Could the $50 purchase of an ancient coin by a Rutgers astronomer have unlocked the mystery of the Christmas Star? For years, scientists have looked, with little success, to astronomical records for an explanation of the magical star that guided the Magi to Christ’s manger. Intrigued by the image he found on the latest addition to his coin collection, Michael Molnar thought there might be more to learn by looking, instead, at the teachings of ancient astrologers.
Molnar argues in his book that the Star of Bethlehem was not a star at all, but rather a regal portent centering around the planet Jupiter that was eclipsed by the moon. He bases this theory on the actual beliefs of astrologers, such as the Magi, who lived around the time of Christ. Molnar found some intriguing clues to the mystery while researching the meaning of astrological symbols he found an ancient coin, which bore the image of Aries looking back at a star. He found that Aries was a symbol of Judea at the time, and that ancient astrologers believed that a new king would be born when the moon passed in front of Jupiter. Molnar wondered, could the coin have been issued as a response to the Great Messianic Portent, the Star of Bethlehem?
To match the story of the appearance of the Christmas star, Molnar also knew the event had to happen when Jupiter was “in the east.” Using these criteria and a computer program, he was able to chart an eclipse of Jupiter in Aries on April 17, 6 B.C., a day when Jupiter was precisely “in the east,” which confirmed his theory. Moreover, he found that a Roman astrologer described the conditions of that day as fitting the birth of a “divine and immortal” person.
According to Harvard University Professor Owen Gingerich, “this is the most original and important contribution of the entire 20th century” about the Magi’s star. Using clues from astronomy, astrology, and history, Molnar has created a provocative, fascinating theory on the Christmas Star. He weaves together an intriguing scientific detective story which resolves one of the world’s greatest mysteries: The Star of Bethlehem at the birth of Christ.
Dr Michael R Molnar, astronomer and physicist, proposes that Star of Bethlehem was planet Jupiter, seen in. .The Star of Bethlehem has been called many things by many people: a comet, a conjunction of planets, a supernova, a miracle, a myth
Dr Michael R Molnar, astronomer and physicist, proposes that Star of Bethlehem was planet Jupiter, seen in constellation Aries the ram; photo (M. The Star of Bethlehem has been called many things by many people: a comet, a conjunction of planets, a supernova, a miracle, a myth. That question has attracted yet another answer, one that is gaining attention from historians of astronomy for its unusual approach.
Molnar argues in his book that the Star of Bethlehem was not a star at all, but rather a regal portent centering around the planet Jupiter that was eclipsed by the moon. He bases this theory on the actual beliefs of astrologers, such as the Magi, who lived around the time of Christ. He found that Aries was a symbol of Judea at the time, and that ancient astrologers believed that a new king would be born when the.
The Star of Bethlehem book. Details (if other): Cancel.
Molnar wondered, could the coin have been issued as a response to the Great Messianic Portent, the Star of Bethlehem?To match the story of the appearance of the Christmas star, Molnar also knew the event had to happen when Jupiter was in the east
Molnar wondered, could the coin have been issued as a response to the Great Messianic Portent, the Star of Bethlehem?To match the story of the appearance of the Christmas star, Molnar also knew the event had to happen when Jupiter was in the east. Using these criteria and a computer program, he was able to chart an eclipse of Jupiter in Aries on April 17, 6 . a day when Jupiter was precisely in the east, which confirmed his theory.
In 1999, Dr. Michael Molnar, a Christian astronomer, published The Star of Bethlehem -The Legacy of the . Michael Molnar, a Christian astronomer, published The Star of Bethlehem -The Legacy of the Magi. His findings included the meaning behind the Ram and Star coins from Antioch along with the most likely heavenly alignment constituting the Star of Bethlehem. My conclusions not only confirm Dr. Molnar’s findings but also show that this Star of Bethlehem motif was used frequently between 6 AD and 253 AD.
Similar books and articles Michael R. Molnar - 2014 - Science, Religion and Culture 1 (3):174.
Similar books and articles. The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of the Magi by Michael R. Molnar. Mary Snodgrass - 2000 - Isis: A Journal of the History of Science 91:773-773. The Star of Bethlehem: A Skeptical View by Aaron Adair. Michael R. The Star of Christ in the Light of Astronomy. Aaron Adair - 2012 - Zygon 47 (1):7-29. Mira Ceti and the Star of Bethlehem. IGON'S Der Ursprung der Griechischen Philosophie.
Larson used the Starry Night astronomy computer program along with an article written by astronomer Craig Chester; based in part on the work of Ernest Martin.
Michael R. Molnar, a PhD astronomer, convincingly argues that the identity of the star of Bethlehem has to be sought from the astrological perspective . Molnar's book has given me one of the few 'conversion' episodes in my life
Michael R. Molnar, a PhD astronomer, convincingly argues that the identity of the star of Bethlehem has to be sought from the astrological perspective that held sway at the time and place of the birth of Jesus. He studied that astrology in depth and conveys it to the readers of his book. Molnar's book has given me one of the few 'conversion' episodes in my life. He has shown that all the previous claims about the Star of Bethlehem are provably wrong.
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.