a jack of all trades...

It has recently come to my attention that the well known phrase "Jack of all trades but master of none" in a misquote of Benjamin Franklin. He actually said that a cultured person is a "Jack of all trades but a master of ONE."

This is an interesting idea, a cultured person therefore should know something about everything and everything about something. (Sounds a little like what I would expect a Magi to be like.)

As a Christian my area of specialisation should be the Bible as it is the inspired and infallable word of God himself. Thus this blog will tend to focus on matters of Christian doctorine, Christian History and Scripture. I will hopefully not neglect my other duty as a Magi to know something about everything else so I hope to blog my endevours into other areas as well.

Why a Modern Day Magi?

Firstly I will shed a little light on who the Magi were and then I hope to be able to explain the title a little better...

The Magi were a hereitary caste of Median priests of the Zurvanist religion that evolved out of Zoroastrianism. They were also priests to the ancient Persians. As well as being priests, the Magi were astronimers, advisors, interpreters of dreams, and generally considered 'wise men'.

Possibly the most well known Magi are the famous Three Wise Men from the biblical christmas story who came bearing the famous three gifts. (there were three gifts and as such it is assumed that there were three wise men when the could have been more)

It's also believed that the Jewish prophet Daniel was at one stage the "Rab Mag" or Chief Magi and entrusted a Messianic vision, to be announced in due time by a "star", to a secret sect of the Magi for its eventual fulfillment.

I [Persian Emperor Nebuchadnezzar] said, "Belteshazzar [Daniel's Persian name], chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.

Daniel 4:9

There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. King Nebuchadnezzar your father—your father the king, I say—appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. This man Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.

Daniel 5: 11-12

In short the Magi were very smart guys who knew a lot of stuff about a lot of things.

As the Modern Day Magi I wish to learn a lot of stuff about a lot of things, although my dedication to study is possibly a little less that that of the Magi.

This blog will track my journey to knowledge. Along the way I will share the things I learn, forget, and then re-learn, and interesting things I come up with along the way.

My aim is to become a "Jack of all Trades..."

I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy posting...