Presbyterians' standards are the Westminster standards which outlaw the observance of man-made holy days. Perhaps one could argue these days are permissible amongst the continental reformed, but speaking precisely the presbyterian standards (Westminster standards) and their history (Scotland) explicitly denounce them.
@@anomos1611 Westminster Directory for the Publick Worship of God. Touching Days and Places for Publick Worship. THERE is no day commanded in scripture to be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord’s day, which is the Christian Sabbath. Festival days, vulgarly called Holy-days, having no warrant in the word of God, are not to be continued.
I have never heard of the early reformers thoughts on church holidays. But given the goal of the reformation at the time, it does make sense they would want to clean up the over bloated ways of man made traditions. At the same time, I think there is good celebrating the holidays commemorating the important times in gospel, such as Christ’s incarnation, death and resurrection. This is a very informative video.
Incredible video Rev! I can finally catch up to the rest of these videos over break! Merry Christmas, I hope you and your family have an amazing holiday and thank you for your encouragement in standing shoulder to shoulder with all other believers in the most important point of Christianity that we can all agree with!
This is the more biblical Contitental Reformed position. Synod of Dort 1574 Concerning Church Holidays 53. As to church holidays aside from the Sunday, it is decided that people shall be content with the Sunday only. The normal material about Christ's birth shall be dealt with in the church on the Sunday before Christmas, and the people shall be exhorted not to consider Christmas as a holiday. In case Christmas falls on a Sunday, then one shall deal with the same material. It is also allowed to teach concerning the resurrection of Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit on Easter and Pentecost. This is left to the freedom of the ministers.
Thank you very much for the video, Reverend. If I may ask, could you make a video telling your testimony, why you went to Korea, how you adapted, what the situation of Christianity is like there? It would be very interesting because I like that country.
From your videos about the sacraments and the elect to this, you have given me new perspectives which I believe are well founded in Scripture. As someone who is newer to the Reformed tradition, I am thankful for your content. God bless you. Enjoy your Christmas.
@@RevDonBaker Indeed, as am I. I am also glad to see that you understood my username. I believe myself blessed to have found your channel. Continue posting content. I look forward to learning more from you, and am curious about your opinion from a Reformed perspective on more theological topics such as the topic of icons. May God bless you. Enjoy your Christmas (I presume based upon your video that am permitted to say that).
You’re part of the International Presbyterian Church?! That’s so awesome! I also go to an IPC church, Trinity Church Aberdeen. So cool that a Presbyterian UA-camr that I’ve recently followed is part of the same denomination. Fantastic content and much blessings from Scotland
But what about the ceremonies or traditions that enter the liturgy during these times? What about the advent candles, re-enactments, musical solos, and other Christmastide traditions that are added to the liturgy in December, none of which are prescribed by the Lord. Does the Second Helvic Confession distinguish between a private gathering in one’s home and religious worship on the Lord’s day? I know the RPCNA Testimony addresses this matter, but I’m wondering if there’s any older more historic document that mentions or provides any guidance in this area.
@@ThehbiGoon That is a good question. I do think that things like re-enactments and solos should not be added to the liturgy. What’s more common in Reformed circles is that the liturgy structure stays the same but is centered around the biblical theme of the season.
I don’t disagree with your position, but I don’t think you addressed the strongest argument against Christmas. To me, the strongest argument is that Christmas is a monument of idolatry, because of its historical connection to the Roman mass, where the the Eucharist is worshipped as Christ’s body. I would argue that Christmas is more comparable to foods offered to idols, rather than to monuments of idolatry. For the sake of consciences, I don’t think Christmas should have an explicit part of corporate worship, but I will celebrate it with my family.
I feel like this depends on how much authority you think the church has. Can the church reasonable institute days which are helpful in Christian devotion, without forcing them on anyone. As long as it doesn't detract from our devotion then to me it's not an idol even if not explicitly commanded. Banning Christmas, seems like a gross overreaction to me and an over reductionist point of view.
@@loganpeck5084 the logic does not follow. If a modern day Presbyterian denomination adopted a confession, that does not make that confession and its contents Presbyterian. The common confession of all Presbyterians is the Westminster, which is explicitly anti-Christmas.
@andrewjhowell they're not a modern day Presbyterian denomination. They adopted the 2nd Helvetic when it was written. The Westminster Confession wasn't written to be Presbyterian in the first place.
Many Presbyterian churches adhere to more than one Reformed confession of faith. Being a Presbyterian is not just limited to Westminster standards. It depends on whether each individual church has only Westminster or uses other confessions as well.
Faithful Presbyterians cannot celebrate man-made religous holydays. Quoting the 2nd Helvetic confession to in an attempt to justify Presbyterians celebrating Xmas is foolish. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland specifically sent correspondence stating that they rejected the teaching of the 2nd Helvetic on holydays. This one thing, however, we can scarcely refrain from mentioning, with regard to what is written in the 24th chapter of the aforesaid Confession [Second Helvetic] concerning the “festival of our Lord’s nativity, circumcision, passion, resurrection, ascension, and sending the Holy Ghost upon his disciples,” that these festivals at the present time obtain no place among us; for we dare not religiously celebrate any other feast-day than what the divine oracles have prescribed. -The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland [subscribed by John Knox, John Craig, James Melville, and a host of others], Letter to the Very Eminent Servant of Christ, Master Theodore Beza, the Most Learned and Vigilant Pastor of the Genevan Church (1566). We are duty bound by the 2nd commandment to remove all monuments of idolatry according to WLC 108. Xmas is a monument of idolatry, A high holyday of Papal Antichrist. Q. 108. What are the duties required in the second commandment? A. The duties required in the second commandment are, the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath instituted in his Word; particularly prayer and thanksgiving in the name of Christ; the reading, preaching, and hearing of the Word; the administration and receiving of the sacraments; church government and discipline; the ministry and maintenance thereof; religious fasting; swearing by the name of God, and vowing unto him: as also the disapproving, detesting, opposing, all false worship; and, according to each one’s place and calling, removing it, and all monuments of idolatry. WLC 109 rejects the many reasons people give for practicing worship not insituted by God himself. Under the title of antiquity, custom, devotion, good intent, or any other pretence whatsoever. Xmas is a form of worship not instituted by God himself Q. 109. What are the sins forbidden in the second commandment? A. The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising, counselling, commanding, using, and anywise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself; tolerating a false religion; the making any representation of God, of all, or of any of the three Persons, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever; all worshiping of it, or God in it or by it; the making of any representation of feigned deities, and all worship of them, or service belonging to them; all superstitious devices, corrupting the worship of God, adding to it, or taking from it, whether invented and taken up of ourselves, or received by tradition from others, though under the title of antiquity, custom, devotion, good intent, or any other pretence whatsoever; simony; sacrilege; all neglect, contempt, hindering, and opposing the worship and ordinances which God hath appointed. The historic biblical Presbyterian position is not only that Xmas should not be observed but that the civil maigistrate must punish those who are obstinate maintainers and teachers of it. By the contrary doctrine, we understand whatsoever men, by laws, councils, or constitutions have imposed upon the consciences of men, without the expressed commandment of God’s Word; such as the vows of chastity, forswearing of marriage, binding of men and women to several disguised apparels, to the superstitious observation of fasting days, difference of meat [food] for conscience’ sake, prayer for the dead; and keeping of holy days of certain saints commanded by man, such as be all those that the Papists have invented, as the feasts (as they term them) of Apostles, Martyrs, Virgins, of Christmass, Circumcision, Epiphany, Purification, and other fond feasts of our Lady. Which things, because in God’s Scriptures they neither have commandment nor assurance, we judge them utterly to be abolished from the realm; affirming farther, that the obstinate maintainers and teachers of such abominations ought not to escape the punishment of the Civil magistrate. -Church of Scotland, (First) Book of Discipline (1560). Kirk censures are to leveled against Xmas keepers, They must make public repentance before the congregation. The General Assembly taking to their consideration the manifold abuses, profanity, and superstitions, committed on Yule-day [Christ-mass] and some other superstitious days following, have unanimously concluded and hereby ordains, that whatsoever person or persons hereafter shall be found guilty in keeping of the foresaid superstitious days, shall be proceeded against by Kirk censures, and shall make their public repentance therefore in the face of the congregation where the offence is committed. And that the presbyteries and provincial synods take particular notice how ministers try and censure delinquents of this kind, within the several parishes. -General Assembly, Church of Scotland, Act for Censuring Observers of Yule-day, and other Superstitious days (1645). Historic Continental Reformed also to rejected holydays but the quickly backslide and deformed. Synod of Dort 1574 Concerning Church Holidays 53. As to church holidays aside from the Sunday, it is decided that people shall be content with the Sunday only. The normal material about Christ's birth shall be dealt with in the church on the Sunday before Christmas, and the people shall be exhorted not to consider Christmas as a holiday. In case Christmas falls on a Sunday, then one shall deal with the same material. It is also allowed to teach concerning the resurrection of Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit on Easter and Pentecost. This is left to the freedom of the ministers. Multiple great Dutch reformed theologians give wonderful advice against Xmas keeping. Willem Teelinck, The Path of True Godliness, p. 101: [Rules that help distinguish between truth and lies, walking in divine truth promotes godliness] For example when debating whether to maintain Lenten Eve (Fat Tuesday), Epiphany (when the wiseman saw Christ), and other Roman Catholic holidays or to radically abolish them, some people may say yes and others no. However, the godly immediately know the right way, for they understand that Roman Catholic holidays have no basis in Holy Scripture and that regular observance of them offers occasion for much sin. The celebrations cause great disorder in the places or homes where they are observed and become a stumbling block to real holiness as they strengthen the old man. The godly swiftly conclude that Reformed Christians who would gladly abolish or ignore the feast days have the truth on their side. Jacobus Koelman The Duties of Parents, p. 73: 100. Do not allow your children to celebrate the days on which unbelief and superstition are being catered to. They are admittedly inclined to want this because they see that the children of Roman Catholic parents observe those days. Do not let them attend carnivals, observe Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), see Santa Claus, or observe Twelfth Night, because they are all remnants of an idolatrous papacy. You must not keep your children out of school or from work on those days nor let them play outside or join in the amusement. The Lord has said, "After the doings of the land of Egypt, where you lived, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, where I bring you, you shall not do: neither shall you walk in their ordinances" (Lev. 18:3). The Lord will punish the Reformed on account of the days of Baal (Hosea 2:12-13), and he also observes what the children do on the occasion of such idolatry (Jer. 17:18). Therefore, do not let your children receive presents on Santa Claus day, nor let them draw tickets in a raffle and such things. Pick other days on which to give them the things that amuse them, and because the days of Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost have the same character, Reformed people must keep their children away from these so-called holy days and feast days.
The answer to the question is no. And most Presbyterians are in error in this to the displeasure of God. It is false worship. What brother Don is here proclaiming as "helpful" compromise is most dangerous and debilitating to Church purity in favour of Church AND secular unity or synchronicity of the holy with the unholy. I love our dear brother and pray his ministry will be blessed, but such 'helpfulness', as great an opportunity of outreach as it may appear, is the same compromise the Roman Catholic Church first established in appointing a Christ-mass date, an All Hallows' Evening date, and an Easter designation. It is not unlike the proudful act of good king Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26: 16. I certainly think our brother means well and wishes to make the best of every opportunity, but this false worship will not stand and is an affront to God's appointment for His people.
High church celebrates Christ’s birth and is happy with family. A Presbyterian frowns upon Christ’s birth and calls the incarnation of God ‘not holy’. Eternally happy I got out of the reformed world. Merry Christmas silly friends in Christ
Christmas violates the RPW as outlined by WCF standards; even Calvin was against the liturgical calendar. An inconsistent Presbyterian, contrary to their confessional standards, will violate them to observe an ancient, historically established holy feast day for conformity, nostalgia, emotional pull, etc. That's what happens when one develops such an unnecessarily rigid, puritanical interpretation of "worship."
@@icxcnika7722 The RPW is a great principle but its application may be tricky in some areas. Even the position of this video is still informed by the RPW in qualifying what can and can’t cant be allowed/mandated. I would agree that the Puritans may have been influenced by their context to take things a bit far. It’s comparable to Acts 15 forbidding meat offered to idols while Paul allows it to be a matter of conscience elsewhere. Sometimes the immediate context can give a reason for higher restrictions on what otherwise is indifferent.
I 100% agree with Rev. Baker's take on this and will fiercely defend it! Ok time to watch the video
Presbyterians' standards are the Westminster standards which outlaw the observance of man-made holy days. Perhaps one could argue these days are permissible amongst the continental reformed, but speaking precisely the presbyterian standards (Westminster standards) and their history (Scotland) explicitly denounce them.
@@dacandyman112where specifically do the westminster standards "outlaw the observance of man-made holy days"?
@@anomos1611 Westminster Directory for the Publick Worship of God.
Touching Days and Places for Publick Worship.
THERE is no day commanded in scripture to be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord’s day, which is the Christian Sabbath.
Festival days, vulgarly called Holy-days, having no warrant in the word of God, are not to be continued.
I'm too dutch, I must be jolly
I'm so glad you linked to this man's channel. His content is wonderful.
You nailed it! 2nd Helvetic is also my view on this 🎉🎉
I have never heard of the early reformers thoughts on church holidays. But given the goal of the reformation at the time, it does make sense they would want to clean up the over bloated ways of man made traditions. At the same time, I think there is good celebrating the holidays commemorating the important times in gospel, such as Christ’s incarnation, death and resurrection. This is a very informative video.
@@timothycambron Agreed
I greatly appreciate your constant mentioning of, and study of, the confessions and catechisms of our tradition. Many thanks!
This is a very mature view of the subject. Thanks for this, Rev!
Great sweater, just intime for the holidays
Incredible video Rev! I can finally catch up to the rest of these videos over break! Merry Christmas, I hope you and your family have an amazing holiday and thank you for your encouragement in standing shoulder to shoulder with all other believers in the most important point of Christianity that we can all agree with!
Continental Reformed ftw!❤
Great video.
This is the more biblical Contitental Reformed position.
Synod of Dort 1574
Concerning Church Holidays
53. As to church holidays aside from the Sunday, it is decided that people shall be content with the Sunday only.
The normal material about Christ's birth shall be dealt with in the church on the Sunday before Christmas, and
the people shall be exhorted not to consider Christmas as a holiday. In case Christmas falls on a Sunday, then
one shall deal with the same material. It is also allowed to teach concerning the resurrection of Christ and the
sending of the Holy Spirit on Easter and Pentecost. This is left to the freedom of the ministers.
Very balanced view! Merry Christmas, Rev!
Thank you very much for the video, Reverend. If I may ask, could you make a video telling your testimony, why you went to Korea, how you adapted, what the situation of Christianity is like there? It would be very interesting because I like that country.
From your videos about the sacraments and the elect to this, you have given me new perspectives which I believe are well founded in Scripture. As someone who is newer to the Reformed tradition, I am thankful for your content. God bless you. Enjoy your Christmas.
@@INTP_Apologist Glad to see an INTP can agree on things with an INFP!
@@RevDonBaker Indeed, as am I. I am also glad to see that you understood my username. I believe myself blessed to have found your channel. Continue posting content. I look forward to learning more from you, and am curious about your opinion from a Reformed perspective on more theological topics such as the topic of icons. May God bless you. Enjoy your Christmas (I presume based upon your video that am permitted to say that).
You’re part of the International Presbyterian Church?! That’s so awesome! I also go to an IPC church, Trinity Church Aberdeen. So cool that a Presbyterian UA-camr that I’ve recently followed is part of the same denomination. Fantastic content and much blessings from Scotland
@@andrewwood9684 Great to see another IPC!
But what about the ceremonies or traditions that enter the liturgy during these times? What about the advent candles, re-enactments, musical solos, and other Christmastide traditions that are added to the liturgy in December, none of which are prescribed by the Lord.
Does the Second Helvic Confession distinguish between a private gathering in one’s home and religious worship on the Lord’s day? I know the RPCNA Testimony addresses this matter, but I’m wondering if there’s any older more historic document that mentions or provides any guidance in this area.
@@ThehbiGoon That is a good question. I do think that things like re-enactments and solos should not be added to the liturgy. What’s more common in Reformed circles is that the liturgy structure stays the same but is centered around the biblical theme of the season.
Love it!
New video 🎉
Same energy as “no creed but the Bible”
I don’t disagree with your position, but I don’t think you addressed the strongest argument against Christmas. To me, the strongest argument is that Christmas is a monument of idolatry, because of its historical connection to the Roman mass, where the the Eucharist is worshipped as Christ’s body. I would argue that Christmas is more comparable to foods offered to idols, rather than to monuments of idolatry. For the sake of consciences, I don’t think Christmas should have an explicit part of corporate worship, but I will celebrate it with my family.
I feel like this depends on how much authority you think the church has. Can the church reasonable institute days which are helpful in Christian devotion, without forcing them on anyone. As long as it doesn't detract from our devotion then to me it's not an idol even if not explicitly commanded. Banning Christmas, seems like a gross overreaction to me and an over reductionist point of view.
Where do we see in any Presbyterian confession that these holy days are permissible? Helvetic is not presbyterian. Westminster is.
2nd Helvetic was adopted by the Hungarian Reformed Church, which is Presbyterian in polity.
@@loganpeck5084 the logic does not follow. If a modern day Presbyterian denomination adopted a confession, that does not make that confession and its contents Presbyterian. The common confession of all Presbyterians is the Westminster, which is explicitly anti-Christmas.
@andrewjhowell they're not a modern day Presbyterian denomination. They adopted the 2nd Helvetic when it was written.
The Westminster Confession wasn't written to be Presbyterian in the first place.
Many Presbyterian churches adhere to more than one Reformed confession of faith. Being a Presbyterian is not just limited to Westminster standards. It depends on whether each individual church has only Westminster or uses other confessions as well.
Presbyterian means nothing in this jnstance. Look at the confessions.
Faithful Presbyterians cannot celebrate man-made religous holydays.
Quoting the 2nd Helvetic confession to in an attempt to justify Presbyterians celebrating Xmas is foolish.
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland specifically sent correspondence stating that they rejected the teaching of the 2nd Helvetic on holydays.
This one thing, however, we can scarcely refrain from mentioning, with regard to what is written in the 24th chapter of the aforesaid Confession [Second Helvetic] concerning the “festival of our Lord’s nativity, circumcision, passion, resurrection, ascension, and sending the Holy Ghost upon his disciples,” that these festivals at the present time obtain no place among us; for we dare not religiously celebrate any other feast-day than what the divine oracles have prescribed.
-The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland [subscribed by John Knox, John Craig, James Melville, and a host of others], Letter to the Very Eminent Servant of Christ, Master Theodore Beza, the Most Learned and Vigilant Pastor of the Genevan Church (1566).
We are duty bound by the 2nd commandment to remove all monuments of idolatry according to WLC 108. Xmas is a monument of idolatry, A high holyday of Papal Antichrist.
Q. 108. What are the duties required in the second commandment?
A. The duties required in the second commandment are, the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath instituted in his Word; particularly prayer and thanksgiving in the name of Christ; the reading, preaching, and hearing of the Word; the administration and receiving of the sacraments; church government and discipline; the ministry and maintenance thereof; religious fasting; swearing by the name of God, and vowing unto him: as also the disapproving, detesting, opposing, all false worship; and, according to each one’s place and calling, removing it, and all monuments of idolatry.
WLC 109 rejects the many reasons people give for practicing worship not insituted by God himself.
Under the title of antiquity, custom, devotion, good intent, or any other pretence whatsoever. Xmas is a form of worship not instituted by God himself
Q. 109. What are the sins forbidden in the second commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising, counselling, commanding, using, and anywise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself; tolerating a false religion; the making any representation of God, of all, or of any of the three Persons, either inwardly in our mind, or outwardly in any kind of image or likeness of any creature whatsoever; all worshiping of it, or God in it or by it; the making of any representation of feigned deities, and all worship of them, or service belonging to them; all superstitious devices, corrupting the worship of God, adding to it, or taking from it, whether invented and taken up of ourselves, or received by tradition from others, though under the title of antiquity, custom, devotion, good intent, or any other pretence whatsoever; simony; sacrilege; all neglect, contempt, hindering, and opposing the worship and ordinances which God hath appointed.
The historic biblical Presbyterian position is not only that Xmas should not be observed but that the civil maigistrate must punish those who are obstinate maintainers and teachers of it.
By the contrary doctrine, we understand whatsoever men, by laws, councils, or constitutions have imposed upon the consciences of men, without the expressed commandment of God’s Word; such as the vows of chastity, forswearing of marriage, binding of men and women to several disguised apparels, to the superstitious observation of fasting days, difference of meat [food] for conscience’ sake, prayer for the dead; and keeping of holy days of certain saints commanded by man, such as be all those that the Papists have invented, as the feasts (as they term them) of Apostles, Martyrs, Virgins, of Christmass, Circumcision, Epiphany, Purification, and other fond feasts of our Lady. Which things, because in God’s Scriptures they neither have commandment nor assurance, we judge them utterly to be abolished from the realm; affirming farther, that the obstinate maintainers and teachers of such abominations ought not to escape the punishment of the Civil magistrate. -Church of Scotland, (First) Book of Discipline (1560).
Kirk censures are to leveled against Xmas keepers, They must make public repentance before the congregation.
The General Assembly taking to their consideration the manifold abuses, profanity, and superstitions, committed on Yule-day [Christ-mass] and some other superstitious days following, have unanimously concluded and hereby ordains, that whatsoever person or persons hereafter shall be found guilty in keeping of the foresaid superstitious days, shall be proceeded against by Kirk censures, and shall make their public repentance therefore in the face of the congregation where the offence is committed. And that the presbyteries and provincial synods take particular notice how ministers try and censure delinquents of this kind, within the several parishes. -General Assembly, Church of Scotland, Act for Censuring Observers of Yule-day, and other Superstitious days (1645).
Historic Continental Reformed also to rejected holydays but the quickly backslide and deformed.
Synod of Dort 1574
Concerning Church Holidays
53. As to church holidays aside from the Sunday, it is decided that people shall be content with the Sunday only.
The normal material about Christ's birth shall be dealt with in the church on the Sunday before Christmas, and
the people shall be exhorted not to consider Christmas as a holiday. In case Christmas falls on a Sunday, then
one shall deal with the same material. It is also allowed to teach concerning the resurrection of Christ and the
sending of the Holy Spirit on Easter and Pentecost. This is left to the freedom of the ministers.
Multiple great Dutch reformed theologians give wonderful advice against Xmas keeping.
Willem Teelinck, The Path of True Godliness, p. 101:
[Rules that help distinguish between truth and lies, walking in divine truth promotes godliness] For example when debating whether to maintain Lenten Eve (Fat Tuesday), Epiphany (when the wiseman saw Christ), and other Roman Catholic holidays or to radically abolish them, some people may say yes and others no. However, the godly immediately know the right way, for they understand that Roman Catholic holidays have no basis in Holy Scripture and that regular observance of them offers occasion for much sin. The celebrations cause great disorder in the places or homes where they are observed and become a stumbling block to real holiness as they strengthen the old man. The godly swiftly conclude that Reformed Christians who would gladly abolish or ignore the feast days have the truth on their side.
Jacobus Koelman The Duties of Parents, p. 73:
100. Do not allow your children to celebrate the days on which unbelief and superstition are being catered to. They are admittedly inclined to want this because they see that the children of Roman Catholic parents observe those days. Do not let them attend carnivals, observe Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), see Santa Claus, or observe Twelfth Night, because they are all remnants of an idolatrous papacy. You must not keep your children out of school or from work on those days nor let them play outside or join in the amusement. The Lord has said, "After the doings of the land of Egypt, where you lived, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, where I bring you, you shall not do: neither shall you walk in their ordinances" (Lev. 18:3). The Lord will punish the Reformed on account of the days of Baal (Hosea 2:12-13), and he also observes what the children do on the occasion of such idolatry (Jer. 17:18). Therefore, do not let your children receive presents on Santa Claus day, nor let them draw tickets in a raffle and such things. Pick other days on which to give them the things that amuse them, and because the days of Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost have the same character, Reformed people must keep their children away from these so-called holy days and feast days.
The answer to the question is no. And most Presbyterians are in error in this to the displeasure of God. It is false worship. What brother Don is here proclaiming as "helpful" compromise is most dangerous and debilitating to Church purity in favour of Church AND secular unity or synchronicity of the holy with the unholy.
I love our dear brother and pray his ministry will be blessed, but such 'helpfulness', as great an opportunity of outreach as it may appear, is the same compromise the Roman Catholic Church first established in appointing a Christ-mass date, an All Hallows' Evening date, and an Easter designation. It is not unlike the proudful act of good king Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26: 16. I certainly think our brother means well and wishes to make the best of every opportunity, but this false worship will not stand and is an affront to God's appointment for His people.
High church celebrates Christ’s birth and is happy with family.
A Presbyterian frowns upon Christ’s birth and calls the incarnation of God ‘not holy’. Eternally happy I got out of the reformed world. Merry Christmas silly friends in Christ
You totally misrepresent historic Presbyterianism.
Christmas violates the RPW as outlined by WCF standards; even Calvin was against the liturgical calendar.
An inconsistent Presbyterian, contrary to their confessional standards, will violate them to observe an ancient, historically established holy feast day for conformity, nostalgia, emotional pull, etc.
That's what happens when one develops such an unnecessarily rigid, puritanical interpretation of "worship."
John Calvin was not infallible, only Scripture is.
@
And why should I care?
@@icxcnika7722 The RPW is a great principle but its application may be tricky in some areas. Even the position of this video is still informed by the RPW in qualifying what can and can’t cant be allowed/mandated. I would agree that the Puritans may have been influenced by their context to take things a bit far. It’s comparable to Acts 15 forbidding meat offered to idols while Paul allows it to be a matter of conscience elsewhere. Sometimes the immediate context can give a reason for higher restrictions on what otherwise is indifferent.
@@RevDonBaker how true 👍
The RPW is impossible to apply