Bishop Hanson's 2008 Christmas Message

[rover4769]

To OH2FFY: The very reason why Christ was born into this pagan (unbelieving) world was to redeem and transform it with love and grace. I suggest you read H. Richard Niebuhr's understanding of "Christ Transforms Culture." And, this Sunday we celebrate Epiphany - the story of the pagan Wise Men or Magi, coming to worship the Christ and offer their gifts. (They were not rejected!) Perhaps your view on this needs to be transformed.

[OH2FFY]

So are you saying that because gifts from the wise men/magi were not rejected, that Christians ought to accept pagan teachings and practices.?

You are delusional.

The Magi did not come to worship Christ, they were on a mission of Herod to find the child and report back so he could be killed.

Even if the gifts were accepted by Jesus Jewish parents, that is not permission for 'Christians' to engage in false worship today.

You should read the Bible some time, you might find it interesting.

[boriato]

I sense great anger in you. A pertinent question for you is: Is it your religion, or YouTube, or something else that brings out this side of your personality?

[OH2FFY]

Hiya.

Angry? , No definitely not.

However , I am pro active in righting the misconceptions and errors in what people think is taught in the Bible.

This includes exposing false teachings , Christmas being one of those as its a pagan celebration.

Jesus and the Apostles also too felt this way.

Matthew 23:1-36.

Christians ought not to accept everything they hear , but instead DEMAND proof from the Bible to back up preachers claims.

Now , what could be possibly be wrong with that?

[boriato]

Maybe nothing; I really don't know. I just sensed that the tone of your comments seemed - to my way of thinking - a bit harsh. The Apostle Paul was certainly disappointed when differences in practices - like whether to honor some days as special or to treat all days the same - turned into divisive issues in the early church. If Christians are going to bicker over such inessential matters, don't be surprised when people don't want to be a part of it.

[mnthomp]

Merry Christmas! I don't want to debate the Finnish guy there, but what is important about Christmas is not that we are celebrating the exact date of Christ's birth, but that we are celebrating this great gift from God that is Jesus. The date that it is celebrated does not matter, only that Jesus is Lord.

[OH2FFY]

But Christmas isn't a Christian celebration, ,it IS pagan.

You are tricking yourself into believing it is something that it is not.

Anyone doing even ten minutes of research into the origins of Christmas, including Christmas trees. holly, gift giving at this time,etc, will find that these things have been repackaged up and presented as Christmas from pagan origins.

God DOESNT accept false worship in any form ,even if we think it is not.

All Christians MUST abandon falsehoods.

[OH2FFY]

Being a minister wouldt you say that it is important to teach what is truthful and correct.?

Although being viewed as Christian celebration ,Christmas does not have origins with Christ.

It originated with pagans ,and although repackaged it still is a pagan celebration.

It was included into modern Christianity by a pagan Nero to form a one state religion.

First century Christians did NOT follow pagan celebrations and neither do true Christians today.

[crimthann86]

The ELCA is awesome.. thanks Bishop Hanson for a great message!

[golfertk14]

Merry Christmas Bishop Hanson, God Bless