I'd like to recommend the following site if you are concerned about anti-holiday propaganda:
Ralph Woodrow Evangelistic Association
Ralph Woodrow used to teach that Christmas observance was anti-Christian and reflected paganism. His books were common fare for cultists, such as the group I belonged to.
Now, I have no issue with a believer who conscientiously declines to observe Christmas or Easter because he has conscience issues, and Romans 14 gives liberality for differences of opinion in this area. However, I am vehemently opposed to cultic organizations who use the holidays issue to gain credibility for their own organization.
The common spiel is that Christianity is contaminated with paganism, and Christians are deceived into believing it. The group who makes such claims commonly associates themselves with the true faith, and tries to use the holidays issue as a wedge to convince potential converts.
Organizations which use Christmas and/or Easter in this manner include the Armstrongites (Restored Church of God, United Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God, Living Church of God, Church of God - International), Hebrew Roots Movement (which was influenced by Herbert Armstrong, the founder of Armstrongism) and some Messianic Jews, and Jehovah's Witnesses.
One should realize that Armstrong's theology was affected by Jewish myths as well as the writings of Alexander Hislop, author of "Two Babylons". Space and time don't permit covering either topic very well. Scripture warns us concerning listening to Jewish myths, though, and Alexander Hislop has been academically discredited for misquoting his sources, using poor reasoning, and historical blunders. For instance, he claims that Nimrod and Semiramis lived in the same time period, and were a married couple. This is wrong...they likely lived in different centuries; hundreds of years apart.
Armstrong's belief system had a direct impact on Hebrew Roots people. Their theology is a collision of three different groups: Armstrongism, Messianic Judaism and Sacred Name Movement. If anyone doubts this, look up Dean Wheelock, who is a leader in the Hebrew Roots Movement...he is a former Armstrongite and still believes most of Armstrong's theology (he was a member of Church of God - International). Additionally, William Dankenbring is a former Armstrongite..another leader in the movement.
Regarding Ralph Woodrow, I would read his book, "Christmas-Revisited", to see why Ralph rejected his former anti-Christmas beliefs. Additionally check out his booklet "The Babylon Connection?" for remarks concerning Alexander Hislop and why he rejects Hislopite beliefs now.
If you are approached by an anti-holiday person, I suggest asking them if they believe in the deity of Christ and the Trinity as well. So many individuals involved in the anti-holiday movement reject the Trinity and the deity of Christ. Often, the belief systems of such individuals is identical with one of the cultic groups above, and rejection of the Trinity and deity of Christ is part and parcel with the mentality of most cults.
The arguments used by anti-holiday people are often comical. For instance, the claim is commonly made that Jeremiah 10 is talking about a Christmas tree. Read Jeremiah 10 carefully to see that it is talking about an idol carved out of wood with clothing on it, and Jeremiah mocks its worshipers because the idol cannot talk. Yet, in the reasoning process of anti-holiday people, they will vehemently declare Jeremiah 10 to be speaking about Christmas trees.
Read it and prove me wrong I challenge ANYONE to read Jeremiah 10 and defend the view that what's being discussed is a Christmas tree rather than an idol carved by a man. And, if someone responds to this challenge, I suggest that you go read the chapter yourself and see if he is omitting verses from the context. There's no mistake on this.
Cultists will do that, though..they quote only selected verses to prove their point..this is academic dishonesty. They create a little rabbit trail to "prove" their doctrines without showing you all the verses around them. Or, they define the context for you so that their view seems reasonable, but their context is a false one that cannot be supported. That's the type of manipulation that is needed to build cultic movements.
By the way, I believed this stuff as a young believer too. I have graduated past the slow learners' class. I hope some of you do, too. Realize that cultists twist Scriptures and make claims that reflect their level of biblical comprehension. Realize, as well, that many of them deny ESSENTIAL core doctrines of Christianity like the deity of Christ and the Trinity, and make other outlandish claims. For example, the Armstrongites claim they will be fully God, just like God the Father and Jesus Christ, in the resurrection. Jehovah's Witnesses deny the full deity of Jesus Christ. They strain at gnats while swallowing camels, just like one would expect of the carnal mind..seeking to make trouble for Christians.
Armstrongites claim everyone else is spiritually blinded, and can't understand the truth, therefore they view Christians as being blind followers of tradition, which is a similar mentality that many in the Hebrew Roots Movement has concerning Christianity.
Anyways, have a great Christmas this year. I may not even check back on this thread, so if I don't answer, that is why. I know the typical responses that follow from calling out cultists on their false teachings.
Also, look at the linked previous posts I've made...I'm sure some will show up because I have discussed this in the past.
I highly suggest getting Ralph's books on this topic. Like I said, he used to be the authority figure for cults seeking to propagate these errors...second only to Alexander Hislop and his "Two Babylons" book.
Have a great Christmas all
Ralph Woodrow Evangelistic Association
Ralph Woodrow used to teach that Christmas observance was anti-Christian and reflected paganism. His books were common fare for cultists, such as the group I belonged to.
Now, I have no issue with a believer who conscientiously declines to observe Christmas or Easter because he has conscience issues, and Romans 14 gives liberality for differences of opinion in this area. However, I am vehemently opposed to cultic organizations who use the holidays issue to gain credibility for their own organization.
The common spiel is that Christianity is contaminated with paganism, and Christians are deceived into believing it. The group who makes such claims commonly associates themselves with the true faith, and tries to use the holidays issue as a wedge to convince potential converts.
Organizations which use Christmas and/or Easter in this manner include the Armstrongites (Restored Church of God, United Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God, Living Church of God, Church of God - International), Hebrew Roots Movement (which was influenced by Herbert Armstrong, the founder of Armstrongism) and some Messianic Jews, and Jehovah's Witnesses.
One should realize that Armstrong's theology was affected by Jewish myths as well as the writings of Alexander Hislop, author of "Two Babylons". Space and time don't permit covering either topic very well. Scripture warns us concerning listening to Jewish myths, though, and Alexander Hislop has been academically discredited for misquoting his sources, using poor reasoning, and historical blunders. For instance, he claims that Nimrod and Semiramis lived in the same time period, and were a married couple. This is wrong...they likely lived in different centuries; hundreds of years apart.
Armstrong's belief system had a direct impact on Hebrew Roots people. Their theology is a collision of three different groups: Armstrongism, Messianic Judaism and Sacred Name Movement. If anyone doubts this, look up Dean Wheelock, who is a leader in the Hebrew Roots Movement...he is a former Armstrongite and still believes most of Armstrong's theology (he was a member of Church of God - International). Additionally, William Dankenbring is a former Armstrongite..another leader in the movement.
Regarding Ralph Woodrow, I would read his book, "Christmas-Revisited", to see why Ralph rejected his former anti-Christmas beliefs. Additionally check out his booklet "The Babylon Connection?" for remarks concerning Alexander Hislop and why he rejects Hislopite beliefs now.
If you are approached by an anti-holiday person, I suggest asking them if they believe in the deity of Christ and the Trinity as well. So many individuals involved in the anti-holiday movement reject the Trinity and the deity of Christ. Often, the belief systems of such individuals is identical with one of the cultic groups above, and rejection of the Trinity and deity of Christ is part and parcel with the mentality of most cults.
The arguments used by anti-holiday people are often comical. For instance, the claim is commonly made that Jeremiah 10 is talking about a Christmas tree. Read Jeremiah 10 carefully to see that it is talking about an idol carved out of wood with clothing on it, and Jeremiah mocks its worshipers because the idol cannot talk. Yet, in the reasoning process of anti-holiday people, they will vehemently declare Jeremiah 10 to be speaking about Christmas trees.
Read it and prove me wrong I challenge ANYONE to read Jeremiah 10 and defend the view that what's being discussed is a Christmas tree rather than an idol carved by a man. And, if someone responds to this challenge, I suggest that you go read the chapter yourself and see if he is omitting verses from the context. There's no mistake on this.
Cultists will do that, though..they quote only selected verses to prove their point..this is academic dishonesty. They create a little rabbit trail to "prove" their doctrines without showing you all the verses around them. Or, they define the context for you so that their view seems reasonable, but their context is a false one that cannot be supported. That's the type of manipulation that is needed to build cultic movements.
By the way, I believed this stuff as a young believer too. I have graduated past the slow learners' class. I hope some of you do, too. Realize that cultists twist Scriptures and make claims that reflect their level of biblical comprehension. Realize, as well, that many of them deny ESSENTIAL core doctrines of Christianity like the deity of Christ and the Trinity, and make other outlandish claims. For example, the Armstrongites claim they will be fully God, just like God the Father and Jesus Christ, in the resurrection. Jehovah's Witnesses deny the full deity of Jesus Christ. They strain at gnats while swallowing camels, just like one would expect of the carnal mind..seeking to make trouble for Christians.
Armstrongites claim everyone else is spiritually blinded, and can't understand the truth, therefore they view Christians as being blind followers of tradition, which is a similar mentality that many in the Hebrew Roots Movement has concerning Christianity.
Anyways, have a great Christmas this year. I may not even check back on this thread, so if I don't answer, that is why. I know the typical responses that follow from calling out cultists on their false teachings.
Also, look at the linked previous posts I've made...I'm sure some will show up because I have discussed this in the past.
I highly suggest getting Ralph's books on this topic. Like I said, he used to be the authority figure for cults seeking to propagate these errors...second only to Alexander Hislop and his "Two Babylons" book.
Have a great Christmas all