Stan Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 Can you/we use this time to point to the burial and resurrection of Christ? Or should we point out how pagan the 'things' are? Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
olger Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 Not too worked up over it either way.. Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.."
Dr. Shane Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 I like to use it in outreach. Anytime I can use something to bring about conversation about Christ without seeming too pushy, I like to take advantage of it. At home, we like to celebrate it with colored eggs and chocolate bunnies. We normally hide the kids' easter baskets and have an egg hunt outside. Quote Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com Author of Peculiar Christianity
Woody Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 Our church is having an Easter Egg Hunt for the community. We invite them to bring the kids and have some fun. We've been getting calls about it and asking what ages we allow. But, we allow ALL ages. Anyone who wants to come may come. It is a great way to touch base with our community. I think that any opportunity to have the community come and interact with us is great. We like to use any excuse possible. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Dr. Shane Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 I hope those are vegan eggs! Quote Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com Author of Peculiar Christianity
Woody Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 Sorry. Jesus wasn't Vegan. And we are Christians ... or followers of Christ. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
ChildofChrist Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 As I get ummm older , it has been easier to be able to keep my mouth shut. This morning I happened to mention we are having communion this weekend. The Hospice personnel said that when she was a child that they'd have it the first of every month. Which led me to remark the our friends at the Church of Christ have a plate of waffers for communion each week. Folks just help themselves. I think that I was a tad abrupt when she asked if we had a sunrise service. Yes, we should be mindful of whom we are speaking with. At Christmas, have a Happy Day party for Jesus...They can bring gifts for a special mission project. Quote Wakan Tanka Kici Un ~~Child of Christ~~
SherryLee Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 Can you/we use this time to point to the burial and resurrection of Christ? Or should we point out how pagan the 'things' are? Yes, Stan, I believe we should use this as a time to point out the buriel and resurrection of Christ. Keeping our focus on what Christ did, and is still doing for us, is the most important thing. I don't think it really has anything to do with eggs and bunnies, or even on the'day', but more to do with our focus on Christ. Just like Christmas is a good time to focus on the birth of Christ, Easter is a good time to remember his death and resurrection, even though both of these things should be remembered throughout the year. Just my thoughts, Blessings, SherryLee Quote SherryLee
Woody Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 Quote: As I get ummm older , it has been easier to be able to keep my mouth shut. Oh come on . Just open that mouth a little and you could fit a delicious Easter Egg into it. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
CyberGuy Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 I have always wondered why other religions make a bid deal on easter and the Easter meal but SDA's do not celebrate Easter with a big family get together like other people from other christain religions do. Quote Riverside CA
Moderators Nan Posted March 22, 2008 Moderators Posted March 22, 2008 I guess if the people have really followed the tradition of Lent - not sure how many do these days - Easter would take on a real aspect of celebration after the serious and self denial of Lent. Not following that practice, maybe it does not mean so much to us. In Australia traditionally both Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays - when I was at school we had Tuesday off too - so it is a popular long weekend, whatever one's religious connections. Quote
larryd Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 I am sorry, but I do not see the connection between hiding easter eggs and the resurrection of Christ. But you may say, it is fun for the kids. Well, what kind of message does this send to them? There are plenty of other ways to have fun without engaging in pagan traditions. It is because of a pagan tradition the the Holy Sabbath has been "replaced". Easter bunnies and Santa only serve to confuse little ones when it comes to understanding God. If we on one hand try to make kids believe in fairy tales and then ask them to believe in God, what then? I for one would not risk having a child think God is just another fairy tale. He is Creator of the universe and deserves our full loyalty. We as true Christians should never have anything to do with anything remotely pagan. So why not leave the pagan things to the rest of the world and emphasize the real meaning of the holiday: Christ's victory over sin. Quote
Woody Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 Quote: We as true Christians should never have anything to do with anything remotely pagan. Why do we then go to church on the pagan day of Saturn. Saturday? Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Moderators John317 Posted March 22, 2008 Moderators Posted March 22, 2008 You're right that all the names of the day are named after the false gods, such as Mani, Tyr, Wodan, Thunor, and Frigg. I've noticed that Ellen White only called it Sabbath or the seventh day or the Lord's day, but almost never Saturday, and she usually didn't call the first day anything but "first day." It seems the early SDAs did the same. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Moderators John317 Posted March 22, 2008 Moderators Posted March 22, 2008 I think it's like Christmas in that way-- a great time to draw attention to Christ and celebrate the fact that he is really alive. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Woody Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 You're right that all the names of the day are named after the false gods, such as Mani, Tyr, Wodan, Thunor, and Frigg. I've noticed that Ellen White only called it Sabbath or the seventh day or the Lord's day, but almost never Saturday, and she usually didn't call the first day anything but "first day." It seems the early SDAs did the same. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Stan Posted March 22, 2008 Author Posted March 22, 2008 "we" used to do that in the 1800's as well. Turns out Jesus spoke in the language of the people as we needed to as well. Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
olger Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 You make some valid points, Larry. Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.."
wordoflife Posted March 22, 2008 Posted March 22, 2008 I think from within the church we should learn more about how pagan the holiday is for our knowledge so that we do not get invloved in pagan issues without realising it. With that in mind, we should then take the opportunity to reach out to non believers as we focus on the ressurrection of Christ. More people are likely to be more responsive around this time. Quote
carolaa Posted March 23, 2008 Posted March 23, 2008 Easter bunnies and Santa only serve to confuse little ones when it comes to understanding God. If we on one hand try to make kids believe in fairy tales and then ask them to believe in God, what then? That is a good point. However, I've never known any child to be confused between fairy tales and God as long as you are honest with them from the beginning that Santa and the Easter Bunny are not real, but just fun pretend characters. Kids are entirely able to understand the religious meaning of the holidays, while at the same time participating in the "fun" aspects, whether it is hiding eggs or dressing up in a simple, non-scary costume. As long as you don't try to pass off the pagan stuff as sacred (which some churches/people actually do try to do), then I don't see any problem. There is nothing inherently wrong with coloring/hiding eggs or dressing in a costume. Quote
Woody Posted March 23, 2008 Posted March 23, 2008 Quote: There is nothing inherently wrong with coloring/hiding eggs or dressing in a costume. That is unless you have taught your children to fear the pagan boogie man. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
cricket Posted March 23, 2008 Posted March 23, 2008 It is my personal opinion that SDAs are missing a truly wonderful blessing in not recognizing the traditions of Easter celebrations. The focus of the religion is often centered around the law and His commandments; around His death for our salvation. Seldom does the faith have a day for exhuberance in celebration. Seventh-day Adventists would do well to learn from those who can proclaim with jubilation in their hearts, Hallelujah! He is risen! He is risen, indeed! The focus of the Christian's heart should always be on Christ--His life, His death, His resurrection, and His continued life and work in the celestial. It is the Christian's to rejoice! Lift up the trumpets! Loud them ring! Jesus is coming again! Cheer up ye pilgrims! Be joyful and sing! Jesus is coming again! Quote
Woody Posted March 23, 2008 Posted March 23, 2008 Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
olger Posted March 23, 2008 Posted March 23, 2008 Would it be OK if we had a sacrifice to satan service in our church this October? I mean after all, we have to reach out to people, and devil worshippers are people too. If it's too offensive to do it in the church, perhaps you could have it in your home. It will go good with our gay pride parade sabbath, too. Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.."
Woody Posted March 23, 2008 Posted March 23, 2008 Come on Olger .... let's be honest. You and Santa get along just fine I bet. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
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