Church of God News

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

In his latest commentary, announced today, WCG’s J. Tkach asked and gave his answer to the following:

Have you ever wondered why the doctrine of the Trinity is so important to Christian faith?…

The fact that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three in one and one in three means that Jesus Christ and the Father are not separate Gods. And that means you don’t ever have to worry about what God thinks about you, how God feels about you, or what is going to happen to you when you die…

We know the Father loves us, because we know from the Bible that Jesus the Son loves us.

That’s why the doctrine of the Trinity is so important. It lets us know exactly where we stand with God the Father, because since the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one God, where we stand with Jesus is where we stand with the Father.

I’m Joseph Tkach, speaking of LIFE.

Huh?

One does not need the explanation of the trinity to understand that how Christians stand with the Father is the same as they stand with the Son and that God loves them.  Also, since the trinity was not accepted by the majority of those who professed Christ until the latter portion of the fourth century, it must not have been an explanation that real Christians ever needed.

The reason that the trinity is important to people like J. Tkach is because he and some of his associates wanted to be accepted by the mainstream churches of the world, nearly all of which have accepted some version of the trinitarian doctrine.

Of course, this was not always the case even among the mainstream.

Into the fourth century, most who professed Christ accepted a binitarian (also known as Semi-Arian) view of the Godhead.  Notice what The Catholic Encyclopedia admits:

Semi-Arians…A name frequently given to the conservative majority in the East in the fourth century…

The “majority” mean most.  “Conservative” means that they were making some attempt to retain a longstanding position.  But, as will be shown later, it was also accepted by at least 400 bishops of the West (and hence it was apparently the majority view of both the East and the West in the middle of the fourth century).

The trinity was adopted in the late fourth century and became important after the Roman Emperor Theodosius decided that it would be.  Theodosius wanted unity within his empire, and to enforce it he persecuted those who did not accept his version of “Christianity” (see Persecutions by Church and State).

Catholics and Orthodox rarely seem to realize it, but the heads of their church until the middle of the fourth century were not clear trinitarians, but supported a binitarian/Semi-Arian position.

Actually notice the following which are from three Catholic-bishop approved writings:

The second Formula of Sirmium (357) stated the doctrine of the Anomoeans, or extreme Arians. Against this the Semi-Arian bishops, assembled at Ancyra, the episcopal city of their leader Basilius, issued a counter formula, asserting that the Son is in all things like the Father, afterwards approved by the Third Synod of Sirmium (358). This formula, though silent on the term “homousios“, consecrated by the Council of Nicaea, was signed by a few orthodox bishops, and probably by Pope Liberius, being, in fact, capable of an orthodox interpretation. The Emperor Constantius cherished at that time the hope of restoring peace between the orthodox and the Semi-Arians by convoking a general council (Benigni, Umberto. “Council of Rimini.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 11 Jul. 2008 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13057b.htm>).

Pneumatomachi…The majority of this sect were clearly orthodox on the Consubstantiality of the Son; they had sent a deputation from the Semi-Arian council of Lampsacus (364 A.D.) to Pope Liberius, who after some hesitation acknowledged the soundness of their faith; but with regard to the Third Person, both pope and bishops were satisfied with the phrase: “We believe in the Holy Ghost” (Arendzen, John. “Pneumatomachi.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 12. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 11 Jul. 2008 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12174a.htm>)

“In the Council of Rimini, 359 A.D…nearly all bishops present, 400 in number” decided “to sign a semi-Arian creed” (Kramer H.B. L. The Book of Destiny.  Nihil Obstat: J.S. Considine, O.P., Censor Deputatus.  Imprimatur: +Joseph M. Mueller, Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, January 26, 1956.  Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 164).

So at least 400 bishops, including the Bishop of Rome, agreed to a Semi-Arian position in the fourth century.  Since Rimini is in Italy, it should be clear that a majority in the West (and not just the East) also supported binitarianism.

What about the Orthodox?  Notice that even the Orthodox bishop of Constantinople in the fourth century held to some form of Semi-Arian view:

Towards the middle of the fourth century, Macedonius, Bishop of Constantinople, and, after him a number of Semi-Arians, while apparently admitting the Divinity of the Word, denied that of the Holy Ghost (Forget J. Transcribed by W.S. French, Jr. Holy Ghost. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VII. Copyright © 1910 by Robert Appleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight. Nihil Obstat, June 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Hence, any who claim that the trinity is somehow essential to Christianity miss the point that even the leaders of the mainstream churches in the fourth century did not hold the trinitarian position to be essential–and actually most did not hold it until the latter portion of that century.

But binitarianism existed from the beginning according to the trinitarian-leaning scholar L. Hurtado:

…the “binitarian” pattern of devotion in which both God (the “Father”) and Jesus are objects of such reverence goes back to the earliest observable stages of the movement that became Christianity…The central place given to Jesus…and…their concern to avoid ditheism by reverencing Jesus rather consistently with reference to “the Father”, combine to shape the proto-orthodox “binitarian” pattern of devotion. Jesus truly is reverenced as divine (Hurtado LW. Lord Jesus Christ, Devotion to Jesus in Earliest Christianity. William B. Eerdmans Publishing, Grand Rapids, 2003, pp. 605,618).

Furthermore, this is consistent with the Bible.  Notice this admission from another trinitarian scholar:

The binitarian formulas are found in Rom. 8:11, 2 Cor. 4:14, Gal. 1:1, Eph. 1:20, 1 Tim 1:2, 1 Pet. 1:21, and 2 John 1:13…No doctrine of the Trinity in the Nicene sense is present in the New Testament…There is no doctrine of the Trinity in the strict sense in the Apostolic Fathers…(Rusch W.G. The Trinitarian Controversy. Fortress Press, Phil., 1980, pp. 2-3).

Thus, the trinity is not important as far as the Bible is concerned, nor was it important enough to the early church.

The trinity became important in the fourth century to those who changed the beliefs and practices of the original church that Jesus founded.

But the true church was not to change doctrine (Jude 3) nor be carried away by doctrinal changes (Hebrews 13:8-9).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning Is binitarianism the correct position? What about unitarianism or trinitarianism?
Is The Father God? What is the view of the Bible? What was the view of the early church?
Jesus is God, But Was Made Man Was Jesus fully human and fully God or what?
Did Early Christians Think the Holy Spirit Was A Separate Person in a Trinity? Or did they have a different view?
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it?
Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church? Many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, claim it was, but was it?
Binitarianism: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning This is a shorter article than the Binitarian View article, but has a little more information on binitarianism.
Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes? Should Christians be Nazarenes today? What were the practices of the Nazarenes.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Which Is Faithful: The Roman Catholic Church or the Living Church of God? Do you know that both groups shared a lot of the earliest teachings? Do you know which church changed? Do you know which group is most faithful to the teachings of the apostolic church? Which group best represents true Christianity? This documented article answers those questions. Português: Qual é fiel: A igreja católica romana ou a igreja viva do deus? Tambien Español: Cuál es fiel: ¿La iglesia católica romana o La Iglesia del Dios Viviente? Auch: Deutsch: Welches zuverlässig ist: Die Römisch-katholische Kirche oder die lebende Kirche von Gott?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Orthodox Church and the Living Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

COGwriter

In it latest email, WCG had a letter from its J. Tkach that stated the following:

Around the world, with Africa not yet reporting, 33 new elders were ordained in 2008, more than 500 new believers were baptized, and some 60 new churches and Bible studies were started. Africa’s report will probably more than double the baptism figures. We currently have a worldwide membership of about 42,000 meeting in more than 850 churches in more than 90 countries and territories.

WCG seems to have had membership statistics in this range the past few years.

A lot of the non-Church of God doctrines have been adopted by the Tkach WCG–hence their new “believers”, would do not seem to believe the original faith (cf. Jude 3).

Three articles of possibly related interest may include:

Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

COGwriter

In it latest email, WCG announced the following:

Mike Feazell talks with Elmer Colyer, professor of theology at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Dr. Colyer talks about the weaknesses of the concordance method of theology, that the Bible is not an end in itself, our knowledge of God is participatory, and the promise of Trinitarian theology to transform our vision of what it means to be a Christian and what it means to be the church as the antidote to the church’s current consumerism, individualism and never-ending programs to get members.

Trinitarian theology means that one accepts the decisions of a Greco-Roman council in the late 4th century that was enforced with Imperial edicts and persecution.

Trinitarian theology means that one rejects the fact that the early true Church always held a Binitarian View of the Godhead.

Even compromisers, like the Bishops of Rome and Constantinople, endorsed some type of a Binitarian View as late as the middle of the fourth century.  Some type of Binitarian View was the majority position of those who professed Christ, even among many of the Greco-Romans in most of the fourth century.

Accepting Trinitarian theology means that one has rejected what Jude referred to as “the faith that was once for all delivered for the saints“.

Those interested in understanding the truth on these matters, should study the following with their Bibles open:

Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning Is binitarianism the correct position? What about unitarianism or trinitarianism?
Is The Father God? What is the view of the Bible? What was the view of the early church?
Jesus is God, But Was Made Man Was Jesus fully human and fully God or what?
Virgin Birth: Does the Bible Teach It? What does the Bible teach? What is claimed in The Da Vinci Code?
Did Early Christians Think the Holy Spirit Was A Separate Person in a Trinity? Or did they have a different view?
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it?
Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church? Many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, claim it was, but was it?
Binitarianism: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning This is a shorter article than the Binitarian View article, but has a little more information on binitarianism.

On other matters, a couple of years ago WCG proposed the possible name “Grace International Communion” (GIC) for itself (Together, November-December 2006).  It is still trying to determine if now is the time to change its name:

FAQs About Changing the Church’s Name

We haven’t heard anything about changing the church’s name for a while. Have we dropped the idea?

No, not at all. But we are not rushing into adopting a new name just to make a change. This is a serious and important decision, and we must make it carefully…The next most desirable name, Grace International Communion, was met with mixed reactions when we announced it as a possibility.

Such as?

Many people told us they did not like the sound of the name. That is to be expected. Any new name will take some getting used to. Some people who initially did not like it have told us that they eventually warmed up to it.

Since, WCG is no longer a Church of God (and has not been one since probably the late 1980s/early 1990s), any name change that removes the expression “Church of God” as a descriptor is likely to be an improvement as far as I am concerned.

COGwriter

In his update today, WCG’s J. Tkach wrote:

SpOL124  SATAN

Paul wrote in Colossians 1:13, We have been rescued “from the dominion of darkness and brought … into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”

Hebrews 2:14 tells us, “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil…”

Because we are allied with Christ, we can be confident, as Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:18, that “the Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.”

Satan is a defeated enemy, and yet he is still an enemy. Peter describes the devil as a lion on the prowl in 1 Peter 5:8: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

So what should we do? Peter goes on to say in verses 9 and 10: “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

The strategy is simple: resist. How? By faith!

The Bible does not prescribe any secret words or rituals, special anointings or prayer formulas. We do not have to learn special names or go on special walks.

Neither Jesus nor the apostles went searching for demons to rout. They expelled demons when the problem was unavoidable, but they did not search for hidden demons or territorial spirits. Going after demons is not the key to spiritual growth or effective evangelism.

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” James 4:7 tells us. And in 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Paul wrote: “…the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

While I normally disagree with J. Tkach here, he and I would likely be able to agree on nearly all of the above.  Something that I would want to add, however, would be:

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:7-8).

It is necessary to submit to God and repent of sin–this is what should be done to resist Satan.

A couple articles of possibly related interest may include:

Lies Where did they originate? What was really the first lie? What happens for lies?
A Short Article on Faith A subject that could fill many books.
Close Encounters of a ‘Spirit’ Kind discusses some experiences I believe were (demon) ‘spirit’ related.
Joyce’s Photos of Rome and the Vatican Rome has been a major world city for centuries. Since the late second century, it has made claims of prominence over Christianity. There is even a photo of what has been described as “Satan’s Throne“

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

In the Dec 2008/Jan 2009 edition of WCG’s Christian Odyssey magazine, its president J. Tkach made the following comments:

Argument 1: “We don’t know the date of Christ’s birth.”
It is true that no one knows for certain on what day or even month of the year Jesus was born…

Argument 2: “Christmas is commercialized and materialistic.”
Without doubt the Christmas holiday season has become a commercial rat race for many people…

Argument 3: “Most Christmas traditions originate in paganism.”
There is no denying that some of the traditional practices and elements that are part of our Christmas celebration are similar to those found in ancient pagan religious ceremonies.

Argument 4: “Jeremiah 10:2-4 condemns the use of Christmas trees.”
The King James Version of this passage reads: “Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen…. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.”

On the surface it might seem that Jeremiah is describing Christmas trees…Jeremiah 10 condemns idols…

…nothing more worthy of celebration than the coming of our Savior into the world!

I am glad that Joseph Tkach admits much of the obvious (though he could have admitted that the ties to paganism are much stronger than he indicated and that December 25th has Mithras’ birthday), even though he still endorses and supports this paganized approach to Christ.

Decorated trees, as Christians should know, have nothing to do with the Jesus of the Bible.  And J. Tkach apparently overlooked the fact that when Jeremiah was inspired to write “Learn not the way of the heathen” that this indicates that adding pagan practices to worship is not acceptable for God’s people.

Period.

Instead of teaching that, the article then has a section titled Faulty Logic.  The gist of it is that WCG is teaching that adopting pagan practices is fine and those who condemn them are not as intellectually-gifted as the WCG leadership.  This appeal to intellectual vanity would seem to mainly to appeal to people who wish to be deceived.

The truth is that neither Jesus, His apostle, nor His early followers celebrated Jesus’ birth.  Nor did they consider that it was nearly as important as His death (which is observed through the Passover season–which, unlike Christmas, is something that the New Testament does teach; cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8).

If the Bible considered the celebration of Jesus’ birth to be important, it would have stated that.  Instead, Jesus taught to observe Passover as He had done (John 13:1-15; ! Corinthians 11:23-26)–yet almost none who profess Christ do what Jesus said to do–and, for one example, they reason around Jesus’ commandments such as footwashing (John 13:13-15).

Doing what the Jesus and the Apostles’ taught in the Bible is biblical logic–it overrule the “Faulty Logic” arguments that WCG raised.

Why would real Christians want to do something that clearly does not have biblical endorsement, but instead was a compromise with paganism?

In another article in the same issue, WCG had the following sub-headline “Practical ways to avoid Christmas debt”.  And it fails to simply state that the obvious way is that Christians are to obey God, not follow the lustful ways of the world that lead to that type of debt.

Will you follow the leaders of the New Testament and “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29) or rely on the “faulty logic” of those who make up traditions that do not have biblical endorsement?

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate? Historical and biblical answers to this question about the world’s New Year’s day.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

The Worldwide Church of God just sent out an email of a commentary by its leader J. Tkach asking “Is the  Christmas Tree Pagan?”.  Here is how it starts:

SpOL119   Is the Christmas Tree Pagan?

Some Christians have thought that Jeremiah 10:2-4 condemns the Christmas tree. As a result, they’ve avoided Christmas trees, believing that to have one in their home would be a sin.

In the King James Version, Jeremiah 10:2-4 reads like this: “Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen…. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.”

On the surface it might seem that Jeremiah is describing Christmas trees. But like so many mistaken impressions about the Bible, that conclusion ignores the context. Verses 2 through 4 of Jeremiah 10 are part of the larger context of verses 1 through 16, a condemnation not of the Christmas tree or trees of any kind, but of idols, which were typically carved from trees…

For Christians, the Christmas tree is not an object of veneration. It’s only a reminder of the good things of God.

While J. Tkach seems to indicate that Christmas Trees are not idols, that Catholics would say that about their statues.  Yet the New Testament is clear that Christians are to “not become idolaters as were some of them…Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (I Corinthians10:7,14). Trying to see how close one can come to accepting idols/icons does not seem consistent with that (or other) New Testament admonitions.

J. Tkach is correct that context is important.  But the context of Jeremiah 10 is not JUST idols, as he inplies, it is about avoiding pagan practices: “Learn not the way of the heathen“.  This is the context that Christians need to understand.

Yet, certainly having decorated trees as part of worship ceremonies is a heathen/pagan practice.  For Christians, Christmas Trees are a sign that many who professed Christ have compromised with paganism and prefer to accept traditions of men over the instructions in the Bible.  Decorated trees are not biblically a reminder “of the good things of God” as J. Tkach is now asserting.

Regarding some tree history, ReligiousTolerance.org reported:

Christmas trees…during the Roman celebration of the feast of Saturnalia, Pagans did decorate their houses with clippings of evergreen shrubs. They also decorated living trees with bits of metal and replicas of their God, Bacchus. Tertullian (circa 160 – 230), an early Christian leader and a prolific writer, complained that too many fellow-Christians had copied the Pagan practice of adorning their houses with lamps and with wreathes of laurel at Christmas time…Many Pagan cultures used to cut boughs of evergreen trees in December, move them into the home or temple, and decorate them.  Modern-day Pagans still do. This was to recognize the winter solstice — the time of the year that had the shortest daylight hours, and longest night of the year.

Last year, LCG reported the following about Christmas Trees:

Saturnalia—the festival Christmas absorbed—even carries echoes of ancient child sacrifice! It sounds horrific that dolls were given as gifts as symbols or proxies of children burnt to pagan gods. Yet this practice echoes the modern tradition of hanging cherubs or human figures on Christmas trees! The ancient Greeks placed small masks called oscilla on branches, where they could twirl freely in the wind. Encyclopaedia Britannica explains that oscilla were small figures, most commonly masks or faces, that were hung up “as offerings to various deities.… The custom of hanging these oscilla represents an older practice of expiating human sacrifice” (ibid.). (Tomorrow’s World, “Christmas: Harmful for Children?”)

The connections with pagan practices are clear.

Yet getting back to WCG, another question that J. Tkach should be asking is,  “Are Christmas Trees ever endorsed in the Bible?”

And the answer is no.

So with Christmas Trees we:

1. Clearly have a pagan symbol
2. See a condemnation in the Bible of decorating trees associated with the worship of the true God, and
3. Have a  human tradition that does not come from the Bible itself.

So, yes, Christmas Trees are pagan.  And true Christians should not utilize them in their worship of the true God.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate? Historical and biblical answers to this question about the world’s New Year’s day.
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did Catholic and Orthodox “saints” endorse or condemn idols and icons for Christians?
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

The Worldwide Church of God just sent out an email of a commentary by its leader J. Tkach asking “Is Christmas Pagan?”

The answer to that question is easy.

Of course it is.

But since he wants people to celebrate it anyway, here is some of what J. Tkach said:

You might be surprised to know that some Christians believe it is a sin to celebrate Christmas.

They contend that Christmas is pagan and God does not want Christians copying pagans.

There is no denying that some of the traditional practices and elements associated with Christmas are similar to those found in ancient pagan religious ceremonies.

It does not follow, however, that Christians are practicing paganism when they use similar practices or elements in worshipping Jesus. The early Christians in fact, succeeded in replacing the pagan celebrations by redeeming and transforming them. Just as an individual sinner who repents becomes redeemed and transformed in Christ, everything God has created for our enjoyment may be redeemed and transformed for use in worship to him.

For example, the pagan Feast of Saturnalia in early Rome was celebrated with a spirit of merriment, giving gifts to children and other forms of entertainment. The fact that pagans gave gifts to their children and celebrated with special meals on certain days of the year does not mean that such activities on Christian days and seasons of worship are sinful.

The truth is that neither Jesus, the original apostles, nor any who professed Christ can be shown to have observed Christmas until at least 150 years after Jesus died.  And actually, Rome did not actually adopt it until sometime in the 4th century and Constantinople did not adopt it until later in the 4th century.

Around the beginning of the 3rd century, Tertullian (the so-called “father of Latin theology”) warned that to participate in the winter celebrations made one beholding to pagan gods.

Notice what Tertullian wrote about winter celebrations, such as Saturnalia (from a pagan deity whose name meant plentiful):

The Minervalia are as much Minerva’s, as the Saturnalia Saturn’s; Saturn’s, which must necessarily be celebrated even by little slaves at the time of the Saturnalia. New-year’s gifts likewise must be caught at, and the Septimontium kept; and all the presents of Midwinter and the feast of Dear Kinsmanship must be exacted; the schools must be wreathed with flowers; the flamens’ wives and the aediles sacrifice; the school is honoured on the appointed holy-days. The same thing takes place on an idol’s birthday; every pomp of the devil is frequented. Who will think that these things are befitting to a Christian master, unless it be he who shall think them suitable likewise to one who is not a master? (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter X. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

But, however, the majority (of Christians) have by this time induced the belief in their mind that it is pardonable if at any time they do what the heathen do, for fear “the Name be blasphemed”…To live with heathens is lawful, to die with them is not. Let us live with all; let us be glad with them, out of community of nature, not of superstition. We are peers in soul, not in discipline; fellow-possessors of the world, not of error. But if we have no right of communion in matters of this kind with strangers, how far more wicked to celebrate them among brethren! Who can maintain or defend this?…By us,…the Saturnalia and New-year’s and Midwinter’s festivals and Matronalia are frequented–presents come and go–New-year’s gifts–games join their noise–banquets join their din! Oh better fidelity of the nations to their own sect, which claims no solemnity of the Christians for itself!…Not the Lord’s day, not Pentecost, even it they had known them, would they have shared with us; for they would fear lest they should seem to be Christians. We are not apprehensive lest we seem to be heathens! (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter XIV. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

But “let your works shine,” saith He; but now all our shops and gates shine! You will now-a-days find more doors of heathens without lamps and laurel-wreaths than of Christians. What does the case seem to be with regard to that species (of ceremony) also? If it is an idol’s honour, without doubt an idol’s honour is idolatry. If it is for a man’s sake, let us again consider that all idolatry is for man’s sake; let us again consider that all idolatry is a worship done to men, since it is generally agreed even among their worshippers that aforetime the gods themselves of the nations were men; and so it makes no difference whether that superstitious homage be rendered to men of a former age or of this. Idolatry is condemned, not on account of the persons which are set up for worship, but on account of those its observances, which pertain to demons (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter XV. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

What Tertullian seems to be saying is that observing mid-winter celebrations make Christians appear to be followers of pagan gods, and since the pagans would not intentionally celebrate days considered by many to be Christian, Christians should not celebrate days that are honored by the heathen. Specifically, he felt that those who profess Christ should not celebrate Saturnalia, New Year’s, or other pagan days, as even the observance is a form of idolatry (click here for an article titled Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate?).

Since the modern Christmas celebration is at the same time as the old Gentile Saturnalia holiday (and with many of the same elements, like wreaths and gift-giving), it is clear that Tertullian is condemning these practices by stating that those that keep it are of the pagan god Saturn. He also wrote against winter giving:

…gifts like those you have in the Saturnalia! (Tertullian. De Fuga in Persecutione, Chapter 13. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 4. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

So basically, those who teach “Jesus is the reason for the season” are in error. The reason for the season appears to be that some of those who professed Christ, but did not want to leave the world, wanted to have a party. And did not care if the party was related to pagan gods.

It is interesting to note that Tertullian objected to keeping a celebration lasting until the Roman New Years, putting up wreaths, and giving gifts.  Since most of these quotes come from his writing titles “On Idolatry” apparently he considered those practices as idolatrous.

It seems to me that no true Christians would do this, only those who were somewhat nominal, but who had been accepted, to some degree, by part of the Greco-Roman confederation.  His complaints apparently did not stop this from happening, though his objections certainly have biblical support.

Even the Rheims‘ version of the New Testament (a Catholic approved translation) states the following:

15. And what agreement with Christ and Belial? or what part hath the faithful with the
infidel?
16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with Idols? For you are the temple of the
living God. as God saith, Then I will dwell, and walk in them, and will be their God: and
they shall be my people.
17. For the which cause, Go out of the midst of them, and separate yourselves. saith our
Lord, and touch not the unclean: and I will receive you (2 Corinthians 6:15-17, The Original And True Rheims New Testament Of Anno Domini 1582. Prepared and Edited by Dr. William von Peters, Ph.D. Copyright © 1998, Dr. William G. von Peters. Ph.D. 2004, copyright assigned to VSC Corp.).

So unclean practices associated with idols are prohibited by God; and they are sinful (cf. 1 John 5:17). Does not that include celebrating as the idolaters celebrate?

The fact is that even early Greco-Roman leaders were worried that their followers were embracing the practices of the pagans in honoring Saturnalia and Mithras.  Yet, ultimately those in the compromising churches compromised and even selected the date of Mithras birthday celebration as the date to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Notice the following from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

Mithraism A pagan religion consisting mainly of the cult of the ancient Indo-Iranian Sun-god Mithra. It entered Europe from Asia Minor after Alexander’s conquest, spread rapidly over the whole Roman Empire at the beginning of our era, reached its zenith during the third century, and vanished under the repressive regulations of Theodosius at the end of the fourth century…Helios Mithras is one god…Sunday was kept holy in honour of Mithra, and the sixteenth of each month was sacred to him as mediator. The 25 December was observed as his birthday, the natalis invicti, the rebirth of the winter-sun, unconquered by the rigours of the season (Arendzen. J.P. Transcribed by John Looby. Mithraism. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume X. Published 1911. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, October 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Does picking December 25th sound like a change that God would approve?

Furthermore, those celebrating the 25th continued with the gift giving and other pagan practices associated with those celebrations.  And those practices continue to this day (which is why today is considered to be the biggest shopping day, probably in the entire world, but definitely in the United States).

But those practices and dates are not in the Bible.

While you obey God this year or instead follow the traditions of men that involve honoring pagan gods?

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate? Historical and biblical answers to this question about the world’s New Year’s day.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

In a document that was revised by the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) on August 21, 2008, titled An introduction to Trinitarian, Christ-centered Theology, by Ted Johnston, WCG-USA Ministry Development Team (with Dr. J. Michael Feazell, Dr. Michael Morrison, Terry Akers and Keith Brittain), it proclaimed the following:

Trinitarian, Christcentered Theology has been around a very long time.  In fact, it was the theological vision that informed much of the teaching in the early church, was the basis of the early Christian Creeds, and the basis for determining the canon of the New Testament. Following is a summary of a few of the early and prominent Trinitarian teachers/theologians.

Irenaeus (died A.D. 202) Irenaeus was a disciple of Polycarp (who had studied with the Apostle John)…

Athanasius (died A.D. 373) As a young man, Athanasius defended the true gospel of God’s grace in Jesus against false teachers (including Arius) who denied Jesus’ divinity. This defense led to the formulation of the doctrine of the Trinity, affirmed at the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325. Athanasius was also a principal among those who helped settle the final canon of the New Testament.

There are several problems with this.  One of which is that Irenaeus, despite his many flaws, was not a trinitarian–yet he is cited as WCG’s earliest proof.  Yet notice what Irenaeus actually wrote:

…there is none other called God by the Scriptures except the Father of all, and the Son, and those who possess the adoption (Irenaeus. Adversus haereses, Book IV, Preface, Verse 4. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Irenaeus held a binitarian view of the Godhead.  Notice that he does not say that the Holy Spirit is also called God. Also notice that Irenaeus states that only the Father, the Son, and those who possess the adoption (Christians) are God. This is a binitarian, not a trinitarian view.

Additionally, it was the Apostle John who God used to fix the New Testament canon (see The New Testament Canon – From the Bible Itself), and this was in essence confirmed by Polycarp (Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians).  Perhaps I should mention that WCG skipped from a bogus implication related to Irenaeus (as he was not trinitarian) to a person of the 4th century (Athanasius) as proof of the early acceptance of the trinity–kind of a big historical gap.  Furthermore, contrary to WCG’s indications, Athanasius’ view was a minority one until about the time of his death among the Greco-Romans.

Contrary to the interpretations of the current WCG there are no early (pre-third century) writings other than those from recognized heretics such as Valentinus and Montanus (both of whom are recognized as heretics by the Church of Rome and most Protestant scholars) that supported trinitarian theology.

The only trinitarian theology that was around for a long time was not Christ-centered and according to a Catholic in the fourth century, it entered the professing Christian world from the heretic Valentinus who got the idea from Hermes and Plato:

Now with the heresy of the Ariomaniacs, which has corrupted the Church of God…These then teach three hypostases, just as Valentinus the heresiarch first invented in the book entitled by him ‘On the Three Natures’.  For he was the first to invent three hypostases and three persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and he is discovered to have filched this from Hermes and Plato (Source: Logan A. Marcellus of Ancyra (Pseudo-Anthimus), ‘On the Holy Church’: Text, Translation and Commentary. Verses 8-9.  Journal of Theological Studies, NS, Volume 51, Pt. 1, April 2000, p.95 ).

Thus, it is not true that the early true church had a trinitarian theology–this was not even something that was uniformly adopted by the Greco-Romans until the late 4th century.

It is a historical fact that the bishops of both Rome (Liberius) and Constantinople (Macedonius) approved binitarian/Semi-Arian/non-trinitarian positions in the middle of the 4th century–this is a matter of history for those interested in the truth.

However, just because WCG has misapplied history, does not mean that you have to.

If you are truly interested in learning the truth about the Godhead and what true and false Christians taught about the Godhead in the first few centuries, I urge you to diligently study the following articles.  If you have any doubts, please pray about it, check out my historical references, and compare the teachings with the Bible.

Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning Is binitarianism the correct position? What about unitarianism or trinitarianism?
Is The Father God? What is the view of the Bible? What was the view of the early church?
Jesus is God, But Was Made Man Was Jesus fully human and fully God or what?
Virgin Birth: Does the Bible Teach It? What does the Bible teach? What is claimed in The Da Vinci Code?
Did Early Christians Think the Holy Spirit Was A Separate Person in a Trinity? Or did they have a different view?
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it?
Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church? Many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, claim it was, but was it?
Binitarianism: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning This is a shorter article than the Binitarian View article, but has a little more information on binitarianism.

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

In the October 2008 edition of its Christian Odyssey magazine, WCG reported:

WCG used to understand that the Book of Revelation is not only relevant for today, it really does discuss and provide prophetic information that actually will be fulfilled in the 21st century.

Many who discount prophecy seem to do it by only partially quoting the Bible, or basing a doctrine on a misleading translation.  For example, the above article has the subheadline “What must soon take place”.  The implication is that 1900 years is not soon, thus the Book of Revelation really is not revealing things that will occur in the 21st century associated with the Great Tribulation, Day of the Lord, the return of Christ, the millenium, and beyond.

But Jesus, in the Book of Revelation itself in the NKJV, states:

Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this (Revelation 1:19).

Thus, it was most obviously NOT just for the 1st and early 2nd centuries.

Furthermore, even if WCG and others wish to insist that their misleading translation is correct, then they should look at the last chapter of the Book of Revelation, where Jesus states:

Surely I am coming quickly (Revelation 22:20).

So, either Jesus is liar (which He was not) or the new WCG simply does not wish to truly understand the prophecies of the Book of Revelation.

Additionally, the Book of Revelation itself gives shows that certain events would take a relatively long time to be fulfilled.  Why else would it quote those who state:

“How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10)

Thus, long time periods for the fulfillment in at least parts of what the book teaches were themselves prophesied.

The Book of Revelation is prophetic and many of the prophecies will be fulfilled in the 21st century.

Those like the WCG that fail to keep the biblical holy days (like the Feast of Tabernacles that began last night) simply often misunderstand much of biblical prophecy.

Those who do not understand (or like WCG, no longer understand) that God has a 7000 year plan, with the 6000 years of human rule to end in the 21st century simply are not heeding the many commands from Jesus to “watch”.

But those events written in the Book of Revelation that have not yet occured, “the things which will take place”.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made? Some have said healing, others other subjects, but probably the first change had to do with eliminating being part of the Philadelphia era. This article documents what those changes were and compares the Tkach list of restored truths to Herbert W. Armstrong’s list of restored truths. It contains many quotes from Herbert W. Armstrong.
Why Prophecy? Because the World Will Not End Next Week Some question or downplay the role of prophecy. This article gives some of the biblical reasons what it is important and explains why the world cannot end for at least 3 1/3 years from now.
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans (the Hindus may have some predictions for the next decade as well). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Does God Have a 7,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years of Human Rule End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?

COGwriter

Today is the biblical Feast of Trumpets. A day that features the good news that the resurrection of the Christians and the book of life will be opened after the destruction to hit this planet (please see the article Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians? for details).

Those who are not observing the biblical Feast of Trumpets today, seem more inclined to at least partially support (it is the third biggest financially important holiday in the USA) a pagan holiday that promotes death.

On its web page last year, WCG mentioned and promoted its current article, with the related picture, on Halloween which states:

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

May Christians and their children participate in Halloween activities? To answer this question, we should first distinguish the secular observance of Halloween from such important Christian festival days as Christmas and Easter. Christmas celebrates the birth of our Savior and Easter commemorates his resurrection. Both these Christian holidays memorialize profound aspects of the life of Jesus…

The day does have religious significance for some people, particularly wiccans and druids. For some people and in some regions, Halloween or some of its elements may have a non-Christian religious meaning. Some Halloween activities could be considered anti-Christian, and would, therefore, be avoided. Christians would want to avoid demonic associations, for example. With these things in mind, it would be appropriate for Christians to consider carefully their activities on this holiday.

…It’s true that such things as jack-o’-lanterns, bonfires and black cats, which are part of the Halloween tradition, may have roots in pre-Christian activities…

Most Christians believe they can celebrate Halloween (in some respects) as a purely secular day of fun…

It is the responsibility of each Christian to decide, based on biblical and Christian principles, whether to participate in Halloween activities, and to avoid judging other Christians who have different circumstances and make different decisions.

WCG seems to want it both ways: it knows that Halloween is pagan, but thinks that Christians can celebrate it.

Christianity Today also seems to try to have it both ways: they seem to accept the compromise to observe it but try to suggest that not celebrating is okay while they also promote its observance.  Here are a few quotes from its website:

Responding to Halloween…

Announcing a new line of costumes…

Over the years, we have come up with some great activities to strengthen our family ties in late October that you can use whether you participate in Halloween or not.

Hallowing Halloween
Why Christians should embrace the “devilish” holiday with gusto—and laughter.

Why I Let My Kids Go Trick-or-Treating…

Other Links to Halloween Resources

Holiday Tips
Tips for a safe and successful Halloween night from the American Tract Society…

Halloween: Trick or Treat?
Visit the American Tract Society’s website to learn about the history of Halloween and All Saints’ Day and find fun games for the kids to play.

I suspect that the other reason for CT’s acceptance of paganism is financial.  There are various ads promoting books and other items related to Halloween.  Interestingly, in its list of “Holidays and Events” (a listing of 25 mainly pagan holidays), no biblical Holy Day is listed.

Christianity Today fails again to promote Christianity, but instead sinks to the level of promoting compromises that were accepted and/or endorsed by the Catholics of Rome.

Halloween came from pagan sources, promotes pagan concepts, and is not in any way endorsed by the Bible.

Jesus and Paul did not observe Halloween.  They observed the biblical holy days such as the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement (which begins at sunset on October 8th in 2008).

Which should a Christian truly support?

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians? This article provides some historical and biblical insight on this question.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Did Paul? Should you?
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians?
LCG 2008 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this year.