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To: Campion; kawaii; xzins
Hmm . . . I have several Greek fonts on my computer, but they don't seem to be registering the page right. I'll play around with it later.

In any case, between you and kawaii, you've more than adequately answered my question about the original text, for which I thank you.

As for the etymology of the word "Easter" your case that it was not seen in the earliest Church documents is well taken, though I would point out that you are merely arguing that the name comes from a different pagan goddess (one which was probably "descended" from Ishtar anyway, given the names and attributes). I'd also like to see the source that shows why Ishtar-Eostre-Easter would be a false etymology (mostly because I find etymology fascinating).

Nevertheless, there are several points on the Messianic side which you've not successfully disputed:

1) Constantine and the Council of Nicea formally decoupled the "Christian Pesach" from the Biblical date, whereas it was formerly the practice of many churches, particularly in the east, to celebrate the Feast in accordance with the Jewish Passover as our Lord did--for the express purpose of rejecting the Jews.

2) Etimology aside, we've replaced the Biblical commands of Pesach (the lamb, the bitter herbs, a week of unleavened bread, etc.) and those Jewish customs which point directly to our Messiah (the afikomen, the way in which leaven is sought out and disposed of) with fertility symbols: Rabbits and eggs.

See, if it was only the name at stake, there wouldn't be much more objection than you hear about the names of the months (March for Mars) or days of the week (Wodens-tag = Wednesday), which also happens in the Hebrew calendar (e.g., the month of Tammuz).

The issue--at least for me--is that we changed times and the Law (Dan. 7:25 again) rather than obeying our Lord's commands in such things. And in so doing, we inadvertently adopted in pagan symbols and practices that have nothing to do with the "reason for the season." Even Thomas Bokenkotter, a Catholic historian (and a priest, IIRC), admits that under the Constantinian revolution,

Millions of pagans suddenly entered the Church, and some of their customs inevitably crept into the liturgy: the use of the kiss as a sign of reverence for holy objects, the practice of genuflection, devotion to relics, and the use of candles, incense, and other ceremonial features derived from the imperial court. Under this pagan influence Christians began to face the east [the direction of the rising sun, rather than towards Jerusalem] while praying, which made it necessary for the priest to lead prayers with his back to the congregation.

--A Concise History of the Catholic Church, p. 46

So again, though I sympathize with the fathers for the decisions they made, usually with the best of intentions and in times of great difficulty and under enormous pressure, I think that we've lost a great blessing in not keeping the days which God Himself decreed from Sinai and took part in in the Person of the Messiah Yeshua.
141 posted on 04/03/2007 2:27:56 PM PDT by Buggman (http://brit-chadasha.blogspot.com)
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To: Buggman
As for the etymology of the word "Easter" your case that it was not seen in the earliest Church documents is well taken, though I would point out that you are merely arguing that the name comes from a different pagan goddess

??? huh ???

You're confused. The English term "Easter" is not found in any ancient or medieval church documents. They weren't written in English, or German for that matter. They were written in Greek, and (later on, in the West), Latin.

144 posted on 04/03/2007 2:34:04 PM PDT by Campion ("I am so tired of you, liberal church in America" -- Mother Angelica, 1993)
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To: Buggman
Even Thomas Bokenkotter, a Catholic historian

And an extremely liberal one, with quite a substantial agenda (read the last few chapters of the book; I have, it's on my bookshelf at home).

146 posted on 04/03/2007 2:38:30 PM PDT by Campion ("I am so tired of you, liberal church in America" -- Mother Angelica, 1993)
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