Ancient Origins of Modern Holidays

by Ken Johnson

The Ancient Origins of Modern Holidays draws from the Bible and Jewish sources on what has always been defined as paganism and idolatry. In this book we learn which holiday practices are forbidden and which ones are not. The Dead Sea Scrolls record the origins of the festivals celebrated on the equinoxes and solstices and reveal why they are important for Christians today. Using these sources, Christians can easily draw the line on practices and celebrations. We learn how to nullify paganism and take back what God gave us, so we can be obedient to His commands. In the second section of this book, we find the most ancient histories of the holiday traditions; like the Easter egg and Easter bunny, the Christmas tree, evergreens, and many more. If you have Pan-Babylonian family or friends (those who think all holidays are pagan), who refuse to celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving with you, this book should help bring them back into fellowship with the family.

Genres: Religion

139 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2019

About the author

Ken Johnson was born in 1965 and became a Christian at the age of 12. He quickly realized there were differences in doctrine in various denominations and sought out to prove to himself the correct interpretation of these issues that divide Christians. After an intensive study of the first century church he sought to bring back the teaching of the disciples of the 12 apostles. He has authored numerous books and made ancient Jewish scrolls available to the English speaking world.

He currently travels to churches inside the USA, speaking on these and other topics. He currently attends Calvary Chapel of Johnson County, located in Olathe Kansas.

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book with excellent scholarship. So many books are written with an idea in mind and then the so-called scholarship follows afterwards. Indeed, around Christmas, I am usually bombarded by messages from little weasels who wish to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that anything resembling a Christian holiday has pagan roots. Their rant is usually supported by the same dubious web sites which seek to attack anything that is religious and prove that thinking for oneself is a great idea. Easter is even worse. It is enough to make one believe that evil is growing by leaps and bounds in this world, but that's a subject for another time.
There is a problem with thinking for oneself in that it does not include discovering things that aren't true. When I was a Dead Sea Scrolls scholar for several years, I was always enmeshed in butter deep-seated quarrels about one thing or another. To get access, in fact, one needed to have one's credentials in order and belong to the right facet of popular study. To be a bit over-the-top, I was constantly reapplying my lipstick to kiss someone's ass. This was even to get access to various things and then it was made clear that if you published an article, it had better be submitted for approval first. It became so political that one felt that could not do significant research.
So here comes Ken Johnson with a heart of a believer and he looks for things in places that others would not expect...and he is remarkably good at it, as well as humble about his scholarship. He is a breath of fresh air and I have not yet found one of his books which does not deliver some very important result, perhaps many. His scholarship is impeccable and he doesn't depend on dubious sources for his revelations. It is a privilege to be able to read his book, fully well knowing that any given statement is well-researched by someone you feel is looking for the truth. In Biblical scholarship, these people are rare and special.

[LaSheba Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good! A Christian world view that discusses major holidays, paganism, secularism, and idolatry. The author expresses the need for education on the subject, as holidays are becoming controversial. His analysis includes Christmas, Halloween, and Kwanzaa.

The book gives a good general overview with in-text citations and the writing is easy to follow. This is the second book I've read by the author and plan to read more of his work.


🌷Book Quotes:

"In the case of secular celebrations, we remove the paganism and decide for ourselves if it is prudent to participate or not."
(kindle loc. 763)


"We want to teach Christians to avoid real paganism and not to divide the body of Christ by thinking something is pagan when it is not."
(kindle loc. 1769)



*Note: Actual rating 3.5

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very illuminating

This research is very thorough in how we celebrate any holiday. It distinguishes the pagan from it's original intent and purpose.
I like also how it explains to nullify portions of a particular holiday without throwing out the entire celebration altogether.
If one wishes to read up on the origins of a lot of our celebrations then this book and it's research will clarify a lot of things.
Very interesting!!

[Catherine L Seaton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not dividing the Body

I understand the authors concern about people fighting over theclebrationof holidays, but I would have liked j ed to see more footnotes to convince me. However, I do believe that if we do not do or believe something with faith, it us sin to us. The problem arises when we start telling others what to do. So good job

[Stephie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource. Well thought out. I thought he would go into detail on Santa a bit more (as he has a few times on YouTube), but overall it doesn't take away from the book as a whole.

• It is important to not be the weaker brother.
• It is important to educate our weaker brother.
• Most importantly, do not be a stumbling block. ❤️

[geoffrey ellerby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative book

This book was very informative and educational. It goes into detail regarding the origins of the various holidays we have today and l found it to be very enlightening.

[Susan Ferguson Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holidays and Holy days: distinguishing the two

Very interesting review of what the Bible has to say regarding Jewish High Holy Days and Christian holidays against pagan holidays.