[Sharon Beekmann Ministries] 5/28/2010 09:15:00 AM

[Sharon Beekmann Ministries]

The Chaldeans in southern Mesopotamia introduced astrology to the known world in the ANE, and Chaldean eventually became a synonym for astrologer (cf. Dan. 5:11). ANE astrologers believed that the earth was the center of the universe around which all heavenly bodies revolved on a single plane or ecliptic. The Chaldeans studied and charted the positions and patterns of movement of the stars, planets, moon, and sun, which they believed were gods and lesser deities that influenced human existence for good and evil. They divided the heavens into twelve sections called the Zodiac and identified each section or sign with a Babylonian deity and animal. The Romans and Greeks later renamed the signs to reflect their pantheons, for example, Venus (Aphrodite in Greek), Mars (Ares), and Mercury (Hermes). Modern astrologers use the Latin names for the signs of the Zodiac, such as Aries the ram, Taurus the bull, Scorpio the scorpion, and so forth.
Babylonian, Greek, Egyptian, and Roman astrologers charted the relationships of the heavenly bodies as they passed through signs of the Zodiac to determine their collective or synergistic influences on earth and human affairs. They used mathematical calculations to project future placements and relationships. Based on their calculations, astrologers believed, as they do today, that it was possible to predict the collective or synergistic effect of these heavenly bodies on personal and global affairs. Though ancient and modern astrologers called their practice a science, it is not a science in the modern sense, and the Bible condemns the practice as divination and star worship. The Israelites’ familiarity with and even participation in astrology was common enough for prophets to speak against it. The prophet Isaiah mocked Babylonian astrologers (Isa. 47:13), God forbade the worship of the stars or the starry hosts (Deut. 4:19; Zeph. 1:5), and Jeremiah commanded the Hebrews not to be terrified by patterns in the sky (Jer. 10:2). In the NT the wise men from the East who visited the infant Jesus might have been astrologers from the Persian Zoroastrian priestly caste (Matt. 2:1). King Herod, like other ANE Kings, honored the learned, wise Magi who studied the stars and divined the future. Because the wise men counseled the ruling authorities of their nation, their gods were deemed beneficent and of a higher nature than say itinerant diviners. God used their knowledge of the stars to lead the wise men to the Savior of the world. Scripture teaches that God does not inspire a practice he condemns, and Satan and his demons are the only alternative source of spiritual inspiration.

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Posted By Sharon Beekmann Ministries to Sharon Beekmann Ministries at 5/28/2010 09:15:00 AM

[A DE VRIES]

Great posting!  Can see you are really writing again.  Good!  m
 

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Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 08:17:55 -0700
From: Sha...@sharonbeekmann.org
To: sharon-beekma...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [Sharon Beekmann Ministries] 5/28/2010 09:15:00 AM

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[Sharon Beekmann]

Thanks, this is one of the “entries” for the Handbook.  Have a great day!  S