Christmas: A Biblical Critique by Kevin Reed, Brian Schwertley & D.W. Cason (Three excellent articles: 1.) Brian Schwertley onChristmas; 2.) "Christmas: An Historical Survey Regarding Its Origins and Opposition to It of Creeds and Confessions" by Kevin Reed; 3.) "Christmas-Keeping and the Reformed Faith: A Response to Professor David Engelsma" by David W. Cason. Regarding the last article: "In 1994 and 1995, Professor David Engelsma defended Christmas observance in the pages of the Standard Bearer, a denominational publication of the Protestant Reformed churches. In support of Christmas-keeping, the professor used arguments which bear upon Reformed principles of worship in general, as well as Christmas observance in particular. In this booklet David Cason examines Engelsma's remarks, showing that the professor has seriously misrepresented principles of worship which are foundational to the Reformed faith. Cason shows how biblical principles of worship apply to ecclesiastical festivals, and he reviews the historic testimony of Reformed churches and authors regarding Christmas observance. The chapter 'Christmas Versus John Calvin' is especially interesting."
Price shows how the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ condemns all man-invented holy days. Scripture and history are brought to bear most specifically on the celebration of Christ-mass, demonstrating why it is a sin to celebrate this day. It is also noted that Scripture never commands the celebration of this day and that there is no evidence that Christ and the Apostles ever celebrated this day -- in fact, this sycretism of paganism and "Babylonian" Christianity was not first celebrated until 354 A.D. (when December 25 was chosen, in accord with the Pagan feast of Saturnalia, as the day of "celebration"). Price also clearly shows that to call yourself Reformed while you hold on to this Roman Catholic/Pagan monument of idolatry makes for a serious contradiction in your testimony -- as the best Reformed churches have always disciplined those (in accord with Scriptural teaching) who broke the second and fourth commandments by keeping antichristian festival days like Christ-mass, Easter, etc.. Citations from Luther, Calvin and the company of GenevaPastors, the Church of Scotland's First Book of Discipline, the 1620 Dutch Synod, the Civil Government of Holland (1625), the British Coloniesin the U.S. and the Westminster Assemblyall speak with one voice against this Romish corruption. Common objections against the classic Reformed position are also answered. "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen" (Jer. 10:2). For more information see Christmas: A Biblical Critique by Kevin Reed free at: http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Xmas_ch0.htm.These sermons are also available on the PURITAN HARD DRIVE.
Spurgeon and Other Biblical and Reformation Quotes on the "Christ-mass."
+++ From C.H. Spurgeon's Treasury of David, on Psalm 81:4.
Ver. 4. For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
When it can be proved that the observance of Christmas, Whitsuntide, and other Popish festivals was ever instituted by a divine statute, we also will attend to them, but not till then. It is as much our duty to reject the traditions of men, as to observe the ordinances of the Lord. We ask concerning every rite and rubric, "Is this a law of the God of Jacob?" and if it be not clearly so, it is of no authority with us, who walk in Christian liberty.
We have no superstitious regard for times and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical arrangement called Christmas: first, because we do not believe in the mass at all, but abhor it, whether it be said or sung in Latin or in English; and, secondly, because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of the Savior; and, consequently, its observance is a superstition, because not of divine authority.
+++ George Gillespie (Scottish Commissioner to the Westminster Assembly) on Christmass Keeping
George Gillespie, one of the Scottish Commissioners at the Westminster Assembly, waxes eloquent on this matter, including festival days among those "ceremonies that are unlawful, because they sort us with idolaters."
He writes,
"by communicating with idolaters in their rites and ceremonies, we ourselves become guilty of idolatry; even as Ahaz, 2 Kings 16:10, was an idolater, eo ipso, that he took the pattern of an altar from idolaters. Forasmuch, then, as kneeling before the consecrated bread, the sign of the cross, surplice, festival days, bishopping, bowing down to the altar, administration of the sacraments in private places, etc., are the wares of Rome, the baggage of Babylon, the trinkets of the whore, the badges of Popery, the ensigns of Christ's enemies, and the very trophies of antichrist, -- we cannot conform, communicate and symbolise with the idolatrous Papists in the use of the same, without making ourselves idolaters by participation. Shall the chaste spouse of Christ take upon her the ornaments of the whore? Shall the Israel of God symbolise with her who is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt? Shall the Lord's redeemed people wear the ensigns of their captivity? Shall the saints be seen with the mark of the beast? Shall the Christian church be like the antichristian, the holy like the profane, religion like superstition, the temple of God like the synagogue of Satan?" (A Dispute Against English Popish Ceremonies, Works of George Gillespie, Vol. 1, p. 80, SWRB reprint available at https://www.puritandownloads.com/christmas-is-a-roman-catholic-missions-strategy/).
Thanks for the comment and encouragement David. There is much more information about the Christ-mass holy day at "Christ-Mass (Christmas): A Roman Catholic Missions Strategy" at http://ow.ly/rxv0E or at http://www.puritandownloads.com/christmas-is-a-roman-catholic-missions-strategy/.
Thanks for the sermon. I copied this 7 years ago in Texas when my children were young. They, last night at revival, challenged the traveling preacher if he celebrated Xmass. Well, they are now listening to your message as they could not fully answer the preacher who does celebrate Xmass. They are learning. And we, again, thank you for the very, very biblical sermon.
The excellency of the scriptures themselves is sufficient to explain their authority. Then again, SWRB has recommended also some good sources to answer your questions if you honestly care to understand. . . . The leaders of the Reformation were ordained by God. How do we know? "To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Luther said, "do not let it concern you that they say they have the Holy Spirit, if they have not God's word, it follows that they do not have His Spirit." Everyone who was a reformer, understood and believed this.
Where in the Bible can I find support for the Reformation, the authority of its leaders, the authority of "Scripture Alone", and salvation by "Faith Alone?"
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12/7/13 1:06 AM
