EP 57: The Christian and Halloween
Halloween History Sources:
01: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-light-shines-on-all-hallows-eve
02: https://christianity.org.uk/article/whats-the-history-of-halloween
03: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain
Bible study workbook:
THE ORIGIN:
The modern day celebration of Halloween is controversial. Some see it as an opportunity to gather friends or spend time in their local communities, and others believe Halloween is too dark should not be touched by the Christian. There are a myriad of opinions on this day, which really isn’t surprising when you take a look at the complex history of this holiday. The history of Halloween dates back thousands of years, and some information regarding its history remains uncertain.
We are going to talk about the pieces of this holiday’s history that are certain, starting with the origin of the name itself.
The one thing we can be certain of is the name, Halloween is a contraction of “All Hallows Eve,” which refers to a Christian festival known in old language as All Hallows, AKA All Saints day. The word Hallows is old English for saints.
Here’s a special fact for you: October 31 is both Halloween and the day remembered for the start of the Reformation. Both kick off November 1, that is, All Saints’ Day, which is a celebration that honors all saints of the church deemed to have attained heaven. In the Middle Ages, vigils were commonly held the night before high church feast days, so it was only natural that one be held on the eve of All Saints Day. This came to be known as All Hallows’ Eve. Originally, All Saints Day took place on May 13, but Pope Gregory IV moved it to November 1 in the 9th century- perhaps to incorporate the Celt’s Samhain festival, which I will briefly touch on here in just a minute. Let’s first chat about the Reformation’s role real quick.
On All Hallows’ Eve, October 31, 1517, the Roman Church received the world’s most memorable trick-or-treater at its door when a lowly priest named Martin Luther approached the threshold of the Wittenberg branch in Germany and posted his 95 theses.
If you are unfamiliar with Luther’s 95 theses, it was an exhaustive list of personal grievances he held against the Catholic Church for what he saw as its immoral conduct. Luther may sound like a rebel if you’re just now hearing of him, but he wasn’t. He wasn't trying to destroy the Catholic Church or even start his own religion. All Luther was trying to do was to stop the Church from engaging in some practices that he considered unchristian. Thus, he published his 95 Theses in an attempt to get the Roman Catholic Church to stop selling indulgences, or 'get out of hell free' cards. Luther did not think the Church had the authority to grant such indulgences, especially not for money
Luther posted his 95 Theses on October 31 because he knew the church would be packed full of worshipers the following day, which was All Saints’ Day. He knew well-educated people who could read would be in attendance.
Luther's posting of his theses and his concern for catholic Church leadership is remembered as the pivotal act that ultimately sparked the creation of the numerous Protestant denominations. called so because they trace their theological lineage to this protestation of the Catholic Church.
Luther's posting of his theses and his concern for catholic Church leadership is remembered as the pivotal act that ultimately sparked the creation of the numerous Protestant denominations. Among these are the Lutherans, the Baptists, the Methodists, the Presbyterians, and others. There is so much we could talk about regarding the reformation, and we definitely will, just not in this episode. But it’s important to at least have a brief understanding since this also took place on October 31.
Alright, now let’s talk about the Samhain festival. Halloween has its roots planted in the ancient pagan Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sah-win” or “sow-in”), when the Celts of northern France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom celebrated the end of harvest and the beginning of their new year on November 1.
They believed that on the last night of the year (October 31), the barrier that protected the living from the dead was breachable and that the spirits of the dead would take advantage and cross back over into the world in order to haunt the living. The Celts would then attempt to placate the dead away by lighting bonfires, offering sacrifices, and filling large banquet tables with food and wine. These things were often left outside the villages and fields, and the Celts remained in their homes. If they had to leave the house for any reason, they would wear a mask in order to fool the ghouls.
As Christianity gained a foothold in pagan communities, church leaders attempted to reframe Samhain as a Christian celebration.
The first attempt was by Pope Boniface in the 5th century. He moved the celebration to May 13 and specified it as a day celebrating saints and martyrs. The fire festivals of October and November, however, did not end with this decree.
In the 9th century, Pope Gregory moved the celebration back to the time of the fire festivals, but declared it All Saints’ Day, on November 1. All Souls’ Day, which was a time for honoring the dead would follow on November 2.
All Souls’ Day originated in 998 AD by French monks who designated a specific day for remembering and praying for those in purgatory. What started as a local feast gradually spread throughout the Roman Catholic and Angle-Catholic churches during the following century.
TRICK OR TREATING
So, where exactly do the costumes and trick-or-treating come in to play with all of this?
Well, the All Souls’ Day celebrations in England closely resembled Celtic commemorations of Samhain, complete with bonfires and masquerades.
Poor people would visit the houses of wealthier families and receive pastries called soul cakes in exchange for a promise to pray for the souls of the homeowners’ dead relatives. Known as "souling," the practice was later taken up by children, who would go from door to door asking for gifts such as food, money and ale.
In addition, Halloween costumes were brought to the United States and Canada by immigrants from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. It is said the initial practice of dressing up for fun on Halloween first emerged in 16th century Britain.
People began dressing as ghosts, demons and other malevolent creatures, performing antics in exchange for food and drink. Tricks for treats. This custom, called mumming, dates back to the Middle Ages and is thought to be an antecedent of trick-or-treating.
In Scotland and Ireland, young people took part in a tradition called guising, which involved dressing up in costumes and singing, reciting poems, or telling jokes in exchange for “treats”- like fruit, nuts, or coin.
The tradition of “trick or treating” itself was officially embraced by American pop culture by the end by 1951, when trick-or-treating was depicted in the Peanuts comic strip.
Okay, so now that we have addressed some of the history of Halloween, let’s talk about whether or not Christians should participate in it.
The Darkness is real, but we shouldn’t cower, because the light of the Lord is greater--and needed. Halloween gives us an opportunity to shine the light.
CHRISTIAN TAKES ON HALLOWEEN
Halloween is a very controversial topic for Christians. There are many different views about Halloween and whether or not we should participate in this holiday because of the pagan roots associated with it. Let’s talk about what some of those views are and then I’ll share the view I hold to most and why that is.
First up, we have the “No Participation” policy. The first view is that Halloween should in no way, shape or form be touched by the Christian because it is too connected to evil. Thus, trick-or-treating and attending Halloween related events is out of the picture.
Next, we’ve got the non-compromising take on it. There's nothing inherently evil about candy, costumes, or trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. A limited participation with this holiday can actually provide a unique gospel opportunity with neighbors. What other holiday brings the mission field straight to your door and vice versa? As long as the costumes are innocent and the behavior does not dishonor Christ, trick-or-treating can be used to further gospel interests.
And the third take on this holiday is that some Christians will opt for Halloween alternatives like “Trunk or Treat,” "Harvest Festivals" or "Reformation Festivals" where the church comes together and invites its surrounding community for a night of fun and the opportunity to point those who attend to Christ.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Scripture does not speak directly of Halloween, but it does speak to some principles that can help us come to a personal decision in regards to whether or not we should participate in it, and what to avoid altogether if we do. Let’s start with the Old Testament first.
In Old Testament Israel, we learn that witchcraft was a crime punishable by death. Exodus 22:18 says it loud and clear: “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.”
Leviticus 19:31 says, “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.”
And Deuteronomy 18:10-14 says, “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD; because of these same detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God.”
Next up, the New Testament. The New Testament teaching about the occult is clear. Several examples can be found in Acts. Let’s take a look at some of them.
In Acts 8:9-24, the story of Simon the magician, we learn that occultism and Christianity do not mix. In this story, we learn that Simon the magician and the other Samaritans who heard Philip preach the gospel were saved. But later, when the apostles Peter and John arrive and bestow the Holy Spirit on the new believers, Simon tries to purchase this apostolic power. Peter's reaction is swift and his words are harsh, as he curses Simon and tells him to repent. So, again, occultism and Christianity do not mix.
As we continue our way through Acts, in Acts 13:6-11, we come across the account of Elymas the sorcerer. It is through this brief encounter that we learn sorcery is violently opposed to Christianity. Paul called Elymas a child of the devil, an enemy of righteousness and a perverter of the ways of God. Listen to verses 9-11 with me:
“But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, ‘You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.’ Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.”
Moving forward, in Acts 16, we read of a fortune-telling girl who lost her demon powers when the evil spirit was cast out by Paul. Luke says starting in verse 17, “She followed Paul and us, bcrying out, ‘These men are cservants of dthe Most High God, who proclaim to you ethe way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, f“I command you gin the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And hit came out that very hour.”
And in Acts 19, we see new converts who have abruptly broken away from their former occultism by confessing, showing their evil deeds, bringing their magic paraphernalia, and burning it before everyone. Acts 19:19 tells us, “And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.”
Again, these examples teach us that Christanity and occultism do not and will never, ever mix.
WHERE I STAND
If you were to ask me where I stood on the matter of Halloween, I would tell you I believe Christian participation in Halloween is a matter of conscience before God.
Halloween is not the only holiday that has pagan roots. Christmas, birthdays, Easter, and even worshipping on Sundays have pagan connections, too. In addition, I would argue evil spirits are no more active and sinister on Halloween than they are on any other day of the year. As 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, any day is a good day for Satan to prowl about seeking whom he may devour.
I do not personally believe there is something evil about dressing up as a princess or a monkey and walking around the block in order to ask for candy. But I do believe there are parts of this holiday that should be completely avoided by the Christian altogether. There are certainly darker aspects of this day and we are not to involve ourselves with them. Again, we must use cautionary wisdom and discernment. With that, let me add this: if we, as Christians, are going to take part in Halloween, our decisions on this day--how we dress and behave--should still reflect a redeemed life.
As Philippians 1:27 says, ““Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”
Sister, whichever level of Halloween participation you choose, the priority must be to honor God by keeping yourself separate from the world and ensuring your activity is “profitable for God,” as Paul charges us with in 1 Corinthians 6:12.
For example, college is a hot spot for Halloween parties that are breeding grounds for inappropriate costumes, drunkenness, and bad decisions. Do any of these things honor God and reflect a redeemed life? Nope. So, although it might be going against the norm, it’s best to avoid these settings altogether. I would instead encourage you to see what community events your local church or campus ministry are hosting. I could give you several examples here, but you get the point: use cautionary wisdom and discernment!
There is certainly a darkness to Halloween and the purpose of this episode is not to knock it. In fact, I think it’s important we acknowledge the weight of darkness this day brings--especially to the unbelieving, Christ-rejecting world that lives in perpetual fear of death. As it very well should, though, because without the hope we have in Christ death does have the final say. And it isn't just the experience of death that the world fears, but rather what Hebrews 10:27 calls "a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume [God's] adversaries.”
Witches, ghosts, and evil spirits are not what the world should fear. It’s God's wrath unleashed on the unforgiven sinner that is truly terrifying.
Whether or not you decide to participate in Halloween with gospel compassion and for the sake of advancing Christ’s name is up to you. Truly, the decision is yours to make.
Regardless of what you decide and how you view Halloween, recall and take heart in the words of 1 John 4:4 and Colossians 2:15 today.
1 John 4:4 tells us, "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” And Colossians 2:15 tells us God has forever "disarmed principalities and powers" through the cross of Christ and "made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them through [Christ].”
And to these things we say, thanks be to God!