Christians celebrate birthdays?

[eachallberg]

That did not happen on the day that Jesus was born...I pointed out the two birthdays that people were killed that happened on the same day of the birthday

Thank you, thats right.

 

[blessedmomof5]

The first time i ever heard of that was a yr ago from a friend who is greek orthodox, and had mentioned that she had just got off the phone with her in laws from greece, bc it was her sons name day! Confused i asked, she explained she too yrs ago had been confused too, but explained how that is the thing they celebrate, not birthdays!!

Just because someone mentioned not having heard of namedays - Orthodox (and Catholics, at their confirmation) are baptised with the name of a Saint, honouring those who lived holy lives and went before us (so my name is Kyriaki, named after the third century martyr). Every Saint is remembered and celebrated on the day of their death (which came from the fact that most early Saints were martyred, so it's commemorating their martyrdom) in our Church and our homes, and every day several Saints (from AD 33 to a few decades ago!) are remembered.

The Saint whose name we have, we celebrate on their feast day, and it's celebrated by children (and to a lesser degree, adults) much like a birthday - we say "Chronia Polla/May God grant you many years" to the one celebrating, sometimes have a cake, kids get gifts, often but not always religious. We go to Church for the Divine Liturgy if we can in the morning as well, and often take that opportunity to give gifts to our neighbours, families, and the poor (often food type gifts).

In Orthodox culture, this was celebrated rather than a birthday, but in the West we tend to do both. Namedays are usually a bigger deal though and a lot of fun!

 

[eachallberg]

So...instead of celebrating Birthdays we should celebrate deaths as Jesus died we were saved...hmmm

Why not celebrate principles daily, and celebrate life as it comes?

Where does it come from to celebrate annually? That is more so the root question of this thread.
Also, Paul didn't call days holy (i.e. holidays) he called them evil.
"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."


Peace.

 

[Hentenza]

I celebrate birthdays. During Christmas we put up a tree and decorate the house. My grandkids leave money for the toothfairy and dress up on halloween (not monsters or vampires or the like though).

I'm going to hell I guess.

People, is all in the heart. Don't cha know?










*trying to stop the legalism one post at a time*

 

[Rick Otto]

Then I ask you again. What is your scriptural problem with birthdays? I have struck down what you have presented thus far.

You have stuck down your own fantasy.
i don't feel the need to repeat myself, but thanks for the invitation.
you could try reading my posts again if you like. you could even try addressing what i've said instead of accusing me of being dogmatic.

 

[eachallberg]

...I'm going to hell I guess.
*trying to stop the legalism one post at a time*

Hi Hentenza,
Your intentions on people are good. We can understand, "when in Rome, pose like Paul". But then again Paul wrote, "don't conform to the worlds ways".

Only God knows where you will be when your run past the finish line.
And, know that God's children are destroyed from a lack of knowledge.

When we're offended by truth, its because the light is pulling the darkness out.
Peace.

 

[Rick Otto]

quote=Hentenza;I celebrate birthdays. During Christmas we put up a tree and decorate the house. My grandkids leave money for the toothfairy and dress up on halloween (not monsters or vampires or the like though).

I'm going to hell I guess.

Says who? In case you haven't read the thread, the fact is, no one has seriously asserted that.

People, is all in the heart. Don't cha know?

Yeah, the wicked heart.
Do you mean the conscience?
I would encourage conscientiousness but not legislate it.
Thank you for your support.







*trying to stop the legalism one post at a time*[/quote]

 

[Hentenza]

Hi Hentenza,
Your intentions on people are good. We can understand, "when in Rome, pose like Paul". But then again Paul wrote, "don't conform to the worlds ways".

Paul never meant "don't be part of the world". Slight difference.

Only God knows where you will be when your run past the finish line.

I already know. By His grace.

And, know that God's children are destroyed from a lack of knowledge.

Are they? Tell me, what do we need to do or know for salvation?

When were offended by truth, its because the light is pulling the darkness out.

Yep. Which is why I am not offended.

 

[united4Peace]

Why not celebrate principles daily, and celebrate life as it comes?

Where does it come from to celebrate annually? That is more so the root question of this thread.
Also, Paul didn't call days holy (i.e. holidays) he called them evil.
"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."


Peace.

I think most people do celebrate life everyday...however most of us dont have time to make cakes and throw parties every day...
I think we should be thankful every day...however a birthday to me is celebrating another year...remembering the birth of our child or family member, thanking our parents (mainly Moms) ...and God as well.

 

[Hentenza]

I think most people do celebrate life everyday...however most of us dont have time to make cakes and throw parties every day...
I think we should be thankful every day...however a birthday to me is celebrating another year...remembering the birth of our child or family member, thanking our parents (mainly Moms) ...and God as well.

Yep. I just celebrated my oldest granddaughter's birthday this past Saturday. Chucky Cheese is fun.

 

[Hentenza]

Says who? In case you haven't read the thread, the fact is, no one has seriously asserted that.

I believe in Sola Fide. Celebrating birthdays is not a salvation issue.

Yeah, the wicked heart.
Do you mean the conscience?
I would encourage conscientiousness but not legislate it.
Thank you for your support.

Nah. I meant the heart.






*trying to stop the legalism one post at a time*[/quote][/quote]

 

[Rick Otto]

Tell me, what do we need to do or know for salvation?

God, but i don't think that verse is equating destruction with damnation.

 

[Rick Otto]

quote=Hentenza;I believe in Sola Fide. Celebrating birthdays is not a salvation issue.

Is that the only standard for prohibition?
Exactly what CAN make you lose your salvation?
I had no idea it was you who was in charge of it.







trying to encourage conscientiousness one post at a time

 

[eachallberg]

...Are they? Tell me, what do we need to do or know for salvation?

Is that contempt? Yes they are, and that comes from Hosea 4:6.
And,
I don't know what we need for salvation, God knows that. All I know is that we should make every attempt to make it through the narrow door.

Do you think you have some kind of license to sin because of your freedom in Christ? James, and Jude had plenty to refute that.

So how do you interpret Romans 12:2 then?

Peace.

 

[Freedom63]

You have stuck down your own fantasy.
i don't feel the need to repeat myself, but thanks for the invitation.
you could try reading my posts again if you like. you could even try addressing what i've said instead of accusing me of being dogmatic.

Not your your most convincing dodge there.

You have no scriptural support for your position, as I and others have repeatedly pointed out to you. I genuinely am not trying to be rude or offensive to you, rather was inquiring as to what has brought you to this conclusion. I strongly believe it is appropriate and good to have a a healthy self respect and to demonstrate respect for others so long as it is in the proper context and in submission to God. God did not call us to a life of self loathing. He pours out His blessings upon us because He truly loves us. (No I do not embrace any kind of name it and claim it nonsense) And where scripture is silent...I don't borrow worry.

 

[Hentenza]

Is that contempt? Yes they are, and that comes from Hosea 4:6.

Contempt? Lets explore Hosea 14:6

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being My priest.
Since you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.

Which lack of knowledge is destroying Israel? The 4th line of the verse tells you. They have forgotten the law of God. Since they have forgotten the law of God they are sinning against the Lord by not keeping His commandments. Keep reading the chapter and it tells you the controversy that God had with Israel.

This has nothing to do with birthdays.

And,
I don't know what we need for salvation, God knows that.

What we need for salvation is clearly depicted in His word. No guessing is necessary.

All I know is that we should make every attempt to make it through the narrow door.

We? Do we make it through the narrow door by our own actions and works? Can we effect salvation on our own?

Do you think you have some kind of license to sin because of your freedom in Christ? James, and Jude had plenty to refute that.

lol! Paul covers that in Romans 6. Read it carefully.

So how do you interpret Romans 12:2 then?

Lets look at it and brake it down.

2 And do not be conformed to this [c]world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may [d]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [e]acceptable and perfect.

And= adds to verse 1 and what our spirit of worship should be.

Do not be conformed= The verb συσχηματίζεσθε (suschematizo) means to form according to a pattern or mold, to fashion alike, to conform to the same pattern outwardly. The meaning is to form or mold one’s behavior in accordance with a particular pattern or set of standards. The preposition "sun" in this compound verb denotes a personal assimilation to or conformity with the pattern indicated. It is interesting that the word includes "schema" where we derive our present word scheme. So here the word is used to denote the practice of adopting for oneself a pattern or mold of life that is changeable and unstable rather than enduring. The verb tense is present but the voice is passive meaning that this is not an action that we do consciously but one that is exerted by an outside agency.

To this world: an age. Contextually here as "this age" characterized by a particular kind of existence. Paul further defines what he means is subsequent verses but is centralized to service for the Lord in this chapter.

but be transformed: Verb μεταμορφοῦσθε (metamorphousthe) meaning "change form", "transfigure". We get metamorphosis from this word. The verb is rendered in the present tense but again in the passive voice which means that the action is exerted by an outside agency not by ourselves.

by the renewing of your mind- Verb ἀνακαινώσει (anakainōsei) meaning "make fresh", "a new development". Again the verb is rendered in the passive voice. Titus 3:5 defines the agency of the "renewal" which is the Holy Spirit.

5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

The Greek word ἀνακαινώσει does not appear in secular texts simply because it's use is new. It is ONLY used to denote the renewing by the Holy Spirit. No man can ἀνακαινώσει their own mind.

so that you may [d]prove what the will of God is, that which is good and [e]acceptable and perfect.= The verb δοκιμάζειν (dokimazein) means "to put to the test" "prove" "examine". This is the first verb in this verse that is rendered in the active voice. It is the first instance in which the agency is an inward agency. We can control the testing. We can control the testing and prove that God's will is good, acceptable, and perfect. We, however, can not dokimazein our own will but only that of God.

Basically the verse is saying that by our spirit of worship we can prove that the will of God is good and prefect. However, the renewal of our mind and the transformation are God's work. Do not be conformed to this world here is used to not to form a schema that is the same as the inferior schema of this sinful era.

So Titus tells us that the renewal of the mind is by the Holy Spirit, but not by ANYTHING that we can do or ever do. Paul is telling us to cooperate with the Holy Spirit post-justification in our sanctification. However, the process of sanctification takes a lifetime and it progressively removes the power that sin has on the believer. It does not, however, fully remove the presence of sin which can only happen a after physical death.

I fail to see how this verse supports your "celebrating birthdays are sinful because the practice is purported to have a pagan origin". None of us that celebrate a love one's birthday is conforming to the sinfulness of this age. To say otherwise is to judge others outside of the teachings of scripture and to introduce a "Pharesee's like" legalistic stance. When I celebrate my love one's birthday I am thanking the Lord for the blessings that He has bestowed upon me and my family. I am honoring the physical result of that blessing in His name. There is nothing sinful about that.

 

[Hentenza]

God, but i don't think that verse is equating destruction with damnation.

Which verse?

 

[Hentenza]

Is that the only standard for prohibition?

Prohibition? Where in scripture does it prohibit celebrating a love one's birthday?

Exactly what CAN make you lose your salvation?

29 [d]My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Nothing.

I had no idea it was you who was in charge of it.

In charge of what?





trying to encourage conscientiousness one post at a time[/quote]

 

[Hog Red]

Yep. I just celebrated my oldest granddaughter's birthday this past Saturday. Chucky Cheese is fun.

Going to Chucky Cheese is a sin, it's a casino for kids.

 

[Freedom63]

Going to Chucky Cheese is a sin, it's a casino for kids.