[AreaMan]

The world is full of false prophets. We've got one in town....her name is Psychic Maria. Apparently people are fool enough to give her their money.

I've always wondered about the Magi. They were from the east and not Jews but they saw signs in the stars that led them to the Messiah. Details of their "faith" are limited.

Know of any good historical resources on these guys?

[anniegetyourgun]

I don't have great sources other than scripture itself. However, most scholars indicate they were probably Persian astrologers - and certainly more than 3 of 'em! They also, however, would have known ancient scripture (such as Micah 5:2), which was the greater part of their wisdom.

Though I am a berean, trusting scripture above all, I think this is a good human author. He has written on the subject.

[frgoff]

---
I've always wondered about the Magi. They were from the east and not Jews but they saw signs in the stars that led them to the Messiah. Details of their "faith" are limited.

Know of any good historical resources on these guys?
---

Magi is just another term for Wise man; it didn't have the occult connotation it does today.

The story of the Magi in the NT hints at some very interesting things.

Was the teaching of a coming Messiah specific only known to the Jews or did other peoples also have a knowledge of it?

Did the Magi know to look for the star because they had their own scriptural writings?

Was there a Judaic or Christian faith outside of Israel we no longer have a record of?

[Kirkwood]

They were Zoroastrians. Persian scholars who were heavily into astronomy and astrology. They believed deeply in a single supreme being and the coming of the messiah through the Jewish religion to found a new religion. So they were waiting for this event and watching for signs in the constellation Pieces (the fish) because that was the Jewish sign in the heavens. This just didn't come up out of the blue, they were waiting for it because they knew Jewish scripture.

This link will get you started, but you can google up some more links on your own.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/zoroastr.htm