Apologetics

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We as Christians are unaware of the origins of Easter. If true Christians had any idea that the celebration of Easter was originally a pagan festival held in honor of and paying tribute to idols, and that it was rooted in paganism and folklore, we would not be so quick to participate in the festivities. In fact, Easter was initially celebrated hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus Christ, however; it was at least 300 years after His death, resurrection and the establishment of His church that the celebration of His resurrection began to be fused with the pagan practices of Easter.


The Origin of the Word "Easter"

The word "Easter" originated from the word "Eostre," the pagan Anglo-Saxon/Teutonic goddess, and/or "Eostare," the Norse pagan festival of spring. When God gave the law to the Israelites in the Old Testament, He clearly instructed them never to even mention the names of other gods (Exodus 23:13). Aphrodite, Asherah, Ashtoreth, Astarte, Diana, Eostre, Ianna, Ishtar, Isis, Ostara, Semiramis, and most well-known, Venus were all celebrated idols that were worshiped by pagans. The goddess "Eostre" made significant contributions to the contemporary celebration of Easter.


The Connection of Easter With Spring &Nature

Diana, the Ephesian goddess of sex, fertility, virginity and motherhood, was said to be the source of nature. Eostre, mentioned earlier, was the goddess of the sunrise and spring. Ostara, a Norse/Saxon goddess, was the maiden goddess of spring. The Bible clearly states that worship of any of the celestial elements (sun, moon or stars) is sternly prohibited by God. (Deuteronomy 17:2-5, 2 Kings 21:3-7, 2 Kings 23:4-15, Ezekiel 8:15-16)


Hey Wait! Rabbits Don’t Lay Eggs!

Origins of Hares (Bunnies) and Eggs. One of the most popular symbols of Easter is rooted in mythology. The cute, sweet, innocent, harmless little Easter Bunny. According to Teutonic myth, the hare was originally a bird that Eostre magically changed into a four-footed creature that could also lay eggs. The hare was the sacred companion and sacrificial victim of Eostre.
The Easter egg origin comes from ancient times. It was an important symbol in the myths of other early civilizations including Egypt and India. It was a common belief that the universe originated from a large egg and that each half of its shell represented Heaven and earth. The egg was also connected with springtime fertility rituals of idolaters which included the practice of coloring the eggs in the spring.


Origins of Good Friday.

Why is Good Friday recognized as the day Jesus died and Sunday as the day he arose and yet we have trouble explaining how He could be buried for three days and three nights which fulfills bible prophecy? (Matthew 12:40; Matthew 27:63; Mark 8:31; Mark 9:31; Mark 10:34) The answer is simple: Jesus didn't actually die on "Good Friday." The Chaldeans offered cakes to Ishtar on the equivalent of the day we know as Good Friday. When the established church wanted to appease the paganistic people in order to "convert" them to Christianity, they moved the dates accordingly. Jesus actually died on the day of Preparation of Passover Week, which that year occurred on Wednesday (John 19:14, 31-42). Thursday was the Sabbath of the Passover. Friday, Christ was still in the tomb. Saturday was the "regular" Sabbath. Jesus arose after the Saturday Sabbath was done, which was the first day of the week, the day we know as Sunday (Mark 16:9; John 20:1). For further illumination of the days concerning Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, refer to Matthew 27:50-28:7; Mark 15:25-16:6; Luke 23:44-24:8; John 19:14-20:17


Origins of Hot Cross Buns and Fires.

Cakes bearing a cross-like symbol representing the pair of cow-horns on the moon goddess, Isis, were offered as sacrifices by ancient Egyptians. The cakes which Greeks offered to Astarte and other gods were called bous or boun, which the word "bun" is derived. The Babylonians and Chaldeans offered similar cakes to the "Queen of Heaven." Fires were lit on top of mountains kindled from new fire, drawn from wood by friction. The fire was then used to bake cakes in sacrifice to Semiramis, the "Queen of Heaven." This ritual, along with burning incense, was used in combination with baking the cakes and is mentioned specifically in the Bible (1 Kings 11:8; 2 Kings 17:7-16; 2 Kings 18:4; 2 Kings 23:4-15; Isaiah 17:8; Isaiah 27:9; Ezekiel 8:7-12; Jeremiah 7:16-19; Jeremiah 44:19, 25). In addition to the cross imprinted on these cakes representing the horns of the goddess, it also sometimes represented the four seasons or four phases of the moon. Cakes were also offered to or eaten in honor of Apollo, Diana, Hecate, and the moon which is also Diana's symbol.


Origins of Lent.

The word "lent" is of Anglo-Saxon origin meaning "spring." Lent originated from the pagan commemoration of weeping, fasting, and mourning for 40 days over the death of Tammuz which represented one day for each year of his life. Tammuz, the son/husband of the Babylonian idol Ishtar, was killed by a wild boar and then allegedly resurrected. This mourning of Tammuz is specifically prophesied by Ezekiel in the Bible and is characterized by God Himself as being despicable (Ezekiel 8:13-15).


Origins of the use of the Lily.

Asherah, a Sidonian goddess, was often represented as a nude woman bestride a lion with a lily, symbolizing grace and sex appeal, in one hand and a serpent, representing prosperity, in the other.


Origins of New Clothes for Easter.

The custom of wearing new clothing on Easter originated with the superstition that a new item of clothing worn at Easter will give you good luck all through the year.


Who Celebrated Easter?

People, who base their celebrations (including Halloween) on the phases of the moon, celebrate Easter such as witches, warlocks and the ungodly. Christians, however, are unmistakably forbidden from observing this as well as other pagan celebrations (Deuteronomy 12:30-31; Luke 4:8; 1 Corinthians 10:20-22; Ephesians 5:11). The early church never spoke of Easter and there is absolutely no reference of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament. (The only exception is a mistranslation in the King James version of Acts 12:4, where it uses the word "Easter" instead of the correction translation "Passover.")
Honoring Christ.

In the past, we as Christians have celebrated Easter with the sincere intent paying homage to our Savior. Consider this another trick of the enemy unmasked. Actually, we in direct conflict with His Word. Now that we have clarified that the celebration of “Easter” is rooted in paganism, we must also acknowledge that there is absolutely nothing wrong with honoring Christ, our Savior. The Bible clearly states we perish for lack of knowledge. It is our responsibility to serve, worship and honor him “in Spirit and in truth.” In order to do this, we first must know the truth. It is not acceptable to do something simply because we have always done it. It is time to stop celebrating in a worldly fashion and began to pay homage to Him biblically. Instead of celebrating Easter, why not celebrate Resurrection Day or/and Resurrection Sunday. Isn’t that a more accurate description of what the day is really all about? Remember, the center of the resurrection should be on Jesus Christ, the one who suffered and died for our inequities.

You don’t have to buy a new outfit, bake cross buns, place lilies all over the place, or buy and dye eggs to celebrate His resurrection. Simply remember and honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and what He has done for our salvation. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus can still be remembered through observance of the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) and other Christian worship.

Joshua 24
14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

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