Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Photo by CrowN on Unsplash

The question of whether Christians should celebrate Halloween is one that often stirs up a lot of debate. This blog aims to explore the complexities surrounding this holiday, the differing perspectives within the Christian community, and the principles that can guide believers in making their decisions.

Halloween, as a cultural phenomenon, has evolved over the years. Initially rooted in ancient traditions, it has transformed into a holiday that many celebrate without even considering its origins. For Christians, the question becomes not just about participation but also about how to engage with a culture that often embraces the macabre.

The Roots of Halloween

To understand the current attitudes towards Halloween, we must first look at its historical roots. Halloween’s origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, where it marked the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. It was believed that on the night of October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, allowing spirits to roam the earth.

In an effort to convert pagans to Christianity, the church established All Saints Day on November 1st, with the evening before being known as All Hallows’ Eve, which eventually morphed into Halloween. Over time, the holiday has lost much of its religious significance and is now largely associated with costumes, trick-or-treating, and parties.

Despite this shift, some Christians argue that Halloween is still rooted in paganism and should be avoided. They believe that engaging in Halloween festivities can be seen as dishonoring God and may even open individuals up to spiritual dangers.

Arguments Against Celebrating Halloween

Those who oppose Halloween often cite its pagan origins as a primary reason for abstaining from the holiday. Some argue that participating in Halloween can expose individuals to demonic influences, leading to spiritual bondage. This perspective emphasizes the need for Christians to be cautious about what they engage with, especially when it comes to practices that have historical ties to idolatry and the occult.

• Pagan Traditions: Critics often point to the holiday’s origins in Samhain, where rituals were performed to honor the dead and appease spirits.
• Spiritual Dangers: Some believers warn that participating in Halloween can open individuals up to demonic influence.
• Honor to God: Many feel that engaging in Halloween festivities is not honoring to God and can dilute one’s witness as a Christian.

Arguments For Celebrating Halloween

On the other side of the debate, many Christians argue that Halloween can be an opportunity for community engagement and outreach. They see it as a chance to connect with neighbors and share in the joy of the season without embracing its darker elements.

Supporters of Halloween emphasize that the holiday has become largely secularized, focusing on fun and community rather than its historical roots. They point out that many families use Halloween as a time to bond and create lasting memories.

• Community Connection: Halloween offers a unique opportunity for neighbors to interact and build relationships.
• Fun and Family: Many families enjoy celebrating Halloween through costumes, decorations, and candy without any intention of engaging with its darker origins.
• Reclaiming the Holiday: Some argue that Christians can take back Halloween by focusing on positive aspects, such as charity events or church gatherings that provide safe environments for children.

Scriptural Guidance

When wrestling with the question of Halloween, it’s essential to look to scripture for guidance. The Apostle Paul addressed similar concerns regarding food sacrificed to idols and the observance of certain days in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 10:25-31, Paul encourages believers to eat what is sold in the marketplace without inquiring about its origins, emphasizing the importance of conscience and intention.

Moreover, in Romans 14:1-4, Paul speaks to the necessity of accepting those who may have different convictions about such matters, urging unity and love within the body of Christ. This principle can apply to the Halloween debate as well, as believers may hold differing views on participation based on their convictions and backgrounds.

Finding Balance

For Christians navigating the question of Halloween, finding a balance between celebration and caution is crucial. Here are some practical steps to consider:

• Personal Convictions: Reflect on your own beliefs and convictions about Halloween. What does your conscience tell you about participating in the holiday?
• Community Engagement: Consider how Halloween can be a time to engage with your community positively. Think about hosting a church event or participating in local activities that promote safety and fun.
• Focus on the Gospel: Use Halloween as an opportunity to share your faith with others. Whether through handing out candy or inviting neighbors to a church event, look for ways to connect deeper with your community.

Conclusion

The question of whether Christians should celebrate Halloween does not have a one-size-fits-all answer. Each believer must wrestle with their convictions, the cultural context, and the principles found in scripture. The key is to approach the holiday with a heart of love and unity, recognizing that fellow believers may hold different views.

Ultimately, whether you choose to celebrate Halloween or abstain from it, the focus should always be on honoring God and fostering connections with others. Halloween can be an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ in a world that often embraces fear and darkness.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

(Sermon Outline)

1. Should Christians celebrate Halloween?
   1. This is a question that I believe is a really important question for believers to wrestle with because I believe wrestling with this question will provide some principles that can put the church in a position to transform society.
   1. Why I am doing this is because:
      1. I believe there are some truths that are mission critical for the church to understand.
      1. I believe in the importance of wrestling with scripture and that this is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ and is crucial in our mandate to make disciples.
      1. I believe that all of scripture glorifies Jesus and is meant to be wrestled with if we are going to fulfill the great commission.
   1. It may make people uncomfortable, even the title did.
      1. Only when we can talk and wrestle with what is uncomfortable will we truly be healthy as the body of Christ.
   1. There are always more than two sides and even if we focus on two sides, there are often significant nuances to each of those sides, but for simplicity we are going to deal with it by addressing 2 sides
      1. On one side there are those who believe that Christians should not celebrate Halloween. Some of the thinking is that it has pagan roots and it dishonors God.
      1. On the other side there are Christians who believe we should celebrate Halloween and they often have very differing reasons why.
      1. Let’s look at some scriptures that have principles that may be helpful for us, but understand that these scriptures are dealing with pastoral application of essential biblical truths to specific situations that do not perfectly apply to our question.  The hope is that we will be able to wrestle with these scriptures and extract principles that help us to answer the question.
2. Paul had to address eating meat sacrificed to idols and Jewish traditions.
   1. There were several ways that Christians could encounter meat sacrificed to idols and one way was meat sold in the marketplace – cheaper meat.
   1. The advice of Paul Regarding meat sacrificed to idols:
      1. 1 Corinthians 10:25–31 (NKJV) — 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
      1. 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 (NKJV) — 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
   1. The advice of Paul regarding Jewish traditions
      1. This is again a very important issue in the church because there is an infatuation with Judaism.
      1. Romans 14:1–4 (NKJV) — 1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. (KOSHER MEAT WAS NOT ATTAINABLE) 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. Romans 14:5–6 (NKJV) — 5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.
   1. Some of Paul’s principles:
      1. 1 Corinthians 8:7–9 (NKJV) — 7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. 9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
      1. Romans 14:19–23 (NKJV) — 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
      1. COVER OTHER PRINCIPLES
         1. Actually sacrificing to idols
         1. There will always be the immature in the body of Christ this is important for growth.
            1. “The earth is the Lord’s is a mature view, fear is the immature view.
            1. The driving need for finding security, identity and significance outside of the simple gospel.
         1. Being careful to care for the immature
         1. PAUL HAD A CLEAR VISION OF THE KINGDOM, OF CHRIST AND OF MATURE CHRISTIANITY SO HE SOUGHT TO APPLY PASTORAL MINISTRY TO CREATE A CONTEXT IN THE CHURCH TO GROW TO MATURITY AND NOT CARNALLY EXHIBIT OUR “LIBERTY” WHICH IS ANOTHER SIGN OF IMMATURITY.
3. Applying some of these principles to COVID and thoughts concerning the COVID shutdown in hindsight.
   1. Experiences in my office.
   1. Experiences with a class party
   1. The importance of freedom of conscience and responsibility
   1. THE THINGS THAT MATTER MOST IF WE ARE GOING TO WIN – SINGULAR FOCUS
4. The same issue often shows up concerning the age of the earth. (disputes over doubtful things) – OUR POLICY AT FORTIS
5. Christian Unity
   1. Mark 3:22–25 (NKJV) — 22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” 23 So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
   1. John 17:20–23 (NKJV) — 20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
6. I did not directly answer the question of whether we should celebrate Halloween
   1. The fact is that we have genuine believers who differ greatly on this issue, like the age of the earth, like we did in real time with COVID and will continue to face continually until Christ returns.
   1. I have to wonder if these are challenges meant to divide and conquer the body of Christ and minimize our impact on earth.
   1. The question asked by the woman at the well – which mountain (external) – Spirit and Truth – EXTERNAL CONFORMITY VS TRANSFORMED LIFE.
      1. Jesus is the savior and shepherd of our souls.  When we follow him we will arrive at our destination.
   1. It really is a challenging question, what Paul had to say to both sides would be unpopular and difficult to do.
      1. Those who do not eat the meat – their response
      1. Those who do eat the meat
      1. Feeling uncomfortable when people see things differently
      1. Paul is trying to get us all to grow more into the image of Christ and be united by our common life in Him.
   1. We need to
      1. Major on the majors
      1. There are some things we can and must proclaim with absolute certainty – we undermine that message when we focus on “doubtful things”
      1. There are fundamentals to Christian living that we must live that are not disputed things
      1. We must discern life
      1. We must unite to fight the battles that matter