The Witness of the Stars by E. W. Bullinger

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Bullinger, E. W. (Ethelbert William), 1837-1913 Bullinger, E. W. (Ethelbert William), 1837-1913
English
Ever looked up at the stars and wondered if they're telling a story? That's exactly what E. W. Bullinger explores in this fascinating book from the 1800s. He wasn't an astronomer, but a Bible scholar who saw ancient star names and constellations as a forgotten message. Forget modern horoscopes—this is about ancient lore, where groups of stars like Virgo, Leo, and Scorpio might form a celestial narrative about a promised redeemer, written in the sky long before the Bible. It's a wild idea that will make you stare at the night sky differently. Whether you're into theology, history, or just love a good mystery, this book presents a puzzle that connects dots across cultures and millennia. It's definitely a niche read, but if you've ever felt there's more to the constellations than meets the eye, this might just blow your mind.
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first to create an interest in this important subject. Since then Dr. Seiss, of Philadelphia, has endeavoured to popularize her work on the other side of the Atlantic; and brief references have been made to the subject in such books as _Moses and Geology_, by Dr. Kinns, and in _Primeval Man_; but it was felt, for many reasons, that it was desirable to make another effort to set forth, in a more complete form, the _witness of the stars to prophetic truth_, so necessary in these last days. To the late Miss Rolleston, however, belongs the honour of collecting a mass of information bearing on this subject; but, published as it was, chiefly in the form of _notes_, unarranged and unindexed, it was suited only for, but was most valuable to, the student. She it was who performed the drudgery of collecting the facts presented by Albumazer, the Arab astronomer to the Caliphs of Grenada, 850 A.D.; and the Tables drawn up by Ulugh Beigh, the Tartar prince and astronomer, about 1450 A.D., who gives the Arabian Astronomy as it had come down from the earliest times. Modern astronomers have preserved, and still have in common use, the ancient names of over a hundred of the principal stars which have been handed down; but now these names are used merely as a convenience, and without any reference to their significance. This work is an attempt to popularize this ancient information, and to use it in the interests of truth. For the ancient astronomical facts and the names, with their signification, I am, from the very nature of the case, indebted, of course, to all who have preserved, collected, and handed them down; but for their interpretation I am alone responsible. It is for the readers to judge how far my conclusions are borne out by the evidence; and how far the foundation of our hopes of coming glory are strengthened by the prophecies which have been written in the stars of heaven, as well as in the Scriptures of truth. For the illustrations I am greatly indebted to Jamieson’s _Celestial Atlas_, 1820; Flammarion’s _L’Étoiles_; Sir John W. Lubbock’s _Stars in Six Maps_, 1883; and to the late Mr. Edward J. Cooper’s _Egyptian Scenery_, 1820. For the general presentation and arrangement of the Constellations I am responsible, while for the drawings my thanks are due to my friend Miss Amy Manson. It is the possession of “that blessed hope” of Christ’s speedy return from Heaven which will give true interest in the great subject of this book. No one can dispute the antiquity of the Signs of the Zodiac, or of the Constellations. No one can question the accuracy of the ancient star‐names which have come down to us, for they are still preserved in every good celestial atlas. And we hope that no one will be able to resist the cumulative evidence that, apart from God’s grace in Christ there is no hope for sinners now: and apart from God’s glory, as it will be manifested in the return of Christ from Heaven, there is no hope for the Church, no hope for Israel, no hope for the world, no hope for a groaning creation. In spite of all the vaunted promises of a religious World, and of a worldly Church, to remove the effects of the curse by a Social Gospel of Sanitation, we are more and more shut up to the prophecy of Gen. iii. 15, which we wait and long to see fulfilled in Christ as our only hope. This is beautifully expressed by the late Dr....

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Okay, let's be clear: this isn't a science book about black holes or new planets. 'The Witness of the Stars' is a deep dive into an old, almost forgotten idea. Written over a century ago by theologian E. W. Bullinger, it argues that the original names and pictures of the constellations—the ones known to ancient civilizations like the Babylonians and Egyptians—tell a specific, unified story. He believed this story was a prophetic message about a coming Messiah, etched in the stars long before the events were written down in scripture.

The Story

Bullinger walks us through the zodiac and other major constellations, but not as we know them today. He looks at their ancient Hebrew or Chaldean names and the myths attached to them. For example, he connects Virgo (the Virgin) with the promise of a birth, Leo (the Lion) with a triumphant king, and the suffering figure of Ophiuchus wrestling a serpent. He maps these out in a sequence, suggesting they form a complete narrative arc about conflict, sacrifice, and ultimate victory. The 'plot' is this celestial prophecy itself, and the 'characters' are the starry pictures our ancestors saw.

Why You Should Read It

Even if you're skeptical (and you probably should be!), the book is a thrilling intellectual adventure. It forces you to think about how ancient people viewed the cosmos. Bullinger pulls together linguistics, ancient history, and biblical scholarship to build his case. Reading it feels like watching someone solve a massive, heavenly puzzle. You don't have to agree with his conclusions to appreciate the sheer audacity of the project and the connections he draws.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect book for curious minds who enjoy alternative history, biblical archaeology, or unconventional theories. It's for the person who loves connecting patterns across different fields. It's not for readers seeking mainstream astronomy or those easily frustrated by speculative ideas. But if you want a book that challenges conventional wisdom and offers a unique lens on both the night sky and ancient beliefs, 'The Witness of the Stars' is a captivating, thought-provoking journey. Just be prepared to have your next stargazing session filled with a million new questions.



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Emma Rodriguez
1 year ago

Great reference material for my coursework.

Paul Martin
3 months ago

Finally found time to read this!

Noah Allen
8 months ago

Used this for my thesis, incredibly useful.

Ashley Jackson
1 year ago

A must-have for anyone studying this subject.

Joseph Martin
7 months ago

If you enjoy this genre, it creates a vivid world that you simply do not want to leave. A valuable addition to my collection.

4.5
4.5 out of 5 (5 User reviews )

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