Carolyn Baits asks: Hi. Should Christians celebrate Halloween? I know Halloween already past, but I fell in love with your Christmas post and wanted to know your view. I'm a new subscriber to this site. God bless you.

Hi Carolyn. Thanks for subscribing. We hope this site is a blessing to you.

Halloween, is one of those topics that has Christians heavily divided on the issue. The problem seems to be the lack of knowledge of the history behind Halloween, and more so, the lack of knowledge of how the first century Christians responded to it.

First, Halloween was originally rooted in the ancient Celtic feast of Samhain. The Druids believed that on the eve of Samhain, the veil between our world and the spirit realm was breached, releasing demons, witches, and ghosts, who in turn, harassed the living. In order to protect themselves, people disguised themselves as witches, demons, and ghosts, in order to trick the evil spirits. They also carved evil faces on gourds illuminated with candles, and tried to make the spirits less hostile by offering different treats.

However, just like Christmas, the first century church, responded to this false festival of Samhain (and the superstition ghosts), by countering with their own holiday or holy day called "all Hallows Eve"(from where the word Halloween actually derived from). So, rather than ghosts, "all Hallows Eve" and "all Saints Eve", was a remembrance of the martyrs who gave their lives to push the Gospel forward. While pagans pushed fear and oppression, Christians pushed the understanding of the Resurrection of Christ, who would one day raise those who died in Christ. Unfortunately, while Christmas did overtake the Winter Solstice in our present day, the negative aspects and practices of Samhain, took over Halloween.

Secondly, rather than a day belonging to the devil, it is important to understand that every day belongs to the one and only true God. Thus, according to the Bible, there is no such thing as other gods, nor things that can be sacrificed to any kind of god.

Jeremiah 10:14 - Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them.

1 Corinthians 8:4 - So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.”

1 Corinthians 8:8 - But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

So, instead of being oppressed, in fear of supposed human sacrifices, demons circulating your house, with the lights off, quietly in the house, hoping trick or treaters don't come knocking on your door; as Christians, we should follow the example set by the early Christians, and see October 31st, as a strategic opportunity to reach the lost.

With this information being considered, BRC stands 100% by the various churches that offer events such as "trunk or treat" or "October Fest", as a counter to the pagan traditions. As these events are used to extend an invite to people from the community, who might not otherwise step foot in a church. However, at the same time, BRC holds that Halloween should not be celebrated outside the context as noted above (within the church, as a counter or strategic opportunity).

In other words, we find that the modern image (unlike the first century) of Halloween portrays the celebration of death rather than life. This can be seen in the horror movie marathons, the dressing up as murderers like Freddy or Jason, dressing up as zombies, vampires, wolfs, monsters, witches, and the various decorations of skeletons, spiders, coffins, graves, etc. This imagery of death and fear, can also be seen in children's faces as they cover their eyes, fearfully, while walking down the isles at a local Halloween store (as they are exposed to the things of nightmares).

Last but more importantly, we also want to prevent the potential of make those who are not strong in the word of God stumble.

1 Corinthians 8:7-9 - But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

God bless you Carolyn, and hope this helps.

Comments:

Carolyn Baits: Awesome answer. Thanks. I definitely didn't know this. I knew about the pagan celebration, but not about how the first century Christians responded to it. Thanks.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Glad you liked the answer. Looking at how the first century Christians responded to such things, is always a good place to start when in doubt.

Caleb Johnson: So you don't believe that on Halloween, kids are being sacrificed to Satan, and witches are working spells?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Hi Caleb. If Satan worshippers are sacrificing kids (murdering kids), they don't need to wait for Halloween. Instead, they do it when they have the chance to do so on any particular day (according to the testimonies of people who have survived or left from such places). Secondly, the belief that witch spells have any power, is negated by the Bible. Instead, the Bible says that all idols are lifeless, and that all other gods besides God himself, are false. As such, witches having functional spells would mean that the spirits, demons, devil, gods, or whatever else they put their trust on, would be real. Totally denouncing what we are told in scripture.

Caleb Johnson: Your view is so different from what we are taught in church.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Well, when that is the case, we as Bible believers, should rely on scripture rather than opinions. Especially when the Bible is very specific on the matter.

Caleb Johnson: that is true. God bless you.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: God bless you as well Caleb.

Dorothy Heart: Do you guys think that it is a sin to celebrate Halloween, even if we dress like positive things and watch some movies?

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Hi Dorothy. We don't think that dressing up and going to get candy is a sin in itself. However, what the kids see when they are out and about, is not considered healthy (often times scaring kids and causing nightmares). Secondly, if other Christians that do believe it is a sin, see you and your kids celebrating it, that might cause them to stumble (something we should avoid according to 1 Corinthians 8:7-9).

Dorothy Heart: Oh, ok thanks. I see what you mean.

1 Corinthians 8:4

"So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.”