Big Bubba - The Holidays Threads Merged

[terrilynn]

In the KJV Bible, you are given the word easter, in the new testament; when the original greek word is interpreted correctly (to english)as passover. What a problem this mis-interpretation has caused.

I do not know what KJV of the Bible you have but no where in my Bible is the word easter.?????:thinking

[DrSoup]

I agree with those who say that if you don't want to be associated with, by all means avoid it.... As to where it came from, whether it still has pagan significance, etc....I don't feel in a position to comment.

I do however want to give your 6 year old a high five! I love his response to the egg. :) That was precious and priceless. Good for you in teaching him the REAL meaning of this season.

That said...I admit that I am addicted to peeps. I don't associate them with this season aside from the fact that this is the time of year they appear in the stores.

[terrilynn]

Again, if you feel using "once-pagan" things during holidays is wrong, then don't do it. HOWEVER, this is not something you should impose on other believers.

After all, do you put up a Christmas tree during Christmas? That's a pagan symbol, too!!! But my point is, it's lost all of it's pagan significance for most of us! Consider this, the cross is a torture instrument. It was used by the Roman government to punish wrongdoers (thieves, murderers, etc.), but today, it is a symbol of all that Christianity stands for. Although not a "pagan" instrument, it has a pretty sordid past. You see, God can take ANYTHING and redeem it for His use (i.e, meat sacrificed to idols). Therefore, we should not impose our qualms about such an item on others who may not see it the same way we do!

I'm sorry, but I have to agree with Paul on this one--"all things are permissible" for believers, and that includes Easter eggs and Christmas trees!

Please don't insist that other believers have to agree with you on this one! It's definitely not labeled as sin in the Bible, and, therefore, is a gray area.

To answer your question--no, I do not put up a Christmas tree. Christmas is a celebration of the winter solstice which Christians adopted around the 3rd century. If you want to celebrate the Lords birth, you need to do around Rosh Hashanah in September. I love the way people use that verse "...all things are permissible..."--you need to finish the verse..."but all things are not expedient.."

I do not believe anyone is insistant that anyone agree with us on this point. Everyone will have to answer to the Lord for their own decisions made on this earth.

[Timothy Long]

I have read that the pagan god of fertility, astarte, was called Ishtar in certain places, like Ninevah.
I guess that newer versions, like the NASB, NIV and NKJV correctly say passover in acts 12:4; but the original KJV says Easter where it should have been stated passover.

[twisty58]

Hubby and I are very upset.....in the past few months we have watched our church grow more and more away from the word.

After ther service on Sunday...the pastors wife(along with a few other women) handed out easter eggs to our kids. The goddesses symbol of fertility.....(That is what it has symbolized for thousands of years...regardeless of what name you label it).....My husband made the comment that they might as well put a pole to Asherah in the sanctuary too...although nobody there knew what he was talking about. Anyway...our kids...(without us interferring) told the pastors wife "No thankyou..." When she asked why...My 6 year old told her that was a pagan tradition...and God does not stand for that.

Most people would say"Big deal". But we have just finished studying the Kings....and how they would incorporate the Asherah pole into the temple(they did this...and even brought in prostitutes)...and God judged them harshly......for bringing in pagan worship into the temple.

Hey HouseofLight where is that Scripture about the asherah pole and prostitutes in the temples. I need that Scripture! Thank you SO much for posting this!

[CrochetGirl]

Terrilyn: I love the way people use that verse "...all things are permissible..."--you need to finish the verse..."but all things are not expedient.."

But of course! Contrary to what you might think, I'm not denying the last part of the verse, BUT it in no way negates the first part of the verse and the FREEDOM we have in Christ.

[pedxing]

I'll confess I have Easter Egg hunts for the family and Grandkids. This is after Church at home. I do worry about it because I'd don't want to do anything that would be wrong
according to The Bible. Maybe its an excuse but I think of the egg as representing life in a way. At least thats what I learned somewhere. As long as they know Easter is about Christ. But I do confess it is something I wonder about. To hear the little ones laughing and playing that day seems right but for the ones who are too little to truly
understand yet is it sending the wrong message? I wish I had all the answers. I'm trying.

[iSong6:3]

Terrilyn: I love the way people use that verse "...all things are permissible..."--you need to finish the verse..."but all things are not expedient.."

But of course! Contrary to what you might think, I'm not denying the last part of the verse, BUT it in no way negates the first part of the verse and the FREEDOM we have in Christ.

:agree CrochetGirl

These issues are not matters of dogma, they are personal. If one feels persuaded not to partake of certain things, i.e. meat sacrificed to idols, for them it is wrong to do so.

If, on the other hand, one is persuaded by the Bible's saying that there is nothing wrong with eating meat sacrificed to idols and wants to eat it, no one but no one should judge them or their spirituality/walk with the Lord for it.

In fact, the Bible makes clear who is the more mature brother and who is the weaker brother. Not to judge, just statement of fact.

[pedxing]

I just read the posts before mine. Need to do that before I post. Now it
seems the Egg and Life thing I learned is wrong. I've got to really think on this now.

[Mom2jrcll]

I do agree with the premise of this- the only problem I have is, many people who don't know the Lord feel compelled to "do the good thing" and go to church on Easter (and Christmas). Our church does an egg hunt, but it isn't about the eggs, candy, or the hunt, it is about the Gospel that will be given to everyone before the hunt. For a while I wanted to get rid of everything pagan, but I have, at least for now, seen how it can be used to bring the Gospel to unbelievers. Our church is a bit different than most though- out of 8 years, there has been only one week that our church has not seen someone come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. (that was a terrible week and someone who held a position in the church committed adultery) We look at everything as a possible evangelizing moment. Easter time is a really big time for us and lots of lost people come through our doors and will at least here the plan of salvation.
Jennifer