Easter Traditions: Evangelistic Tools or Pagan Compromises?
If churches are using Easter egg hunts and Easter bunny imagery as an evangelistic tool to engage people and introduce them to the message of Christ's resurrection, that is an understandable approach, though one that still has some potential biblical tensions:
One perspective is that Paul demonstrated becoming "all things to all people" to spread the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Using culturally recognizable symbols like eggs and bunnies could be seen as an inoffensive way to spark interest and create opportunities to share the true biblical message of Easter.
However, the counterargument from a strictly literal biblical interpretation is that these symbols have undeniable pagan origins completely disconnected from Christianity. Incorporating them could still be viewed as violating prohibitions against pagan practices in verses like Deuteronomy 12:30-31 and Jeremiah 10:2.
Churches will need to carefully weigh if the potential evangelistic benefits outweigh the risks of being seen as blending pagan symbols with Christian teaching. There are arguments on both sides:
Pragmatic Argument: Using familiar cultural traditions disarms barriers and allows the gospel message to be received more openly.
Purist Argument: Mixing pagan imagery with biblical truth could be seen as compromising doctrine and confusing or diluting the intended meaning.
Churches must use wisdom and pastoral discretion based on their convictions and knowledge of their culture and audience. If egg hunts/bunnies create bridges to the gospel without compromising the core message, some will argue they are permissible tools. Others would still raise concerns about violating biblical prohibitions against pagan practices, no matter the intent.