Although the word “Easter” does indeed appear in the KJV of Acts 12:4, some see the term as an affirmation of paganism. I don’t; but before you criticize me, let me explain why:
- Resurrection Sunday, as much as I prefer it, is Insider Lingo.
Years ago, we were distributing The Jesus Film video door to door in Scottsdale, and as we were inviting people to “Resurrection Sunday”, we regularly received blank stares. “What’s that?” they’d ask and as I explained it people, non-believers for the most part, would say, “Oh, you mean Easter? Right?”. The epiphany was when one Jewish couple asked me, “Uh… doesn’t your church celebrate Easter?”. Interestingly, they seemed to think that we were Jehovah Witnesses, and I then had to explain that we were Christians. From my personal experiences and observations, it became more of a language barrier rather than a bridge to the lost. Aside from Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday is still a cultural dynamic in which most churches experience a significant increase in attendance of those who are unfamiliar with the gospel. This is a door I want to keep open, not close, nor confuse.
- I personally don’t believe that using the word “Easter” will tempt anyone to Worship Pagan Gods.
The primary argument against using the term Easter to celebrate the bodily resurrection of Jesus is that the word may have pagan roots and tempt people to worship ancient false gods. So far, I’ve yet to see anyone being tempted to pray to other gods at Easter services, much less bowing down to worship a chocolate bunny or marshmallow peeps. What about you?
As a car guy, I’ve been in vehicles named Taurus, Thunderbird, Gremlin, and even, a Buick Apollo, but I have never been tempted to worship them any more than my Yeti cooler. As an amateur astronomer, I have tracked planets named Mercury, Venus, Mars, etc.,—well all of them are named after Roman gods—but that has not caused me to give up the hobby nor to compromise my faith.
Interestingly however, what I have seen is that those on the other side of the coin who vehemently oppose the word do so as a result of legalism and self-righteousness. I once observed a social media conversation among Christians in which one Christian insisted that anyone using the term “Easter” was compromising with paganism. After checking out the instigator’s profile page, there was oddly no reference to Jesus; yet, he described his church as “one of the few churches that actually teaches the Word.” This is always a red flag. So, maybe we should be more worried about pride and legalism than paganism. How many people have turned away from the church and the message of the resurrection, not because they reject Jesus, but because they can’t see Him clearly through the fog of legalism, and moral superiority from those who probably have not even shared the gospel in years…if ever? Btw…
- Easter May Not Be Associated with Paganism but simply ancient Spring traditions and linguistics.
As someone who’s been blessed to travel a lot internationally, I have been given a lot of names: Roberto, Rober, etc. My passport says Robert, but I go by Bobby. My point is that it is still me. The origin of the word Easter is actually obscure an debatable. In fact, as noted earlier, Easter was used in the 1611 edition of the KJV (Acts 12:4). The debate over ancient springtime traditions (cultural and religious) and Easter may be based upon some linguistic issues. The root of the word “Easter” from Tyndale’s translation is actually connected to the word Passover (i.e. “Paschua”). How do you like those apples…or eggs? There is more; an English alliteration of Easter when translated from German comes from the word “auferstehung” which means (drumroll) “resurrection”. You may want to read that last sentence again.
- Easter makes more sense evangelistically.
If you prefer Resurrection Sunday, that’s great. I do, too, actually. Keep using it. I use both, but, unless it’s being used to tempt people to worship false gods, step away from the rock pile, and be slow to condemn those who use Easter. We will find out at the Judgment Seat of Christ, but odds are exceptionally high that churches and Christians who are referring to it as Easter are doing so to communicate to their community that they are celebrating the bodily resurrection of Jesus and that is a great thing. The death, burial, and bodily resurrection of Jesus demonstrates once and for all that Jesus has not only defeated sin (Rom. 5:8, 12), but it’s consequence—death (Rom. 6:23). Followers of Jesus have been meeting on Sunday ever since. So, may you celebrate Jesus and His resurrection this Sunday and every day.
