Should Christians celebrate Halloween… Yes or No?
Well let’s take a look at the history of this sugary holiday. The name “Halloween” comes from the All Saints Day celebration of the early Christian church, a day set aside for the solemn remembrance of the martyrs. All Hallows Eve, the evening before All Saints Day, began the time of remembrance. “All Hallows Eve” was eventually contracted to “Hallow-e’en,” which became “Halloween.”
Let me give you three things to ponder when contemplating wether or not to participate in this holiday.
1. Christians should not respond to Halloween like superstitious pagans.
“greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world“ 1 John 4:4.
God has forever “disarmed principalities and powers” through the cross Christ and “made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them through [Christ]” Colossians 2:15
2. Christians should respond to Halloween with cautionary wisdom.
Try using some common sense.
- Don’t wish evil on others
- Don’t glorify evil things
- Don’t participate in evil activities
3. Christians should respond to Halloween with Gospel compassion.
16″For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17
So What is the Answer?
I believe the most appropriate Christian response to Halloween is to study the matter for yourself and follow the convictions of your own heart. Let others do the same without condemnation from you. Perhaps the answer to the Halloween dilemma is … there is no right or wrong answer! I believe one’s unique convictions about Halloween must be: individually sought, independently found, and personally followed. – Pastor Shawn Harnish