The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-11, titled "Bible Questions and Answers."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.

Question

I have been here in this church [Grace Community Church] for quite some time,  and I remember back when we used to call the Sunday that Jesus rose from the  dead "Resurrection Sunday," and I would like to know why we went back to  using the name of a pagan goddess?

Answer

That's a good question. Let's call it "Resurrection Sunday"--I buy  that--that's good! Put that in the bulletin--whoever does the bulletin.  Thank you for asking--we always called it "Resurrection Sunday." In fact, we  used to give out little tags you can put on your lapel saying "He is Risen"  and have everybody wear them for a week. We might do that now, but it is a  little more complicated, for in those days we did not have quite as many  people, but it is "Resurrection Sunday"--let's call it that. Good point.