Miracles
(Astrology 105)
I have been thinking about writing a book called Christian Astrology, for some time. It is on my list of ToDos - but now down in mid-range. The idea is a bit daunting. Just reading the Bible - Old Testament - is like torture. Last winter, I got up to Job and had to take a break. Thence, I moved on to other projects. Nonetheless, the Holy Bible is filled with references to the planets and stars. According to some, Melchizedek (King of the Zodiac) was an early avatar of the Christ. Even regular Christians believe that the Three Wise Men who followed the Star of Bethlehem were astrologers from the East. Still, the word “astrology” scares lots of people inside and outside the established Christian church. Even though the whole heavens - like the human form - decree the works of the Creator. “The HEAVENS declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day after day utters his speech and night after night shows his knowledge. There is no tongue or language where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the Earth and their words to the ends of the world. In them (the heavens) he has set a tabernacle for the sun.” (Psalm 19:1-4) Years ago, I acted as minister for some small town churches in South Dakota and Montana. At the time, I took the Bible very seriously, studying and reading regularly. I mostly focused on the symbols, parables and stories. I found that the people in the pews remembered stories - even my own, but forgot the rest of Sunday messages quickly. One particular story from the Gospel of Mark stuck with me - long before I got involved Reading the Stars. Staring at it, I wondered many times, “How come no one has ever made any mention of it?” Many Biblical passages pass over churchgoers, ministers as well as parishioners. The one that follows seems quite obvious to me. It has many implications, but particular ones for the study of astrology. At this point, I won’t try to tell you what it means to me. You should have some hints based on previous lessons on numbers and astrology, especially the last one. So, I will be Socratic and ask you to read and ponder this short quite visual story. Can you see any way in which it might relate to astrology? ++ Now they (the disciples) had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he (Jesus) cautioned them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “We have no bread.” And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? “When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “TWELVE.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “SEVEN.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” (Mark 8:14-21) ++ The following from George Nemec, Dallas, TX. I'm with you on the old testament. Hard to read and out of date theology. The general consensus of modern scholars is the old testament was included in the bible to allow the Jews to move to Christianity without feeling that they were giving up their traditions. The message of Christianity was too much of a change to attract many Jews, so Paul said include the Gentiles. What is the basic theology of God in the old testament? God is righteousness, justice, power, and might. Break one of the rule and you are condemned to hell for all eternity. He will smite you and your enemies. How many commandments in the old testament -- 10 formal (and he didn't just give them to Moses). Lots of other rules. When I think of the old testament,“Thou shalt NOT” comes to mind - proscriptive rules. What is the basic theology of God in the NEW testament? My understanding is that God is a loving God. How many commandments in the new testament? Just 2, love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Both positive - not “Thou shalt NOT”, but “thou shall”, a big change - the choice to live good life is now yours - not the will of God. Not only does God love you, you are worthy enough of God's love that God will die for you - powerful theology. I only found one place in the new testament where the word of Jesus says that God will send you to hell - in Matthew (at least in the red letter version that I have). The second part is that everyone is created equal in the sight of God (the first instance of secular humanism - eating and hanging out with so called “sinners”). Social democracy - you have to respect more people than just your birth tribe. I think it is in John that Jesus says, “I am the new testament”. To me, this means the old testament and it's theology have been replaced by the new testament and it's theology. Besides that, thinking that you as a human being can do some thing at a level that will make God mad is just the highest ego trip you can get yourself on. A lot of this is from John Shelby Spong's, Jesus for the Nonreligious and also Why Christianity Must Change or Die. Regards, George PS (People commonly try) to read a book (Bible) of spiritual stories as a geology textbook or a newspaper account. These teachings (also) contain some BS. I think all great teaching has some BS, but acceptance without questioning is spiritual laziness. |