Perspectives Archive

The Meaning of Christmas: What IS the Real Meaning of Christmas?

THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS- IntroductionPeople often talk about the “spirit of Christmas” and discovering its “true meaning.” Just what is the true meaning of Christmas? THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS- “Good Will Toward Men”In our secularized culture, non-Christians have reinterpreted the “true meaning of Christmas” to be “good will toward men.” By that expression they mean [...]

Christmas Presents: Should Christians Give Christmas Presents?

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS- IntroductionGift-giving at Christmas is a tradition steeped now in crass commercialism. Should Christians participate in the exchanging of Christmas presents? CHRISTMAS PRESENTS- OriginsThe giving of gifts at Christmas is a custom which developed in imitation of the wise men, or Magi, who gave gifts to Christ [Matt. 2:11]. It is sometimes said, notably [...]

Are Christmas Trees Idolatrous?

ARE CHRISTMAS TREES IDOLATROUS?- IntroductionAn argument against Christmas which you hear quite a bit these days is that Christmas trees are condemned in the Bible. Is this really true? ARE CHRISTMAS TREES IDOLATROUS?- Christmas Trees in Jeremiah?Sometimes it is said that Christmas trees are condemned in Jeremiah 10, verses 2 – 4, where God says, [...]

Saint Nicholas: Can Santa Claus Be Saved?

SANTA CLAUS- INTRODUCTIONPerhaps the thing about Christmas that bothers Christians more than anything else is Santa Claus. Is Santa a hopelessly pagan idea, or can Santa Claus be saved? SANTA CLAUS- A NonessentialSanta Claus is not essential or even very important to Christmas. I mean you can take Santa out of Christmas and Christmas remains [...]

The Christian and Christmas: Is Christmas a Christian Holiday?

THE CHRISTIAN AND CHRISTMAS- INTRODUCTIONSanta Claus. Christmas trees. Exchanging gifts with people you really don’t care about or even know. Office parties which involve drinking and immorality. Is Christmas really Christian or pagan? THE CHRISTIAN AND CHRISTMAS- Pagan Myths and PracticesThe best arguments against Christmas are the pagan myths and practices that have attached themselves [...]

The Canaanites: How Could a Just God Command His People to Destroy an Entire Nation?

THE CANAANITES- IntroductionHave you ever heard a skeptic point to the violence chronicled in Scripture and then try to discredit God and His Word? They point out the fact that God commands the Israelites, for example, to wipe out the Canaanites including women, children, and even cattle. If that doesn’t prove that God is unjust, [...]

Pentecost: Did the Sun Go Dark and the Moon Turn to Blood?

PENTECOST- Introduction In Peter’s sermon on Pentecost, he quoted a prophecy in Joel which said that the sun would become dark and the moon would turn to blood before the day of the Lord. Peter claimed that this prophecy had been fulfilled in his day and time. But when did these events really take place?PENTECOST- [...]

Does “The Son Can Do Nothing of Himself” Mean Jesus Is not God??

JESUS IS NOT GOD?!- Introduction Cultists who deny that Jesus Christ is God commonly quote John 5:19 as proof.  Jesus says, “the Son can do nothing of Himself.” JESUS IS NOT GOD?!- John 5:19 Ironically John 5:19, in reality is a powerful proof text that confirms Jesus Christ is, in fact, God. As always, a [...]

The sign of Jonah: Did Jesus Give a Sign?

THE SIGN OF JONAH- IntroductionIn Mark 8:11-13, Jesus tells the Pharisees that a wicked adulterous generation asked for a miraculous sign — they’re not going to get one. But in the parallel passage in Matthew 12:38-40, Jesus says that they will get a sign, that of His resurrection.  Is this a contradiction?THE SIGN OF JONAH- [...]

Three Days, Three Nights

THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS- IntroductionIn Matthew 12:40 Jesus prophesies that He would be dead “three days and three nights.” The fact of the matter is he was dead for only two nights and one full day.  THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS- The FactsLet’s look at the record. Jesus died on a Friday afternoon and [...]

The Prophet Jonah: Jonah’s “False Prophecy”

THE PROPHET JONAH- IntroductionYou wouldn’t normally expect Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and skeptics to agree on much of anything. Yet all three share a similar opinion regarding, of all things, the Book of Jonah. Can you guess what it is? The CRI Perspective in a moment. THE PROPHET JONAH- False Prophet?Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and skeptics all [...]

The Genealogy of Jesus: Genealogical Difficulties in Matthew and Luke

THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS- IntroductionAs far back as the third century A.D. people have wrestled with the question of who Joseph’s father was. Here in Matthew it says: Joseph is the son of Jacob, — in Luke it says Heli is Joseph’s father.  THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS- Who Is Joseph’s Father?With the wide assortment of [...]