IS ASTROLOGY CHRISTIAN?

 

In 1503, during his final voyage to the Americas, Christopher Columbus experienced a shipwreck in Jamaica. The Santa Maria de la Concepcion, ran aground on the northern coast of Jamaica on June 25, 1503. Columbus and his crew were stranded for several months while they awaited rescue.

During this time, relations with the indigenous Taíno population of Jamaica was strained as the crew relied on them for food and provisions. As the goodwill of the Taíno started to diminish due to the constant demands of the stranded crew, Columbus reportedly used his knowledge of an impending lunar eclipse to his advantage. He consulted astronomical tables and predicted a lunar eclipse that occurred on February 29, 1504.

 

Using this knowledge, Columbus warned the Taíno leaders that his Christian god was displeased with their lack of cooperation and would demonstrate his anger by making the moon disappear. When the eclipse occurred as predicted, the Taíno were reportedly astonished and fearful, leading them to agree to resume providing food and assistance to Columbus and his crew.

 

Since, and before that display of trickery by Columbus, some people have used eclipses to gain religious points. Solar eclipses have been used as messages from God or spiritual forces, inducing emotions ranging from dread to wonder. Some Christians even predicted that the recent eclipse in North America was an indication of Christ’s imminent return. But there is no logical basis for this theory.

 

Interestingly, solar eclipses are not as rare as they seem. They seem rare because they affect only the narrow strip of land that falls in the shadow of the moon. According to the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), there has been an average of 2 ½ eclipses per year over the past 1,000 years. Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes between the earth and the sun and blots out all or some of the sun’s light. When Christians attempt to interpret and associate Bible prophecy with planetary systems, it is tantamount to Astrology, not the scientific discipline called Astronomy. 

 

Astrology is a form of divination – a practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events, or to discover hidden knowledge. According to Hinduism and Buddhism, Astrology offers a system of understanding karma – the force generated by a person’s actions and the effects in ethical consequences. These consequences are determined by performing calculations, based on solar events, both at the moment of birth and throughout one’s life.

 

While Astrology itself is not a religion, the practice is used by some religions. These religions incorporate Astrology into their belief structures. Some religions see Astrology as a predictive science. From this perspective, they use Astrology to interpret prophecy. For instance, Astrology is deeply ingrained in Hindu religious texts, providing guidance on opportune timings for various ceremonies and life events. In Islam, some Sufi mystics have explored the symbolic meanings of the zodiac, interpreting it as a reflection of divine attributes and cosmic harmony.

In Eastern philosophies such as Taoism and Confucianism, the cosmic order and the movement of celestial bodies are integral to their understanding of life. Chinese astrology, deeply rooted in Taoist principles, uses the zodiac to guide individuals in matters of destiny, personality traits, and relationships. Similarly, in Japanese Shintoism, the alignment of celestial bodies is seen as a reflection of the divine energy present in the natural world.

In general, Christians have rejected astrology for numerous reasons, such as: it conflicts with the biblical prohibition against divination; has no basis in empirical observation; attributes to celestial forces some actions that should be attributed to providence; and seeks to find God’s hidden will in the movement of the stars.

In his article on Astrology (Christianity.com., 2022), Greg Grandchamp contends that the fascination with astrology, the Zodiac, and horoscopes, is a direct reflection of people's desire to find the direction for their future, as they seek wisdom beyond their own. In other words, astrology is one more source of divination — no better or different than a Ouija board, tarot cards, or a fortune-teller. The Lord never intended the stars to be a source for mankind to discover his will for our lives.

 

Astrology is an attempt by humans to find God’s divine will through means other than what God has appointed and — and attempts to attribute to the stars and planets power that belongs to God alone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHURCH BRINGS VALUE TO COMMUNITY

This past week I was explaining the meaning of “social capital” to some of my students. The term is used by sociologists in reference to “the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling the society to function effectively.”

Social capital refers to the resources, networks and relationships that exist within communities. Social capital contributes to trust, reciprocity, mutual support and collective action among individuals and groups within a society.

Religion, and more specifically the church, makes a significant contribution to social capital within communities. By fostering trust, reciprocity, and collective action, social capital contributes to the development of societies and enhances the overall quality of life for individuals and communities alike.

For instance, the phenomenon of education for the masses has its roots in Christianity. Christianity shattered the idea of education for the elite only. It gave rise to the concept of education for everyone. Furthermore, the idea of the university has its roots in Christianity as well. The greatest universities worldwide were started by Christians for Christian purposes.  It was because of the sweat and sacrifice of Christians that Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and other universities were created.

The idea of education for everyone grew directly out of the Christian Reformation. Agreed, there were sporadic attempts at educational reform before the sixteenth century, especially under the reign of Charlemagne. But after his death in AD 814, major attempts at education for everyone died. It wasn’t until the Bible became the focal point of Christianity again that education for the masses was reborn. The invention of the printing press in the fifteenth century was significant in this development.

The contribution of Christianity to social capital was also evident in civil liberties, medicine, the Arts, economics and sexuality. Influencing the disciplines was what Jesus had in mind when He called his followers salt and light. His followers were expected to make a difference wherever they were placed. His followers were expected to bring flavor, preservation and reduce darkness. Unfortunately, some professing Christians have contributed to decay and darkness at specific periods in history. However, those negatives represent the exception, and not the rule.

In his letter to young Timothy, Paul admonished him to pray for everyone, especially for those in national leadership. Why? “… that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior…” (1 Timothy 2:1-3). In another letter, Paul challenged the Romans to “live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:16-18).

The Bible expects Christian churches to make a difference in the communities in which they are located. In other words, what would your community miss should your church relocate? Some communities would miss the after-school programs, others the soup kitchens for the less fortunate, the creative arts classes and sports clinics.

I can only hope that your list would include activities that facilitate character change. Activities that result in spiritual conversion, emotional healing, forgiveness and reconciliation. Like Satan, our mission is not to steal, kill and destroy life, but rather to facilitate superabundant living that Jesus provides.

The Christian church is much more than real estate property in the community. It is social capital, bringing value and meaning to life. It undermines crime. It promotes the institution of marriage. It is salt, bringing flavor and avoiding corruption. It is God’s light in the kingdom of darkness. What a privilege to be a part of the institution, Jesus referred to as HIS CHURCH.

 

RESURRECTION: BEST OF THE OPTIONS

 

Far too often Christians have been led to believe that the resurrection of Jesus is an issue of faith, and not history. However, I believe there are a few historical questions that can best be answered by a belief in the resurrection of Jesus.

 

One such question concerns the empty tomb. First-century historians and New Testament writers confirm that the practice of entombment was a normal occurrence. As a result, it is not a problem to accept that Jesus was placed in a tomb, following His crucifixion. The New Testament contends that the tomb was empty three days later. This claim was made and documented within the lifetime of most of the persons who witnessed the crucifixion.

 

To date, we are not aware of any credible first century historian who has refuted the Christian claim of an empty tomb. Explanations for the empty tomb include theft by the disciples of Jesus and resuscitation. In light of the Roman reputation for conducting crucifixions, both theories are implausible. To be honest, the resurrection of Jesus is by far the most plausible explanation for an empty tomb.

 

We are also aware that bone boxes or ossuaries were used to store the bones of persons who were entombed. If Jesus were not resurrected, His bones would have been transferred to an ossuary within eighteen months to two years after entombment. Outside of such ossuaries, the names of the deceased were engraved. To date, many ossuaries from that period have been found, and most have been identified.

 

In order to refute the claim of the rapidly growing Christian church in the first century, how is it no one has ever been able to locate the bone box of Jesus? Archaeologists have found bone boxes for Pilate and even James, the brother of Jesus, but no credible claims have been made concerning Jesus’ ossuary. Is it likely that no bone box can be found because no bones were left behind?

 

In his book, The Jewish Messiahs, Professor Harris Lenowitz indicates that prior to and following the life of Jesus, Jewish leaders arose claiming to be the promised Messiah. Each professed Messiah attracted a following. However, with the death of each Messiah, the followers scattered, and the messianic movement died. In the New Testament, Gamaliel went further with a similar argument. He cited Theudas and Judas as having many followers. However, following their deaths, the movements died (Acts 5:36-37).

 

Christians contend that unlike other messianic enthusiasts, the Jesus movement did not die following the death of Jesus. There were sure signs of the movement collapsing during the proceedings before and immediately after the crucifixion. The hopelessness of the two men on the road to Emmaus was reflective of the mood of the Jesus movement.

 

What then could have accounted for the massive turnaround among the followers of Jesus? Within days they were transformed from wimps to witnesses and from cowards to people of courage. This turnaround took place in front of the same authorities before whom they were terrified. The only plausible answer could be a major event that transformed them. Christians contend, the resurrection of Jesus fits that description.

 

Furthermore, why did the Christians within a few months of the death of Jesus practice the following?

- corporate worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2);

- referencing the first day of the week as “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10);

- reinterpreting Jewish baptism to signify the death and resurrection of Jesus; and

- associating hope of life after death with the resurrection of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14 and 1 Corinthians 15:20).

 

The most plausible answer to the above is the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week. Even normal greetings among Christians in the first century reflected their belief in the resurrection of Jesus. Christians greeted each other with the words, “He is risen” – the response? “He is risen indeed.” Why would such a greeting be necessary if they did not believe that Jesus was resurrected?

 

In the television series, The Bible, it was clearly shown where ten of the twelve disciples of Jesus died as witnesses. They were prepared to die rather than deny what they saw and knew to be true. Interestingly, no one dies for what he knows to be a lie. People will die for what they believe to be true – but never for what they know to be a lie. (An excellent resource – The Fate of the Apostles – Examining the Martyrdom Accounts of the Closest Followers of Jesus, by Sean McDowell)

 

Furthermore, how do historians account for the rapid growth of Christianity so soon after the death of Jesus? It was not only the courage of the disciples but also the outcome of their testimonies before persons who witnessed the death of Jesus. Were it not for the resurrection, the tragic death of Jesus would not be enough of an incentive for new believers. Agreed, the resurrection of Jesus was miraculous, but accounting for the empty tomb is historically defensible.