Halloween fast approaches and, at least for the past eighteen years that I’ve been in full-time ministry, it brings with it questions about how much, if at all, Christians should engage in the holiday. Here’s how I usually respond when asked about celebrating the day, which I trust is measured and biblical.
The Bible says nothing about Halloween, but it does say something about celebrations and holy days and festivals and judging fellow believers. Romans chapter fourteen addresses those who regard one day as more holy than another. It also speaks to the common situation in Paul’s day where serious concerns were often raised in regards to rites of purity, questions about kosher foods, and meat that had been offered to pagan gods in rituals prior to being sold in the open market. What does this have to do with Halloween? Well, nothing…and everything. Believers in Paul’s day weren’t concerned about a day called “All Hallows Eve,” but they were concerned about days in which pagan gods were celebrated, and days when sacrifices were made in the name of the Emperor of Rome. Probably more specific to Paul’s discussion in Romans were celebrations related to the Jewish law and religious calendar.
Now, this was in many ways serious stuff, and yet Paul’s general exhortation seems to be, in modern English, “Um, why are you making such a big deal about this? If someone wants to celebrate a holy day, let them, if they don’t, don’t worry about it. If they want to eat meat, let them, if they don’t, lay off.” Granted, I think Paul has in mind here religious festivals, not made up holidays, but I think there is a correlation. There are immensely important essential - or first order - doctrines that we should hold fast to and fight for in the faith. Hold fast to them, separate from others (in worship) who don’t hold them as sacred, and be willing to confront when appropriate. There are also quite a few issues upon which we should not pass judgment. That doesn’t mean we can’t hold an opinion, maybe even a strong opinion, on these matters. Paul’s big take away in Romans fourteen seems to be - care for the weaker brother or sister. If you have to give something up for the sake of their conscious, even if it is a lawful thing, do so. If partaking in a lawful activity or practice undermines their faith, you will be held to account if you partake of it in their presence simply to demonstrate your spiritual strength. Let love and grace win the day. If you do so, all will be well.
Here are a couple examples from my own life. I don’t drink alcohol because I don’t want to cause a brother or sister to stumble, but responsible alcohol use is not a sin. I don’t mow my grass on Sunday’s because my neighbors know I’m a pastor and may still have reservations about seeing that kind of work done on the Lord’s Day. But mowing grass on a Sunday will not cause a mature believer to grieve the Lord. I don’t celebrate Halloween because I’m 49 years old, not 9 years old, and because I don’t want to waste my time and money on it, but I also don’t want to waste my time campaigning against it. You may feel differently. Use your freedom in Christ to do what you think is best, but remember we are not talking about first order doctrines here.
We won’t have Halloween parties at the church. I think that just makes sense. But we do acknowledge Advent and celebrate Christmas. I think that also makes sense. There are a whole lot of people on this planet today who don’t care what I think. That probably makes sense too. We should all, however, care what an apostle of Jesus Christ thinks, and he seems to think that we should all relax a bit on non-essential matters of the faith.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jym