Actually ancients did not make a distinction between astrology and astronomy as we do -- the prohibition against astrology is being read back into the OT, which is anachronistic. Zodiac mosaics have been found on the floors of 1st century BC synagogues in Israel, and the "zodiac" (as in the Babylonian system of 12 "houses") actually appears at one point in Job, although they don't use the English word. Anyone know what it's called?
W Steven Montgomery wrote: > At 11:37 PM 11/13/2002, Marc wrote: > > >Speaking of the star of Bethlehem, I'm sure you have heard most of the > >theories as > >to what it might have been. What would be your reaction if you learned that it > >might actually be an astrological phenomenon, and that it didn't happen in > >1 A.D.? > > > >-- > >Marc A. Schindler > > Actually Pratt discussed this possibility in an article which appears on > the Griffith Observatory website (as well as other places, including > Pratt's own website): > http://www.griffithobs.org/IPSPlanPlatt.html > The June 12, 2 BC conjunction in Virgo, moving into Leo, was the one I was thinking about, in fact, and I see that Pratt discusses this approvingly. His reading of why Eastern churches celebrate 06 January as the day of Christ's birth is laughable and shows an extreme ignorance of history. It was December 25th under the pre-Gregorian calendar by the time of the Renaissance, and Russia did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until after the Russian Revolution. The "Glorious October Revolution" actually happened in November, for instance. > > The most likely date he gives is during Passover, 1 BC. I should mention > that to the Jews (at least those not in apostasy) astrology as a method of > predicting the future was blasphemous. However, they did believe that stars > (and other celestial events) were signs of God's works. Genesis 1:14, for > starters, states that these celestial objects and events are signs--to make > known his will and purposes. > This is my take on it, too. But prognostication wasn't blasphemous at all ("blasphemy" had a very narrowly defined definiition). God simply talks to us in language we understand. > > A good overview of the different celestial (astrological) events regarding > what might have been the Star of Bethlehem is available here: > http://sciastro.net/portia/articles/thestar.htm > > -- > Steven Montgomery > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Recall the new star that announced the birth at Bethlehem? It was in its > precise orbit long before it so shone. We are likewise placed in human > orbits to illuminate. Divine correlation functions not only in the cosmos > but on this planet, too. After all, the Book of Mormon plates were not > buried in Belgium, only to have Joseph Smith born centuries later in > distant Bombay. (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Conference Report, Saturday > Morning, Oct 2002) > > ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// > /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// > /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// > ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// > -- Marc A. Schindler Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada -- Gateway to the Boreal Parkland “Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on” – Winston Churchill Note: This communication represents the informal personal views of the author solely; its contents do not necessarily reflect those of the author’s employer, nor those of any organization with which the author may be associated. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^^=============================================================== This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^^===============================================================
