Author: Rev. Ionel Pleșa (“Hagiu” Parish, Bucharest)
Keywords: Gospels, Bethlehem, star, history, astronomy
Abstract:
The star that led the wise men to the birthplace of Christ – the Messiah stirred over the centuries diverse interpretations. If the patristic exegesis focused on the mystical, or the spiritual side of the God’s work through the star, things look different, at least in part, both from the Astronomical point of view, and the rationalist and esoteric one. The present study brings forward a possible reconciliation of these perspectives, against a background of an almost comprehensive analysis inspired both from the spiritual perspective, and the secular sciences and philosophies. The star of Bethlehem represented a possible point of convergence between outer sciences (as our Holy Fathers call them) and the spiritual knowledge. That is why beside the Church Fathers and Church theologians in general, diverse astronomers, astrologists, esotericists, scientist etc. have tried to untie the mystery of the star. The author divided their interpretations as follows: 1. The rationalistic interpretation 2. The comparative interpretation 3. Biblical or messianic interpretation 4. Esoteric interpretation 5. Astronomic interpretation. This general division have its subdivisions. For instance, the 5th has some subdivisions like: novas and supernovas; comets; planetary conjunctions. Then follows an extensive exegetical study of the biblical verses. For the final part the author has realized a lengthy excursus in Antiquity (Egypt and Babylonia especially), for its religious, historical, astronomic and astrologic contribution that could help us better understand the biblical verses regarding the star. Here the author focuses particularly on the concept of “total homology” coined by Mircea Eliade, and expression meant to unify and better grasp the supposed common religious structure of the ancient religious and scientific beliefs. Where exactly does the outer science (ancient or new) meet with the strict spiritual Christian interpretation of wondrous/godly star of the Gospel is a task worthy to be discovered by those interested in the subject, with the aid of numerous certainties and assumptions brought up by the author.
Pages: 145-199