Who were the Magi?

Every December, schools and churches throughout Christendom attract adoring parents, grandparents and assorted relatives to the dramatic highlight of the year: The Nativity play.
Amongst the cast of characters, played with effortless charm by cute, bright-eyed 5-11 year olds, are the Magi - also  known as the Three Wise Men or Three Kings from the Orient - drawn by the famous Star to Bethlehem and the infant Jesus.
For many, this is a delightful story but, as many  propaganda specialists will appreciate, one subject to religious spin. This is my attempt to cut through traditional perceptions and find the truth from the  original account in Matthew Chapter 2.
So, who were the Magi?
The Greek ma'goi (plural of ma'gos) likely refers to sorcerers or conjurers; experts in occult practices such as astrology and other forms of divination condemned in the Bible. According to the 5th century Greek historian Herodotus, they belonged to a priestly class and were probably Zoroastrian, following the predominant religion of the time. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states: "A ma'gos in the Hellenistic world had supernatural knowledge and ability and was sometimes a practitioner of magic." Early Christian commentators Justin Martyr, Origen and Tertullian also agree that the Magi were astrologers.
Their names are unknown and the Matthew account doesn't specify how many  of these astrologers visited  Jesus.  In fact, little is known about them, other than they discerned a star 'rising' in the East from whence they came. As only  the astrologers could 'see' it, this was obviously not a real star or conjunction of planets.+ Nor did it lead the astrologers to Bethlehem. Instead, the travellers were guided to Jerusalem where they asked, "Where is the one born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when we were in the East, and we have come to do obeisance to him." On hearing the news, King Herod became agitated and gathered all the chief priests and scribes in secrecy to discover where the Christ (anointed one) was to be born, which is clearly stated in the prophecy at Micah 5:2: "But you (Bethlehem) Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, from you will come for me a future ruler of Israel whose origins go back to the distant past..." (Jerusalem Bible).
Disguising his true purpose, Herod then commanded the astrologers to go to Bethlehem, find the child and report back to him with the exact location, "so that I too may go and do obeisance."
Again, the star appeared to the astrologers and this time led them, not to a stable as tradition would have it, but  to the house where Mary, Joseph and Jesus were now living.  Rejoicing at finding  the Messiah, the astrologers paid  homage to Jesus, presenting him with gold, frankincense and myrrh.*
Despite their good intentions, the visitors had unwittingly  put Jesus in danger, having alerted Herod to his existence, and they were given divine warning in a dream not to return to the king but to return home by another route. Joseph also had a dream in which an angel told him to flee with his family to Egypt where the precious gifts no doubt helped them survive until Herod died the following year.  But not before committing one of the worst atrocities on record.
Furious at being outwitted, and determined to kill his rival, Herod ordered the death of all boys aged two and under in Bethlehem and it's surrounding districts. A tragic end indeed to the journey of the Magi.

+Tradition portrays the star as a good sign from heaven, "a divine pre-arrangement whereby....the child Jesus was honoured and acknowledged by the Father as his beloved son." However, the fact that it guided the astrologers first to Jerusalem and Christ's mortal enemy Herod, shows it was actually an evil  phenomenon, one of the "lying signs and portents" of Satan.

*On presenting Jesus at the temple for purification 40 days after his birth, Joseph and Mary were so poor they could only afford a sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two pigeons as a sacrifice. This wouldn't have been the case had they already received such generous gifts from the astrologers.

Neurologist David Blacker on locked-in syndrome

 "I knew it was vital to get through to him, and make him understand there was hope" 

        

          Many of you may already be acquainted with Peter Coghlan, whose book "In the Blink of an Eye Reborn" charts his incredible recovery from locked-in syndrome against the odds.* His determined fight for freedom not only inspires many stroke and brain injury survivors, but also helps medical professionals understand this rare and frightening condition from a patient's point of view. 

         For the benefit of those involved in the treatment and rehabilitation of LIS, here is the foreword to the book provided by Pete's Neurologist - Clinical Professor David Blacker, MBBS, RACP.  

Professor David Blacker

          "I’ve been involved with the care of stroke patients for more than 20 years and have witnessed the full range of human emotions, tragedies and triumphs, experienced by stroke survivors and their loved ones. I have frequently shared in the grief, frustration and pain, and still find the task of delivering bad news distressing. There are however, some shining moments of glorious and spectacular recovery; Peter’s story is one of them. So often the media describes a patient’s recovery as “against all odds”, with the doctors pessimistically quoted as saying, “You’ll never walk again,” or “You will need to go to a nursing home.” Whilst some reports of Peter’s story have included such phrases, they were never from me; in fact, my interactions with Peter have always been the exact opposite. 

Peter was admitted to the ward in mid-2011. I hadn’t been involved directly with his initial care, but was soon aware of his circumstances and what had happened. I had long been a proponent of mechanical thrombectomy for severe stroke due to clotting within the large arteries of the brain, and have been involved with this therapy since the mid-1990s. It took until 2015 for this approach to be finally proven as a technique, so attempts to use it prior to that date were certainly regarded as ‘cutting edge’, or possible a little ‘cowboyish’. In situations like Peter’s, though, the decision-making is relatively simple - a very fit, active young patient facing death or severe disability. In my view, there was no hesitation in trying everything. Other clinicians might have been more conservative, particularly prior to the publication of the 2015 data, for fear of leaving Peter alive and facing devastating disability. In any case, Peter was transferred from a peripheral hospital in the middle of the night, to the major tertiary hospital, and one of interventional neuroradiology fellows, in conjunction with my colleague, made some urgent decisions, and proceeded to mechanically extract a lengthy clot from Peter’s basilar artery during the early hours of the morning. 

In this book, Peter describes in graphic detail the horror of awakening in the intensive care unit, and the gradual realization of his situation; the ‘locked-in syndrome’ (LIS). In summary, individuals with LIS find their fully active mind, trapped in a completely paralysed body, usually due to a stroke affecting the middle section of the brainstem; a critical section of neural tissue connecting the brain to the upper spinal cord. Typically, all four limbs are paralysed, and the nerves controlling speech, swallowing and breathing are affected. The patient is unable to speak, and observers may assume they are comatose and not aware of the surrounding environment. Communication can sometimes be established through eye-blinking, and other subtle facial movements.  One of the most famous cases is described in the book, and movie, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”. 

Shortly after he was transferred to the neurology ward, I was formally asked to consult on his case, particularly to assess his suitability for transfer to the neurology ward of the rehabilitation hospital, where I also worked.  Despite seeing hundreds of stroke patients each year, I had only been involved with four cases of locked-in syndrome (who had survived) due to stroke before I met Peter; but this was more than most of my colleagues. Two early patients remain highly dependent, one in a nursing home, the other with full time family care at home. Another patient had been spectacularly saved by thrombectomy more than 24 hours after symptom onset, and progressed through rehabilitation quite rapidly. I presented his case at a meeting to highlight what could be done. I contrasted his outcome with another patient who didn’t do so well initially, but ultimately underwent a long rehabilitation process with some gains, and returned home, and resumed a productive life. She came tantalisingly close to walking but, due to a number of issues, couldn’t quite get back on her feet. Around the time that Peter came in, I was feeling particularly enthusiastic about neuroplasticity and rehabilitation. The famous book written by Norman Doige, ‘The Brain That Changes Itself’, was receiving a lot of popular press, and I’d just heard him give a public lecture, affirming many of the basic principles that I’d been working with for years. Although it wasn’t really new knowledge for me, it was inspiring and exciting for the public and patients to have some hope provided. In the book, Doige describes the recovery process of a doctor’s father who suffered a severe brainstem stroke. That inspirational description included a phase where the patient crawled like an infant in the process of re-learning to walk. I felt “fired up’ by these descriptions and eager to apply this the next time I had a suitable patient with LIS.  

When I carefully reviewed the details of Peter’s case, I was quietly optimistic. His MRI showed that the damage to a critical portion of the brainstem known as the pons was incomplete. An important few millimeters of tissue known as the corticospinal tract seemed to be relatively intact. This region is the ‘wiring’ which transmits electrical signals from the brain to the body. It’s incredible what difference a few millimeters of damage, one way or the other, can make. What I saw on the scan gave me hope, but what I saw in Peter when I met and examined him gave me even more hope. I saw a fit, relatively young man who was determined. I knew it was vital to get through to him, and make him understand there was hope, and I tried to do this when I met him. I was surprised to later read in his first book, how great the impact of my decision to get him into the rehabilitation hospital was; from my side of the bed there was no doubt that was the only thing to do. It’s easy to forget how the things doctors say and do really stand out in the minds of patients. I had to be realistic though, and warn him there was plenty of work to do, and that it would be a long road. 

So Peter’s rehabilitation journey began. Typically I’d visit the rehabilitation hospital once or twice a week and attend a detailed meeting where the nurses and the therapy staff would give their reports on patients’ progress.  The highlight for me was seeing patients in normal clothes in the gymnasium working with the physiotherapists, rather than being stuck in a bed wearing pyjamas. I think that environment is crucial because it can be very inspiring and motivating, as well as tough. Patients get to see others in action as well, at different stages in rehabilitation, and with different levels of age and disability. Sometimes a sense of friendly competition arises; other times, disappointment can be the result. The team clinical psychologist has a crucial role to help guide patients and their relatives through the “bumps in the road”, that the long journey of rehabilitation must take when a patient has profound neurological injury like the LIS. Peter certainly had ‘bumps’ to face, including at least two frightening episodes of pneumonia.  But Peter overcame the challenges to walk out of ‘Shents’. The video of that still makes me cry! 

There was much more to follow for Peter after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation; in some ways the intensity of his efforts accelerated. Around this time I was quite enthusiastic about long distance running, and a member of the West Australian Marathon Club. Another member named Daryl Howel has cerebral palsy, and has famously competed in marathons and ultra-marathons around the world. This made me wonder what Peter could do, and somewhere along the line I challenged him to join me in the Perth City to Surf, initially planning to participate in the 4km walk. Peter’s determination of course quickly changed the target to the full 12km event. It was a wet and cold day when Peter and I completed the course, which was being deconstructed as we slowly covered the distance, but a glorious achievement and milestone for Peter. A couple of years later we went even further, walking 16km in the John Hughes Big Walk. On a beautiful clear day I think Peter could have walked forever! 

There are many other things that Peter has done including his generous support and help for other patients, and there are many more great things in his future. Peter’s inspiration also helps me show up for work every day. Stroke medicine is demanding. Most days I interact with patients and families who are going through the worst thing that has ever happened to them. The stress, grief and shock associated with stroke is enormous, and I admit that despite all my years of working in the field it still sometimes overwhelms me and gets me down. When it does though, there is no better way for me to find inspiration than to think of Peter Coghlan."  

Professor David Blacker  

*Available from Amazon

US: 

https://www.amazon.com/Blink-Eye-Reborn-Peter-Coghlan/dp/1727145593/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31K945I7HRSVN&keywords=in+the+blink+of+an+eye+reborn&qid=1569750666&sprefix=in+the+blink+of+an+eye+reborn%2Caps%2C254&sr=8-1

UK: 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blink-Eye-Reborn-Peter-Coghlan/dp/1727145593/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537253272&sr=8-1&keywords=in+the+blink+of+an+eye+reborn+peter+coghlan

Evolution: Fact or Fiction?

       Pre-Charles Darwin, faith in a Creator went virtually unchallenged, the only disputes being those relating to Church doctrine and Bible interpretation. And for many years after HMS Beagle dropped anchor following its epic five-year journey, God remained in the ascendancy; even converts to evolution continued to believe He had triggered the entire process, sitting back on the sixth day to watch how life unfolded. 

       Times have changed. Over the last century, modern atheism has gradually but effectively used Darwin’s theory to try and eradicate the Almighty altogether, leaving all but the strongest faiths faltering with uncertainty. The British government has proved a powerful accessory to the secular cause by insisting on evolution being taught in all state-funded schools and universities. While still selling itself as a God-fearing nation, America too has its detractors, as atheists reject religious symbols, prayers and any practices which may indicate the existence of a Divine Being.       

       So is the world now sinking into complete Godlessness? Has the hand that parted the Red Sea been cut short? Have we relegated the Bible to the SciFi/Fantasy section of the library? 

      Scientists deal in facts. So let’s do that. Let’s examine a few facts which may redress the balance.

Precision

       Subject to physical laws and natural constants that seem uniquely tailored to support the planets, and contrary to Big Bang or Chaos theories suggesting it all just happened by accident, our Universe is so finely-tuned that even the slightest changes could destroy life on earth. Electromagnetism, gravity, strong nuclear force and weak nuclear force affect everything in the entire planetary system, working together in perfect harmony to keep whole galaxies in their place.

      Think about it: How could NASA chart a course for a rocket without the precision of the planets, allowing them to time their orbits to a millionth of a second? How else could astronomers predict the next eclipse or meteor shower? As it is, the sun, moon and stars have a set pattern to keep themselves and the earth rotating smoothly. Did they evolve, or is there a superior intelligence out there? 

      Many scientists agree with John Polkinghorne, previously a physicist at Cambridge University: “When you realize that the laws of nature must be incredibly finely tuned to produce the universe we see, that conspires to plant the idea that the universe did not just happen, but that there must be a purpose behind it.” **

      This view is supported by Australian physicist Paul Davies who says: “There is no doubt that many scientists are . . . scornful of the notion that there might exist a God, or even an impersonal creative principle.” He added: “Personally I do not share their scorn. . . . I cannot believe that our existence in this universe is a mere quirk of fate, . . . an incidental blip in the great cosmic drama.”

Complexity

      Of all the proofs put forward as evidence of design, this for me is perhaps the most telling. The sheer complexity of DNA, for instance, resulting from countless chemical reactions, shows the odds of it forming spontaneously are so small, it would be mathematically impossible. Yet every living organism is made up of countless complex parts, all dependent upon other complex parts for their existence.  

       Take a single human cell. Within its membrane walls, several components need to be in place for the cell to split and reproduce itself: 1) The nucleus or control centre; 2) The nucleolus, where ribosomes are formed; 3) Ribosomes where proteins are created; 4) Chromosomes which contain DNA, the genetic masterplan; and 5) Mitochondrion, the production centre for energy-supplying molecules. 

       Quite an assembly. Yet, without just one of the above components, the cell would simple wither and die. Which poses a dilemma for evolutionists. How can a cell grow into a human or any other species if it cannot divide? How can it divide unless all the components are in place at the same time? How, in fact, could a cell form with other cells to create a human being or any other species? 

       Even if it were possible for a human male to evolve, what are the chances of a female counterpart evolving at the same time in order for them to reproduce?  

The missing missing link

       What about the fossil record, to which many refer as proof of evolution? Where are the host of intermediate relics which link one species to another? The fact is, despite many hoaxes, there is still no definite proof and some scientists believe the current evidence for Darwin’s theory is weak.

       In his book Darwin’s Enigma, Aerospace engineer Luther D. Sutherland wrote: “The scientific evidence shows that whenever any basically different type of life first appeared on Earth, all the way from single-celled protozoa to man, it was complete and its organs and structures were complete and fully functional. The inescapable deduction to be drawn from this fact is that there was some sort of pre-existing intelligence before life first appeared on Earth.” 

       Donald E. Chittick, a physical chemist, says: “A direct look at the fossil record would lead one to conclude that animals reproduced after their kind as Genesis states. They did not change from one kind into another. The evidence now, as in Darwin’s day, is in agreement with the Genesis record of direct creation. Animals and plants continue to reproduce after their kind. In fact, the conflict between palaeontology (study of fossils) and Darwinism is so strong that some scientists are beginning to believe that the in-between forms will never be found.”

** If proof were needed, we only have to view the breakdown of our ecology, global warming, extreme weather, and the extinction of various species. #ecology

https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/science-and-the-bible/

(link: https://twitter.com/JacyBrean/status/1095274733439012864)

http://www.amazon.com/Darwins-Enigma-Luther-Sunderland/dp/0890512361

'The Origin of Species'

How Darwin’s theory has influenced humankind

It was the ’must-have’ book of the Century. Everyone who was anyone felt duty-bound to buy, read and comment on this game-changing tome.

To say Charles Darwin’s ‘Origin of the Species’ rocked the earth is putting it mildly. Since its publication in November 1859, Darwin’s theory has been more fiercely debated than almost any other subject. Although creationists viewed the concept as blasphemous, evolution has rapidly become one of the world’s fastest growing belief systems.

But has its worldwide acceptance benefited mankind? Or could it actually have caused, or at the very least exacerbated, many of our problems?

Twenty-five years after the book hit the shelves, an illustrious group of European statesmen sat down together at the Conference of Berlin and systematically carved up Africa, with catastrophic effect. To what extent did Darwin’s theory influence this conference?*

Surely, the appalling arrogance of these men - who referred undiplomatically to their theme as the ‘Burden of Africa’ - was at best Imperialistic and at worst downright racist. The delegates held that, as Africans were ‘uncivilised’ by European standards, they were therefore inferior - an implicit assumption which Darwin’s book  -  “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life” to give it its full title – did nothing to dispel.

The same assumption helped fuel the Holocaust, with Nazis viewing non-Arian minorities, such as Jews and Romanians, as sub-human - to such a degree that mass extermination of these groups could be carried out with no qualms whatsoever….all to further the Master Race!

At the other extreme, Stalin and his cronies found the godlessness of Darwin’s theory extremely useful. One of his first policies was to dismantle religion, that ‘opiate of the masses’, forcing Eastern Bloc residents to regard communism as the only acceptable way to think.

And, generally speaking, the ‘survival of the fittest’ concept has done little to make us nicer, kinder or less selfish. The ’Me’ generation flourished all the more in the belief that this life’s all there is - “Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die!” as the Stoics would say. Meanwhile, the absence of accountability to anyone but oneself and one’s own desires has led to casual relationships, unwanted children, broken families, gratuitous violence, greed, selfishness and pride.

Lack of belief in a Creator has also caused psychological problems. No matter how many refuse to accept it, every human has a spiritual need which we neglect at our peril.  When this need is unaddressed, people will do one of two things: Live for the moment, focusing purely on physical pleasures and goals, or search for some purpose and meaning to their lives, a search which can sometimes lead to occult practices, exploitation, religious fraud and unscrupulous cults.

With its poor track record, world religion, as a whole, has turned many sincere people away. But, like the Emperor’s New Clothes, evolution must also bear a heavy responsibility for the evils we face.

*http://www.africafederation.net/Berlin_1885.htm

Quotes from ‘The Origin of Species’ – Charles Darwin

“Whilst Man, however well-behaved,
At best is but a monkey shaved!” 

“One general law, leading to the advancement of all organic beings, namely, multiply, vary, let the strongest live and the weakest die.” 

“Man selects only for his own good: Nature only for that of the being which she tends.” 

A bird’s eye view - Hang-gliding in the Peak

"Suddenly, from out of the sky, 4 great shadows appeared, each with 10ft wings. One by one, they whooshed down from above, snatched the prey from the nunjas' claws & ascended sharply back into the air." (Extract from ‘Flight from Fernilee’)

Are they planes? Are they prehistoric birds? No, they’re hang-gliders, soaring into the skies like  brightly-coloured and highly adventurous eagles. Considered by enthusiasts to be the most demanding, yet exhilarating, of all free flight experiences, hang-gliding provides a wider scope than para-gliding, as pilots can climb faster and more freely in varying winds and weather conditions. Which no doubt explains why this thrilling activity is so popular in the Derbyshire Peak, where Pennines to the east and Welsh hills to the west create a climate as hard to predict as the next Derby winner.

Take a hike up Mam Tor near Castleton on a bright, breezy day and you’re likely to see hang-gliders preparing for flight - that’s if they’re not too out-of-breath from hauling their gear up to the summit! Quite often, these intrepid birdmen and women seem to spend ages not really doing very much, but they’re actually waiting for the ideal conditions in which to take off, no doubt gauging the weather by means of a wind sock. Pilots also need to assess any hazards in the area and ensure maximum safety for themselves and others.

       Accidents do happen, although these usually involve unqualified pilots who, having acquired the equipment, believe all they have to do is take a running jump from the nearest hilltop. Fortunately, most hang gliders have been thoroughly trained by a British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association (BHPA) registered school, a course that normally takes about 10 days. Pupils learn how inspect their kit and assemble it safely, to assess the dangers, to read the weather, to take off and to land properly –ideally on their feet. However, in case landings go wrong, trainees also learn how to roll to minimise injuries.

       When learning to fly, some gliders are ‘aero towed’, or hitched by winches to microlights, which pull them into the air. According to Airways Airsports, this is the easiest way to get airborne as it cuts out all the hassle of hill-climbing over and over again just to gain a few seconds of flight. Airways Airsports’ professional team - including three-times World Champion Judy Leden MBE and World record holder Chris Dawes - provides tandem hang-gliding aerotow tuition for beginners, helping them spread their wings with 20-30 minutes in the air from their very first lesson.

       Whether they could swoop down and rescue four children and one hairy shot-putting Scotsman from the ground is open to debate but, for those who know what they’re doing, it’s an exhilarating experience like no other.

‘Flight from Fernilee’ by Jacy Brean is available from Amazon UK and US in both printed and digital formats