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Al Mohler, blog spotting, blogs, christian, christianity, demons, evil, Halloween, holiday, holidays, Randy Alcorn, Tim Challies
Every year as Halloween approaches, a familiar controversy resurfaces. Should Christians celebrate the holiday, or not? Is Halloween a trick—a subtle doorway into the dark world of the occult; or a treat—a good time with family and friends and the neighbors we otherwise seldom see?
My blog spotting this week consists of posts (both old and new) written by Christians with widely divergent views on the origin, customs, and advisability of celebrating Halloween.
There are those who believe everything about Halloween is demonic and irredeemably evil. I consider that an extreme position. I thought about linking to a recent article as an example, but decided I didn’t want to take a chance on somehow dignifying it in the process. (I’m still shaking my head over some of the mind-boggling statements in it.)
But setting aside bizarre and extreme views, I think there’s real value in hearing what godly men have to say about whether or how a particular holiday should be celebrated. I think it’s a legitimate question: Should Christians celebrate Halloween?
Some say NO, some say YES, some say…MAYBE
Dan Edelen doesn’t like Halloween, as he made clear a couple of years ago with The Obligatory “Halloween Is Bad” Post …he also doesn’t see much point in Halloween alternatives. He tells why in this post: The Church and the Halloween Alternative Party
Al Mohler also urges caution, reminding readers “that evil spirits are real”: Christianity and the Dark Side–What About Halloween?
For three consecutive years, 2005, 2006, and 2007, Tim Challies took a different approach, expressing his conviction in no uncertain terms “that it is a very poor witness to have the house of believers blacked out on Halloween.”
Michael Patton got a little fired up in his post a few days ago, chiding those who consider Halloween irredeemably evil. Lots of comments on this one: Jesus with His Lights Turned off on Halloween
Pete Wilson says he enjoys Halloween: Can Christians Celebrate Halloween?
Randy Alcorn offers a little food for thought in A Perspective on Halloween
Greg Koukl (unlike Dan) thinks alternative celebrations are probably a good idea: Christians and Halloween (video)
Finally, in the interest of lightening up just a little, Ben Witherington thought if would be fun to re-post an article from The Onion (yes, that Onion) for Halloween a couple of years ago: Just in Time for All Hallow’s Eve– Ezekiel’s Skeleton People Show Up
You might hate Halloween, or you might love it. I think you have every right (and maybe even a responsibility) to argue your point, and argue it passionately. But for those of us who are Christians, we need to be careful not to pass judgment on those brothers and sisters who might beg to differ with us.
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall confess to God.”So then each of us will give an account of himself to God (Rom. 14:5-12).
What about me? I guess I’m somewhere in the middle. I think Halloween can be harmless fun. And I think Halloween can be full of occultic darkness and godless debauchery. In one sense, Halloween is what it is; but in another, perhaps, it is what we make it.
who am i? 
Hmm. You have some good articles here. And Michael Patton’s article was very passionate, wasn’t it? Good stuff here man. I think I am in the same category as you. I think it can be overdone. Thanks for the link!
—Jonathan
I think your point at the bottom is spot-on. However, I think Christians need to educate themselves about the holiday before they decide whether or not their family is going to participate and how they will participate. I also think that the Halloween alternatives have great potential if they extend the gospel message to those who attend. This is the tact I took in my obligatory Halloween post 😉
I’m with you… some where in between. If I had children, I would put a lot of effort into educating them about it. And, I would be careful about costumes chosen. But, since I’m just a neighbor to children, I give out good candy that they will enjoy. I want to serve my neighbor in this very small act of kindness. I don’t decorate, just because I don’t have time. But, if I did, it would be a fall theme with pumpkins, hay bales and mums.
Barry, as you know, we don’t celebrate Halloween. And made that decision years before we actually had children. Not becuase I believe it is “evil”…but I think it’s FAR from appropriate. We don’t celebrate death, demons, monsters, ghools, disfigured bodies, skeletons, witches, spirits, blood and gore any other day of the year…WHY MAKE ONE EXCEPTION??? And, if you go the “fairy princess route”…you STILL can’t take away the fact that “IT IS WHAT IT IS”…even if people attempt to make it more palitable for themselves. You can make it as wholesome as you like….everything I just listed above STILL exists…because “it is what it is”. I can’t drive down my street without seeing home-made ghosts swaying from tree branches, headless bodies lying on the ground, hands coming up out of the ground in front of tombstones, witches riding their broomsticks in the trees, mummies waiting on unsuspecting visitors. I mean, seriously, how wholesome is THAT??? You can put a Disney Princess costume all over it and it is STILL a celebration of death, evil spirits, zombis, monsters, etc. Even if YOU aren’t the one celebrating “death, evil spirits…etc”. (You meaning “people” in general).
To me, it’s no different than a non-Christian celebrating Christmas. They can say “they don’t believe in Jesus” and that they are “playing by their own rules” to accomodate their belief system…or lack-there-of. BUT, the very ESSENCE of Christmas IS celebrating Christ’s birth! No amount of “worldly” paganism, debt accumulation or “Happy Holidays” can undermine the fact that Christmas IS what it IS…not what someone DECIDES to make it. So, I feel the same way about Halloween….no amount of rationalization can take away from the fact we try to teach our kids “don’t take candy from strangers” and “don’t retaliate when things don’t go your way” (tricks) and basically….don’t offer “threats” such as “Give me a treat or else”…I know that’s a little dramatized….but that’s the core of the message. (And, unfortunately, few kids even say “thank you” anymore….but that’s a whole nother issue…)
Anyway…not trying to preach to the choir here….this is the first time I’ve actually written down my thoughts on the issue.
Ultimately, for our family, we think it’s a great opportunity for us to look different from the world…to be set apart and not fall into the temptation to do something “Because everybody else is”. Silas asked me last night, “Mommy, when I grow up and become a daddy can I celebrate Halloween?” Of course, I answered he could….but I am praying he will learn to see and appreciate WHY we do what we do….and possibly embrace that as well.
Ok…I’m done! 🙂
Oh! Not quite done….
LOL
One more thing…I was reading the news today and read that the Vatican has deemed Halloween to be “anti-Christian” and goes on to warn parents to be ware. I can’t help but wonder how Catholics decide WHEN to submit to their leaders spiritual instruction. Catholic or not, people make decisions based on their “wants” ALL the time (guilty).
Sorry…just had to mention that.
I’m not a big fan of Halloween, mainly because of its origins and how to explain to your children why we’re celebrating this “holiday.” Facts are facts – it originates from pagan celebrations, directly opposed to Christianity. I heard someone ask the question “If the Ku Klux Klan was the organization behind “innocent trick or treating,” if it originated as one of their customs and rituals, would you let your children participate? The answer “Absolutely not.” Yet we think it harmless with it’s real roots. Also, I don’t think we need to promote any kind of curiosity in our kids towards the dark things that the Bible explicity prohibits. Yeah, I don’t even like trunk or treat. To me it’s no different than letting your kids trick or treat. (I did go to our church’s event to support my Sunday School class) With all that said, we have chosen over the years to hand out candy along with a gospel tract. It’s amazing how the kids love getting the little booklet. Maybe, just maybe one child takes it home and has their parents read it. The gospel in one home – it’s worth it! I don’t fret over what other people choose to do on Halloween, but as for me, it wouldn’t bother me if we stood together as Christians and just plain banned the holiday. Let’s celebrate Reformation Day!
Rather than think about this more than I already have, which, to be honest is more than I want to, I’ll just re-post a response to a discussion a friend of mine was having on the subject elsewhere in the internet:
“Seems like I have to listen to this debate every year and it drives me bats. It is what you make it to be; It is what you mean it to be. If you don’t like it, or if it troubles your conscience, don’t participate. I celebrate the Fourth of July even when I don’t feel that great about my country. I don’t care much for Halloween, (because it tends to be … a celebration of what is dark, sinister, ugly, and evil. Plus it is a night when our college town becomes nearly intolerable, crawling with costumed drunks and police.) but it is great fun for kids to dress up, to imagine themselves in someone else’s shoes, and it can also be very educational. I recommend parents get creative with their kids and dress them as actual historical figures and teach them the history surrounding the person, and their legacy. That’s a way you can “celebrate” the dead, if you will, in a wholesome way. (I don’t think death itself is anything to celebrate, of course. It is the great enemy of man.) I also think it’s wrong to sit in judgment of others who enjoy the holiday. Our holidays are what we make them to be, and what they mean to us in our hearts.”
To All:
I appreciate all of your comments. After all is said and done, I remain somewhere in the middle. Micah was a cute little Ninja for his school party today. He had a lot of fun.
And then tonight, we had our Reformation Day Celebration at church focusing on John Calvin’s contributions to the Reformation. It was excellent. We all enjoyed both celebrations, and will probably continue to do so for the next few years, the Lord willing.
I want to make sure the other contributors to this discussion know I don’t condemn anyone for celebrating Halloween. I only know of one of other family that doesn’t celebrate this holiday….so my family is definitely in the minority among our Christian friends. I also want to underscore my point that you can not simply “make it what you want”…I mean, if that’s what makes you feel better about celebrating this holiday, then that is what it takes for you to feel comfortable. But, to me, I simply can’t see that for anything other than “rationalization” in order to get to do what you WANT to do…and disregard facts, such as:
Jesus wants to lift us above the paganism and wickedness of this world (John 17:14-15). How are we to let our lights shine (Matthew 5:14-16) if we are relishing in a custom that promotes darkness? “And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Our delight and meditation should be on that which is pure, lovely, and virtuous (Philippians 4:8).The Bible strictly forbids occult practices such as witchcraft, sorcery, divination, interpreting omens, casting spells, and consulting a medium (Deut. 18:9-11). So, why try to make a holiday that supports these ideas appealing? I don’t know…but it’s REALLLY hard for me to hear so many of my Christian friends be so “flippant” about these issues related to this holiday. Not everyone is flippant…but I have friens who would get VERY upset if you even attempt to discuss Halloween for what it really is. Which, by the way, isn’t an “opinion”…I mean, it’s orgins are fact.
Now, with that being said, I have the highest respect and admiration for Barry and trust his judgement regarding spiritual matters. I see many in my church that I have great respect for and they celebrate Halloween. I certainly am not condemning their choice. I do, however, feely strongly about my own convictions on the matter. Can’t you tell! 🙂
Great discussion!
Great posts here Barry. Enjoyed reading the different opinions!
Thanks for visiting, Pete. I enjoyed your article, as well. Have fun with the kids today!
More thoughts from this side of the Atlantic:
http://adrianwarnock.com/2009/10/halloween-alternative.html
Trick or treat has arrived on these shores and not everyone is pleased with this particular American import. We say, keep the reformed theology coming but you can keep Halloween!