December 7, 2004
Hanukkah and Scripture
Is Hanukkah in Scripture? This is an interesting question, because the answer depends on whom you ask. If you ask a protestant, the answer is “No,” which would mean that the celebration of Hanukkah was a “tradition” handed down outside of Scripture. However, Hanukkah is part of the Septuagint, which was the Old Testament used all the way up to the Reformation (15th century). During the Reformation, Martin Luther removed nine books of the Old Testament including the books that described Hanukkah (he also wanted to remove “James” in the New Testament but was talked out of it). Initially, he simply moved them to the back of the Old Testament, but in our day protestant Bibles are printed without these books.
Hanukkah is a celebration started and described in first and second Maccabees. It celebrates the cleansing of the Temple after Gentiles defiled it. If you argue that Maccabees isn’t Scripture, then you have to concede that the Jews handed down some of their beliefs orally (in reality, you must believe this anyway, because none of the Old Testament was written until Moses’ time and it wasn’t completed for centuries). Or, if you believe that Martin Luther didn’t have the authority to change the books of the Bible, then Maccabees is Scripture.
For a good overview of Hannukkah, read both books. However, you can see the celebration in 1 Maccabees 4 and 2 Maccabees 10. In particular, 2 Maccabees 10:8 notes that it was decided that the Jews would celebrate Hanukkah every year and Jewish people continue that tradition through our times.
It's unfortunate that most protestants lack historical knowledge about Scripture as well as Christian tradition. Of course, it has been argued many times that "To be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant" (Cardinal Newman, a convert).
God bless,
Jay
UPDATE: It looks like Mel Gibson has selected his next Christian movie: The Maccabees. Here's an article on his plans.
Posted by Jay at December 7, 2004 12:09 PM | TrackBack |
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Historical note: When the Maccabees retook Jerusalem and arrived at the temple, they found the light above the altar had only enough oil for a single day. Miraculously, it burned for eight, hence the length of the celebration.
Posted by: Christopher Blosser at December 8, 2004 12:24 AMHighly interesting point, Jay.
To respond to Hannukah, Protestants must either accept the validity of oral tradition outside the Scriptures or bring the Septuagint/Apocrypha back into the Canon. Where do you find all this great material?
Posted by: Broken Record at December 8, 2004 11:42 AMJay,
I fail to see the point of bringing up Chanukah. I don't practice it, neither does my church. You are right...it is not in the Bible.
As for Jews, they do practice it, but here is something you should know...Chanukah is not a very important religious holiday. The holiday's religious significance is far less than that of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, and Shavu'ot. It is roughly equivalent to Purim in significance, and you won't find many non-Jews who have even heard of Purim! Chanukah is not mentioned in Jewish scripture; the story is related in the book of Maccabbees, which Jews do not accept as scripture.
I repeat, I do not celebrate Channukah nor is it taught at my church.
God Bless
Posted by: Marc at December 8, 2004 12:57 PMFor anyone interested, CNN will be airing a special on Bishop TD Jakes and Reverend Billy Graham this Sunday at 7pm. Afterwards they will air special about the 2 Mary's, even though there were more than 2. I assume about Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus.
God Bless
Posted by: Jeff at December 10, 2004 2:30 PM
