Reflections on the Use of the "Christian Calendar"

I am fully aware that critiquing the views of another immediately raises some atmosphere of hostility in the minds of some. To others, it is an honorable thing to clash swords for the purpose of “sharpening iron” (Prov. 27:17). At the very outset of this article, I do hope that you, the reader, take me to be writing for the latter purpose and not the former. May God forgive me if I seem to be hostile in any way; I have tried to abandon emotive language while bringing some thoughts and concerns to the table here. I also recognize that writing/speaking publicly invites the thoughts and concerns of others, so by all means, let me know – good or bad – what you think of what follows. I trust that you will be civil, for the purpose of productivity, as I ensure you that I have tried to be. (I have referred to the individual that I am critiquing by his first name to try to be as personable as possible.)

I have recently caught glimpses of some on social media who have promoted the use of the “Christian Calendar.” Perhaps, the most outspoken individual that I know is Carl Jenkins, who is a preacher for the churches of Christ. I met Carl briefly a few years ago in a meeting that he was holding, so I've met him and heard him preach a few times. (There appear to be several others that keep closer company to/with Carl that also are promoting the use of the Christian Calendar.) Though I may be incorrect, I seem to remember vaguely his suggesting the use of the Christian Calendar prior to 2019. This year – if that memory is true – is no different.

Recently, Carl had published an article as a “note” on Facebook, titled “Why I Practice the Christian Year” on November 27^th, 2019. At first, I decided not to read the note, but after I kept noticing a certain amount of recurring controversy about the issue (some of which is with Carl and others, some of which is between people who are not – to my knowledge – associated with Carl), I decided to go back and read Carl's writing in order to see what exactly was said.

As a very brief summary of Carl's article – which I would encourage you to read, especially for the purpose of completely fair representation – he develops his writing, as far as I can tell, in three main areas: 1) by noting its absence within the churches of Christ, the biblical text and even most Bibles with notes and charts, 2) by giving us a brief explanation of what the Christian Calendar is and 3) by arguing, through various means, for why it is a valuable tool. Carl suggests that it a) shapes days – and therefore, one's being – around Christ, b) teaches patience, c) helps one refrain from being manipulated by some “new thing” (such as some new merchandise) that he has been deceived into thinking that he needs in order to be “whole” and 4) again, he concludes with his high note, that it centers one around God's entire work in history, in Christ, in the church, in the Holy Spirit.

I will say that I think that Carl makes several good points. He and I share the same occupation, so, naturally, I can agree with him strongly that we want to help bring people closer to God, centering their lives around Him completely and primarily rather than around new merchandise or some other artificial replacement. The element over which Carl and I would disagree would be how to bring about this kind of positive result. I will spend the remainder of this article raising a few of these (some of which Carl will undoubtedly have already considered and recognized) . . .

First, I think Carl needs to consider how this “comes off” to the Lord's church. With denominationalism in full swing, practices like infant baptism, the usage of mechanical instruments in worship of song to God, tithing and etc. became commonplace. To stretch the examples even further (outside of “evangelicalism”), the Catholic Church introduced the usage of rosary beads, holy water and etc. into a “service” of worship before God. When preaching to those involved in these practices, the Lord's church claimed – and still claims, and still ought to claim! – to be one that adheres to the need for “Bible authority” in what we are saying as God's called people (cf. Col. 3:17).

Our Lord was disgruntled by the mishandling of “the law” by the Jewish leaders, so He reminded them that their worship was really “in vain” (Mat. 15:3,9). He insisted that worship ought to be “in truth” (John 4:23,24). These kinds of passages could be easily duplicated, showing that there is a right way to worship and a wrong way to worship – and then there are neutral practices (more later) . . . The principle that I am “going for” is that we ought to look and operate like the NT church, that is, with God's signature on our work orders. With the use of the Christian Calendar, it does appear as though one is identifying with/within a denominational framework of “Christianity.” While one may understand that this is not what Carl is doing or intending to leave as an impression, I do think that Carl needs to be aware – as he probably already is – of how this “grabs” some people.

I'm fully aware that there are practices within authorized NT Christianity that are “expedient.” (This means that there is some amount of flexibility in how to “carry out” the commands of the NT.) We have people “wait on the Lord's table” – where is this spoken of in the NT? We have two songs and then a prayer – is that the only way to do it? Or, we have Bible classes before the service, and we also have multiple cups/containers for the fruit of the vine. God has not given unto us a mere “rulebook” with clinical, sterile laws that must be followed (though He does still have “law” involved, cf. Rom. 3:27), but He has delivered literature, which, still breathing and living, teaches us how to “live out” NT Christianity. It is this kind of “life” that Carl wants to provoke. But, while we have commands for the supper, education of Christianity and etc., I would question if one can “expedite” the Christian Calendar? Maybe Carl would argue that by using the Christian Calendar, he is “expediting” God's commands to draw near to God (Jas. 4:8) or something of the sort? Maybe Carl would insist that even Paul noted that “days” – like the Sabbath – can be held in high regard as long as the one holding such a view does not view it authoritatively, as though still legislatively binding by God (cf. Rom. 14:5; Gal. 4:10; Col. 2:16,17)? Again, all I have said here is that we should at least understand why some are saying what they are because of its close resemblance, tie and origin with denominationalism – I think Carl “gets” this without my writing.

Second, Carl raises the question, “. . . what if (and the trick part of the question is that it does exist!) there was a way to center your life around the life of Christ?” He goes on to ask another question that closely resembles this one, stating, “What if there was a tool created . . . that allowed you to, week by week, day by day, inhabit the story and life of Jesus and what it looks like to follow Him?” His conclusion is that there is such a tool: the Christian Calendar. This immediately raised several questions in my mind . . . Is Carl suggesting that there was not a way to center our lives around Christ before the development of the Christian Calendar? Surely not. Was there a way to “inhabit the story and life of Jesus and what it looks like to follow him” before the development of the Christian Calendar? What about now? (Carl, at this juncture, would surely argue that the Christian Calendar merely seeks to aid in this regard, rather than act as the exclusive way in which one can do this.) Nonetheless, I am reminded of the words of Peter, where he said that God had given unto us all things pertaining unto life and godliness, and he argued for that before the development of the Christian Calendar (cf. 2 Pet. 1:3). I am also conscious of the “inhabiting the story and life of Jesus” performed by the early saints (Acts 2:42-46). And, foremost, my first thought when approaching these questions by Carl, was, “Yes, there is a tool that serves this very purpose of identifying with Christ, putting it into our calendars, revolving around Him . . . it is the Lord's Supper.” Every Sunday, my calendar is “booked” so that I can reflect on Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, remind myself of His (God's) work through Him and think about what that means for me and my future (cf. Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 11:26).

Third, Carl argues, “I'm not manipulated by the Christian Year to tell me what new thing I need to feel whole, or make my kids happy, or to have an enjoyable holiday.” I am aware that, by “new thing,” Carl is speaking of some new piece of merchandise. He is talking about his resistance to that which the world encourages and uses to deceive most people for a pseudo-happiness. This is honorable. On the other hand, I cannot help but think that Carl has sought some “new thing” to feel whole . . . In his case, it is the Christian Calendar. While Christians had “felt whole” and lived with full joy (1 John 1:4) prior to the Christian Calendar, some today, like Carl, argue favorably for its use. Personally, I feel more comfortable and full of joy and happiness by not using the Christian Calendar.

Let me conclude with a few points, as set over against Carl's, regarding why I do not practice the Christian Calendar . . . First, there is no biblical precedent for it. This does not speak one way or another about its “rightness” or “wrongness” – it simply shows that I am not “under” such a command. Second, I think that I could easily create “tension” between brethren over something that could easily be avoided; I might advise, with Paul, that there are some practices that are within themselves “neutral” but ought to be tactfully approached in order to avoid creating a stumbling-block (cf. 1 Cor. 8; 10:23). Third, I think that the issue of “biblical authority” could easily become 1) misunderstood by some, even our own children and 2) easily abandoned by others. This is an observation – not an argument, since sometimes right/neutral things often lead to error; but, I assume that, for “weaker” brethren, the implementation of the “Christian Calendar” might only serve as a “stepping stone” to something far more severe. Fourth, there are things in which I want to be similar to denominations (eg. belief in God, carrying a Bible, etc.), but those are things that are also biblical; I really do not have a desire to look like a “false way” if I can, by all means, avoid it (cf. Psa. 119:104). Fifth, I cannot help but think that the entire thing is entirely unnecessary. This is undoubtedly a personal opinion (while it may serve as a helpful aid to Carl in expediting one of God's commands in his life). But, I do not see the need for a “Christian Calendar” when my Bible tells me that I can find all that I need without it.

Maybe there is something profitable here in what I have written? May God forgive me if I have assessed this issue incorrectly.

As a final note, I appreciate Carl (and those like him) who are arguing for good things, biblical things, godly things. We need to be able to think about topics like this and discuss how the Christian ought to operate and react regarding such. I hope that I have written my thoughts (and disagreements) in an honorable and civil manner.

Carl, to you: may God continue to bless you and your family richly always to His glory!