In a nutshell, what are Halloween's roots and origins? What is one reason to celebrate Halloween? What is one reason not to celebrate Halloween? Should Christians celebrate Halloween? What are some ways to redeem Halloween?
Curated topics for a disillusioned church
In a nutshell, what are Halloween's roots and origins? What is one reason to celebrate Halloween? What is one reason not to celebrate Halloween? Should Christians celebrate Halloween? What are some ways to redeem Halloween?
Most Christians reject or accept Halloween without much thought. Those who don't like the holiday assume satanic origins while those who like the holiday celebrate with no critical thought. Before deciding whether to celebrate or not, please take the time to learn about the complex history of the holiday and the many ways Christians can redeem it.
Instead of outright rejecting Halloween, author Clarissa Moll suggests four unique ways to "creatively opt-in" to celebrate the holiday with your kids.
The Bible does not contain a verse stating whether a Christian should or should not celebrate Halloween. With that in mind host Allen Parr provides five keys (avoid genetic fallacy, avoid misuse of Christian freedom, avoid being legalistic, avoid violating your conscience, and avoid anything that appears demonic) on how to approach the holiday.
How can we celebrate Halloween in a uniquely Christian way? Pastor Chadwick Anderson of Mattis Avenue Free Methodist Church (Champaign, IL) passes on a tradition of lighting a candle in remembrance of someone who has died. This tradition could help us connect with our neighbors in a meaningful way.
After reminiscing about the questionable choices of having haunted houses at church and judgment houses in the 80s and 90s pastors Tommy Meador and Trey Rhodes of Northwood Baptist Church (North Charleston, SC) touch on the history of Halloween before discussing five ways to approach Halloween.
Pastor Stephen Kuhrt of Christ Church New Malden (New Malden, England) says that most people who celebrate Halloween do not celebrate evil, but, at the same time, do not take evil seriously enough. Kuhrt advocates that as Christians we should not unequivocally reject or accept Halloween, but take the opportunity to acknowledge that evil exists in the world, but it will not win.
Preaching out of Acts 17:16-31 pastor Luke Gilkerson looks at how Paul receives, rejects, and redeems the culture as a template for how Christians can approach Halloween.
Most Christians participate or do not participate in Halloween based on their own cultural context. Some reject the holiday outright saying it is a holiday devoted to Satan while others wholly participate. Both do so without knowing the history of the holiday. In Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night Nicholas Rogers touches on various aspects of Halloween such as its historical roots, cultural influences, folklore, and societal impact.
The church is in the business of redeeming all things in the world - and that includes Halloween says American Vision president Gary DeMar. According to Demar, the fear that many Christians have when confronting Halloween is preposterous as Jesus has already claimed victory over death and darkness.
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