As the fall season kicks in this question regains momentum about Christians and halloween. Should followers of Christ engage in this activity? To answer this question we must look at what the Bible has to say pertaining to such a celebration. We must put aside what we think and feel and delve into the pure Word of God. After doing this we must make a decision informed by scripture.
I grew up in Jamaica where halloween was a mere phenomenon. At that time the only knowledge I had of this celebration was what I saw on TV. Later on I migrated to Canada where Halloween was a yearly custom. I realized that most people celebrated it including some people who identified as Christians. However, this activity didn’t look like something Christians should be involved in. This satanic themed activity seemed far outside of Christian practice.
As a result of this, I had to dig into the nitty gritty in order to find out about the roots and reasons for such an act.
The History Of Halloween
Halloween has its roots in ancient pagan festivals, particularly the Celtic celebration of Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”). Samhain, observed from October 31st to November 1st, marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, often seen as a time when the boundary between the living world and the spirit world was thinnest. This belief made it a time when spirits, both good and evil, could roam the Earth.
Samhain marked the Celtic New Year. It was a liminal period when the natural world transitioned into winter, a time associated with death, darkness, and the mystical. The Celts believed that during Samhain, the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest. Spirits of the dead, both benevolent and malevolent, were believed to return to visit the living. People would leave offerings of food and drink outside their homes to appease these wandering souls.
Over time, Halloween evolved into a more secular holiday, especially in America, where it became associated with community activities like trick-or-treating, costume parties, and haunted houses. However, its pagan roots in Samhain, with themes of death, the supernatural, and the spirit world, still influence modern Halloween practices.
A Biblical Perspective
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
When it comes to Christians and halloween, as we walk with God we must be keen not to allow the customs of the world to influence us. This worldly custom doesn’t seem to portray a Godly way. The Bible clearly states that the way to practice our religion is to help the widow and the fatherless and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. Furthermore Godly religion must be done in love. As a result, we must be careful not to allow the ways of the world to influence the way we act.
When we look at the roots of halloween, we see that it has a pagan origin. We can also look at the modern day practice and realize that it mostly points to darkness, death and fear.
On Halloween night, a variety of traditions and activities take place, many of which stem from the holiday’s ancient origins but have evolved into perceived fun, community-centered events. Some of the usual activities of Halloween night include; trick or treat, halloween parties (mostly themed with spooky and haunted acts), haunted attractions, horror movies, Ghost tours and pranks and mischiefs. When we look at all these activities we will realize that none of them seem Gody. They mostly instill fear, mischief and promote death. We can now ask the question, what would Jesus do?
Here are some key Bible Verses that speak against Halloween
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Now You Must Decide
Partaking in halloween celebrations is a matter of personal perspectives and understandings. Yet as Christians our perspective and understanding must be based on Biblical truth.
When we look at what the Bible says against halloween it is easy to deduce that it is not for Christians. Why should we partake in an activity with pagan origins and practices that promote death, fear and trickery. Christ our resurrection has defeated death and so we must no longer walk in or promote it. Are there no better more Godly ways to spend our time?
Even though this is so, a lot of Christians not only celebrate but also promote this celebration. There are christians churches and websites that seem to have no problem with this yearly activity. The truth is that God is the ultimate judge Who will judge all things. Yet, it is our responsibility to search the scriptures and follow them.
Concluding Thoughts
In this blog post we have learnt about the history, customs and modern day influences of halloween. When it comes to Christians and halloween, the two cannot walk the same path. Halloween is a time when people dress in various costumes and practice various activities. Most of these activities come with themes that promote fear, death and trickery. This goes against what the Bible says about faith, purity and love. As a result, we must carefully search the scriptures for ourselves and make an informed decision based on Biblical truth. Of a fact the truth will set us free. God bless you.
