Three Wise Man (Part 1) by Maxie Dunnam

Two men were sitting together on an airplane, one an astronomer, the other a theologian. After a while each began to share his understanding of the other’s discipline. The astronomer said, “I believe that all religion can be summed up in the phrase, ‘Jesus Loves Me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.’”  The theologian, somewhat miffed at this simplistic understanding of his scholarly discipline, said, “And I believe that all astronomy can be summed up with the phrase, ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are.’”

Faith and Science: A False Divide We’ve Learned to Accept

Let’s reflect not on astronomy but on some astronomers, the three wise men in the Christmas story who wondered about a star.

These three wise men who came from the East bearing gifts for the newborn Messiah are as much a part of the Christmas story as shepherds and angels, a frightened but excited mother, and a weary and confused, but faithful, father.  I know the scripture doesn’t say there were three of them. It is easy to assume that because of the three gifts offered. And I know, too, that the wise men came after Christmas, because scripture says they entered the “house’ where Mary and Joseph were, to offer their gifts to the Baby. So obviously it was sometime after Christmas, and Mary and Joseph had moved from a stable into a house.

I know also we would be more liturgically proper to wait until Epiphany, January 6, to talk about these wise men.

But we can be too proper at Christmas, can’t we? So proper, so rational, that we miss the meaning of it all. That’s the point at which I want to begin today.

Let me assert it this way: Only the wise know wisdom is incomplete.

Return to my introductory story of the astronomer and the theologian on the airplane. Both could have, and should have, learned from the other. The gap between religion and science, especially during the past 200 years , has been enormous. The problem is they haven’t talked very much; in fact, they don’t understand each other’s language. I think the problem has been two-fold: ignorance and arrogance. Both religion and science have been guilty of both, though I think the problem of ignorance has probably been greater in religion and arrogance greater in science.

Lessons from the Three Wise Men: Why the Magi Used Science to Find God

Let’s look at our three wise men. Tradition connects them with astrology and astronomy. So note this is about them. They used the very best science available to them. They didn’t abandon their way of understanding the world in order to get to Bethlehem. They followed a star, convinced from their studies that it would lead them to the place where a new king was born.

Do you see what I’m saying? It was their science that led the wise men to Bethlehem. They didn’t abandon who they were and became something else in order to find the Christ. They used the highest learning of their day, and I believe that’s why Matthew told the story.

Why You Don’t Have to Leave Your Brain at the Church Door

Now what does this say to you and me? At least this: you don’t have to leave your mind outside the church when you come to worship. Friends, we don’t need to be frightened of learning.

Many TV and radio preachers, as well as many narrow rigid pastors, would have you believe otherwise. They would have you deposit your brain in the Narthex on entering the church, or disengage your reasoning process when you start reading the Bible. They build straw men and start caricaturing them as apostolic or without spirit or soul which they destroy. With the name of Jesus constantly on their lips, they seem to forget that which Jesus Himself said was the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” 

You don’t deposit your mind at the door when you come to worship, and you don’t disengage it when you sit down with the Bible.