Thoughts on Christians and Halloween: part 3

And here is the final verdict – just in time!

The history of Halloween is all over the internet, so I won’t rehash that whole deal here. Suffice it to say that the date is the same as some ancient pagan celebrations that center around the dead and how the living deal with the dead. They believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was especially thin on October 31. In the 8th Century, the Pope moved the Feast of All Saint’s to November 1. This feast was basically a way to celebrate and remember the martyrs who gave their lives for the Christian faith. Today we use it to remember those who have died in Christ.
I think the interesting question is why did the Pope (remember there was only one church then, not several denominations) move a feast to this day and why this feast? October 31 was then All Hallow’s Eve, the eve prior to the Feast of All Saints. A similar move was done in regards to Christmas, by the way, when the church made December 25th the celebration of the birth of Christ. That time of year was usually the pagan celebration of the winter solstice.
What we have here is the church undermining the culture of the time. The pagans had their stories of death and how the line between the dead and the living was thin. The church believes that the line between the living and dead is found in Christ. We have a story about the living and the dead as well, so the church moved a celebration of people facing death without fear because of Christ to a time when people celebrated harvest in fear of the dead. The culture wars are old, and they have traditionally been ways in which the church has engaged culture in such a way as to tell our story about Christ. How are we in the world, but not of the world? How do we engage the world in love, but not love the “worldly” way of things? How do we engage a people about the topic of death, say that these are good things to think about, and then say, “We’ve got a better story, and it’s about Jesus?” Christians may have different answers, but I think if we are all in some way pointing to Jesus, then the differences actually become diverse voices offering praise to our Lord Jesus.
So, what do we do? My family and I will participate in Halloween. We will have fun. We’ll carve pumpkins. I think it’s a good thing. I think there is a joy in tradition and celebration. There is a joy in sharing and having fun with siblings and family. That is where our focus will be. We will be a part of Jesus hijacking Halloween, as Sam put it. We will be the ones who focus on the good stuff of Halloween, not the ones in gory costumes, or sexually suggestive outfits. We’ll be the ones trying to spread joy and community and in direct conflict with those who use this day for darkness. We will be the ones who are playing games, not the ones who are afraid of the dead – because we know the Lord who judges the living and the dead. If Christians don’t engage people on Halloween then we have lost. So if you don’t go out – pray. Who will pray if Christians don’t? We don’t want all the prayers and liturgies to be to the evil one.  Pray a lot.  Pray against the powers of darkness.  Pray for God’s Spirit to do mighty works.  Pray for the light to shine in the darkness. If you do the alternative church thing, do it well. Who will set up safe environments for children if Christians don’t? There are enough people who intend to do harm. Why are they the only ones who get to act? Provide that safe and fun environment.  Provide opportunities for people to laugh and experience joy.  And if you trick or treat, then do it as a Christian. Who will wear the appropriate costumes, share good candy, have manners, live without fear of evil or the dead if we don’t? Who will celebrate community and claim that this is only a shadow of what God made us for if Christians don’t co opt Halloween? We have a three pronged attack. We are not to give even one day to the enemy. We are to be on the attack for Jesus Christ, and the gates of Hades will not prevail!

One last thought. I’ve read in places that we should not participate in Halloween because, “God commands His people to ‘Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.’” And that Halloween is a day of human sacrifice, devil worship, practicing of the dark arts, and the like. If your community celebrates Halloween in these ways, by all means stay away and pray. I must admit, some “Christian” descriptions of Halloween are nothing like the holiday that I have experienced. My experience is not all inclusive of humanity, so there may be areas where this is an issue. It just isn’t where I am. We won’t even be pretending to do anything with the devil. We don’t do the whole Ouija board thing. So, I guess what I’m saying here, and in these posts, the goal isn’t fellowship with works of darkness, but rather with human beings, made in the image of God, and in that fellowship relying upon the Holy Spirit to work transformation and redemption.

However you approach October 31, may you do it to the glory of God and in following our Lord Jesus Christ, and may the Holy Spirit fill you full and overflowing with peace and joy and love.  Amen.