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Someone just posted the Question of Christmas. I'm wondering what people think of celebrating birthdays. I'm wondering what people know about the history and customs of birthdays. I did quite a bit of research on this about ten years ago. Here's what I found. It will also shed a little bit of light on Christmas:
THE PATTERN OF THE EARLIEST CHRISTIANS
“The early Christians,” states Professor Ferguson in his book The Religions of the Roman Empire, “did not celebrate the birthday of Jesus; it was unrecorded.” The World Book Encyclopedia explains: “The early Christians did not celebrate His [Christ’s] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.”–Vol. 3, p. 416.
“December 25 is a Christian festival and is observed as the anniversary of the birth of Christ. In early times this day was not one of the feasts of the Christian Church. In fact, the church fathers frowned upon the celebration of birthdays and thought them a heathen custom.”–New Book of Knowledge (1978), Vol. 3, p. 289.
According to the Encyclopedia Judaica, “the celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual.” Similarly, historian Augustus Neander writes: “The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general.”–The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries, translated by H. J. Rose, 1848, p. 190)
States Dr. John C. McCollister, a Lutheran minister, in his book The Christian Book of Why: “Christians of the first century did not celebrate the festival honoring the birth of Jesus—for the same reason they honored no other birthday anniversary. It was the feeling at that time by all Christians that the celebration of all birthdays (even the Lord’s) was a custom of the pagans.”WHY DID THE EARLY CHRISTIANS VIEW BIRTHDAYS THIS WAY?
Why did the early Christians view birthday celebrations as “a custom of the pagans”? Well, birthday observance was common in many polytheistic cultures. Idolatrous rites were performed in honor of the patron gods of each particular birthday, and birthdays of mythical gods like Saturn and Apollo were also celebrated.
The Encyclopedia Americana (1991 edition) states: “The ancient world of Egypt, Creece, Rome, and Persia celebrated the birthdays of gods, kings, and nobles.” Authors Ralph and Adelin Linton reveal the underlying reason for this. In their book The Lore of Birthdays, they write: “Mesopotamia and Egypt, the cradles of civilization, were also the first lands in which men remembered and honoured their birthdays. The keeping of birthday records was important in ancient times principally because a birth date was essential for the casting of a horoscope.”
This direct connection with astrology is a cause of great concern to any who avoid astrology because of what the Bible says about it.–Isaiah 47:13-15
“The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born. The Romans also subscribed to this idea. . . . This notion was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy godmother and the patron saint. . . . The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks. . . . Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of [Artemis]. . . . Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for granting wishes. . . . Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune. . . . Birthday greetings and wishes for happiness are an intrinsic part of this holiday. . . . Originally the idea was rooted in magic. . . . Birthday greetings have power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day.”—The Lore of Birthdays (New York, 1952), Ralph and Adelin Linton, pp. 8, 18-20.
“The various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating—complete with lighted candles—in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. . . . Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom.”—Schwäbische Zeitung (magazine supplement Zeit und Welt), April 3/4, 1981, p. 4.
It is no wonder that The Imperial Bible Dictionary comments: “The later Hebrews looked on the celebration of birthdays as a part of idolatrous worship, a view which would be abundantly confirmed by what they saw of the common observances associated with these days.”—(London, 1874), edited by Patrick Fairbairn, Vol. I, p. 225.
M’Clintock and Strong’s Cyclopaedia agrees by saying Jews of Bible times “regarded birthday celebrations as parts of idolatrous worship . . . , and this probably on account of the idolatrous rites with which they were observed in honor of those who were regarded as the patron gods of the day on which the party was born.” (1882, Vol. I, p. 817)
Idolatry is the worship of false gods, something that the early Christians would never take part in. The Bible clearly condemns idolatry. It says that idolaters will not inherit God’s kingdom.–1 Cor 6:9,10; Eph 5:5 (Also see 1 Cor 5:9-11; 10:14)
So it would appear that the early Christians rejected the birthday celebration because it is rooted in idolatry. The words ‘pagan and ‘heathen’ which will be used quite often basically mean ‘idolatrous.’THE BIBLE SHEDS SOME LIGHT
Over and over again, we see that the early Christians didn’t celebrate birthdays because they considered them a pagan custom, but can we learn anything about the birthday celebration from the Bible?
The Catholic Encyclopedia, quoting Origen Adamantius of the third century says: “Of all the holy people in the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners (like Pharaoh and Herod) who make great rejoicing over the day on which they were born into this world below.”–(New York, 1911), Vol. X, p. 709
Dr. R. S. Conway explains: “The great theologian Origen, early in the third century several times repeats a remark which he says he took from one of his predecessors, that no just man or Christian saint had ever kept a birthday, his own or anyone else’s. It was only evil persons like Pharaoh or Herod whose birthday celebrations were mentioned in the Scriptures. This shows pretty clearly that if he had ever heard of such a festival as Christmas he repudiated it entirely.”–Ancient Italy and Modern Religion
Even though most people today regard it as an innocent custom, the Bible does not paint a positive picture of this tradition. The only two birthdays the Bible does mention were for rulers who were enemies of God–Pharaoh and Herod. And each celebration included an execution, so that the guests could gloat over the death of the one who had displeased the king.
In the first instance, Pharah, the king of Egypt, (18th century B.C.E) executed his chief baker. (Gen 40:2,3,20,22) The Egyptian ruler did so during the feast because he had grown indignant with his servant.
In the second instance, Herod Antipas, the immoral ruler of Galilee in the 1st century C.E. beheaded John the Baptizer as a favor to a girl whose dancing at a party had pleased him.–Mat. 14:6-11
These are the only two birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible. Is it just coincidental that they are mentioned and that both were for persons not having God’s approval? Or could it be that God deliberately had these details recorded in his Word, which he say
s is “beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight”? (2 Tim. 3:16) At the very least it can be said that these two accounts Biblically put birthday celebrations in a bad light, as a practice of those estranged from God.
However, the two Bible accounts of birthday celebrations are not as unique as it may first appear. The ancient Jewish historian Josephus reveals other instances of the practice of birthday executions for entertainment.
For example, some occured after Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 C.E., when 1,000,000 Jews perished and 97,000 survived to be taken prisoner. En route to Rome, Roman general Titus took his Jewish captives to the nearby seaport of Caesarea. Josephus writes: “While Titus remained at Caesarea, he celebrated his brother Domitian’s birthday with great splendor, putting over 2,500 prisoners to death in games with beasts and flames. After this he moved to Berytus [Beirut], a Roman colony in Phoenicia, where he celebrated his father’s birthday by killing many more captives at elaborate exhibitions.”—The Jewish War, VII, 37, translated by Paul L. Maier in Josephus: The Essential Writings.
So not only are birthday celebrations rooted in idolatry, but they have left a trail of blood. Faithful first-century Christians would not have felt like joining in a custom so darkly presented in the Bible and so gruesomely celebrated by the Romans. Today, sincere Christians realize that the Bible accounts about birthdays were among the things “written for our instruction.”–Rom. 15:4
Even though the Bible does not contain a specific prohibition against birthday celebrations, it does indicated that it is not proper to partake in just any celebration regardless of its reason or nature. (Ex 32:1-6; 1 Pet 4:3; 1 Cor 10:20,21)WHAT CHANGED?
“Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom.”—Schwäbische Zeitung (magazine supplement Zeit und Welt), April 3/4, 1981, p. 4.Frontier, a publication of Frontier Airlines, observed: “To the early Christians, birthdays were a pagan custom. It was unthinkable to celebrate one’s own birthday, much less the birthday of Christ. It was sacrilege to even suggest that a Divine Being had a birthday. . . .In the next 300 years this attitude began to change, and in 354 A.D., the Bishop of Rome declared December 25 to be the anniversary of the birth of Christ.”–Dec. 1981.
If the early Christians considered it “unthinkable to celebrate one’s own birthday,” then what happened? As Frontier says, “In the next 300 years their attitude began to change.”In fact, in the next few hundred years, they changed a lot of things. This apostasy had been foretold by Jesus and the apostles.
Quote (david @ Nov. 27 2005,22:47) Someone just posted the Question of Christmas. I'm wondering what people think of celebrating birthdays. I'm wondering what people know about the history and customs of birthdays. I did quite a bit of research on this about ten years ago. Here's what I found. It will also shed a little bit of light on Christmas: THE PATTERN OF THE EARLIEST CHRISTIANS
“The early Christians,” states Professor Ferguson in his book The Religions of the Roman Empire, “did not celebrate the birthday of Jesus; it was unrecorded.” The World Book Encyclopedia explains: “The early Christians did not celebrate His [Christ’s] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.”–Vol. 3, p. 416.
“December 25 is a Christian festival and is observed as the anniversary of the birth of Christ. In early times this day was not one of the feasts of the Christian Church. In fact, the church fathers frowned upon the celebration of birthdays and thought them a heathen custom.”–New Book of Knowledge (1978), Vol. 3, p. 289.
According to the Encyclopedia Judaica, “the celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual.” Similarly, historian Augustus Neander writes: “The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general.”–The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries, translated by H. J. Rose, 1848, p. 190)
States Dr. John C. McCollister, a Lutheran minister, in his book The Christian Book of Why: “Christians of the first century did not celebrate the festival honoring the birth of Jesus—for the same reason they honored no other birthday anniversary. It was the feeling at that time by all Christians that the celebration of all birthdays (even the Lord’s) was a custom of the pagans.”WHY DID THE EARLY CHRISTIANS VIEW BIRTHDAYS THIS WAY?
Why did the early Christians view birthday celebrations as “a custom of the pagans”? Well, birthday observance was common in many polytheistic cultures. Idolatrous rites were performed in honor of the patron gods of each particular birthday, and birthdays of mythical gods like Saturn and Apollo were also celebrated.
The Encyclopedia Americana (1991 edition) states: “The ancient world of Egypt, Creece, Rome, and Persia celebrated the birthdays of gods, kings, and nobles.” Authors Ralph and Adelin Linton reveal the underlying reason for this. In their book The Lore of Birthdays, they write: “Mesopotamia and Egypt, the cradles of civilization, were also the first lands in which men remembered and honoured their birthdays. The keeping of birthday records was important in ancient times principally because a birth date was essential for the casting of a horoscope.”
This direct connection with astrology is a cause of great concern to any who avoid astrology because of what the Bible says about it.–Isaiah 47:13-15
“The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born. The Romans also subscribed to this idea. . . . This notion was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy godmother and the patron saint. . . . The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks. . . . Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of [Artemis]. . . . Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for granting wishes. . . . Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune. . . . Birthday greetings and wishes for happiness are an intrinsic part of this holiday. . . . Originally the idea was rooted in magic. . . . Birthday greetings have power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day.”—The Lore of Birthdays (New York, 1952), Ralph and Adelin Linton, pp. 8, 18-20.
“The various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating—complete with lighted candles—in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. . . . Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom.”—Schwäbische Zeitung (magazine supplement Zeit und Welt), April 3/4, 1981, p. 4.
It is no wonder that The Imperial Bible Dictionary comments: “The later Hebrews looked on the celebration of birthdays as a part of idolatrous worship, a view which would be abundantly confirmed by what they saw of the common observances associated with these days.”—(London, 1874), edited by Patrick Fairbairn, Vol. I, p. 225.
M’Clintock and Strong’s Cyclopaedia agrees by saying Jews of Bible times “regarded birthday celebrations as parts of idolatrous worship . . . , and this probably on account of the idolatrous rites with which they were observed in honor of those who were regarded as the patron gods of the day on which the party was born.” (1882, Vol. I, p. 817)
Idolatry is the worship of false gods, something that the early Christians would never take part in. The Bible clearly condemns idolatry. It says that idolaters will not inherit God’s kingdom.–1 Cor 6:9,10; Eph 5:5 (Also see 1 Cor 5:9-11; 10:14)
So it would appear that the early Christians rejected the birthday celebration because it is rooted in idolatry. The words ‘pagan and ‘heathen’ which will be used quite often basically mean ‘idolatrous.’THE BIBLE SHEDS SOME LIGHT
Over and over again, we see that the early Christians didn’t celebrate birthdays because they considered them a pagan custom, but can we learn anything about the birthday celebration from the Bible?
The Catholic Encyclopedia, quoting Origen Adamantius of the third century says: “Of all the holy people in the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners (like Pharaoh and Herod) who make great rejoicing over the day on which they were born into this world below.”–(New York, 1911), Vol. X, p. 709
Dr. R. S. Conway explains: “The great theologian Origen, early in the third century several times repeats a remark which he says he took from one of his predecessors, that no just man or Christian saint had ever kept a birthday, his own or anyone else’s. It was only evil persons like Pharaoh or Herod whose birthday celebrations were mentioned in the Scriptures. This shows pretty clearly that if he had ever heard of such a festival as Christmas he repudiated it entirely.”–Ancient Italy and Modern Religion
Even though most people today regard it as an innocent custom, the Bible does not paint a positive picture of this tradition. The only two birthdays the Bible does mention were for rulers who were enemies of God–Pharaoh and Herod. And each celebration included an execution, so that the guests could gloat over the death of the one who had displeased the king.
In the first instance, Pharah, the king of Egypt, (18th century B.C.E) executed his chief baker. (Gen 40:2,3,20,22) The Egyptian ruler did so during the feast because he had grown indignant with his servant.
In the second instance, Herod Antipas, the immoral ruler of Galilee in the 1st century C.E. beheaded John the Baptizer as a favor to a girl whose dancing at a party had pleased him.–Mat. 14:6-11
These are the only two birthday ce
lebrations mentioned in the Bible. Is it just coincidental that they are mentioned and that both were for persons not having God’s approval? Or could it be that God deliberately had these details recorded in his Word, which he says is “beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight”? (2 Tim. 3:16) At the very least it can be said that these two accounts Biblically put birthday celebrations in a bad light, as a practice of those estranged from God.
However, the two Bible accounts of birthday celebrations are not as unique as it may first appear. The ancient Jewish historian Josephus reveals other instances of the practice of birthday executions for entertainment.
For example, some occured after Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 C.E., when 1,000,000 Jews perished and 97,000 survived to be taken prisoner. En route to Rome, Roman general Titus took his Jewish captives to the nearby seaport of Caesarea. Josephus writes: “While Titus remained at Caesarea, he celebrated his brother Domitian’s birthday with great splendor, putting over 2,500 prisoners to death in games with beasts and flames. After this he moved to Berytus [Beirut], a Roman colony in Phoenicia, where he celebrated his father’s birthday by killing many more captives at elaborate exhibitions.”—The Jewish War, VII, 37, translated by Paul L. Maier in Josephus: The Essential Writings.
So not only are birthday celebrations rooted in idolatry, but they have left a trail of blood. Faithful first-century Christians would not have felt like joining in a custom so darkly presented in the Bible and so gruesomely celebrated by the Romans. Today, sincere Christians realize that the Bible accounts about birthdays were among the things “written for our instruction.”–Rom. 15:4
Even though the Bible does not contain a specific prohibition against birthday celebrations, it does indicated that it is not proper to partake in just any celebration regardless of its reason or nature. (Ex 32:1-6; 1 Pet 4:3; 1 Cor 10:20,21)WHAT CHANGED?
“Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom.”—Schwäbische Zeitung (magazine supplement Zeit und Welt), April 3/4, 1981, p. 4.Frontier, a publication of Frontier Airlines, observed: “To the early Christians, birthdays were a pagan custom. It was unthinkable to celebrate one’s own birthday, much less the birthday of Christ. It was sacrilege to even suggest that a Divine Being had a birthday. . . .In the next 300 years this attitude began to change, and in 354 A.D., the Bishop of Rome declared December 25 to be the anniversary of the birth of Christ.”–Dec. 1981.
If the early Christians considered it “unthinkable to celebrate one’s own birthday,” then what happened? As Frontier says, “In the next 300 years their attitude began to change.”In fact, in the next few hundred years, they changed a lot of things. This apostasy had been foretold by Jesus and the apostles.
David,
I follow the truth not a denomination. The definition of a cult is anyone who rejects the Tinity.
No I don't celebrate mine or anybody else's birthday.Quote (kenrch @ Nov. 27 2005,23:27) Quote (david @ Nov. 27 2005,22:47) Someone just posted the Question of Christmas. I'm wondering what people think of celebrating birthdays. I'm wondering what people know about the history and customs of birthdays. I did quite a bit of research on this about ten years ago. Here's what I found. It will also shed a little bit of light on Christmas: THE PATTERN OF THE EARLIEST CHRISTIANS
“The early Christians,” states Professor Ferguson in his book The Religions of the Roman Empire, “did not celebrate the birthday of Jesus; it was unrecorded.” The World Book Encyclopedia explains: “The early Christians did not celebrate His [Christ’s] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.”–Vol. 3, p. 416.
“December 25 is a Christian festival and is observed as the anniversary of the birth of Christ. In early times this day was not one of the feasts of the Christian Church. In fact, the church fathers frowned upon the celebration of birthdays and thought them a heathen custom.”–New Book of Knowledge (1978), Vol. 3, p. 289.
According to the Encyclopedia Judaica, “the celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual.” Similarly, historian Augustus Neander writes: “The notion of a birthday festival was far from the ideas of the Christians of this period in general.”–The History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries, translated by H. J. Rose, 1848, p. 190)
States Dr. John C. McCollister, a Lutheran minister, in his book The Christian Book of Why: “Christians of the first century did not celebrate the festival honoring the birth of Jesus—for the same reason they honored no other birthday anniversary. It was the feeling at that time by all Christians that the celebration of all birthdays (even the Lord’s) was a custom of the pagans.”WHY DID THE EARLY CHRISTIANS VIEW BIRTHDAYS THIS WAY?
Why did the early Christians view birthday celebrations as “a custom of the pagans”? Well, birthday observance was common in many polytheistic cultures. Idolatrous rites were performed in honor of the patron gods of each particular birthday, and birthdays of mythical gods like Saturn and Apollo were also celebrated.
The Encyclopedia Americana (1991 edition) states: “The ancient world of Egypt, Creece, Rome, and Persia celebrated the birthdays of gods, kings, and nobles.” Authors Ralph and Adelin Linton reveal the underlying reason for this. In their book The Lore of Birthdays, they write: “Mesopotamia and Egypt, the cradles of civilization, were also the first lands in which men remembered and honoured their birthdays. The keeping of birthday records was important in ancient times principally because a birth date was essential for the casting of a horoscope.”
This direct connection with astrology is a cause of great concern to any who avoid astrology because of what the Bible says about it.–Isaiah 47:13-15
“The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born. The Romans also subscribed to this idea. . . . This notion was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy godmother and the patron saint. . . . The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks. . . . Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of [Artemis]. . . . Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for granting wishes. . . . Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune. . . . Birthday greetings and wishes for happiness are an intrinsic part of this holiday. . . . Originally the idea was rooted in magic. . . . Birthday greetings have power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day.”—The Lore of Birthdays (New York, 1952), Ralph and Adelin Linton, pp. 8, 18-20.
“The various customs with which people today celebrate their birthdays have a long history. Their origins lie in the realm of magic and religion. The customs of offering congratulations, presenting gifts and celebrating—complete with lighted candles—in ancient times were meant to protect the birthday celebrant from the demons and to ensure his security for the coming year. . . . Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom.”—Schwäbische Zeitung (magazine supplement Zeit und Welt), April 3/4, 1981, p. 4.
It is no wonder that The Imperial Bible Dictionary comments: “The later Hebrews looked on the celebration of birthdays as a part of idolatrous worship, a view which would be abundantly confirmed by what they saw of the common observances associated with these days.”—(London, 1874), edited by Patrick Fairbairn, Vol. I, p. 225.
M’Clintock and Strong’s Cyclopaedia agrees by saying Jews of Bible times “regarded birthday celebrations as parts of idolatrous worship . . . , and this probably on account of the idolatrous rites with which they were observed in honor of those who were regarded as the patron gods of the day on which the party was born.” (1882, Vol. I, p. 817)
Idolatry is the worship of false gods, something that the early Christians would never take part in. The Bible clearly condemns idolatry. It says that idolaters will not inherit God’s kingdom.–1 Cor 6:9,10; Eph 5:5 (Also see 1 Cor 5:9-11; 10:14)
So it would appear that the early Christians rejected the birthday celebration because it is rooted in idolatry. The words ‘pagan and ‘heathen’ which will be used quite often basically mean ‘idolatrous.’THE BIBLE SHEDS SOME LIGHT
Over and over again, we see that the early Christians didn’t celebrate birthdays because they considered them a pagan custom, but can we learn anything about the birthday celebration from the Bible?
The Catholic Encyclopedia, quoting Origen Adamantius of the third century says: “Of all the holy people in the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday. It is only sinners (like Pharaoh and Herod) who make great rejoicing over the day on which they were born into this world below.”–(New York, 1911), Vol. X, p. 709
Dr. R. S. Conway explains: “The great theologian Origen, early in the third century several times repeats a remark which he says he took from one of his predecessors, that no just man or Christian saint had ever kept a birthday, his own or anyone else’s. It was only evil persons like Pharaoh or Herod whose birthday celebrations were mentioned in the Scriptures. This shows pretty clearly that if he had ever heard of such a festival as Christmas he repudiated it entirely.”–Ancient Italy and Modern Religion
Even though most people today regard it as an innocent custom, the Bible does not paint a positive picture of this tradition. The only two birthdays the Bible does mention were for rulers who were enemies of God–Pharaoh and Herod. And each celebration included an execution, so that the guests could gloat over the death of the one who had displeased the king.
In the first instance, Pharah, the king of Egypt, (18th century B.C.E) executed his chief baker. (Gen 40:2,3,20,22) The Egyptian ruler did so during the feast because he had grown indignant with his servant.
In the second in
stance, Herod Antipas, the immoral ruler of Galilee in the 1st century C.E. beheaded John the Baptizer as a favor to a girl whose dancing at a party had pleased him.–Mat. 14:6-11
These are the only two birthday celebrations mentioned in the Bible. Is it just coincidental that they are mentioned and that both were for persons not having God’s approval? Or could it be that God deliberately had these details recorded in his Word, which he says is “beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight”? (2 Tim. 3:16) At the very least it can be said that these two accounts Biblically put birthday celebrations in a bad light, as a practice of those estranged from God.
However, the two Bible accounts of birthday celebrations are not as unique as it may first appear. The ancient Jewish historian Josephus reveals other instances of the practice of birthday executions for entertainment.
For example, some occured after Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 C.E., when 1,000,000 Jews perished and 97,000 survived to be taken prisoner. En route to Rome, Roman general Titus took his Jewish captives to the nearby seaport of Caesarea. Josephus writes: “While Titus remained at Caesarea, he celebrated his brother Domitian’s birthday with great splendor, putting over 2,500 prisoners to death in games with beasts and flames. After this he moved to Berytus [Beirut], a Roman colony in Phoenicia, where he celebrated his father’s birthday by killing many more captives at elaborate exhibitions.”—The Jewish War, VII, 37, translated by Paul L. Maier in Josephus: The Essential Writings.
So not only are birthday celebrations rooted in idolatry, but they have left a trail of blood. Faithful first-century Christians would not have felt like joining in a custom so darkly presented in the Bible and so gruesomely celebrated by the Romans. Today, sincere Christians realize that the Bible accounts about birthdays were among the things “written for our instruction.”–Rom. 15:4
Even though the Bible does not contain a specific prohibition against birthday celebrations, it does indicated that it is not proper to partake in just any celebration regardless of its reason or nature. (Ex 32:1-6; 1 Pet 4:3; 1 Cor 10:20,21)WHAT CHANGED?
“Down to the fourth century Christianity rejected the birthday celebration as a pagan custom.”—Schwäbische Zeitung (magazine supplement Zeit und Welt), April 3/4, 1981, p. 4.Frontier, a publication of Frontier Airlines, observed: “To the early Christians, birthdays were a pagan custom. It was unthinkable to celebrate one’s own birthday, much less the birthday of Christ. It was sacrilege to even suggest that a Divine Being had a birthday. . . .In the next 300 years this attitude began to change, and in 354 A.D., the Bishop of Rome declared December 25 to be the anniversary of the birth of Christ.”–Dec. 1981.
If the early Christians considered it “unthinkable to celebrate one’s own birthday,” then what happened? As Frontier says, “In the next 300 years their attitude began to change.”In fact, in the next few hundred years, they changed a lot of things. This apostasy had been foretold by Jesus and the apostles.
David,
I follow the truth not a denomination. The definition of a cult is anyone who rejects the Tinity. No I don't celebrate mine or anybody else's birthday.
Hey David, how about the Easter Bunny? Jesus said He'd be in the grave 3 days and 3 nights. How does anyone get 3-12 hours of daylight and 3-12 hours of night from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning?Quote I follow the truth not a denomination. The definition of a cult is anyone who rejects the Tinity.
I'm not sure why you say this. I only mention the early Christians and yes, I guess you could consider them a cult based on many definitions, even your definition.
But really, a cult isn't defined as anyone who rejects the trinity. I'm not sure who told you that. It's usually defined as unoradox and following one person. I guess it's unorthadox to not believe the trinity.I'm not really sure what you're asking me about easter. I haven't celebrated it for a very long time, so am not exactly sure about the dates.
Quote (david @ Nov. 27 2005,23:49) Quote I follow the truth not a denomination. The definition of a cult is anyone who rejects the Tinity.
I'm not sure why you say this. I only mention the early Christians and yes, I guess you could consider them a cult based on many definitions, even your definition.
But really, a cult isn't defined as anyone who rejects the trinity. I'm not sure who told you that. It's usually defined as unoradox and following one person. I guess it's unorthadox to not believe the trinity.I'm not really sure what you're asking me about easter. I haven't celebrated it for a very long time, so am not exactly sure about the dates.
According to Catholics and every demonination that I've studied with If you reject the Trinty then your rejecting God.Easter suspose to be a celebration of the resurrection. Jesus was supossed to have died on Friday afternoon. And according to Jesus He would be in the grave 3 days and 3 nights:
Mat 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet:
Mat 12:40 for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.The question is how can anybody get 3-12daylight hours and 3-12night hours?
I don't know. Perhaps that question could be discussed in the “pagan holidays” section.
I'm really wondering what others think of birthdays. It just seems such a common thing to me, something most everyone does without thinking about it. Does no one have any thoughts on birthdays?Questions:
1. Why do you think the early Christians refused to celebrate birthdays (including Jesus birthday)? There is no record of Christians celebrating Jesus birth for hundreds of years. Why did they refuse to do so? (I can provide a string of quotes saying they didn't, if you like, showing that the early Christians regarded them as a practive for the pagans) They didn't just neglect to do so. They purposefully avoided celebrating them. My question to you: WHY? Why do you think? And DO YOU THINK THEIR REASONS ARE UNIMPORTANT?2. “ALL scripture is …. beneficial for teaching, for setting things straight.” (2 tim 3:16,17)
My second question to you: Why do the only two accounts of birthdays in the Bible (Pharoah and Herod) both involve bloodshed of God's servants? If all scripture including those scriptures are beneficial for teaching, what do we learn from them? Why does the Bible present birthdays in such a negative light? It is not just a coincidence that the only birthdays mentioned involved bloodshed. Looking at history, we see the same. So my question to you is: If the Bible presents birthdays this way, why disregard it? Are those accounts not part of the “all scripture” that is beneficial for setting things straight? You say you prefer to stick to what scripture has to say about it. Do you?3. Yes, lots of things are pagan. Lots of things have idolatrous roots. Birthdays are one of them. The birthday observance was common in many polytheistic cultures. Idolatrous rites were performed in honoro fhte patron god of each particular birthday, and birthdays of mythical gods like Saturn and Apollo were celebrated.
If you think the quotes are wrong and the customs or origins are wrong, I ask you why the birthday cake? Why the candles? Find a source that explains it in another way.
Over and over again in the references that I am looking at, I see that the early Christians didn't celebrate birthdays because of associating it with idolatry. Over and over again I see this. The Bible clearly condemns idolatry. (1 cor 6:9,10; Eph 5:5)
My question to you is: Has this faded in God's memory? What does God think of such things? God saw first hand where this celebration came from the the trail of blood that followed it. Is it just “innocent fun” to Jehovah? What do you think?Birthday celebrations are rooted in idolatry and they have left a trail of blood. Faithful first century Chritians would not have felt like joining in a custom so darkly presented in the Bible and so gruesomely celebrated by the Romans. Today, sincere Christians realize that the Bible accounts about birthdays were among the things written for our instruction. (Rom 15:4)
Jesus and the apostles fortold and apostasy. Many things changed. I find the following quote very revealing:
“To the early Christians, birthdays were a pagan custom. It was unthinkable to celebrate one’s own birthday, much less the birthday of Christ. . . .In the next 300 years this attitude began to change, and in 354 A.D., the Bishop of Rome declared December 25 to be the anniversary of the birth of Christ.”–Frontier, Dec, 1981
It wasn't ok. Then, it was. Sounds like part of the fortold apostasy
Casey, I'm curious to know what you think of the above post, about birthdays. I believe that Christmas and maybe birthdays was one of the first things you mentioned to me. I'm curious what your responce to the above 3 questions would be. How would you answer them?
david
Hi david,
If someone is having a birthday and they bring a cake along to work would you refuse a piece because that would contravene your principles? If so would you tell others the reasons for your refusal? What if you were offered the cake and did not know why it had been brought to work and then found out later it had been because of a birthday would that worry you? Should we always find out why cake is on the table in case it was for some sort of pagan celebration?Quote If someone is having a birthday and they bring a cake along to work would you refuse a piece because that would contravene your principles? If so would you tell others the reasons for your refusal? What if you were offered the cake and did not know why it had been brought to work and then found out later it had been because of a birthday would that worry you? Should we always find out why cake is on the table in case it was for some sort of pagan celebration? We should “be reasonable.” I'm sure the Bible says that somewhere.
Of course I would refuse a piece of birthday cake, as I don't celebrate birthdays and a big part of celebrating birthdays seems to be the cake.“The Greeks believed that everyone had a protective spirit or daemon who attended his birth and watched over him in life. This spirit had a mystic relation with the god on whose birthday the individual was born. The Romans also subscribed to this idea. . . . This notion was carried down in human belief and is reflected in the guardian angel, the fairy godmother and the patron saint. . . . The custom of lighted candles on the cakes started with the Greeks. . . . Honey cakes round as the moon and lit with tapers were placed on the temple altars of [Artemis]. . . . Birthday candles, in folk belief, are endowed with special magic for granting wishes. . . . Lighted tapers and sacrificial fires have had a special mystic significance ever since man first set up altars to his gods. The birthday candles are thus an honor and tribute to the birthday child and bring good fortune. . . . Birthday greetings and wishes for happiness are an intrinsic part of this holiday. . . . Originally the idea was rooted in magic. . . . Birthday greetings have power for good or ill because one is closer to the spirit world on this day.”—The Lore of Birthdays (New York, 1952), Ralph and Adelin Linton, pp. 8, 18-20.
Quote If so would you tell others the reasons for your refusal?
I might, or I might just say: “no thankyou.”Quote What if you were offered the cake and did not know why it had been brought to work and then found out later it had been because of a birthday would that worry you?
It's an extraordinarily unlikely situation for me, but if I happened to be walking down the street and someone is handing out cake and I don't realize that it's part of a birthday celebration, at first, it wouldn't worry me. No. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with the cake. It's the birthday celebration itself that has a dark past, and that the early Christians avoided. And that I too avoid, to the best of my abilities.Quote Should we always find out why cake is on the table in case it was for some sort of pagan celebration?
Nick, in my life, I have eated a lot of cake, A LOT OF CAKE. And I'm quite certain I have never 'acidentally' eaten birthday cake.
Birthday cakes tend to start with candles in them. They tend to be surrounded by birthday party people, or at least, the guy who's birthday it is.
My life isn't really such that I….Ok, here's a closer to home, more of a real life example. I don't celebrate valentines day. I recently came in contact with some children who do. And they love to make things, like valentines. And they like to share. And they have made pictures for me before. Now, the thought of me explaining to a 5 year old why I can't except their gift of love, isn't something that I wanted to entertain. It seemed like I was certain to be in this situation, as the kids were expecting me, and they were working on valentines when I arrived. Would i have just taken the card and tried to convince myself that it was ok, knowing the truth? Would I have said: “Thankyou, but you keep it,” and watched their little face turn into a frown? The thing is, I have no problem telling people the truth. But I also know that this child…. The idea of me being the one to tell a kid that Santa is a lie…. If their parents want to teach them lies, and train them that way, that is on their heads, until the child is no longer a child.
What exactly I would have done, I am uncertain. But what I do as I was feeling week, was ask that this particular test not arise.david
Hi david,
Would you be overcome with guilt and fear of condemnation if you found you hade eaten birthday cake? Would you fear for your salvation?Or can you accept that we all make mistakes?
It it important to use all such situations to show others about their sin in this way or are others allowed freedom to act according to their conscience in such matters?Perhaps taking a lesson from Paul we eat the cake without question but if a brother points out that it is birthday cake then don't eat it for conscience sake, theirs, not ours.
If your conscience bothers you then don't eat the cake. Why would your conscience bother you. Don't you know their are no other gods.
By eating the cake couldn't you be saying “thank God he created you”. Rather than “who do you think you are”?
These are doctrines of men.
1Co 8:6 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.
1Co 8:7 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.
1Co 8:8 ** 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.**Quote Would you be overcome with guilt and fear of condemnation if you found you hade eaten birthday cake? Would you fear for your salvation?Or can you accept that we all make mistakes?
It it important to use all such situations to show others about their sin in this way or are others allowed freedom to act according to their conscience in such matters?
No, I would not become overcome by guilt in the least if I found I accidently eaten birthday cake. And no, I would not fear for my salvation in the least. Nick, we are all born into sin and we all sin. But those who practice sin or knowingly do sin, this is different. Of course I can accept that you and I both make mistakes. As I said, we are all sinners.
I agree with Seekingtruth's statement.Quote It it important to use all such situations to show others about their sin in this way or are others allowed freedom to act according to their conscience in such matters?
Is it important to use all such situations to show others about their sin…
Nick, do you go around telling people that they sin–telling the truth about a matter and telling them what God says or the Bible and telling them what the early Christians did or what the history of a thing is, is a little different then telling someone who sins (and everyone does): “You are sinning.”Quote or are others allowed freedom to act according to their conscience in such matters?
Of course others are allowed to do whatever they want–murder their unborn children, follow the practices of wicca, worship evergreens and light, etc. Oh, “such matters,” meaning eating cake? If by “others” you mean people who couldn't care whether they followed Bible principles or not, then they have all the freedom that this dying world will allow.If by “Christians,” notice Seekingtruths words:
“if a brother points out that it is birthday cake then don't eat it for conscience sake, theirs, not ours. “
Quote If your conscience bothers you then don't eat the cake. Why would your conscience bother you. Don't you know their are no other gods.
Hi Kenrch, Yes, we know there is only one true God. But it is “their” conscience and not ours.
If pagan peoples ate round birthday cakes and put lighted tapers on them all part of superstition, and the Greeks believed that on one's birthday they were closer to the spirit world, and such customs are all unliked strongly by Jehovah, and weimitate
such customs,
it is highly possible that someone may be stumbled by what you are doing.
Jehovah himself might wonder why you are following in the footsteps of people who worshipped false gods, by making it your aim to imitate their customs.
Quote 1Co 8:6 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.
1Co 8:7 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.
1Co 8:8 ** 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.**Hi Kernch, so if it is later on, the birthday cake is just cake. but would you join in with those that worship idols and eat the meat with them in their false worship? No. But the meat is just meat and whether it was part of some bad thing, it is still just meat. But, would you eat it as part of that bad thing we are to avoid? Would you engage in the same practice that is in question of defiling the meat? No.
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