Halloween Special, pt 2

We conclude our discussion of Halloween through the lens of being separate from the world.

Is it valid to say that present-day Halloween is just a commercial event with no connection to its pagan roots? Is this a valid idea within the Kingdom of God? Why do we even care? What’s the deal? So what? Are we legalistic? We’re talking about a context of living in two realms. Let’s look at God’s heart, what He brought, what the apostles were teaching and doing, what it means to be full of the Holy Spirit (and not other spirits), and that we shouldn’t joke lightheartedly about demons and put pictures of them around our homes. Instead of making a list of things we could or shouldn’t do, let’s look at what it means to be the church. Let’s not allow a pagan holiday to create a false context for us. Do you believe in a spirit realm? Do you believe in a devil? Do you believe you need to be separate from such things? The kingdom of satan is about creating and spreading lies. Halloween does not induce fear of God, but of created things. Halloween makes light of spiritually corrupt practices, such as seances, violence, and divination. It becomes a gateway and an opportunity to become desensitized to such things. Peer pressure, even from within the church, makes you feel like a goofball for not wanting to participate in this holiday.

Many people can rationalize away the “original intents” of Halloween. However, simply look around at its present day manifestation. It’s not all princesses and superheroes. It’s haunted houses, violent horror movies, costumes that celebrate death, decay, and lust. Even the candy isn’t just candy…it’s images of skulls, human limbs, ghosts, and other things that typically induce fear. It certainly stresses fun, but fun generally in the context of spiritualism, gore, and fear.

Why is Halloween seen as an evangelistic opportunity? What makes it exceptional? Does this validate it? Why do we not apply this logic to other pagan practices and holidays? How many Christians celebrate Ramadan in order to evangelize? Does the fact that you could share the Gospel mean you have to participate in the practice? Coming up with a “christian alternative” in order to compete for attention or numbers is just as much conforming to the world. How about we let the holiday die by not participating? Christian “haunted house” alternatives focus on fear, and utilizing fear to scare you to Jesus, so your golden ticket to heaven gets punched. This is a terrible and expensive tactic, and delivers an incomplete gospel clothed in the ways of the world.

Final Thoughts: