Since this subject arises from time to time:
The Jews "regarded birthday celebrations as parts of idolatrous worship . . . , and this probably on account of the idolatrous rites with which they were observed in honor of those who were regarded as the patron gods of the day on which the party was born."-M'Clintock and Strong's Cyclopaedia (1882, Vol. I, p. 817)
"The later Hebrews looked on the celebration of birthdays as a part of idolatrous worship, a view which would be abundantly confirmed by what they saw of the common observances associated with these days."—The Imperial Bible-Dictionary (London, 1874), edited by Patrick Fairbairn, Vol. I, p. 225
“Early Christians [from time of Christ until the 4th century] frowned on [celebrating anyone’s birthday], which was too closely linked with pagan customs to be given the approval of the church.” - How It Started, Garrison, copyright 1972 by Abingdon Press, p. 213
See http://searchforbibletruths.blogspot.com/2011/05/why-do-jehovahs-witnesses-not-celebrate.html
Sporadic theological and historical musings by Edgar Foster (Ph.D. in Theology and Religious Studies and one of Jehovah's Witnesses).
One Question:
ReplyDeleteIf the apostle Paul did not even condemn eating meat sacrificed to idols, would he condemn a practice that has not been associated with paganism in over a thousand years?
Anonymous, that's where we would probably disagree. There's a reason why atheists, neopagans, and other non-Christians find so much joy (at least temporarily) in Christmas (the supposed day of Christ's birth). The secular elements of Christmas are still present in the holiday, here and now.
ReplyDeleteEdgar, my question dealt with birthdays, not Christmas.
ReplyDeleteMy question still stands. If Paul did not believe that eating meat sacrificed to pagan gods was sinful, why would he believe that modern day birthday celebrations are sinful? If he would not condemn something overtly connected to paganism, why would he condemn something only tenuously connected to paganism through historical accident?
The only reason Paul advised the Corinthians to avoid eating meat sacrificed to idols was because "There were some in whose consciences false gods still played such a part that they took the food as though it had been dedicated to a god" (1 Corinthians 8:7). Using this reasoning, it is clear that Paul would not condemn modern day birthday celebrations because nobody thinks of the food as something dedicated to a god.
Surely you do not think that a person celebrating his or her birthday is unwittingly worshiping pagan gods?
Around Christmas people often become more open when it comes to talking about spiritual questions, more likely to attend church, more likely to spend time with family, and more likely to donate to charity.
ReplyDeleteThe "secular" elements of Christmas are not bad. Increased consumption spending is good for the economy and helps people in service related industries who are often very poor.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeletePaul's view of eating meat sacrificed to idols is a little more nuanced that you suggest. He wasn't exactly urging Christians to engage in the practice. See the prohibitions issued in the NT too.
Secondly, I question your premise that birthdays are tenously associated with paganism. Read some of the early fathers and what historians have said about ancient Hebrews and early Christians not observing birthdays. What's more important is why the early ecclesia or the Hebrews did not observe birthdays: they knew the connection between pagan religious practices and birthday celebrations was far from tenuous.
The question is not whether I (the celebrant) do/do not consider myself to be worshiping a false god. More mimportantly, what objective significance does my act have in the sight of God and men?
You leave out the many unwholesome secular elements in Christmas, the falsehoods upon which it is built and the greedy aspects of consumerism. Even if the day is supposed to be about Christ--most people crowd him out. Many people observe Christmas without thinking of Christ or religion at all; they view the day as a time to spend with family and friends.
Romans 14 make it pretty clear that celebrating any particular day is a conscience matter, for it says the following:
ReplyDelete"One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured 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. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn’t eat, to the Lord he doesn’t eat, and gives God thanks." [verses 5,6]
Additional points in that same chapter support this: "God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." [vs 17]
Colossians 2 is also an excellent chapter to read in this regard. In verse 16 is specifically says, "Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day."
Holly
ReplyDeleteLet's examine the single reference to God's word in her letter. Romans 14:6 is partially quoted by her: "He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord." This is a quote from one of Christendom's most highly-regarded Bible translations: The NIV Study Bible. Let's continue to use this same study Bible to analyze what Paul was telling us in Romans 14.
Romans 14:1, 5, 6 in this Bible says:
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters .... One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord." - NIVSB.
The footnote for Romans 14:1 tells us Paul is probably writing this about
"Jewish Christians at Rome who were unwilling to give up the observance of certain requirements of the [Mosaic] law, such as dietary restrictions and the keeping of the Sabbath and other special days [given to the Jews by Jehovah].... They were not yet clear as to the status of OT [Old Testament] regulations under the new covenant inaugurated by the coming of Christ... Fellowship among Christians is not to be based on everyone's agreement on disputable questions. Christians do not agree on all matters pertaining to the Christian life, nor do they need to." - NIVSB.
The footnote for Ro. 14:5 in the NIVSB tells us:
"Some feel that this refers primarily to the Sabbath, but it is probably a reference to all the special days of the [Old Testament] ceremonial law."
Obviously, Paul is saying, according to this mainstream study Bible, that it was no longer necessary to observe the special days that were given to God's people in the Mosaic law. However, Paul didn't think it was wrong for some of the Jewish Christians (at that time) to continue to observe special days that Jehovah himself had previously given them if they wished to.
So Paul is telling us that the man who considers a special day (of the Old Testament as given by Jehovah to the Israelites) more sacred than another is still acceptable to the Lord. (I believe Paul is specifically referring to Sabbath days here.) This in no way contradicts other commandments in the Bible to strictly avoid pagan customs; don't even touch the unclean things!