LETTER

 

-----  Journey of the Magi

 

Re the January 13 editorial by Didier Périès, « The Journey of the Kings », as a Baptist pastor, I rejoiced to read this reflexion on post-Christmas traditions.

The editorialist did well to note the embellishment that the biblical account underwent over time, especially in the Middle Ages. From the humble worship the Magi (not kings) gave to the newborn babe – who was and is the King of kings (Revelation 17:14) – to festive cake and beans, there is a huge historical gulf, indeed! 

What I would bring as a correction is about the beginning of the third paragraph: « This story has no foundation ». Granted, there have been embellishment and adaptations over centuries. But as did the Protestant reformers in the 16th century, we should go back to the source, the Bible, to verify what actually took place. My purpose here is not to repeat what Mr. Périès has already listed about the Magi (which number – incidentally – we don’t know). 

Personally, for 45 years I’ve been reading the Bible on a daily basis, and I can say that I find it totally reliable and trustworthy in what it says. Last century, Lee Strobel, a skeptic journalist, came to faith, as did the late C.S. Lewis, author of the Chronicles of Narnia -- both starting as skeptics.

My challenge: Read the Bible from cover to cover before saying that its content « has no historical foundation ». You may end up with a different conclusion! 

André Pinard

Église réformée Baptiste de l’Outaouais

Gatineau