A Lot of Options
There are A LOT of options out there about when Christ was born. In the comments on my last post multiple dates were suggested other than December 25:
April 6,
the spring,
the fall,
September 15, and
October 7, to name a few.
And I’ve read from other sources,
January 2,
March 21,
April 18,
May 20,
June 17, and
September 11
Furthermore, even the year is up for grabs, scholars putting it anywhere between 7 BC and AD 1. I have been aware for a long time that there has been uncertainty as to when Christ was born, and all of that uncertainty led me to ask, “Why didn’t anyone know? Why were there so many possibilities? How could this be? Christ had to have been born on a certain day – why didn’t we know what day that was?”
Does It Matter?
I know that the date of Christ’s birth doesn’t matter in the ultimate sense of salvation–as if one needs to know the date in order to be saved. I’m not making that case at all. However, I still wanted to know what the answer was. I was curious. Sure it may be lost in the mists of time and we may never know what it is. Fine. At least we can still have confidence that he WAS born and that God became a man to redeem us from our sins. I fully recognize that it is on the cross that he died for our sins, that it is his resurrection which proves he conquered sin and death, and that it is his ascension and the gift of the Holy Spirit which strengthens us and gives us hope–certainty–that he will return in righteousness. But that does not mean the date of Christ’s birth doesn’t matter.
To God be the Glory!
In 500 Year Journey, I humbly present to you my case for when Christ was born. I didn’t really think I’d find an answer (although I hoped I would), nor did I set out to write a book, but over the years as the answer gradually presented itself as I studied scripture and history, I began to realize that Scripture had been pointing to the date of Christ’s birth all along as surely as it had pointed to the date of the crucifixion. The date of the crucifixion doesn’t matter in terms of our salvation either, but it matters nonetheless. It speaks to God’s sovereignty. God told us in the Old Testament exactly when the Messiah would be crucified, and the same is true with the incarnation. The date may not matter in terms of salvation, but it does matter in terms of putting on display God’s amazing plan of salvation. I hope you will be blessed by what God has done. God had a plan. He told us what that plan was in his Word and he implemented that plan in history.
The Tightrope
God walked a tightrope when he put the birth of his Son when he did. The date could not have been sooner than it was, nor later. It had to happen exactly when it did with no missteps allowed. And the answer is beautiful! My prayer is that instead of being antagonistic toward the suggestion that God told us when his Son would be born, that people will read and be blessed and inspired by God’s power and magnificence. The answer blew me away and I didn’t expect to find what I did. My prayer is that you will also rejoice with exceedingly great joy after you see what God has done.
To God be the glory.
Purchase Now
Even though 500 Year Journey will not be released until September 12, it is available right now at my website, www.500yearjourney.com, where you may pre-order a signed copy and get free shipping if you register. If you are still uncertain, you may download a FREE copy of my introduction which will give you a broader picture of what this book is about.
However, if you choose to not get a signed copy and to wait until after the book is officially released on Tuesday, September 12, let me recommend pre-ordering from Eighth Day Books here in Wichita, KS. I strongly support local bookstores and I believe this is one of the best! I found many great historical and biblical resources here that I used during my research for my book, and you can look through their extensive catalog for many rare and scholarly resources yourself and get anything shipped right to you. Please check them out!
Otherwise, you can pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Book Shop, Sandman Books, Walmart, and Books-A-Million, If you are in the UK you can order from Eden. It would also be cool if you were to ask your favorite local bookstore to make copies available. Let them know soon! The release date is only about two weeks away.
I also have copies available for GROUP STUDIES at churches or community groups. If your church library would like to carry copies, please contact me directly at contact@coreypiper.com. We’ll work out the cost and details together. Thank you!
Blessings!
Click here to listen to my interview with Calvary Chapel pastor Nick Cady.
