By Steven Wedgeworth | CalvionistInternational.com
Published in October of 2013
SUMMARY: Pastor of Christ Church Anglican in South Bend, Indiana Steven Wedgeworth takes us from Samhain to AllHallowtide and from the Reformation to the modern iteration of Halloween showing us the mishmash of Celtic, German, English, and Scottish traditions, lore, and celebrations that have shaped the holiday.
KEY QUOTE: “Halloween is a subversion and transformation of dark ritual. Only it isn’t a Christian transformation of ancient paganism, but rather a modern secular domestication of youthful energy and rebellion. While there are several elements from earlier traditions involved in modern Halloween, they are pieced together in new ways and given meanings quite distinct from their predecessors. As such, this must influence the Christian opinion of Halloween more so than fears of ancient paganism or medieval Catholicism. The question is not directly liturgical, but is rather moral, and especially has to do with social prudence.”
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