Oct 25 2008
Have A Christian Halloween
A Contradiction in Terms????
Halloween is just a week away and I would be lax in my duty to you if we did not discuss the topic. Can we as Christians participate in the Halloween traditions? “What Would Jesus Do?” has become a popular response in today’s society? So let’s see what Jesus would do. We need a proper perspective on the whole situation. Let’s start with the Halloween history and then we’ll go to the Bible to see what God says about the whole thing.
Everyone knows that Halloween stands for “All Hallows Eve”. How did it start is our question? After some research I found that it was originally a pagan holiday which originated in several different countries. According to Wikipedia, the ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, into which bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them. You can read more about the 1 History of Halloween by clicking the link.
Most of modern Halloween Traditions had their origins in these ancient “festival of the dead” beginnings. When various cultures migrated to the
United States, they brought with them their own traditions. In an attempt to keep their heritage alive they continued their traditions. That is also why the Church incorporated these traditions into their own Holidays. I’m in no way saying this was right or wrong, I’m just stating facts here. Everyone is free to draw their own conclusions when they have all the facts.
The same incorporation of tradition and Christian beliefs took place in the first century church. This was exactly what Paul was addressing in the book of Colossians. In Colossians we find that Paul warns the believer about Christian heresy. They had been trying to incorporate their traditions into their Christian beliefs. He told them to be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition and the world’s way of doing things rather than following Christ.
Does that mean that we can not celebrate Halloween? Maybe we should try a different approach to our celebration. Some fundamentalists in recent have started using what are called Hell houses or Judgment Houses. These, like a conventional haunted-house attraction, is a space set aside in which actors attempt to frighten patrons with gruesome exhibits and scenes. The format is that the various scenes are presented as a series of short vignettes with a narrated guide. Unlike haunted houses, hell houses focus on occasions and effects of sin or the fate of unrepentant sinners in the afterlife. There is probably one in your area. Others pass out themed pamphlets (tracks geared for children) instead of, or along with “Trick or Treat” candy. These are both attempts to make use of Halloween as an opportunity for evangelism.
So do you celebrate Halloween or do you pass on this one? That is a question you must rely on The Holy Spirit to answer. Whatever you do must you must do it as though you were doing it for the Lord. At least now you have some information about the history and traditions involved in Halloween. Maybe you could choose to participate in some of these evangelist ideas in stead.
