Theology

Although April Fools’ Day has been observed for centuries in several countries, the origin of the custom is unknown. While it resembles other festivals — such as the Hilaria of ancient Rome (March 25) and the Holi festival of India (ending March 31) —, the first reference to April Fool’s Day comes from Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales“. The Nun’s Priest’s Tale is set on a date “syn March was gon”. In other words, “since March was gone,” or — most readers surmised — April 1. The tale is about the fox, a character that tricks the vain cock Chanticleer. It’s usually regarded as the first April Fool’s prank.

April Fools Day’s timing seems related to the vernal equinox (March 21), when nature ‘fools’ mankind with sudden changes in the weather. Some people have tried to justify that April Fools’ Day can be considered a fairly innocuous holiday that Christians can partake in.

In one of her articles, writer Peggy Fletcher attributes the modern and widespread acceptance of April Fool’s Day to Pope Gregory XIII, who, by decreeing the adoption of the ‘Gregorian calendar’ — named after himself —, moved New Year’s Day from the end of March to January 1st. Although the change was published widely, some people did not get the message and continued to celebrate on April 1st. According to Ginger Smoak, an expert in medieval history at the University of Utah, these people ‘were ridiculed and, because they were seen as foolish, called April Fools’.

Regardless of the historical background of the holiday, in our time, on April Fools’ Day people are given an excuse to “play the fool”. But is that really something Christians are called to do? Personally, I don’t believe it is. Here are a few things we should take into consideration when voluntarily engaging in pranks and other deceitful activities that might cause even the slightest inconvenience to our fellow brethren.

God is the Author of wisdom, not of foolishness. He expects His servants to seek His wisdom (James 1:5), not play the fool.
Today, April Fool’s Day is observed in most of the countries of the world. Although it is not a formal holiday in any country, it’s a day for jokes, pranks, and hoaxes. Many of these pranks and hoaxes are mean-spirited and cause either physical or emotional harm to our fellow brethren, which is the opposite of what we are called to do (Ephesians 4:2). Even the pranks and hoaxes that don’t necessarily cause any inconvenience to anyone are generally based on lies. Lying on purpose is a violation of the 9th Commandment.
If April Fools’ Day falls during the (Great) Lent period, a time when we should strive to live particularly holier lives than throughout the rest of the year, then it goes without saying that engaging in foolish behavior (pranking, tricking, joking on each other’s expense etc.) for an entire day, for the purpose of celebrating foolishness, should be avoided.
Proverbs 24:9 informs us that God’s Word says, “The thought [devising] of foolishness is sin.” And sin is the breaking of God’s spiritual laws (I John 3:4; Rom. 7:14).
Foolish talking and jesting displeases God (Ephesians 5:1-4). Christ stated, “…whosoever shall say, «You fool», shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:22).
Christ also condemned engaging in foolishness: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within and defile the man” (Mark 7:21-23).
Also, God commands His people to “Learn not the way of the heathen… For the customs of the people are vain [futile]” (Jeremiah 10:2-3). He also commands, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate” (2 Corinthians. 6:17). As followers of Christ, we should strive to bee set apart, to separate ourselves from the pagan customs, practices and traditions of this world — including April Fools’ Day.

Let me know your opinions about April Fools’ Day in the comments section below. Do you think that Christians should partake in the celebration of this holiday?

Proverbs 24:9 (LEB)

Devising folly is a sin, and an abomination to humankind is a scoffer.9Devising folly is a sin, and an abomination to humankind is a scoffer.

Jeremiah 10:2-3 (LEB)

Thus says Adonai: “You must not learn the way of the nations, and you must not be dismayed by the signs of the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by them.2Thus says Adonai: “You must not learn the way of the nations, and you must not be dismayed by the signs of the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by them.3For the statutes of the peoples are vanity, for it is a tree cut down from the forest, the work of the hands of a craftsman with the tool.3For the statutes of the peoples are vanity, for it is a tree cut down from the forest, the work of the hands of a craftsman with the tool.

Matthew 5:22 (LEB)

But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’Greek “Raca,” a term of verbal abuse involving lack of intelligence will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’Perhaps with the idea of obstinate, godless foolishness; some take the word to be a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word for “rebel” (Deut 21:18, 20) will be subject to fiery hell.22But I say to you that everyone who is angry at his brother will be subject to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Stupid fool!’Greek “Raca,” a term of verbal abuse involving lack of intelligence will be subject to the council, and whoever says, ‘Obstinate fool!’Perhaps with the idea of obstinate, godless foolishness; some take the word to be a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew word for “rebel” (Deut 21:18, 20) will be subject to fiery hell.

Mark 7:21-23 (LEB)

For from within, from the heart of people, come evil plans, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders,21For from within, from the heart of people, come evil plans, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders,22adulteries, acts of greed, malicious deeds, deceit, licentiousness, envy,“the evil eye” abusive speech, pride, foolishness.22adulteries, acts of greed, malicious deeds, deceit, licentiousness, envy,“the evil eye” abusive speech, pride, foolishness.23All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”23All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”

John 3:4 (LEB)

Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is an old man? He is not able to enter into his mother’s womb for the second time and be born, can he?”*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “can he”4Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is an old man? He is not able to enter into his mother’s womb for the second time and be born, can he?”*The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “can he”

Ephesians 5:1-4 (LEB)

Imitators of GodTherefore become imitators of God, as beloved children,Imitators of GodTherefore become imitators of God, as beloved children,2and live in love, just as also Christ loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant smell.Or “a fragrant offering”2and live in love, just as also Christ loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant smell.Or “a fragrant offering”3But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or greediness, must not even be named among you (as is fitting for saints),3But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or greediness, must not even be named among you (as is fitting for saints),4and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which are not proper), but rather thanksgiving.4and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which are not proper), but rather thanksgiving.

Ephesians 4:2 (LEB)

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love,2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love,

James 1:5 (LEB)

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask for it from God, who gives to all without reservation and not reproaching, and it will be given to him.5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask for it from God, who gives to all without reservation and not reproaching, and it will be given to him.

The Trinity can be considered one of the most significant doctrines of the Christian faith. While it has been often attacked by people who have held other beliefs, and it has been alleged that it is not a Biblical doctrine due to the fact that the word “Trinity” is not mentioned in The Bible, the doctrine, according to Christians is, at least in substance, Biblical.

At the outset we must state the study of The Trinity, because it discusses the nature of The One, true God, is holy ground and the doctrine itself can be known only by divine revelation. Human reason is incapable of fathoming it. It was God’s Will to reveal to humanity His inner working. According to mainstream Christianity, the doctrine, having been revealed to mankind through Scriptures, is far from being the result of human reasoning.

To define The Trinity according to the teachings found in The Bible, we have to first make it very clear that there is only One eternal God, Who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe (Deut. 4:35; 4:39; 32:39; 2 Sam. 22:32; Isa. 37:20; 43:10; 44:6-8; 45:14; 45:21-22; 46:9; John 5:44; Rom: 3:30; 16:27; 1 Cor. 8:4-6 etc.). He is the only God that exists (2 Chr. 15:3; Jer 10:10; John 17:3; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 John 5:20-21) and all other “gods” that various nations have created are false gods / idols (Deut. 32:21; 1 Sam. 12:21; Psa. 96:5; Isa. 37:19; 41:23-24; 41:29; Jer. 2:11; 5:7; 16:20; 1 Cor. 8:4; 10:19-20). However, within His nature, this One God is three co-equal and co-eternal persons, or three centers of consciousness: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. While being distinguishable or distinct from one another, these three Persons (also called “Hypostases” by some Christian denominations) constitute the One God.

Also, it is important to understand that, despite being possible for everything that is true about God to be true about The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, the reverse is not true. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Spirit is God, but it is incorrect to say that God is the Father, God is the Son, or God is the Spirit. God’s nature consists of three distinct Persons and, while it is permissible to pray to only one Person of The Trinity, it generally regarded as an error to limit God to one particular member of the Trinity.

Let us analyze some of the points made by Scripture about the nature of God.

1. There Is Only One God That Exists

Central to the doctrine of the Trinity is the biblical teaching of the existence of only one God. It would be false to affirm that any other divine being has real existence. Trinitarians, or those who believe in the Trinity, are positive that only one God exists. Additionally, it is impossible for the essence of God to be divided. God, by nature, is spirit and possesses no physical form. It is not possible to divide up spirit. The God of the Bible is One single infinite being Who has always existed, exists and will always exist in an indivisible state.

2. There Are Three Distinct Persons Who Exist (The Father, Son, And The Holy Spirit)

Scripture also implies that there are three distinct Persons Who exist within the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. To give some illustrative examples: Jesus prayed to God the Father, not to Himself. At His baptism the voice of the Father spoke in an approving way of Jesus; it was not Jesus who spoke of Himself. Consequently, the three Persons should not be confused with one another.

3. Each Of The Three Persons Is Called God

This one should be pretty easy to grasp: The Father is God, The Son is God, and The Holy Spirit is God. Each are called God, and each possesses attributes that only God can possess.

4. The Three Persons Are The One God (The Trinity)

If we take the above facts into consideration, we can come to the conclusion that, if only one God exists, and if there are three distinct persons who are all called God, then the three persons must be the one God. This is the doctrine of the Trinity.

An additional clarification of the doctrine of The Trinity would have to be the following: all the three Persons of The Trinity are distinct in their roles and have different functions within the Godhead. The Father is The One Who sent The Son and then The Holy Spirit to testify of The Son (Jesus The Messiah). While being equal in nature with God The Father, Jesus and The Holy Spirit are subordinate in their relationships. This should not be understood as meaning that they are lesser in character, as that would be incorrect. They are equal in dignity, majesty, glory, and power but different in their roles, so we should not only focus on only one Person of The Trinity (for example, only on Jesus or only on The Holy Spirit), but rather on the entire Trinity. Jesus Himself instructed us to pray to God The Father, so we should conclude that we should focus our prayers on the Persons of The Trinity in the hierarchical order of their relationships, asking God The Father to help us in Jesus Christ’s Name through The Holy Spirit.

1 John 5:20-21 (LEB)

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, in order that we may know the one who is true, and we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This one is the true God and eternal life.20And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, in order that we may know the one who is true, and we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This one is the true God and eternal life.21Little children, guard yourselves from idols.21Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

John 5:44 (LEB)

How are you able to believe, if youHere “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“accept”) which is understood as conditional accept glory from one another, and do not seek the glory which is from the only God?44How are you able to believe, if youHere “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“accept”) which is understood as conditional accept glory from one another, and do not seek the glory which is from the only God?

John 17:3 (LEB)

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.3Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

April Fools’ Day and Christianity