" bravely wrote to "All" (07 Dec 05 11:06:49)
--- on the heady topic of " Star of Bethlehem"

jo From:
jo Xref: core-easynews sci.astro:452747

jo It is an historical fact that Herod died in April of 4 BC (3 B.C.E.)
jo One, AND ONLY ONE, Star of Bethlehem commentator found an astronomical
jo configuration
jo that, he thought, MAY have been the Star of Bethlehem but it occured
jo in 1 BC. This commentator
jo then deduced that Josephus (ancient historian) made a transcription
jo error and wrote 4 BC instead of 1 BC.
jo Very poor scholarship.

jo Herod's death was marked by a lunar eclipse (April 13th 4 BC)

jo The 1 BC date is not supported by any scholars and is seen as a
jo fabrication in an attempt to lend credibility to the 1 BC.

jo There was a census (also) in 7 BC.

jo To presume that Matthew 'made up' the account of the star is an
jo academic fallacy that leads to a dead end.
jo If that part was made up why not the whole New testament?


Has anyone ever considered that the Star of Bethlehem was neither a
comet nor a supernova but instead simply a strong aurora event due to a
large solar eruption? Consider that an aurora event would be a rare
occurrence so far south and would have many folk look up in wonder.

A*s*i*m*o*v