Comments on: De-sanitizing Christmas #2: Happy Birthday Jesus!

By: Phil Miller

Phil Miller — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:14:13 +0000

I have never understood the logic of Christians who take the stance that the celebration of holidays (or ‘holy days’ from the word’s roots) is a bad thing. God basically commanded Israel in the OT to set aside certain times of year as celebration. Jesus’ first miracle was at a Jewish wedding, which was a much bigger celebration than our modern-day weddings are for the most part. God certainly is not against people celebrating.

I can understand standing against the commercialization aspects of holidays. Certainly the greed and materialism is not pleasing to God. Celebrating through food, music, and getting together with family, on the other hand, is something that I think still brings glory to God.

By the way, I’m in not advocating Christians celebrate the various Jewish festivals or anything. I think there is freedom on both sides of the issue. I just don’t see anything wrong with Christians celebrating whatever holidays they see fit to.

By: iggy

iggy — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 03:58:10 +0000

Chris P,

Sounds like he believed in predestination also.

There you go again making this a Calvinist “thing”… LOL!

The silly thing about your statement is that Arminians also beleive in predestination… that was not disagreement between the two views… the major disagreement was in that area of free will..

But mostly I wanted to note that YOU BROUGHT UP a Calvinistic argument that was not even present until you came and did the drive-by comment thing you do.

Now, there is a thing you seem to miss… Jesus had to be born and live before he was to die “at the appointed time” and then rise from the grave… so it seems you have only part of the gospel… again.

be blessed,
iggy

By: Tim Reed

Tim Reed — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:11:43 +0000

I’ve always admired that about you.

By: Rick Frueh

Rick Frueh — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:10:01 +0000

Don’t worry, Tim, I am a compromiser.

By: Tim Reed

Tim Reed — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:09:11 +0000

Not me, I will gladly celebrate holidays. Especially those that bring my far-flung family together, and combines with it the joy of giving gifts. Oh and excellent food.

I guess I’m just a sucker for enjoying the temporal gifts God has given me.

By: Rick Frueh

Rick Frueh — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:53:23 +0000

Aside from the predestination comment (except in a free will context), I admire your stand, Chris. I have no great fondness for holidays myself.

By: Tim Reed

Tim Reed — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:24:12 +0000

Gee, a calvinist concluding Paul believe in predestination. Shocking. What next? An Arminian concluding Paul believes in free will?

By: Phil Miller

Phil Miller — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:17:28 +0000

Chris P.,
Who said anything about Jesus not rising?

I don’t see what your comment has to do with the content of the post, other than the fact that you’ve told us you don’t celebrate Christmas.

By: Chris P.

Chris P. — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:58:44 +0000

Christmas comes from Constantine’s real religion, i.e. the worship of “sol invictus”, the invincble sun.

I do not celebrate any holidays be they secular, or christian or jewish. All are a waste of time and money,

There is no victory without the death and “resurrection”
If He did not rise, His death means nothing.
Paul went out of his way to stress the risen Christ throughout his letters.

Romans 1:
1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

Sounds like he believed in predestination also.

By: Phil Miller

Phil Miller — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:18:33 +0000

Rick,
Yes, that is primary thing to remember. There is no victory without Jesus’ death. In one sense, in God’s economy true victory only comes through losing.