natural astronomical event designed by the Creator to herald the birth of the King of Kings? The chart is from the SkySafari app The Great Conjunction In December 2020, the world witnessed a rare astronomical event called a “great conjunction.” Jupiter and Saturn appeared so close in the night sky that t...

I am one with the Force; the Force is with me – A star Wars theology

Warning: Minor spoilers ahead!I say “minor” because there’s no plot points given away here, I’m just discussing an aspect of a character in the film, but I know some people (like me) don’t like to hear too much of anything before they see a film! If you have seen the new Rogue One film though, you will be familiar with a guy called Chirrut Imwe. Whenever he is seen on screen, you will find him repeating a short mantra: “I am one with the Force; the Force is with me” whenever he feels threatened or in times of peril and wants protection. Now, Chirrut is not a Jedi (apparently [actual spoilers in this link]), but is a Force-sensitive “warrior monk...

How Old Was Jesus When He Died? A Fresh Look At The Historical Clues

...e for the start of the reign of Herod’s sons, who took power soon after his death, and it gives enough time between the eclipse and Passover for the events Josephus described. Herod’s son Archelaus began ruling not long after Herod’s death, and his removal from power by Caesar Augustus occurred in AD 6, after a 10-year rule — supporting a 4 BC start. This historical evidence is generally why Jesus’ birth is usually placed around 6–4 BC, to allow time for the visit of the Magi, the flight to Egypt, and Herod’s order to kill the infants, which all happened before Herod’s death. Cross-referencing with Pilate, Caiaphas, and Jesus Pontius Pi...

When Church History and Science Collide

...aking the stars as signs in the heavens for important events. There’s plenty that speak about the stars in various ways and for different reasons signifying things God was doing, or events on the earth. The first main reference happens during the creation narrative: Genesis 1:14And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years Then also there’s the important one signifying the birth of Christ, which the magi saw and recognised as important: Matthew 2:1–2In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the Ea...

The Coming of Jesus: The Olivet Discourse – Part 1

...ere was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet, that continued a whole year. Thus also before the Jews’ rebellion, and before those commotions which preceded the war, when the people were come in great crowds to the feast of unleavened bread, on the eighth day of the month Xanthicus, and at the ninth hour of the night, so great a light shone round the altar and the holy house, that it appeared to be bright day time; which lasted for half an hour. This light seemed to be a good sign to the unskilful, but was so interpreted by the sacred scribes, as to portend those events that followed immediately upon it. At the same festival also,...