Vanden Eykel’s New Book Shows How the “Three Wise Men” Story Inspired A Vast Literary and Artistic Tradition

In his new book, The Magi: Who They Were, How They’ve Been Remembered, and Why They Still Fascinate, Ferrum College religion professor Eric Vanden Eykel helps readers better understand both the Magi and the ancient and modern interpreters who have studied them.

Vanden Eykel has long been fascinated by the “wise men” or “Magi” in the Gospel of Matthew who came to Bethlehem bearing gifts for the newly born Jesus. In The Magi, Vanden Eykel shows how, from a mere twelve verses in the Gospel of Matthew, a varied and vast literary and artistic tradition was born.

“My hope is that this book will help readers rediscover the Magi and also come to a greater appreciation of the awe and creativity that their story has inspired over the past twothousand years,” explained Vanden Eykel.

The Magi is one of two Vanden Eykel books published last fall. He also co-edited Sex, Violence, and Early Christian Texts with Christy Cobb, assistant professor of Christianity at University of Denver. “These books made life exceedingly busy for the past couple of years, but it’s such a rewarding experience to see both of them finally in print,” Vanden Eykel said.

Ferrum College was honored to host Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Diana Ramirez at Ferrum College for the 2021–2022 academic year. Ramirez, who is from Mexico, taught the Spanish labs, shared her culture with the campus community, designed materials, and coordinated a language exchange between her Ferrum students and students from Mexico.

“The students had the opportunity to speak with a native speaker and immerse themselves in the culture,” said Ramirez. In addition to teaching, she was able to take two classes per semester at the College as part of the Fulbright grant, which included American History II and Literary Studies this spring.

The Fulbright FLTA Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is designed to develop Americans’ knowledge of foreign cultures and languages by supporting teaching assistantships in over 30 languages at hundreds of U.S. institutions of higher education.