I find it disturbing, the amount of people who ignorantly call Christmas a "pagan holiday".
Here's the biblical truth. In Corinthians 1:8-13, God says this:
8 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Above, we see Paul addressing people scolding others because they eat meat sacrificed to idols. This is the exact same argument as scolding people for celebrating holidays that are supposedly pagan. It's as close as an analogy as you'll ever find. In both cases, you have someone wagging their finger at someone else for partaking in something that is supposedly dedicated to paganism.
To summarize, Paul is saying this:
There are no pagan gods. They're not real. "We know an idol is nothing". There are no other gods, only one God.
Paul then says feel free to chow down on that food sacrificed to idols, because we know idols aren't real and there are no pagan gods. It's ok, go ahead and do it.
But there's one caveat.
There are people who are completely ignorant of God's word. They don't realize pagan gods aren't real. They don't realize that meat sacrificed to idols is meaningless. When they see you eating the meat that is supposedly sacrificed to idols, it can be a stumbling block for them.
That's the only circumstance where you can't eat it.
Now bringing back the analogy to holidays such as Christmas or Easter, there are people who know God's word and there are fools who believe pagan gods are real. There are people who can take any holiday and make it a holiday in which God is exalted, and there are fools who scold anyone who would consider celebrating it.
And the ridiculous part is that Christians already revere Christmas and Easter, not as being pagan, but as being Christ-centered. If the analogy were 1 to 1 equal, December 25 and Easter could be openly advertised as pagan holidays and its still ok to celebrate them -- but instead they are already widely seen as being Christ-centered holidays. This makes the disparaging of these holidays extra ridiculous.
God says you can eat meat sacrificed to idols as long as you're giving Him the glory (and not surrounded by weak-minded fools who are ignorant of the bible). Certainly, you can also celebrate holidays that are widely seen as a celebration of God and Jesus.
One last thing -- to those who just can't wait to type in the comment section how much you hate celebrating Christmas, it's also American culture. Right now there are groups dedicated to stripping America of all culture. You don't like Christmas, and neither does the blue-haired TDS Karens. Ask yourself why your goals are so seamlessly aligning with the far left.
How do you claim to be evangelical but deny that Jesus is the Word of God and scriptures are the inspired reflection upon that word?
verses written by Paul shouldn't be in the Bible. it's pretty simple
Let’s see. Your opinion versus the opinion of the people who were chosen by Christ, walked with Him, and then spent the rest of their lives — often dying violently — in service to what they witnessed.
Add to that the rather inconvenient fact that God’s favor is demonstrated by what Paul actually accomplished with the message he received from the risen Christ. The inclusion of the Gentiles. The spread of the Gospel throughout Rome. And yes, that mattered — because Paul, unlike most of the other apostles, was a Roman citizen and could move within the Empire in ways they simply could not.
So frankly, it’s a little beside the point if you don’t like Paul. History doesn’t require your approval. Paul was. Paul did.
You can be salty about him if you want — though I’m not sure why, if you really are the evangelical you claim to be. I’ve always found it odd when someone who says they believe the Gospel seems offended that it was actually shared. What kind of evangelical is angry that the good news reached more people?
And the argument you seem to land on — that his authority should be discounted because, “Well… Muh …Jews” — is curious, considering Christ Himself was a Jewish rabbi.
It remind me of how Peacock haired women are trained to hate Christianity because of Well … Muh Patriarchy .Paul is usually their favorite “villain “ and labeled a woman-hater, although accusation usually comes from people who don’t understand how first-century synagogues actually functioned. Men and women sat separately. Women were not given the same depth of formal teaching. When the early teachings about Christ touched on obscure prophecies or complex theology, women often asked their husbands or male relatives for clarification.
Some people, understandably, didn’t wait until after the gathering. Calling across the room became disruptive.
Paul was intensely focused — perhaps even obsessive — about order. He was managing what happens when a divine movement becomes a human community. His letters address organization, discipline, and cohesion. That particular correction about women speaking in church has been misunderstood for centuries, often conveniently so.
It wasn’t about silencing women. It was about learning before interrupting the process and commenting before revelation can occur.
Which, if we’re being honest… remains a useful principle. Now if you don’t mind I have some tea to sip will I contemplate just how much your similarities to those you claim to despise is not any of my business.
crazy strawman in your argument, I never said any of that.
So you didn’t say Paul had no Place in the Bible, or that you were evangelical, or that You hated Paul because he had been a Pharisee before encountering ( which is actually giving you way more credit than your statement of Muh…. Jews actually implied) the risen Lord and You also didn’t question his encounter with Jesus? And that’s why I will be over here sipping my Not worth my time tea.” We have had engagement before you and I your cadence and consistent tactics gives you away despite the name changes. Wanna bet 2 dollars your rereading that part while you are already half way through a denial and poor thought out retort? Everyone here can read. Most are critical thinkers some are genuine 💯 proof Genius Autist way above my or your pay grade. So either bring a better A game or stop stirring the pot. Popping you head up every time faith topics trigger a tantrum and sliding the discussion is just immature. You’re hoping for an argument you can win to fill that empty spot but it really won’t. You may be feeling the Lord tug on your heart and instead be hoping some insults you to offset the still small voice saying “follow me”. I am not even close to the burn temp of a lot of these frens. They have spotted you and likely wisely decided to just ignore you. I engage with you on occasion because my ridiculous optimistic nature hopes to see growth not spiritual growth that is none of my business and I don’t care. I mean growth in how you debate. Your fixation stagnates you. You do know it is entirely fine that you don’t believe? You can live your whole life letting others have their own beliefs and it does not require any frustration on your part. I really like your bulldog nature and I wonder what you could do if you fixated on something beyond a need to shore up your anti Christian bias.