Whither December 25?

An article in the December 25th local newspaper once again sought to present the so-called "conventional" wisdom that Christmas has its origin in a pagan winter solstice festival. Because of that, many old pagan customs crept into the Christian celebration. This is a great urban myth, repeated countless times in classrooms and in print.

William Tighe, a Professor of History at Muhlenberg College in PA debunks the myth and shows that the real issue was the true date for the resurrection (Easter) and the attempt by the Roman Emperor Aurelian to make a political statement and give pagan significance to a date already important to Roman Christians.

You can read the full article here.

Lack of postings

Sorry for the lack of postings. Sometimes pastors get wrapped up is so many things! I'm trying to post 2-4 times a week. Bear with me. Thanks for stopping by.

Stem Cells

"If human embryonic stem cell research does not make you at least a little bit uncomfortable, you have not thought about it enough." -- James A. Thomson

Charles Krauthammer has a wonderful essay at Townhall: Technology Vindicates Morality.

One can only hope the promise of this breakthrough will be realized and the unborn will be spared.

Veterans Day 2007

Thanks to all who have served and are serving now. God bless them and their families. Remember those who have given "the last full measure of devotion." Chaplain (Colonel, ret.) Tom Troxell US Army

Reformation Day 2007

Today in NOT Halloween. It is Reformation Day, a day to be celebrated by Christians everywhere.

Al Mohler has a good article on his blog today; you can read it here.

I've snipped an except for you to think about: "The coming of Halloween is a good time for Christians to remember that evil spirits are real and that the Devil will seize every opportunity to trumpet his own celebrity. Perhaps the best response to the Devil at Halloween is that offered by Martin Luther, the great Reformer: "The best way to drive out the devil, if he will not yield to texts of Scripture, is to jeer and flout him for he cannot bear scorn."

"On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther began the Reformation with a declaration that the church must be recalled to the authority of God's Word and the purity of biblical doctrine. With this in mind, the best Christian response to Halloween might be to scorn the Devil and then pray for the Reformation of Christ's church on earth. Let's put the dark side on the defensive." Well said.

World Series

Well, I can't get over the fact that the Diamondbacks season ended so abruptly. I'd hoped for a D'Backs - Red Sox Series. So for now - Go Sox, Crush the Rocks!

Come On People

Over at his blog, Al Mohler has a wonderful review of Bill Cosby's new book "Come On People." As a native Philadelphian, I've always loved 'the Cos' and his humor - "Right!" Many people forget he has a Ph. D. from UMass.

Anyway, this is an exceptional review of what appears to be a landmark book for everyone to read at Al Mohler's blog.