Why follow the world honoring Easter & Christmas

itittut, Are you talking about the usage of rabbits and eggs that represented fertility? I understand that in ancient times, those were symbols of fertility used in the worship of false gods.

Nowadays, the eggs are used to represent a new beginning. I'm not sure about the rabbits. Maybe they are just left over from the old pagan traditions. At any rate, Easter has come to mean Resurrection Day. It can't be considered a stumbling block because nobody uses that day to worship pagan fertility gods any more, at least no one I know of. Society has changed the word to mean something else. That's not a sin. Over the years many of our words have taken on different meanings.

 

Well Beth, I was being facetious and you hit the nail just about square.

If the OP is true then so is my post because it's based upon the same principle.

Although I can tell you from the writings of the early Church Fathers that Christians in the first 2 centuries worried about these very things.

Things like images on coins. One Christian woman I read about in the early Church of Rome had a problem because the City of Rome had changed the name of her street from something like "Water Street" to "Isis Street" in honor of the goddess Isis. She sold her house and moved.

The bottom line is the leading of the Spirit through the Word and the exercise of our faith.

...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.



HankD

 

What did you call the names of the days of the week? Those are such worldly names.

 

You and I have been over this at least once and perhaps twice before. Why do it again?

Ed

 

As someone who actually lives in a heathen culture, I'd like to give an alternate explanation. (I realize that America is rapidly becoming heathen, but believe me, it isn't to be compared with a truly heathen country like Japan, with only 1% professing Christian.)

Many churches in Japan try to offer an alternative celebration to the heathen Japanese celebrations of New Year's Day (when the first idol worship of the new year takes place) and the "Bon" Festival in August (when souls returning from Hell for a brief break are honored). That way believers can avoid the heathen practices and honor God. I see nothing wrong with that. In particular, weak Christians are given a way to avoid temptation, and that is a good thing.

I believe that Christmas and Easter were probably instituted in place of the heathen holidays, rather than as a continuation of them. I can't prove this historically--but then no one can prove it isn't true either. And it fits the data, unless you live in America with a church on every corner, Bibles in every bookstore and Christian programs on every TV and radio. :type:

 

Well Ituttut, I mostly agree. It's whatever your faith allows. Paul said

"we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one".

However I disagree that this matter has "nothing to do with us".

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

However, if people's faith allows them the practice of celebrating the Lord's birth and resurrection by observing certain days then so be it.

Personally I could do without the "traditional" Christmas devoid of Christ.

May God bless you Ituttut.

HankD​

 

Not so, I now pastor a church that observed lent many yrs ago, like in the 40s and 50s.

As a matter of fact, when I came to this church a couple yrs ago, the older members 65-80 yr olds came to me and wanted to make sure that I would observe advent, and wanted me to reinstitute lent.

Since Advent never was stopped being observed, and since I was familiar with it from previous churches.. I enjoy observing advent.

This yr, we are keeping the palm leaves on Palm Sunday, drying them, and burning them to use for Ash Wednesday next yr.

We will again, after 50 some yrs observe lent again.

Of course it will have a Baptist spin on it.
I will probably preach a series of sermons on prayer and fasting.

 

How hard can this be?

"One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it."

On some issues the word of God is not clear, it is clear on this one. Why do we fight over it 3-4 times a year?

 

Agreed, if you don't want to celebrate lent, Christmas, etc in your church then more power to you. But, get off the high horse of judgment of other churches who do. As for me and my church we will do what we darn well please without undo influence from those who don't like Christmas trees, Easter eggs, and an Advent Wreath. Just because something may have pagan origins or Catholic origins doesn't necessarily make it pagan or Catholic in my home or my church.

 

Just so ya'll know. Some of you just really crack me up. I can be in the middle of a not so great day and check the board and see some of the knit picking going on and I have to laugh.

FTR I will keep my celebrations and love those who may disagree.

Now will somone please pass the deviled eggs! (from another thread!)

 

Here, rabbits tend to represent lunch. Or supper.

 

That's good enough for me!:laugh:

 

Yeah, let me catch the easter bunny in my garden. It goes good with the carrots that I'm growing.

 

"That's 'nitpicking'."

Signed, Language Cop

:laugh:

 

Um' - 'cause we still got time left over after arguing over "Baptist" bein' on the church sign, maybe?? :laugh:

Ed