The Star of Bethlehem (documentary)

This article is about the documentary The Star of Bethlehem: Unlock the mystery of the world's most favorite star by Frederick A. "Rick" Larson about his use of astronomy software to find the Star of Bethlehem. For other uses, see Star of Bethlehem (disambiguation).

The Star of Bethlehem is a documentary by Frederick A. "Rick" Larson to show what he found when he searched for clues about the Star of Bethlehem. Larson used the Starry Night astronomy software program along with an article written by astronomer Craig Chester;[1][2][3] based in part on the work of Ernest Martin.[4] Larson also used details from the Christian Bible to find data points about the Star of Bethlehem which, according to the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, stopped over Bethlehem, bringing the Magi to Jesus.[5]

Larson's interest in the Star of Bethlehem began when he needed to make a Christmas Star to accompany his Magi lawn ornaments he had made to be Christmas decorations, but did not know what the Star of Bethlehem was[6] and needed to learn more.[7]

As a lawyer,[8] Larson examined the text of Matthew, finding nine pieces of evidence in the nativity passage.[9] The Star’s nine data points are that it signified birth, it signified kingship, it was related to the Jewish nation, and it "rose in the East";[10] it was not known to King Herod;[11] it appeared at an specific time;[12] it endured over time;[13] and, according to the Bible,[14] it was before the Magi as they traveled south to Bethlehem from Jerusalem, and then stopped over the city of Bethlehem.[15]

Larson believes King Herod the Great died in 1 BC, although others, including astronomer David Hughes, and astronomer Mike Molnar, believe Herod died in 4 BC.[16]

Using astronomy software to return to the skies over Judea[17] by using Johannes Kepler's math to calculate positions of celestial objects, Larson thinks he found all nine elements found in Matthew.[9] He also believes that the Star of Bethlehem, a wandering star,[18] stopped over Bethlehem during its retrograde motion on December 25, 2 BC.

Once Larson found what he thinks is the time of Jesus Christ's birth, he looked for signs appearing in the heavens at possible times that fit the Passover, and believes the date of the Christ's (Messiah's) crucifixion was April 3, 33 AD[19] (on the Gregorian calendar.[20] He also thinks he found astronomical phenomena related to a vision in the book of Revelation.[21]

Frederick Larson wrote the screenplay to The Star of Bethlehem: Unlock the mystery of the world's most favorite star and was co-executive producer along with Stephen McEveety.[22] McEveety co-produced The Passion of the Christ, which won 22 awards including the People's Choice Award, the ASCAP Top Box Office Films Award, and an Academy Award for best cinematography.[23] McEveety also co-produced Braveheart, which won 30 awards, including five Academy Awards,[24] and whose films also include The Man Without a Face, Immortal Beloved, We Were Soldiers, and Payback.[25] Stephen Vidano directed this film and Julie Davison Larson composed its music.[26]

Larson released this documentary in 2007 (63 minutes) and in 2009 (65 minutes). It received five Doves from the Dove Foundation, which considered the movie acceptable for all ages.[27] Christian Cinema reviewer Angela Walker wrote, "The Star of Bethlehem doesn't have an MPAA rating, but the nature of the subject would probably earn it a PG for thematic elements (that being the birth of Jesus Christ)."[28]

References

  1. ↑ Chester, Craig. "The Star of Bethlehem". Imprimis. December 1993, 22(12). Originally presented at Hillsdale College during fall 1992. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  2. ↑ Chester, Craig. "The Star of Bethlehem". Imprimis. Reprinted December 1996 with editorial changes. 25(12). PDF; scroll to December 1996 and click. Originally printed 1993. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  3. ↑ Scripps Howard News Service. "Astronomer Analyzes The Star Of Bethlehem". The Chicago Tribune. December 24, 1993. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  4. ↑ Martin, Ernest. 1991 The Star that Astonished the World. ASK Publications. Can be read for free online, for personal study only. Other uses prohibited. Retrieved on December 23, 2015. ISBN 9780945657880
  5. ↑ Matthew chapter 2 on Bible Gateway, Amplified Version with footnotes. Retrieved on December 22, 2015.
  6. ↑ Lawton, Kim. "Christmas star debate gets its due on epiphany". USA Today.com. January 5, 2008. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  7. ↑ Christian Cinema. "The Star of Bethlehem: A Magnificent Obsession". Frederick Larson’s interview with Christian Cinema. November 24, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2015
  8. ↑ Rick Larson’s Biography on Christian Book Previews. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  9. 1 2 Herzog, Travis. "Did the Star of Bethlehem exist?" abc13 Eyewitness News. December 20, 2007. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  10. ↑ Matthew chapter 2, verse 2. Bible Hub with commentaries. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  11. ↑ Matthew chapter 2, verse 3. Bible Hub with commentaries. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  12. ↑ Matthew chapter 2, verse 7. Bible Hub with commentaries. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  13. ↑ Matthew chapter 2, verses 2-10. Bible Hub with whole chapter and commentaries. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  14. ↑ Gospel of Matthew chapter 2 verse 9. Bible Hub with commentaries. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  15. ↑ Ireland, Michael. "Evidence emerges for Star of Bethlehem’s reality". Assist News Service. Christian Headlines. October 18, 2007. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  16. ↑ Ellis, Rebecca. "Star of Wonder". BBC News. Site page last updated on December 23, 2008, on retrieval date. Retrieved on December 23, 2015.
  17. ↑ Messecar, Cathy. "The Star Project recreates biblical astronomy". Your Houston News. December 17, 2004. Retrieved on December 22, 2015.
  18. ↑ Larson, Frederick. “A coronation” Description of Jupiter as king planet. Retrieved December 22, 2015
  19. ↑ Foust, Michael. "Bethlehem Star: both natural & miraculous?". Baptist Press. December 14, 2007. Retrieved on December 19, 2015.
  20. ↑ Gregorian calendar on Time and Date. Retrieved on December 23, 2015
  21. ↑ Morefield, Kenneth R. Review, The Star of Bethlehem (2007). Christianity Today. Retrieved on January 6, 2016.
  22. ↑ Southern, Nathan. Review summary and credits for The Star of Bethlehem (2007). The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  23. ↑ The Passion of the Christ awards and nominations on Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on December 23, 2015.
  24. ↑ Braveheart awards and nominations on Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on December 23, 2015.
  25. ↑ Filmography of Stephen McEveety on Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on December 23, 2015.
  26. ↑ Internet Movie Database cast and crew list. IMDb. Retrieved on January 6, 2016.
  27. ↑ Carpenter, Edwin. "The Star of Bethlehem". Dove Foundation. This review has no date on it. Retrieved on December 23, 2015.
  28. ↑ Walker, Angela. "The Star of Bethlehem compels and astonishes". Christian Cinema. This review has no date on it. Retrieved on December 23, 2015.
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