The Bible says in Genesis that God gave us the stars and stuff "for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years. . . " ( don't answer w/ i don't know if the Bible says that b/c I'm telling you it does). So what is that if not horoscopes? I'm a Christian and am just wondering.
It says separately seasons, days and years, so those can't be the signs? What are the signs then?
2006-09-29 03:46:52 · 12 answers · asked by Lissa 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
it's in Genesis 1:14. towards the end of that verse in KJV
2006-09-29 03:52:05 · update #1
What is the etymology of the original word translated as "signs"?
What verse is that? NM: I found it, Gen 1:!4. Good point, Strong's concordance defines signs usage in the bible (owth) this way:
1)sign, signal
a) a distinguishing mark
b) banner
c) remembrance
d) miraculous sign
e) omen
f) warning
2) token, ensign, standard, miracle, proof
Seems to me that omen could be horoscopes. Weren't astrologers the ones who brought little 8lb 5oz baby jesus his gifts?
2006-09-29 03:48:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Lissa,
In terms of Genesis 1:14, the word 'signs' isn't necessarily related to "horoscope" -- which is a prediction of someone's future or a description of who they are right now.
The idea of a celestial sign in itself isn't odd. The Gospels discuss how the wise men from the east -- probably a mix of astrologer/astronomer -- saw a star in the sky and knew the messiah had been born. But this is not a horoscope.
Also, other translations interpret the phrase differently. The NASB uses the words "signs" and "seasons," while the NIV just uses the word "seasons" (agriculture).
The Amplified Bible (which offers context for Bible verses) says this:
"And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs and tokens [of God's provident care], and [to mark] seasons, days, and years"
So you see that the verse itself and the word "signs" might not be the sort of "signs" you're discussing (horoscopes). They are merely a visible sign of God's love and care for human beings.
--
Aside from the Bible context, horoscopes in general are unreliable and you should avoid making any significant life decisions based on them.
Scientifically, there simply is not a direct correlation between the positions of the planets, stars, and moon on the specifics of one individual's personality. Most lengthy horoscope readings are scanned for areas of similarity to one's life (and thus the reading is "accurate") but all the discrepancies are automatically overlooked.
I think a more valid use of a horoscope (if you have to use it) is not as a predictor of the future but simply as a "thought for the day." They're usually general enough they provide an idea to think about on a particular day, and work towards self-improvement.
Hope that helps some.
2006-09-29 04:06:39 · answer #2 · answered by Jennywocky 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's true that the Bible warns people not to use means of divination to try to foretell the future. Apparently it opens an occult doorway to evil. Some interesting books on the stars have been written, one called The Gospel in the Stars, that seem to indicate that the constellations were intended to convey Biblical truths concerning the coming Redeemer of man.Horoscopes operate differently, using false science to control lives.
2006-09-29 04:03:27 · answer #3 · answered by John 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Read it again...
The signs are the SEASONS , DAYS and YEARS.
Gen 1:14
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so
2006-09-29 03:53:07 · answer #4 · answered by williamzo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Deuteronomy chapter 18 v. 10 says: "Let no one be found among you who....practises divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist..." If horoscopes are meaningless, then why bother with them? If they do contain meaningful information, then where does it come from? Certainly not from the Lord, as in the verse I have just quoted He clearly tells us not to get involved . I decided years ago not to look at a horoscope again and I have stuck to it. I advise you to do the same.
2006-09-29 03:58:04 · answer #5 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As far your personnal life I would not recomend the horoscope, take charge of your life and trust in God to reveal what he has for you not someone attempting to make a dollar or two giving generic advise to others he/she knows nothing about. God word is truth not guessed. Yes I am a christian.
2006-09-29 03:51:42 · answer #6 · answered by poetofdemorest 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think if you read them for fun it's fine. Some people get so caught up in it that they don't start the day without reading their horoscope fo rthat day. I think that can be dangerous because the mind starts to believe that whatever the horoscope says about that day is going to happen. I think it's important to rmember that no one can tell us what the future holds except for God himself.
2006-09-29 03:59:00 · answer #7 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are "wrong" for everybody, and it has nothing to do with religion. The whole practice is based on total nonsense. There has never been an iota of evidence to support any other definition of it.
2006-09-29 03:51:05 · answer #8 · answered by JAT 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christians don't like to admit that astrotheology is the root of their religion, so they label everything related to it as 'evil'.
But you are absolutely correct about the verse you quoted. It is in fact saying that god gave the stars (in part) to be used to foretell the future (astrology).
2006-09-29 03:52:24 · answer #9 · answered by lenny 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The Christians believe God controls the tide, not the moon, so they don't believe anything but good and evil can affect us.
Also, they think astrologers are false prophets.
2006-09-29 03:54:08 · answer #10 · answered by steelypen 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋