Professor Shows Accuracy of Bible's Christmas Story, Debunks Popular Myths

Professor Shows Accuracy of Bible's Christmas Story, Debunks Popular Myths
Tuesday December 5, 4:51 am ET

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- 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. [See www.rpts.edu]

"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.

RPTS is the fifth oldest seminary in the nation, and will celebrate its bicentennial in 2010.

RPTS Professor Shows Accuracy of Bible's Christmas Story

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 5 -- 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. ...