PITTSBURGH, Dec. 6 /Christian Newswire/ — We only have a vague idea of when Jesus Christ was born. Matthew made up the star’s appearance. The dating of Christmas is an accommodation to a pagan feast. Hebrew prophesy doesn’t say that a “virgin” would give birth.
“Bunk!” That’s how Dr. Jack Kinneer describes the above statements as popular myths assuming the implausibility of Biblical narrative about the birth of Jesus. Kinneer is a New Testament professor at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) in Pittsburgh.
“What is implausible is that someone could make up this story, but what is entirely plausible is that someone chronicling these historical events would include such confirmable facts,” Kinneer said.
His December Greek classes correct assaults on the Christmas story by holiday documentaries, instructing on what the languages and literary structure of Scripture communicate and how ancient records and modern astronomy support them.
Dr. Kinneer Replies to Popular Christmas Myths:
Myth: We can only vaguely date when Jesus was born.
Reply: “Scripture, ancient history, and modern astronomy enable us to pinpoint Jesus’ birth within the winter months of 5-4 B.C.”
Myth: Matthew made up the appearance of a star.
Reply: “Modern astronomy calculations confirm extraordinary celestial phenomena during this exact time period.”
Myth: It is implausible that the Magi would have traveled from Persia to see the star.
Reply: “It is implausible that they would not journey to see it, as they were not kings, but astrologers. It was their job to study and interpret luminaries in light of ancient prophecies.”
Myth: Jesus’ birth was at the star’s appearance, several years before the Magi’s arrival.
Reply: “Herod’s decree to kill Hebrew sons two years old and under after the Magi’s visit presumes the birth of Jesus may have just occurred. Matthew’s Greek grammar describes the birth of Jesus as the timely setting of the Magi’s arrival.”
Myth: Jesus was two to three years old when the Magi arrived.
Reply: “He was no more than a few months old.”
Myth: The dating of Christmas on December 25 accommodates a pagan feast.
Reply: “It is a calculated estimation from when the angel appeared to Zechariah during his datable priestly duties.”
Myth: The Hebrew “virgin” birth citation is embellished.
Reply: “The Isaiah 7:14 quote was interpreted as “virgin” by Jews centuries before New Testament times.”
Myth: Joseph and Mary’s flight to Egypt was a long overland journey and stay of a number of years.
Reply: It was probably a brief boat trip and a stay of only a few weeks to a month, which fits the setting of historical political events.”
“Popular culture suggests doubts about Scripture, but good scholarship demonstrates that the Bible’s Christmas story particulars are precise and other known facts easily fit if you’ve done your homework,” said Kinneer.
Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary is the fifth oldest seminary in the nation, and will celebrate its bicentennial in 2010.
More Non Profits Offer Online Gifts that are Both Meaningful and Great Last Minute Shopping Ideas
December 6, 2006
MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 5 /Christian Newswire/ — As more and more shoppers are looking to give memorable gifts that truly make a difference, the humanitarian organization, Mercy Corps has taken this new gift-giving approach to heart with Mercy Kits, which support its lifesaving programs through it’s website at www.mercycorps.org/mercykits.
As holiday shopping time comes to a close, Mercy Corps has created the online charitable gift called Mercy Kits as a perfect last-minute gift.
Each Mercy Kit recipient receives an attractive personalized card from the friend or family member who purchased the kit. This colorful card offers insightful information about the program to which the donation was made. The Mercy Kit card can be printed off your home computer or emailed making it the ideal last minute gift idea.
Charitable gifts give people the opportunity to share a commitment or cause – such as the environment, hunger issues or children’s rights – with their friends and families while making a donation to humanitarian programs around the world.
“Instead of buying someone another pair of gloves or a picture frame, Mercy Kits are a way to send nutritious food to children in Africa – or help an impoverished family start a garden Guatemala. These gifts do something important, long after the holiday season has passed” says Mercy Corps’ Chief Development Officer, Matthew De Galan.
Mercy Corps and has made it easier for busy folks to complete their shopping lists by offering their gift catalog of more than 20 Mercy Kits online at www.mercycorps.org. Mercy Kits are also fully tax-deductible, making them a great year-end gift.
Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries to bring help and hope to over 10 million people. From immediate, lifesaving responses to disasters around the world to long-term work in troubled places like Afghanistan and Sudan’s Darfur region, the organization is committed to the well-being of the world’s poorest families.
This year Mercy Kits include:
• The Kid’s Food Kit helps provide nutritious food to vulnerable children ($20).
• A Family Garden Kit helps families set up and maintain gardens in impoverished villages around the world ($35).
• The Peace Kit supports work in troubled places like Afghanistan and Sudan to help create safer communities ($50).
Other Mercy Kits support innovative, sustainable programs for agriculture, health and education.
