Barbara Walters Slams White House Christmas Card for including Scripture
LOS ANGELES, CA, December 14, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Barbara Walters likes to receive Christmas greetings from high-profile celebrities and leaders, but apparently not if they refer to the Bible.
On Thursday's episode of ABC's The View, Walters expressed dismay that President and Mrs. Bush would send out greetings containing Scripture.
During the segment, Walters showed the other gals some of the "highfalutin Christmas cards," and explained the White House card:
I don't celebrate Christmas either, but I think the tract is reading too much into things. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart. If you look at the history of words, words change. Look at the days of the week, if someone says the word "Monday", are they suddenly worshipping the moon? Or "Thursday", are they suddenly honouring the god "Thor"? If a person practices Christmas, many will say they are practising "Mithraism" and serving the sun god Mithra. Actually I think I was just as upset when as a young woman I found out December 25th wasn't Jesus' birthday, as when I was a girl and found out there was no such thing as Santa Claus! I felt betrayed and lied to. Even Muslims know that December 25th was originally a pagan holiday and not in line with The Bible and we are mocked. Still in all this, to the pure all things are pure. There are those who lovingly look to Jesus and honour Him on that day, I will trust God to decide their hearts and have had to stop making myself sick over the whole ordeal.
why is everyone so surprised when people like barbara walters or other celebrties do or say things like this, regardless of the time of year.its the media that is leading the charge to remove christianity from every aspect of public life.
Thanks for the explanation. See my last post which is about 3 below this one and read the tract that I ref’d. As for family and friends – they know better than to express that wish to me out of respect or pity because I have tried to explain my belief to them. As for others who don’t know my position I just tell them “thanks” because they are sincerely wishing me well and following the custom of the season.
I arrived at my position after realizing Who Jesus really is … God. And I have learned that God hates mixtures WRT worship and xmass is that very thing. Jesus must be thoroughly disgusted with His sheep practicing these things but knows that they have been deceived and is gracious toward them. But once a sheep sees that disgust, he no longer wants to displease Him out of love. The fear of man is what clouds the judgment of the majority of Christians on this issue.
It never occured to me concerning your position on Christmas. I know partially where you are coming from, I think(its been a while). I guess I'll have to find your post when time allows. It was just a casual wish for you and your family(I am only assuming you are married with children)with a particular spiritual significance that this time of year can help emphasize for Christians. I am curious though(of course without knowing your position). What do you do when family members, friends, etc., address that phrase to you? Do you consistently react in a negative way? I do not mean this in a mean way but am really curious.
May the incomprehensible humility that Christ displayed with His incarnation be brought to our minds througout the year.
The Authorized Biblical Literal Account of The Birth of The Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth in Israel is Historically True, Accurate & Undisputable !
On the other hand, When the "Archbishop of Canterbury Dismisses (The) Nativity Scene As Nothing But 'Legend'"; he has some historic ring of truth to his words.
I myself personally see The Nativity Scene; with all its Statues, Images & Likenesses of Things in Heaven (angels) & on Earth (men, a woman, a baby): As Pure Idolatry--in the Most Conservative, Strict and Literal Interpretation of What The Authorized Holy Bible Says With Regard To Idolatry !
Note: I remember when I was a spiritually lost Roman "Catholic" child; going to the local Roman "Catholic" Temple of Idolatry on "Christmas" Day. The "Christ"-Mass/Mess was said in a language that I didn't understand (Latin) by a man who I didn't know (although I believed then that he was "sinless" because he was a Vaticanist priest); in a huge place full of statues, candles, gold, pearls, precious stones & a painted image of a woman with the sun & moon under her feet & angels next to her in clouds. I was suppose to pray to her and thank her for speaking to God for me. And that day I went in front of the altar & kissed the foot of a baby statue of what the priest said was her son !
I, tinytim, concur: "The Authorized Bible/Biblical "'Christ'-mas"?YES! Q:Is December 25th Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible? A:No. Q:Is The Birth of The Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth (& Bethlehem) in Israel Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible? A:Yes! Q:Is the word "Bible","Trinity","Rapture" or "Authorized" Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible? A:No! But according to the illogical logic of a few blinded,ignorant,deceived & unbelieving people;we should NOT Celebrate The (Authorized Holy) Bible, The (Holy) Trinity, The (Blessed-Hope) Rapture or The Birth-'Day' of The Eternal Son of The Living God at "'Christ'-mas": Because "Authorized","Bible","Trinity","Rapture" or "'Christ'-mas" is Not Specifically Found In The Authorized Holy Bible! So According To Their Perverted "Logic",Charles Dickens;who said: "Roman Catholicity Is The Most Horrible Means Of Political And Social Degradation Left In The World". Should NEVER have written The God-Blessed-Book,Story & Novel: "A CHRISTMAS CAROL"! *NOTE-Charles Dickens is GOD'S REBUKE to: Scrooges Tyrants King Herods Antiochus Epiphaneses December 25th is in the Bible?s Mikes Dans Grinches missmassatxmases etc"...
. . . . . . . And God Bless AntiVaticanistAmerican !
No, I haven't read van Til, which is why I won't criticize his apologetics here. I was simply pointing out that in that lecture, he clearly acted irresponsibly in branding Clark, a brother orthodox (small-o) Presby, as a neo-evangelical, & not giving quotes to back up his claims. I didn't need to read VT's works to figure that out. It is very frustrating when such accusations are not backed up with documentation. I would have been willing to consider them, as even geniuses are fallible & stumble at times.
SWRB, who posted that lecture, mentions Clark in its summary, which is how I learned of this matter.
Undoubtedly there is much that VT said or did that is sound (I think Robbins admits that too), but publicly attacking a brother's reputation (esp. in a seminary) is a serious matter that deserves, but rarely gets, church discipline.
You’re right about needing to read both men. I have not read any of Van Til but it would be interesting to see for myself just where he differs from Clark – although I have seen quotes and excerpts.
And thanks for passing along the story from the Van Til student.
But why did you end your post with “Merry Christmas”? Surely you have read my prior posts that indicate my opposition to the Mass of Christ (or any Mass for that matter).
Neil and Dan, Greetings! I am interested somewhat in what the disagreement between these two was. My oldest daughter had graduated from Covenant and the professor wouldn't let them 'beat up' on Gordon Clark. I bought his book "Predestination" and found it a good read(although I didn't necessarily agree with his treatment of the Isaiah 45 passage of God creating evil when looking at the immediate context). My best friend is a pastor and gave me Van Til's, "The Defense of the Faith" years back. I have yet to read it though. My friend said that he agrees with Van Til. The Trinity Foundation of course will side with Mr. Clark. I believe we probably should read the writings of both men though instead of resting on the opinions of others(which I am sure you both agree). Have either of you read Van Til? JOB 42:2
ps. A little tidbit. At a previous Pa. Homeschool Convention, a very elderly fellow was walking with a Greek N.T. that he had purchased there and I entered into a discussion with him. I discovered that he had Mr. Van Til as a professor and he had the highest praise for him. He said he lived out his faith and that he used to take them down on the boardwalk and that they would hand out gospel tracts. That was a very encouraging convention for me. Merry Christmas!
Q: Is December 25th Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible? A: No.
Q: Is The Birth of The Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth (& Bethlehem) in Israel Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible? A: Yes!
Q: Is the word "Bible", "Trinity", "Rapture" or "Authorized" Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible? A: No!
But according to the illogical logic of a few blinded, ignorant, deceived & unbelieving people; we should NOT Celebrate The (Authorized Holy) Bible, The (Holy) Trinity, The (Blessed-Hope) Rapture or The Birth-'Day' of The Eternal Son of The Living God at "'Christ'-mas": Because "Authorized", "Bible", "Trinity", "Rapture" or "'Christ'-mas" is Not Specifically Found In The Authorized Holy Bible!
So According To Their Perverted "Logic", Charles Dickens; who said:
"Roman Catholicity Is The Most Horrible Means Of Political And Social Degradation Left In The World".
Should NEVER have written The God-Blessed-Book, Story & Novel:
Clark & van Til's dispute over God & logic went back to the '30s, so I wouldn't be surprised if you are right.
Check out the Clark lectures at www.trinitylectures.org/MP3_downloads.php Same stuff that TF posts on SA, but with meaningful filenames. BTW, Robbins has an *excellent* sermon there, on Matt 7. I wish he'd post more.
Thanks to TF, I had a good reply when my Catholic coworker used the "nature" argument on me once. Ironically, it was for a good cause (against abortion), but bad arguments are still bad. He should have appealed to Scripture.
Interesting lecture. Van Til must have been threatened by Clark’s logic so much that he was driven to lie about and discredit him. Looks like he largely succeeded. Maybe Clark shouldn’t have said that Van Til’s thinking was close to that of Thomas Acquinas’ (which is very bad) … probably made him mad. I’ve got to take time to read more on this in the Trinity Review back issues.
Q: Is December 25th Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible ?
A: No.
Q: Is The Birth of The Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth (& Bethlehem) in Israel Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible ?
A: Yes !
Q: Is the word "Bible", "Trinity", "Rapture" or "Authorized" Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible ?
A: No !
But according to the illogical logic of a few blinded, ignorant, deceived & unbelieving people; we should NOT Celebrate The (Authorized Holy) Bible, The (Holy) Trinity, The (Blessed-Hope) Rapture or The Birth-'Day' of The Eternal Son of The Living God at "'Christ'-mas": Because "Authorized", "Bible", "Trinity", "Rapture" or "'Christ'-mas" is Not Specifically Found In The Authorized Holy Bible !
So According To Their Perverted "Logic", Charles Dickens; who said:
"Roman Catholicity Is The Most Horrible Means Of Political And Social Degradation Left In The World".
Should NEVER have written The God-Blessed-Book, Story & Novel:
Q: Is December 25th Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible ?
A: No.
Q: Is The Birth of The Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth (& Bethlehem) in Israel Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible ?
A: Yes !
Q: Is the word "Bible", "Trinity", "Rapture" or "Authorized" Specifically found in The Authorized Holy Bible ?
A: No !
But according to the illogical logic of a few blinded, ignorant, deceived & unbelieving people; we should NOT Celebrate The (Authorized Holy) Bible, The (Holy) Trinity, The (Blessed-Hope) Rapture or The Birth-'Day' of The Eternal Son of The Living God at "'Christ'-mas": Because "Authorized", "Bible", "Trinity", "Rapture" or "'Christ'-mas" is Not Specifically Found In The Authorized Holy Bible !
So According To Their Perverted "Logic", Charles Dickens; who said:
"Roman Catholicity Is The Most Horrible Means Of Political And Social Degradation Left In The World".
Should NEVER have written The God-Blessed-Book, Story & Novel:
"A CHRISTMAS CAROL" !
*NOTE: Charles Dickens is GOD'S REBUKE to "Scrooges", "Grinches", "King Herods", "Antiochus Epiphaneses", "December 25th is in the Bible?S", "Tyrants", "Dans", "Mikes", "missmassatxmases", etc., etc !
I got a Christmas card from the Bush's, one they sent out to all their supporters back in the year 2000, which contained the passage:
Jer. 29:13
I thought this was pritty slick, since quoting from the OT rather than the NT is more likely to appeal to Jews as well as Christians.
Also, this verse is probably the closest thing in the OT to John 3:16 and definitly less provocative than Isa 55:6-7, which I actually like even better.
Bah!Bah!Humbug!ra Walters obviously forgot that Christmas is a religious holiday [from man's tradition tho' not from God] so a religious card containing Scripture is quite appropriate. Perhaps her dismay was more a matter of "Am I being targeted? Why did they send it to me in particular? Are they trying to tell me something?".
She's also forgotten that the President and his wife have never hidden their religious feelings so why should she say "...the President of all people..." as tho' he had none?
Perhaps she's getting forgetful in her old age.
As for celebrating Christmas, I celebrate many events [birthdays, graduations, engagements, weddings, promotions, etc] not ordained by Holy Scripture. But Christmas shouldn't be celebrated as the Lord's birthday. No, it should be a day to show appreciation to the people in one's life. After all, is this not when the postal workers, sanitation engineers, newspaper deliverers, and other service people receive tips and other gratuities in appreciation of their services throughout the year? So too one shows appreciation to family, friends, and co-workers during this period.
Other than that Christmas is just another 1 Timothy 1'4 reference and so not worth quarrelling over.
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