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Origen Against the Innovation of Christmas? Check your sources!
I came across the following statement, which immediately sparked my interest (source): Speculation on the proper date began in the 3rd and 4th centuries, when the idea of fixing Christ’s birthday started. Quite a controversy arose among Church leaders. Some were opposed to such a celebration. Origen (185-254) strongly recommended against such an innovation. “In…
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Response to "Christmas Wars"
Steve Hays has a post called “Christmas Wars,” about objections to Christmas (link to post). As a non-celebrant of the day, I thought it would be interesting to review his identified objections and his responses to the objections. 1. Constitutional Objection As far as I know, Steve’s right about this. 2. Genetic Objection Steve has…
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Triablogue and Christmas
I’ve noticed that there are a number of Christmas-related posts over at Triablogue (link to said posts). I admit I have not read the posts carefully (and some are just for fun), but I have not seen any advocating the idea that the church is permitted to make December 25 a holy day of obligation…
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Response to Benedict XVI on Christmas
No, Benedict XVI did not visit this humble blog. No head of state (to my knowledge) has visited this blog. Nevertheless, on December 31, 2008, Benedict XVI provided some comments that are (perhaps) worth addressing: The birthday of Christ, which we are currently celebrating, is entirely suffused with the light of Mary and, even as…
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Mortal Sin of Not Observing Obligatory Holy Days Debate
It hasn’t been (I’m not sure whether it is over yet) a formal debate, but there are a series of posts back and forth that started with my rejection of the idea that it is mortal sin not to treat Christmas as a holy day, my affirmation of Christian liberty with respect to regarding days…
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Bellisario vs. His Own Imagination on Christmas
Bellisario has a new post, in which he ferociously battles positions that have not been presented (link). The straw flies in every direction, but I thought I’d do a quick response (well, it started as a quick response … it ended up a bit long) to his post: MB: “I wanted to answer the un-identifiable…
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Response to Nick on Christmas Observance
In response to my previous post (link), Nick has provided some comments: There are many “home based” non-denominational churches that apply your logic and in effect take away any common day of worship for Christians. The “Lord’s Day” on Sunday is no more binding than say Saturday or Tuesday worship. On top of that, any…
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Bellisario and Rome vs. Paul the Apostle on Christian Liberty
In a previous post (link), I quoted the words of Holy Scripture penned by Paul the Apostle: Romans 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God…
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To the Lord, I will not be Celebrating Christ’s Birth
As an exercise of my Christian liberty, I will not be celebrating Christ’s birthday on December 25, 2008. I will not be attending a “mass” or any substitute thereof. I do not plan to set aside any business concerns that would interfere with such religious exercises. Instead, by engaging in worldly employments and recreations, I…
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The real Turretin: On Christmas
I stumbled recently across this post, in which the author (about 80% of the way through the article) transcribes the real Turretin’s view on Christmas. (link) Obviously, I don’t share the views of the articles’ author, even if I do share the views of Turretin, Calvin, etc., whom he cites. Also, by the way, I…