Is Easter Really a Christian Celebration? - Conclusion

 Philippe Walter, a professor of medieval literature, explains how such customs became part of the Easter celebration. He wrote that "in the process of the Christianization of pagan religions," it was the easy to associate the pagan festival that celebrated "the passage from the death of winter to introducing "Christian commemorations" to the pagan calendar, thus smoothing the way to mass conversion.

This process of "Chritianization" did not occur while the apostles were still alive, because they acted as a "restraint" against paganism.  (2 Thessalonians 2:7)  The apostle Paul warned that after his "going away," men would "rise and speak twisted things  to draw away the disciples after themselves." (Acts 20:29, 30) And late in hte first century, the apostle John wrote that some men were already misleading Christians.  (1 John 2:18, 26) The way was open for the eventual adoption of pagan customs. 

Some may feel, however, that allowing some of the Easter customs was not wrong-that it gave "pagans" a better  understanding of the meaning of  Jesus' resurrection.  Paul, however, would never have agreed. Although expossed many pagan customs while traveling through the Roman Empire, he never adopted any of them to give people a better understanding of Jesus.  On the contrary, he warned the Christians:  "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what feellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what shirng does light havewith darkness?  Therefore, get out from among htem, and separate  yourselves,' says Jehovah, 'and quit touching the unclean thing."' - 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14, 17. 

What is the result of our brief examination of the details?  It has clearly revealed that Easter is not a Christian celebration.

Next time: What Does the Bible Say About Easter?

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