Restoring Easter – Why it Matters as One of America’s National Holidays

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Show Summary: With Easter fast approaching, we welcome back Dr. Scott Powell, author of the book, Rediscovering America: How the National Holidays Tell an Amazing Story about Who We Are, to talk in depth about Easter. Its traditions, its history, its meaning, and its importance to America as a national holiday.

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Original Air Dates: April 9th & 10th, 2022 | Guest: Dr. Scott Powell

This Week – Restoring Easter

We welcome back Dr. Scott Powell, author of the terrific new book, Rediscovering America: How the National Holidays Tell an Amazing Story about Who We Are. One of the national holidays he spotlights is Easter.

Easter was the first Christian holiday celebrated by the early church. But coming up through ancient Rome, celebrating the Son of God was not an easy thing to do. And could put one’s life in danger. Tune in to hear why normally “tolerant” Rome (tolerant of other religions and gods, at least) was so intolerant of Christianity.

We also talk with Dr. Powell about Easter’s alleged “pagan origins”, Easter celebrations in the early colonies, and as America grew. And don’t miss fascinating stories about George Washington’s early realization of God’s hand on his life. Or about the Dead Sea scrolls’ authors whose own devotion to preserving the true calendar and holidays and their ties to prophecy led to incredibly accurate predictions of the coming Messiah.

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Research, Links, & Further Information

Be sure to order Dr. Scott Powell’s book, Rediscovering America: How the National Holidays Tell an Amazing Story about Who We Are.

• The Growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire (HistoryHit.com, 2018)
  • “Since its foundation, Ancient Rome was a deeply religious society and religious and political office often went hand in hand. Julius Caesar was Pontifex Maximums, the highest priest, before he was elected as Consul, the highest Republican political role.”
• College of Pontiffs, Ancient Rome (via Wikipedia)
  • “The title pontifex comes from the Latin for “bridge builder”, a possible allusion to a very early role in placating the gods and spirits associated with the Tiber River, for instance”
  • “The pontifex maximus was the most important member of the college. Until 104 BC, the pontifex maximus held the sole power in appointing members to the other priesthoods in the college.”