Easter or Resurrection Day?

As it is Easter today, a continuation of an earlier post seems fitting.

First, a little historical background on the Easter holiday.

The original meaning of the word Easter is of Saxon origin, and is supposed to be derived from Eostre, the goddess of Love, or the Venus of the North, in honor of whom a festival was celebrated by our pagan ancestors in the month of April.* At the time of the early church, this festival coincided with the Passover of the Jews, and with the feast observed by Christians in honor of the Resurrection of Christ. The name Easter, with help from the Church of Rome, became used to denote the latter.

The term, "Easter" wouldn't be terrible to use as a Christian. Even celebrating the "Easter" holiday (with Christ as the focus, of course) wouldn't be terrible. I just wonder why would a Christian want to be associated (even if just by name) with such damnable idolatry? Brother and sister, Christian, redeemed sinner: the King of Kings will have no rivals.

Christians are to be separate, set apart, outside of the camp. I don't want goddess worshipping to be confused with the celebration of the resurrected Savior - Jesus Christ. The concerned Christian, I believe, should be apprehensive about engaging in activity that even hints of idolatry. Referring to Christians, 1 Peter 2:9 reads:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

And let's face it, brothers and sisters. Look around. Go shopping. Listen to the Radio. Who reigns in our land? Christ or Eostre?

I want it to mean something. I want others to know Christians don't celebrate Easter by the world's definition. I want the world to know that the Easter bunny only matters to Christians when it's part of the resurrection Day FEAST!

Christians celebrate the day when Christ's body rose from the dead, stepped out of the tomb, proving Himself to be God in the flesh, and securing the salvation of His people. We celebrate resurrection Day.

The Resurrection

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

-Matthew 28:1-10



*Thanks to Challies for doing the grunt work.

Noble Princes of the Kingdom of .357

While Daddy's out waging war, my two sons are keeping the Kingdom of .357 locked down. The oldest is 7 year's old (Heir to .357's throne) and the youngest is 2 year's old (Supreme Commander of the Ministry of War).

Behold the spoils of their latest campaign:


Rex got dealt with

Rex was laid at my feet as I entered my kingdom last Monday. A great victory. Note Rex's hindlegs and his smaller, less useful forearms, bound for ultimate humiliation.


Rex: "Buddy, your kids are @#>*&!"

Well done, sons! Let us retire to the table and feast upon this great prize.


.357: "Rex, you show no respect...you get none."

Rightwing?

File yet another one under the "Lefty Self-Loathing" category. From the UK newspaper The Guardian, an artcile written about Jeff Weise, the accused Red Lake school shooter:

Sarah Left uncovers a series of website posts apparently linking Jeff Weise to extreme rightwing politics

No joke. That's the writer's real name. You seriously could not write a better script than this.

Over a five-month period between March and August 2004, someone identifying himself as Weise posted numerous messages on a talkboard hosted by Nazi.org, the website of the "Libertarian National Socialist Green party." The party promotes a Nazi philosophy of racial purity.

To summarize, liberals identify a person who is "socialist," nationalist," and belonging to a "green" party to be a part of "extreme rightwing politics."

Truth be told you could rename "Libertarian National Socialist Green party." to "Libertarian Leftist Leftist Leftist party."

Stay tuned for Sarah Lefty's next article entitled, "The Pope is Pro-Abortion" This will be her third installment of her ongoing series entitled, "Billy Graham: Muslim extremist."

Unbelieving Arguments: The Problem of Evil

Over at Vincent Cheung's* newly created blog, in reference to the recent Tsunami, he comments on the atheists/unbelievers chief argument - The Problem of Evil. He also has a 19 page book for free download on the topic. It goes like this: "If there were an all-loving, all-knowing God, why does he allow evil to exist in the world?"

On its surface the argument looks to have some weight. But a few moments of reflection show the argument to be irrational and based on pure emotionalism. He writes,

Big or small, no instance of natural or moral evil can generate a logical problem for Christianity. On the other hand, big or small, every instance of natural or moral evil can generate an emotional problem in a person about Christianity. But then the "problem" is purely subjective, non-rational, or even irrational. That is, the problem is with the person, not with Christianity.

Pay close attention to the italicized words. The problem clearly lies in the emotions of the objector. In no way does evil in the world disprove the existence of God. What it does do is cause emotional struggles within the person.

In any case, "the problem of evil" is convincing only to those who hold to false and irrational presuppositions -- of the primacy of human dignity and physical welfare, for example, rather than the glory, the holiness, the wisdom, and the sovereignty of God. Instead, one who understands the holiness of God and the depravity of man asks, "Why are so many people still alive?"

As the bible declares in Romans chapter 8, natural man (man that has not been born again by God) is unwilling, and incapable of understanding the things of God. In verses 5-8, we read:

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Natural man hates God. He doesn't want God. He's not searching for the true God. And he'll look for any "reason" to deny Him.



*Vincent Cheung is the president of Reformation Ministries International. He is the author of more than twenty books and several hundred lectures on a wide range of topics in theology, philosophy, apologetics, and spirituality.

Terri Sciavo: Sentenced to Die

...slowly

On Friday, Terri Sciavo was sentenced to die by Judge George Greer. Not content with executing her "humanely," as we do for the nation's child molesters, murderer's, and rapists. Rather, tortured to death by starvation. Doctors have said it could take a week or two for Schiavo to die once the tube that delivers water and nutrients is removed.

Upon reading this, mindful of the satisfying breakfast I just had, my heart ached for her mother and father. Anger and outrage soon followed. A few facts: Terri Sciavo functions just as you or I. The feeding tube is there because she can't feed herself. There are no other instruments, mechanisms, or other equipment that artificially sustain her. She isn't a "vegetable" as her family can testify too, and an army of doctors to boot. She laughs, she cries, she is a human being.

I was reminded of the book of Proverbs:

There is a way that seems right to a man,but its end is the way to death.
-Proverbs 14:12

Violent, wicked men and there lustful hearts will not stand forever.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; -Psalm 1:5

UPDATE: On Tuesday, March 22, a federal judge in Florida has refused to order doctors to reinsert the feeding tube of Terri Schiavo.

A Smiling Undesirable

Terri Sciavo with Mom 


Terri Sciavo with Mom again 


Terri supporter

The world's 'holy day' and St. Patrick's prayer

People that know me know what I think about "holidays." In today's post-modern world they are void of meaning and quite vain. Give me a glass of eggnog and have someone so much as burp something that sounds like Santa...and I'll start in on it. Jaded? No. Troubled? Yes.

But wait! St. Patrick, of St. Patrick’s Day fame, reminded me that the world can have it's debauchery in the name of St. Patty, but the man's testimony stands defiant in the face of the world's "holy days."
__________________________________________

I bind myself today to the strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same, the Three-in-One, and One-in-Three.

I bind this day to me forever,
by the power of faith, Christ's Incarnation;
His baptism in the river Jordan;
His death on the Cross for my salvation;
His bursting forth from the spiced tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom.

I bind myself unto the power of the great love of the Cherubim;
The sweet, "Well done," in judgment hour;
The service of the Seraphim;
Confessor's faith, Apostle's word;
The Patriarch's prayers, the
Prophet's scrolls;

All good deeds done unto the Lord.
I bind myself today to the virtues of the starlit heaven;
The glorious sun's life-giving ray;
The whiteness of the moon at even;
The flashing of the lightening free;
The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks;

I bind myself today to the power of God to hold and lead;
His eye to watch; His might to stay.
The wisdom of my God to teach;
His hand to guide; His shield to ward;
The Word of God to give me speech;
His heavenly host to be my guard,
against the demon snares of sin;
The natural lusts that war within;
The hostile men that mar my course:
Few or many, far or nigh;
In every place and in all hours;
Against their fierce hostility.

I bind to me these Holy powers against all Satan's
spells and wiles; against false words of heresy:
Against the knowledge that defiles:
Against the heart's idolatry;
Against the wizard's evil craft;
Against the death-wound and the burning;
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft;
Protect me, Christ, 'til thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me;
Christ beside me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ to win me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me;
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger;
Christ in hearts of all that love me;
Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the strong name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same, The Three-in-one, and One-in-Three;
Of whom all nature hath creation. Eternal Father, Word and Spirit.

Praise to the
Lord of my salvation.
__________________________________________

Indeed. I think I 'm begining to enjoy this holiday.

Is suicide ever a viable option?

I am taking a Psychology 101 class online as part of the Humanities curriculum of my major (Internetworking Technology). The class was asked, by the professor, recently, "Are there any conditions under which suicide is a viable option? Discuss the conditions."

Most of my fellow students, responded with canned comments like “If I were terminally ill I would “pull the plug,” or want someone to do it for me. And “I wouldn’t want to burden my family with my suffering.”

Higher education, as the professor tells us, is to “expand our vision,” and “learn to be critical thinkers.” I answered:

First, I think it beneficial for the definition of suicide to be posted. It appears some have different meanings of the word than others, which can be confusing. According to Webster’s dictionary, suicide is defined as "The act or an instance of intentionally killing oneself. "I've read many instances of people explaining if they were terminally ill or in an incurable state they would pull the plug or want someone else to do so etc. If one were to specify in one's will the desire not to be supported by artificial means, I don't think this constitutes suicide by definition. It's basically stating don't prolong my death and let natural means run its course. A far cry, if you ask me, from deliberately destroying one's own life prematurely. Webster’s defines murder as: "The unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice." And, "To kill (another human) unlawfully.” There are such things as lawful killings (not murder) of other human beings. Such as in self-defense, preserving/protecting life from murder, defending another's life, etc. That being said, I believe under absolutely NO circumstances should someone commit suicide. No more than someone should murder another person, so should they not murder themselves. I have no right to unlawfully take the life (murder) of my neighbors, his neighbors, any other human being, or my own - i.e. murder. When we start to deem someone's life as "unfit for living," "burden on society," and so on, then we have just dehumanized these very people we are supposed to love and support. By the way, who is going to be the arbiter of such things? Where do we draw the line? Quadriplegics? Terminal cancer patients? AIDS patients? Do we kill everybody that doesn't meet with our standard of "worthy living?" Germany in 1942 thought so. I am surprised that there aren't more disabled persons that aren't outrageously offended by this whole “dignity of death” euthanasia movement (there are some voices out there though). I bet a lot of people wanted to put Christopher Reeves "out of his misery" too. In the name of compassion no less. How heart-warming. This line of reasoning flies in the face of thousands of quadriplegic people (or other disabled deemed a burden to society) that have remarkable lives and have contributed greatly to things such as science, medicine, and technology.

After many more subjective responses, the professor grew wary and took it up a notch, "Remember, we are here to learn to be critical thinkers. Lots of you are stating your personal opinion…other societies may have different points of view. What about suicide as a viable option when "you are terminally ill", "you are a suicide bomber defending your country - (Japan)", "a religious suicide bomber - (Israel)", "people who don't believe in God", or "you are on flight 93 during the 911 incident and you decide to give your life to save thousands by attacking the cockpit knowing it will probably kill you and everyone on the plane."

Does this sound like moral relativism to you? Is he equating suicide with an act to save life (911 hijacked scenario). Well, I wanted to see if that’s what he or other students believed. I responded to this post with:

Dr. White for bringing up some good discussion topics. One topic was "attacking the cockpit knowing it will probably kill you and everyone on the plane." Personally, I would do this very thing (I hope I would). But, I don't think this is suicide as I described earlier in my original post. I'm not SEEKING the destruction of my life - the terrorist is (or other outside influence). I am placed in a circumstance that may result in the end of my life that's not according to my desire. Like war, for example. I am not trying to kill myself when I climb the hill with one rifle, two cartridges facing an enemy outnumbering me 10 to 1. But my life may be ended by this course of action as a result of the circumstance.[Note: I'm really attempting to communicate accurately and mean no harm to anyone or offense to their opinion- past, present, & future]As for people that "don't believe in God," I suppose they will think whatever they like and call it whatever they wish in accordance with their own desires. It seems their view on suicide would arbitrary and relative to each person. In short, they can call whatever they like "right" or "wrong." They are the final judgment on the matter.

I would like to hear other perspectives on this. Specifically, how can one know what is right or wrong about suicide, if it were based on opinions of a few people? Why would it be right to kill one’s self because of pain or someone’s standard of worth-while living? Who is to make the decisions of life and death? Would this not be arbitrary?

Some may be convinced suicide is a viable option. But you couldn’t convince her:

http://dory.typepad.com/wittenberg_gate/2005/03/a_voice_to_spea.html

Test post for setting change...

This is a test. This is only a test. Please walk, do not run, to the nearest exit.