Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!julius.cs.uiuc.edu!psuvax1!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!christian From: Kevin_Miller.D76_CENTRAL@qmgate.mitre.org (Kevin Miller) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Starry starry night . . . Message-ID: Date: 16 Jan 91 09:11:35 GMT Sender: hedrick@aramis.rutgers.edu Organization: The MITRE Corporation Lines: 40 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article kilroy@gboro.glassboro.edu (Dr Nancy's Sweetie) writes: > In Matthew 2, however, we read of the Magi coming to find Jesus. They are > generally considered to have been astrologers from Persia or Arabia. They > know it is the time for him, they say, because "we saw his star in the > east" (v2). > > Worse yet, the return to their own country (and apparently their religion), > and nobody has even explained The Four Spiritual Laws to them! Not once in > the entire passage does the phrase `substitutionary atonement' appear. I've not heard the term astrologers applied to the Magi. More often than not, I hear them referred to as astronomers, because that better conforms to our present day definitions of astrology and astronomy, particularly because of the religious implications of astrology. Also, the Four Spiritual Laws is one modern day toolused to present the gospel: they didn't know about it then. If I remember my theological terminology correctly, 'substitutionary atonement' refers to Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. Since that hadn't happened yet, maybe it didn't apply to the Magi in the New Testament sense. IMHO the Magi met the basic requirements for being justified: they sought God, worshiped him and obeyed him. In general, I think we should be cautious when we attempt to apply our 20th century definitions to Biblical events. The message of the Bible is still relavent and powerful: just remember the context. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The opinions presented here are mine alone and do not reflect in any way those of The MITRE Corporation. Kevin Miller ----------------------------------------------------------------------- email: kjm@grotto.mitre.org or Kevin_Miller.D76_Central@qmgate.mitre.org -----------------------------------------