Ruminations

A recent headline proclaimed, "Man claims he accidentally stabbed his father 50 times." Mark me as skeptical that it is possible to stab someone 50 times accidentally. 50 repetitions clearly speaks of intentionality, of purpose.
One can do a good thing accidentally and also a bad thing accidentally. However, some actions require specific intention. In my mind, worship is one of these. Worship requires a plan, a focus, a desire to offer honor to God. Jumping in a pool is not baptism nor is standing in the rain.

Also doing things that pagans do does not necessarily make one a pagan. As Yeshua (Jesus) said in Matthew 5,  when you greet only your brothers in the marketplace you are merely doing what pagans do. This doesn't mean that greeting your brothers in the marketplace is pagan but that God expects more from us.

In Messianic circles there is a pervasive belief that Easter and Christmas are pagan observances. To be quite honest I see plenty that is wrong in both celebrations--particularly as it plays out in modern culture. However, I don't think the "pagan" designation is either truthful or helpful. The people following these observances clearly do not have the intention to perform pagan rituals. That is the last thing on their minds.

One of my favorite Christian speakers recently reflected that he had been told that all of the Christmas trappings were pagan. "So," he said, "I sit here surrounded by the trophies of my defeated enemies." There's always more than one way to view a situation. :)

— John Conrad