Die Afrikaanse Protestantse Akademie Biblioteek

Includes bibliographical references (pages 186-188).

I. The star of the wise men -- The astronomical indications of 3/2 B.C. -- "We observed the rising ..." -- The real star of Bethlehem -- II. The eclipse of Josephus -- Which was Josephus' eclipse? -- First invalidation -- Second invalidation -- Third invalidation -- Fourth invalidation -- Fifth invalidation -- Sixth invalidation -- Seventh invalidation -- The eclipse of 23 March, 5 B.C. -- The eclipse of 15 September, 5 B.C. -- The only eclipse that meets all factors.

III. The relevance of Luke and history -- The census of Cyrenius -- The witness of Tertullian -- Josephus can now be harmonized -- The two governorships of Quintilius Varus -- A difficulty -- IV. The confirmation of Roman history -- The Roman evidence -- The war of Varus -- V. The census of Quirinius -- Why a census or registration in 3/2 B.C.? -- Josephus and the census of Quirinus -- An empire wide registration -- The registration was not for taxation -- The twenty year census period -- Was Quirinius governor in 2 B.C.? -- A significant event.

VI. The chronology of Josephus -- The anomalies of Josephus -- Roman historians -- Harmonizing the chronological difficulties -- The suggestions of W.E. Filmer -- The major problem with Filmer's suggestion -- Towards a solution -- Herod's murder of his sons -- The two-year joint rule of Antipater -- The evidence of coins -- The pivotal problem resolved -- The reason for antedating -- VII. The time of Christ's birth -- Was Christ born in 3 or 2 B.C.? -- The birth of John the Baptist -- Can an exact date be picked? -- An important conclusion -- VIII. The birth of Christ and the day of trumpets -- Christ's birth on the Day of Trumpets -- its emphasis -- Chronological rundown -- Conclusion -- Appendix I: Who were the Magi? -- Appendix II: The king-star in prophecy -- Appendix III: Jupiter -- the planet of the Messiah -- Appendix IV: Quintilius Varus and the Lapis Tiburtinus -- Appendix V: The banishment of Julia -- Appendix VI: Important conjunctions.