Dwight Longenecker - Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men

PRAISE FOR

MYSTERY OF THE MAGI

THE QUEST TO IDENTIFY THE THREE WISE MEN

How utterly refreshing and encouraging to read Fr. Longeneckers extraordinary ruminations on something we all thought we understood, and obviously hardly begin to understand, until now. That he has dug so deepso we can see things we have never seen beforeis a testament both to his archaeological implacability and genius and to the happy fact that God has hidden endless treasures in the Scriptures for our benefit.

Eric Metaxas , New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

In his learned yet eminently readable text, Fr. Longenecker challenges the modern biblical myth-busters who thought they had definitively laid to rest the story of the Magi and its historical underpinnings. Readers will come away from this fascinating journey with a renewed appreciation for the scientific backing behind the story of the Magi and their guiding star, while skeptics will feel the need to re-examine their overly hasty dismissal of the biblical account of the wise men.

Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D. , bureau chief of Breitbart Rome and bestselling author

Dwight Longeneckers Mystery of the Magi: The Quest to Identify the Three Wise Men is one of the best books youll ever read about the birth of Jesus, the meaning of the Christmas story, and how Christians should approach Biblical studies. An Oxford-educated graduate of Bob Jones University, and now a Catholic priest, Longenecker charts a middle course between an uncritical fundamentalism that fails to ask probing questions and an equally uncritical skepticism that assumes, rather than proves, that events depicted in the Bible never happened at all. Dwight Longeneckers Mystery of the Magi is the perfect Christmas gift for anyone interested in the historical background behind the birth of Jesus of Nazareth and what his birth means for us today. I highly recommend this wonderful book.

Robert J. Hutchinson , author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Bible, The Dawn of Christianity , and Searching for Jesus

Dwight Longeneckers Mystery of the Magi is a fascinating and thought-provoking contribution to a topic either saddled with fanciful stories or subjected to harsh revisionism. His study is both detailed and academic, while honestly asking important questions about the true identity and meaning of the wise men and their quest.

Dr. Matthew Bunson , senior contributor at Eternal Word Television Network

In this beautifully written and important book Dwight Longenecker provides a fascinating new solution to the questions Who were the Magi who visited Jesus and where did they come from? The book is aimed at readers with no prior knowledge of the Bible and also at biblical scholars. I believe it succeeds admirably for both audiences. In addition, it is a mine of useful information about the Middle East at the time of Christ. It is the best book I know about the Magi and throws new light upon the birth narratives in the gospels. Buy it as a present for others or for yourself!

Sir Colin John Humphreys, Ph.D. , professor and director of research at the University of Cambridge and author of The Mystery of the Last Supper

The story of the Magi in Matthews Gospel has fascinated historians for centuries. It has also been the subject of much speculation by theologians and elaboration by artists. Dwight Longenecker presents an extremely readable account of the problems and tackles the issue of the identity of the Magi in a novel wayby seeking to locate their place of origin in northwest Arabia. Dwight Longenecker has written a wonderful book. It is a refreshing account which will enrich the readers appreciation of the gospel tradition.

John Healey, Ph.D. , professor emeritus at the University of Manchester and fellow of the British Academy

Over time, the historical account of the Magi was overgrown by legendary mythologies, the way a wall might be overgrown by ivy. Fr. Longenecker can appreciate that flowering of tradition, but wants to know if we can still find the bricks beneath. He proposes we can and unfolds this investigation of the historical Magi with clarity and ease, in a way that will fascinate the reader.

David W. Fagerberg, Ph.D. , professor at the University of Notre Dame

The wise men who visited the infant Jesus are among the most mysterious figures in history. Here Dwight Longenecker discovers little-known clues and pieces them together, weaving a detective story that unravels the mystery of just who the Magi were. Highly intriguing reading for Bible students, history buffs, and lovers of mystery!

Jimmy Akin , senior apologist for Catholic Answers

It is difficult to put this book down without being persuaded of the historicity of Saint Matthews account of the story of the Magi. Much of this is due to Dwight Longeneckers insightful, diligent, and lively sleuth work on a great mass of scholarly research into the history and traditions of the people of the Ancient Near East, especially those who claimed Abrahamic heritage. The result is an illumination of the importance of all scriptural details about Abrahams descendants, of the representative importance of their hopes, and of the astonishing way in which the gospel shows Providence to have fulfilled and transcended those hopes. This is vital reading for all who love and wish to understand Scripture more deeplyscholars included.

Gregory Y. Glazov, Ph.D. , professor at Seton Hall Universitys Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology

If a skeptic wants to ridicule the Christmas story, there is no better place to start than with the story of the Magi who come to worship the Christ child. To be sure, all kinds of legends have attached themselves to the simple account in Matthew 2. But if one sticks to the biblical story and is willing to dig deeply into ancient history, a plausible account of courtiers of a nearby Nabatean king, generally on friendly terms with King Herod, emerges. Longenecker does more than this, however: he discusses the origins of Matthews gospel, Pauls three years in Arabia, and the convergence of Essenes, Nabateans, magi, and Paul in Damascus, in a veritable detective story. If not every detail is equally convincing, every section of the investigation is equally fascinating. This book deserves serious scrutiny.

Craig L. Blomberg, Ph.D. , distinguished professor at Denver Seminary and author of The Historical Reliability of the Gospels

In this fascinating, carefully researched, and well-written book, Dwight Longenecker steers a careful course between the pitfalls of unreflective piety that accepts all the legends that have grown up and smothered the wise men and the quicksand of impious scholarship that sees them as nothing more than mere myths of Matthews imagination. Longenecker uncovers and presents an explanation of the Magi that is faithful to both history and Matthews story. Basic believers and critical scholars will find themselves encouraged and enlightened by this fresh look at one of the Christian faiths most enduring stories.

Dr. Leroy A. Huizenga, Ph.D. , administrative chair at the University of Mary

Fr. Longeneckers Mystery of the Magi reads like a good whodunit as he traces the various attempts to identify the Magi who visited Jesus. As readers tread the path the author lays out, they are educated in a fashion they might not have expected. En route, they learn much about the Christian traditions of the Magi. Two results stand out. We see how groundless is modern scholars rejection of the historicity of the original event, rejection borne of misguided skepticism. Fr. Longeneckers book also beckons us to delve more into the Church Fathers handling of the Magi and the lessons to be gleaned from them.

Kenneth J. Howell , president of the Pontifical Studies Foundation and academic director of the Eucharist Project