The Great Christ Comet: Revealing the True Star of Bethlehem
Overview
The Star of Bethlehem is one of the greatest mysteries in astronomy and in the Bible. What was it? How did it prompt the Magi to set out on a long journey to Judea? How did it lead them to Jesus? In this groundbreaking book, Colin R. Nicholl makes the compelling case that the Star of Bethlehem could only have been a great comet. Taking a fresh look at the biblical text and drawing on the latest astronomical research, this beautifully illustrated volume will introduce readers to the Bethlehem Star in all of its glory.
Top Highlights
“This indicates that the Star guided them first to Bethlehem and then, after coming (that is, down in altitude, toward the horizon), to the very house where baby Jesus was. The Star, then, did three things that night: (a) It seemed to travel toward Bethlehem ahead of the Magi. (b) After the Star had led them to Bethlehem, the Star then entered a phase of descending in altitude. (c) As the Star descended to just above the visible horizon that night, it ‘stood’ over the place where the Messiah was.” (Page 61)
“The Magi, then, seem to have come with the intention not just of paying homage to the newborn King of the Jews, but of worshiping him as a deity. This obviously forces us to ask the question, What convinced the Magi that the recently born ruler was worthy of worship? This is difficult to explain unless the celestial sign that they saw directly or indirectly convinced them that the King of the Jews was both human and divine.” (Page 52)
“Wherever Jesus was born, whether in a stable, a cave, or the part of a house normally used by animals, he was certainly in a house by the time the Magi arrived on the scene. Presumably, as soon as the census was over and the population of Bethlehem had returned to normal levels, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus moved into living quarters more suitable for human habitation and remained there until they eventually fled from Bethlehem to Egypt (v. 14).” (Page 62)
“We suggest therefore that the Magi were convinced that the Messiah’s birth was taking place when they saw the Star at or around the time of its heliacal rising. Evidently, the Magi perceived significance in the Star’s location within the constellations, its form, and/or its behavior, and/or in the timing of the heavenly wonder.” (Page 50)
- Title: The Great Christ Comet: Revealing the True Star of Bethlehem
- Author: Colin R. Nicholl
- Publisher: Crossway
- Print Publication Date: 2015
- Logos Release Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Comets; Star of Bethlehem; Astronomy in the Bible; Bible. N.T. Matthew
- ISBNs: 9781433542138, 9781433542169, 9781433542145, 9781433542152, 1433542137, 1433542161, 1433542145, 1433542153
- Resource ID: LLS:GRTCHRSTSBTHLHM
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:23:07Z
Reviews
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Blake Widmer
9/7/2021
Does anyone know if this interacts with the great work of astronomist Dr Ernest Martin, who wrote the book "the star that astonishes the world"?