East of Here

"Eastman; he came from the east to do battle with the Amazing Rando!"
- MST3K The Movie

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"Go west, young man, when the evil go east."
- Michael W. Smith

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In Rob Bell's book, Jesus Wants to Save Christians, he posits this idea that a common expression for moving away from God is this idea of heading east. Adam and Eve head east after being expelled from the garden of Eden and Cain wonders east after murdering his brother.

So, if this meme is true, I think it's interesting that later on in scripture Wise Men From the East come to pay homage to the Christ Child. Perhaps this more than simply a kingly narrative indicator on the writer's part. Perhaps it's also a thematic expression that with the advent of Christ's birth, everyone can begin heading back toward God. We can head west. We can move from where we were (east, away from God) and turn back to Him again.

I doubt that this is the writer's intended position, but it's sort of cool nonetheless and so I'm sticking with it for today. Besides, how often can I quote Mystery Science Theater 3000, Michael W. Smith, and Rob Bell all in one post?

Not often... Not often...