Mystery of the Magi

Mystery of the Magi

Author: Dwight Longenecker

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2017-11-06

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 1621576566

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"The perfect Christmas gift for anyone interested in the historical background behind the birth of Jesus of Nazareth." — Robert J. Hutchinson, author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Bible, The Dawn of Christianity, and Searching for Jesus. "Utterly refreshing and encouraging." — Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Martin Luther "The best book I know about the Magi." — Sir Colin John Humphreys, Ph.D., author of The Mystery of the Last Supper Modern biblical scholars tend to dismiss the Christmas story of the “wise men from the East” as pious legend. Matthew’s gospel offers few details, but imaginative Christians filled out the story early on, giving us the three kings guided by a magical star who join the adoring shepherds in every Christmas crèche. For many scholars, then, there is no reason to take the gospel story seriously. But are they right? Are the wise men no more than a poetic fancy? In an astonishing feat of detective work, Dwight Longenecker makes a powerful case that the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem really happened. Piecing together the evidence from biblical studies, history, archeology, and astronomy, he goes further, uncovering where they came from, why they came, and what might have happened to them after eluding the murderous King Herod. In the process, he provides a new and fascinating view of the time and place in which Jesus Christ chose to enter the world. The evidence is clear and compelling. The mysterious Magi from the East were in all likelihood astrologers and counselors from the court of the Nabatean king at Petra, where the Hebrew messianic prophecies were well known. The “star” that inspired their journey was a particular planetary alignment—confirmed by computer models—that in the astrological lore of the time portended the birth of a Jewish king. The visitors whose arrival troubled Herod “and all Jerusalem with him” may not have been the turbaned oriental kings of the Christmas carol, but they were real, and by demonstrating that the wise men were no fairy tale, Mystery of the Magi demands a new level of respect for the historical claims of the gospel.


Book Synopsis Mystery of the Magi by : Dwight Longenecker

Download or read book Mystery of the Magi written by Dwight Longenecker and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2017-11-06 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The perfect Christmas gift for anyone interested in the historical background behind the birth of Jesus of Nazareth." — Robert J. Hutchinson, author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Bible, The Dawn of Christianity, and Searching for Jesus. "Utterly refreshing and encouraging." — Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy and Martin Luther "The best book I know about the Magi." — Sir Colin John Humphreys, Ph.D., author of The Mystery of the Last Supper Modern biblical scholars tend to dismiss the Christmas story of the “wise men from the East” as pious legend. Matthew’s gospel offers few details, but imaginative Christians filled out the story early on, giving us the three kings guided by a magical star who join the adoring shepherds in every Christmas crèche. For many scholars, then, there is no reason to take the gospel story seriously. But are they right? Are the wise men no more than a poetic fancy? In an astonishing feat of detective work, Dwight Longenecker makes a powerful case that the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem really happened. Piecing together the evidence from biblical studies, history, archeology, and astronomy, he goes further, uncovering where they came from, why they came, and what might have happened to them after eluding the murderous King Herod. In the process, he provides a new and fascinating view of the time and place in which Jesus Christ chose to enter the world. The evidence is clear and compelling. The mysterious Magi from the East were in all likelihood astrologers and counselors from the court of the Nabatean king at Petra, where the Hebrew messianic prophecies were well known. The “star” that inspired their journey was a particular planetary alignment—confirmed by computer models—that in the astrological lore of the time portended the birth of a Jewish king. The visitors whose arrival troubled Herod “and all Jerusalem with him” may not have been the turbaned oriental kings of the Christmas carol, but they were real, and by demonstrating that the wise men were no fairy tale, Mystery of the Magi demands a new level of respect for the historical claims of the gospel.

Revelation of the Magi

Revelation of the Magi

Author: Brent Landau

Publisher: Zondervan

Published: 2010-11-02

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 0061947032

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Each Christmas, adults and children alike delight at the story of the kings from the East who followed the star to Bethlehem to offer gifts to the newborn Christ. While this familiar tale is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, another little-known version later emerged that claimed to be the eyewitness account of the wise men. This ancient manuscript has lain hidden for centuries in the vaults of the Vatican Library, but through the determined persistence of a young scholar, Brent Landau, this astonishing discovery has been translated into English for the very first time as the Revelation of the Magi. Everything we know about the wise men is based on only a few verses from the Bible. With the Revelation of the Magi, we can now read the story from the Magi's perspective. Readers will learn of the Magi's prophecies of God's incarnation from the beginning of time, their startling visitation in the form of a star, the teachings they receive from the baby Jesus, and the wise men's joyous return to their homeland to spread the good news. This ancient version of the Christmas story is guaranteed to astonish and delight. It will also raise larger questions of the significance and meaning of Christ's birth, and the mission to spread the good news to every corner of the globe. All the drama and intrigue of the brief description of Jesus's birth in the Bible is filled out in greater, more colorful detail, offering for the first time the complete story of these beloved characters.


Book Synopsis Revelation of the Magi by : Brent Landau

Download or read book Revelation of the Magi written by Brent Landau and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2010-11-02 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Each Christmas, adults and children alike delight at the story of the kings from the East who followed the star to Bethlehem to offer gifts to the newborn Christ. While this familiar tale is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, another little-known version later emerged that claimed to be the eyewitness account of the wise men. This ancient manuscript has lain hidden for centuries in the vaults of the Vatican Library, but through the determined persistence of a young scholar, Brent Landau, this astonishing discovery has been translated into English for the very first time as the Revelation of the Magi. Everything we know about the wise men is based on only a few verses from the Bible. With the Revelation of the Magi, we can now read the story from the Magi's perspective. Readers will learn of the Magi's prophecies of God's incarnation from the beginning of time, their startling visitation in the form of a star, the teachings they receive from the baby Jesus, and the wise men's joyous return to their homeland to spread the good news. This ancient version of the Christmas story is guaranteed to astonish and delight. It will also raise larger questions of the significance and meaning of Christ's birth, and the mission to spread the good news to every corner of the globe. All the drama and intrigue of the brief description of Jesus's birth in the Bible is filled out in greater, more colorful detail, offering for the first time the complete story of these beloved characters.

The Gift of the Magi

The Gift of the Magi

Author: O. Henry

Publisher: Amila Jay

Published: 2021-12-22

Total Pages: 11

ISBN-13: 3986779213

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"The Gift of the Magi" is a short story by O. Henry first published in 1905. The story tells of a young husband and wife and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving, it has been popular for adaptation, especially for presentation at Christmas time.


Book Synopsis The Gift of the Magi by : O. Henry

Download or read book The Gift of the Magi written by O. Henry and published by Amila Jay. This book was released on 2021-12-22 with total page 11 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The Gift of the Magi" is a short story by O. Henry first published in 1905. The story tells of a young husband and wife and how they deal with the challenge of buying secret Christmas gifts for each other with very little money. As a sentimental story with a moral lesson about gift-giving, it has been popular for adaptation, especially for presentation at Christmas time.

A Book of the Magi

A Book of the Magi

Author: Alexander Cummins

Publisher:

Published: 2018-03-03

Total Pages: 120

ISBN-13: 9781947544062

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This book traces the cult of the Magi through their lore: their history, art, legends, rituals, and devotions. It examines their political and social influences as well as their cultural and religious impact, showing them to be cast both as legitimisers of established power structures, and as figures who foment profoundly radical dissent. Cummins presents and weighs historical prayers to the Three Holy Kings for their mythic structures and ritual possibilities. In particular this book discusses historiolae found in these prayers - appeals to mythic actions or origins, often by imitation, fit for both devotional meditation and operative sorcery. Finally, this text collects, analyses and explores the spellcraft of the Three Wise-Men: examining the various magical operations calling on Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar found in grimoiric handbooks of magic and folk custom alike. These include workings for travelling, for conjuring spirits, for detection, for protection, for healing, and even for dominating authorities. Overall, A Book of the Magi makes a case for the veneration of the Magi as a loci and catalyst for furthering a folk necromantic practice of working with ancestral magicians. It does this by examining the history, devotion, and magic associated with the Three Kings, as well as demonstrating how components from old manuscripts can be explored and incorporated into a personal practice through awareness of context and careful ritual design. A Book of the Magi is the third volume in the Folk Necromancy in Transmission series, conceived by Alexander Cummins and Jesse Hathaway Diaz, available through Revelore Press.


Book Synopsis A Book of the Magi by : Alexander Cummins

Download or read book A Book of the Magi written by Alexander Cummins and published by . This book was released on 2018-03-03 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book traces the cult of the Magi through their lore: their history, art, legends, rituals, and devotions. It examines their political and social influences as well as their cultural and religious impact, showing them to be cast both as legitimisers of established power structures, and as figures who foment profoundly radical dissent. Cummins presents and weighs historical prayers to the Three Holy Kings for their mythic structures and ritual possibilities. In particular this book discusses historiolae found in these prayers - appeals to mythic actions or origins, often by imitation, fit for both devotional meditation and operative sorcery. Finally, this text collects, analyses and explores the spellcraft of the Three Wise-Men: examining the various magical operations calling on Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar found in grimoiric handbooks of magic and folk custom alike. These include workings for travelling, for conjuring spirits, for detection, for protection, for healing, and even for dominating authorities. Overall, A Book of the Magi makes a case for the veneration of the Magi as a loci and catalyst for furthering a folk necromantic practice of working with ancestral magicians. It does this by examining the history, devotion, and magic associated with the Three Kings, as well as demonstrating how components from old manuscripts can be explored and incorporated into a personal practice through awareness of context and careful ritual design. A Book of the Magi is the third volume in the Folk Necromancy in Transmission series, conceived by Alexander Cummins and Jesse Hathaway Diaz, available through Revelore Press.

Three Kings

Three Kings

Author: Géraldine Elschner

Publisher: Astra Publishing House

Published: 2016-09-01

Total Pages: 16

ISBN-13: 988834126X

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This beautiful classic Christmas story about the night of Jesus's birth makes a perfect holiday gift for boys and girls 3 - 7 years old. The visit of the Three Kings to the stable at Bethlehem is one of the most memorable of the Christmas stories. Filled with anticipation, and following an unknown star, the Magi begin the long quest to find the new-born king and to offer him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The thoughtful, gentle text will engage readers of all ages.


Book Synopsis Three Kings by : Géraldine Elschner

Download or read book Three Kings written by Géraldine Elschner and published by Astra Publishing House. This book was released on 2016-09-01 with total page 16 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This beautiful classic Christmas story about the night of Jesus's birth makes a perfect holiday gift for boys and girls 3 - 7 years old. The visit of the Three Kings to the stable at Bethlehem is one of the most memorable of the Christmas stories. Filled with anticipation, and following an unknown star, the Magi begin the long quest to find the new-born king and to offer him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The thoughtful, gentle text will engage readers of all ages.

The Gospel According to Matthew

The Gospel According to Matthew

Author:

Publisher: Canongate U.S.

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 100

ISBN-13: 9780802136169

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The publication of the King James version of the Bible, translated between 1603 and 1611, coincided with an extraordinary flowering of English literature and is universally acknowledged as the greatest influence on English-language literature in history. Now, world-class literary writers introduce the book of the King James Bible in a series of beautifully designed, small-format volumes. The introducers' passionate, provocative, and personal engagements with the spirituality and the language of the text make the Bible come alive as a stunning work of literature and remind us of its overwhelming contemporary relevance.


Book Synopsis The Gospel According to Matthew by :

Download or read book The Gospel According to Matthew written by and published by Canongate U.S.. This book was released on 1999 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The publication of the King James version of the Bible, translated between 1603 and 1611, coincided with an extraordinary flowering of English literature and is universally acknowledged as the greatest influence on English-language literature in history. Now, world-class literary writers introduce the book of the King James Bible in a series of beautifully designed, small-format volumes. The introducers' passionate, provocative, and personal engagements with the spirituality and the language of the text make the Bible come alive as a stunning work of literature and remind us of its overwhelming contemporary relevance.

The Teachings of the Magi

The Teachings of the Magi

Author: Robert Charles Zaehner

Publisher: London, G. Allen & Unwin

Published: 1956

Total Pages: 168

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis The Teachings of the Magi by : Robert Charles Zaehner

Download or read book The Teachings of the Magi written by Robert Charles Zaehner and published by London, G. Allen & Unwin. This book was released on 1956 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Voices of the Magi

Voices of the Magi

Author: Suzel Reily

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Published: 2002-05

Total Pages: 297

ISBN-13: 0226709418

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Voices of the Magi explores the popular Catholic musical ensembles of southeastern Brazil known as folias de reis (companies of kings). Composed predominantly of low-income workers, the folias reenact the journey of the Wise Men to Bethlehem and back to the Orient, as they roam from house to house, singing to bless the families they visit in exchange for food and money. These gifts, in turn, are used to prepare a festival on Kings' Day, January 6, to which all who contributed are invited. Focusing on urban folias, Suzel Ana Reily shows how participants use the ritual journeys and musical performances of the folias to create sacred spheres distinct from, yet intimately related to, their everyday world. Reily calls this practice "enchantment" and argues that it allows the folia communities to temporarily make the social ideals of mutual reciprocity and equality embodied in their religious beliefs a reality. The contrast between their ritual experiences and the daily lives of these impoverished workers, in turn, reinforces the religious convictions of these devotees of the music of the Magi.


Book Synopsis Voices of the Magi by : Suzel Reily

Download or read book Voices of the Magi written by Suzel Reily and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2002-05 with total page 297 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Voices of the Magi explores the popular Catholic musical ensembles of southeastern Brazil known as folias de reis (companies of kings). Composed predominantly of low-income workers, the folias reenact the journey of the Wise Men to Bethlehem and back to the Orient, as they roam from house to house, singing to bless the families they visit in exchange for food and money. These gifts, in turn, are used to prepare a festival on Kings' Day, January 6, to which all who contributed are invited. Focusing on urban folias, Suzel Ana Reily shows how participants use the ritual journeys and musical performances of the folias to create sacred spheres distinct from, yet intimately related to, their everyday world. Reily calls this practice "enchantment" and argues that it allows the folia communities to temporarily make the social ideals of mutual reciprocity and equality embodied in their religious beliefs a reality. The contrast between their ritual experiences and the daily lives of these impoverished workers, in turn, reinforces the religious convictions of these devotees of the music of the Magi.

The Journey of the Magi

The Journey of the Magi

Author: Richard C. Trexler

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 9780691011264

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Although "Matthew's Gospel reveals little about the three wealthy visitors said to have presented gifts to the infant Jesus," the author presents the influence of the Magi in Christian society, in the machinations of monarchs and heads of republics, in relations with native Americans, and in the play of present day street children.--Jacket.


Book Synopsis The Journey of the Magi by : Richard C. Trexler

Download or read book The Journey of the Magi written by Richard C. Trexler and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 1997 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although "Matthew's Gospel reveals little about the three wealthy visitors said to have presented gifts to the infant Jesus," the author presents the influence of the Magi in Christian society, in the machinations of monarchs and heads of republics, in relations with native Americans, and in the play of present day street children.--Jacket.

Holy Bible (NIV)

Holy Bible (NIV)

Author: Various Authors,

Publisher: Zondervan

Published: 2008-09-02

Total Pages: 6637

ISBN-13: 0310294142

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The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.


Book Synopsis Holy Bible (NIV) by : Various Authors,

Download or read book Holy Bible (NIV) written by Various Authors, and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2008-09-02 with total page 6637 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.