This movie is an amazing documentary of one man’s research on the star of Bethlehem. (You know, the star the magi followed to find the baby Jesus, as recorded in the Bible.) The researcher in the film tells amazing atronomical events that ocurred in conjunction with Jesus’ conception and birth, and just why the star of Bethlehem was as bright as it was and why it stopped over Bethlehem, etc. He proves that it happened through science.
It’s truly inspiring, and after watching it, I was excited and in awe of my God. But I had to step back and think about it. I’m no longer as confident. The man presents well-researched information, but how do I, a simple American teenager, know that he’s quoting actual, accurate researchers? He can say, “according to the historian so-and-so” and sound all smart, but he may have just made that person up! I wouldn’t be able to know.
So, I’m asking you guys, my audience. How many of you have seen this and what do you think about it?
I’ll tell you the two things that concern me the most about this.
1) Why isn’t this more well-known? If this is true, it proves the Bible’s validity, at least in conjunction with the birth of Christ. So shouldn’t this be a hot-topic? One that’s fought over? Embraced by Christians and attacked by the world?
2) The DVD is for sale. It bothers me that this miraculous event is something this guy is making money off of. That’s something a televangelist would do! I mean, if God revealed this amazing news to him, why isn’t he spreading the word to others free of charge? Now, it’s not necessarily “wrong” for him to sell his DVD, but I would trust this more if it was free. Other Christians have spread their stuff free of charge. I blogged here once before about the man who created e-sword, a website to downloads bibles and commentaries, completely safe and free, believing he was called to. I trust him, because he doesn’t get anything out of it. “freely you have received, freely give.”
I don’t mind admitting that money scares me. But maybe my fears are unfounded. Someone who knows about this DVD, please comment. What are your thoughts??
Filed under: Religion | Tagged: astronomy, documentary, doubts, making money off God, Rick Larson, Stephen McEveety, The Star of Bethlehem
thanks for sharing this with us.
I don’t know why he isn’t giving them away for free. I don’t know. I’d follow your gut on this one.
On the Star of Bethlehem website under resources, Rick Larson makes available the written script of the DVD for free. It is there for anyone to discover and read.
Unfortunately, to reach the masses it requires people, companies, and money. Thus he must charge.
Listen to your heart. Does this confirm in your heart the reality of Jesus?
Sometimes we are so judgemental and focus on other people and their motives. Even if his motives are wrong (I am not saying they are), God can still use it to draw people unto Himself.
So what is your heart saying?
[They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" - Acts24:32]
This program was aired on the EWTN Global Catholic Televison Network. I would call that world-wide free.
I recorded it and I also ordered the DVD. I also have a hard copy of the material on the website.
I too have been moved by this DVD to be more in awe of my God, and, like you, caught a glimpse of the tremendous implications its message has if its truth can be verified. More specifically because I do have a background that would also allow me to pursue this study in more depth to verify whether what this gentleman says is true, I began studying it somewhat in ernest in January and am still studying it. He relies heavily on the work of Dr. Ernest L. Martin (a well recognized Christian historian and teacher who’s work really provides the greater detail). I have read Dr. Martin’s work (which sites many ancient sources; all of which are valid and real sources not made up people or anything) and am now starting to read the ancient sources. Dr. Martin’s work specifically covers the background materials relevant to understanding the birth of Christ. He does not cover the crucifixion part of the DVD.
I will have to say that so far Dr. Martin’s work seems to be very solid. If I reach a point in my study where I think it’s not, I’ll try to let you know.
God Bless
Thank you all for your responses! I appreciate them and am learning from them, as well! If any more news of this is uncovered or you know of other sites studying this, I’d much appreciate getting word about it!
Blessings,
Emily
The fact that the astronomy related events might have been true has nothing to do with proving the existence of a “God” or proving that all the Bible is true. It is well known that the ancients had very good knowledge about the processes on the sky to which they payed much attention and upon which they built their myths. You probably saw the religion part from Zeitgeist…