Re: Re: Re: Tangible Idolatry
| Posted On: 11/14/06 12:48:19 AM |
Age 63, OH |
I think Uncle Sam is far different from Santa
Claus. Parents don't lie to their children
and tell them that Uncle Sam is real but they
do lie to their kids about Santa Claus. They
attribute God like powers to him. They tell
their kids that he can fly,he can go to every
house in one night,provide toys to the whole
world,see them when they are bad or good,and
that he is a good person not sinful like the
rest of us. My parents lied to me and I found
it very hard to believe even when I was very
small; but they insisted it was true even
when I said I didn't believe it.And if I
didn't believe I would not get any toys.
I was angry because they lied to me when
they finally admitted it was a lie. I think
this is not a smart thing to do to our kids
and is also cruel. My parents also told me
there was a God that could basically do the
same things as Santa and I doubted it for
much of my life wondering if they had lied
about that too. I told my kids the truth
from the very beginning and many freinds
and relatives were angry with me for this.
This proved to me how much of an idol Santa
was because people are quick to get angry
when someone degrades their idol. Also what
a terrible sin to suppose anyone could share
the spotlight with Christ Jesus. No one can
provide like him, he is the provider. He is
the only one who is all powerful and omni-
present. He is the only one who cares for us
enough to die for us while we were still
sinners. Even the roman governor Pilate who
knew so litle said "I find no fault in him".
In the throne room the angel asked "Who is
worthy to break the seals and open the
scroll"? But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was worthy. Jesus Christ
alone is worthy and certainly none of this
glory should go to Santa Claus should it.
I think we all need to repent of the sin of
this nation in this matter.
|
Re: Re: Tangible Idolatry
| Posted On: 11/12/06 08:55:11 AM |
Age 46, MN |
I hadn't thought of this in light of Christmas, etc. I think, however, that there is a great difference in a symbol (Santa Claus) and a mythical idol (Apollo). The mere existence of a symbol is not necessarily idolatry. We create symbols for holidays and festivals that are not inherently sinful - say Uncle Sam for the fourth of July. I think that what you are concerned about would be much clearer in the resurgence of celebrating the summer solstice with the Druids. There is also resurgence in celebrating the arrival of spring with festivals to Mother Earth and Gaia. The grey areas become blacker and more defined. With Christmas there appears to have been a real person named Nicolas that did good. I don't consider him to be anything more than a good person, certainly not a deity. The evolution of this into Santa Claus is primarily harmful not in the veneration of Santa Claus but in the substitution of a vain symbol for the true message of what is actually being celebrated - the incarnation. I suppose that this could be a form of "intangible idolatry" and the worship of greed, but I doubt that many people tangibly worship the image of Santa as a god. The focus on this series is the tangible aspect of idolatry. K. Jentoft
|
Re: Tangible Idolatry
| Posted On: 11/09/06 06:46:08 AM |
Age 53, TX |
the book of jude warns of the Jesus that saves us in sin, instead of loose us from sin, today the church is creating a no repent salvation, thus tickle the ears, it feels or sounds good and this is the broad way of Matt.7:13,14 .psalms 118:19,20 tells of the gate of righteousness. The many our Lord warns will go the broad way, thats why these false churches have the many numbers. A salvation where flesh dont have to die, wow that sounds good to the lovers of self...
|
Re: Tangible Idolatry
| Posted On: 11/08/06 05:51:43 PM |
Age 24, WA |
It would be interesting to hear your opinion on where this manifestation of myths and idols is being revealed today as we live, for certainly there is a continuation of false beliefs and "vain things" throughout our history. Very thorough article, thank you Mr. Jentoft.
|
Re: Tangible Idolatry
| Posted On: 11/08/06 02:57:43 PM |
Age 29, NE |
You pretty much summed up the the New Test. teachings on the error of Christians embrasing the pagan myths that were integrated into Christain worship via Christmas and Easter. The Acts 19 verse reminds me of the American economy and its dependency on these holidays. Sadly most Christian leaders (and their churches) are as financially dependant on mythological icons like Santa Claus as Demetrius was. This heavily influences their doctrinal clearity. Considering all the examples and direct teachings (both Old and New Test.)on idolatry via the integration of pagan myths/icons/festivals,etc into Gods worship, I can't believe we embrace such things so flippantly. We don't even talk about this form of idolaty anymore. (when was the last time you heard a sermon on ANY such form of idolatry) Sadly these were integrated into Christianity hundreds of years ago and were never completely removed during the Reformation. They are now endeared in the hearts of the people. Maybe you think I have gone to far...that's OK at least you're thinking/reading/praying about it.
|
|
|
|
|
