Interview with Dr. Bob Strachan - Paganism in Christianity
As we approach the holiday season, I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Bob Strachan from Jedburgh Baptist Church in Scotland for an eye-opening discussion about Christmas. Dr. Strachan, known for his deep biblical knowledge and commitment to truth, shared some surprising insights about the origins and implications of this widely celebrated holiday. What he revealed challenged my understanding and I believe it will do the same for many of you.
The Journey to Truth
Dr. Strachan began by sharing his personal journey of discovery regarding Christmas. "The journey started in 1997," he explained. It began with an article about Halloween that opened his eyes to the pagan roots of many popular celebrations. This led him to investigate Easter, and eventually, Christmas.
"The last year that I was putting the Christmas tree up," he recalled, "the Lord spoke to me and it was very very clear... I just felt the Holy Spirit saying to me this is you will not put this up again."
The Pagan Roots of Christmas
As we delved deeper, Dr. Strachan explained the pagan origins of Christmas. "Christmas was invented sometime after the Catholic Church got started in 313 AD," he noted. "It coincides with ancient pagan winter solstice festivals, not with Christian tradition."
He pointed to Jeremiah 10:3-4 as a biblical warning against practices remarkably similar to our modern Christmas trees:
"For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter."
Dr. Strachan emphasized that this passage isn't specifically about Christmas trees, as Christmas didn't exist when Jeremiah was written. However, it clearly warns against adopting pagan customs involving decorated trees - which is precisely what many Christians do each December.
Biblical Truth vs. Man-Made Tradition
One of the most compelling points Dr. Strachan made was about the lack of biblical basis for Christmas. "When God wanted His people to observe something, He gave clear instructions - as with Passover, Pentecost, etc.," he explained. "The Bible never commands us to celebrate Jesus' birth or instructs us how to do so."
He warned against the danger of elevating tradition over Scripture, referencing Jesus' words in Mark 7:8 about nullifying God's word for the sake of tradition. Dr. Strachan pointed out that many early Protestant leaders, including Charles Spurgeon, preached against celebrating Christmas.
The Danger of "Another Jesus"
Perhaps the most thought-provoking part of our conversation was when Dr. Strachan discussed the potential for Christmas to lead to worshipping "another Jesus." He referenced 2 Corinthians 11:4 and explained, "If we know that Jesus wasn't born on December 25th but we are celebrating a Jesus that was, that means we have another Jesus. It's a different Jesus, as 2 Corinthians 11:4 tells us - another Jesus, another Spirit, another gospel."
This concept of "another Jesus" is particularly concerning when we consider the pagan roots of the December 25th date. Dr. Strachan explained, "From ancient paganism, Nimrod died supposedly on the 31st of October and... he was supposedly reborn on the 25th day of December." By celebrating Jesus' birth on this date, we may inadvertently be associating Him with pagan deities.
The Christmas Tree and Worship
Dr. Strachan addressed the common defense that "I don't worship the tree." He pointed out that the act of bowing down, which is part of worship, is inherent in many Christmas traditions. "When you turn the lights on for the first time you have to bow down to put the tree the lights around the tree. When you put the presents under the tree, what are you doing? You have to bow down in front of it."
He also noted the similarity between the star or sun often placed atop Christmas trees and ancient sun worship practices.
Addressing Common Concerns
Dr. Strachan didn't shy away from addressing common objections to abandoning Christmas celebrations. When asked about disappointing children, he responded, "If you put your children before the word of God, you have put them before God." He emphasized the importance of teaching children to obey God above all else.
He also addressed the argument that Christmas provides an opportunity to share the gospel. While acknowledging the good intentions behind this, Dr. Strachan cautioned against using pagan practices as a means of evangelism. "We shouldn't have to join the world to reach the world," he stated.
The Spirit Behind Christmas
Intriguingly, Dr. Strachan suggested that there might be a spiritual force behind the widespread adherence to Christmas traditions. He compared it to the spirit of Jezebel mentioned in the Bible, characterized by rebellion and false worship. This spiritual influence, he believes, may be why many find it so difficult to let go of Christmas celebrations even when presented with evidence of its pagan roots.
A Call to Examine Our Hearts
Throughout our conversation, Dr. Strachan's passion for biblical truth was evident. His message wasn't one of condemnation, but a call to carefully examine our beliefs and practices in light of Scripture.
"My Ministry... is primarily teaching to inform the Christian, equip the Christian, and to try and help them to be as righteous as possible," he shared. "Jesus says be holy for I am Holy, and that's one of the biggest pushes that we have."
Dr. Strachan emphasized the importance of relying on Scripture rather than tradition or personal preference. He encouraged believers to be willing to let go of practices that don't align with God's Word, even if doing so is difficult or unpopular.
Concluding Thoughts
This interview with Dr. Strachan has certainly given me a lot to think about, and I imagine it will do the same for many of you. While these ideas may be challenging, I believe it's crucial for us as believers to continually examine our traditions and ensure they align with God's Word.
Dr. Strachan's insights remind us of the importance of worshipping God in spirit and in truth, as Jesus instructed in John 4:24. It's a call to prioritize biblical faithfulness over cultural traditions, no matter how deeply ingrained those traditions may be.
I encourage you to prayerfully consider Dr. Strachan's words. Study the Scriptures for yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth, as Jesus promised in John 16:13. Whether or not you ultimately decide to continue celebrating Christmas, may this discussion prompt all of us to examine our practices and ensure that we're truly honoring God in all we do.
What are your thoughts on this topic? How do you approach Christmas as a believer? I'd love to hear your perspectives in the comments below. Let's engage in this important conversation with grace and a genuine desire to honor God.
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