Star of Bethlehem

Term Paper # 115111

Astronomy > Cosmology
History
Religion and Theology > Christianity

Star of Bethlehem

An examination of the debate over whether the Star of Bethlehem was a myth or if there is conclusive evidence for its existence.

2,026 words () | 9 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the existence of the Star of Bethlehem and examines what the Star of Bethlehem was. The paper also identifies and discusses the first reference to the Star of Bethlehem in the New Testament of the Bible. Specifically discussed by the paper is the debate of whether the Star of Bethlehem was a myth or if there is conclusive evidence for its existence.

Table of Contents:
Did the Star of Bethlehem Exist?
What are Possible Explanations for the Star of Bethlehem?
Did Saint Matthew Create This Myth for the Birth of Jesus?
Is there Conclusive Evidence Identifying the Star of Bethlehem?

From the Paper:

"In conclusion, there is no evidence that signifies conclusively that the Star of Bethlehem actually existed because these are all merely theories from which astronomers and historians alike justified that the Star of Bethlehem existed when Jesus Christ was born. All historians and astronomers have at this point are fascinating speculations and theories like those by Molnar as well as the many other authors and scientists who have attempted to uncover the mystery surrounding the Star of Bethlehem. Perhaps the mystery about the Star of Bethlehem will never be completely solved, but it is the mystery itself that drives us to find a solution."

Sample of Sources Used:

Broadus, J. (1990). The Star of Bethlehem. Retrieved September 19, 2007, from http://www.themoorings.org/apologetics/chronology/star.html
Brown, R. E., 1977, The Birth of the Messiah, Chapman.
Chester, Craig. (1993). the Star of Bethlehem in IMPRIMIS: the Monthly Journal of Hillsdale College, vol. 22, no. 12, December 1993. Ivor Bulmer-Thomas 1992, in Quarterly Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society, vol. 33, p. 363.
Gardner, Martin (November/March 1999). Notes of a Fringe-Watcher. Retrieved September 23, 2007, from http://www.csicop.org/si/9911/ gardner.html
London Humphreys, C. J., 1991, Q. JlR astr. Soci., 32, 389-407, and Tyndale Bulletin, 1992,43.1, 31-56.