Well-meaning Christians
Every year at this time, we are all inundated with emails and articles by well-meaning Christians telling us the secret beginnings of halloween and all of the satanic (note, not satonic as it is sometimes mispronounced) rituals that have been passed down to our children, who are now, apparently, unwitting pawns in the rituals of the devil.
We are told that we may have a pumpkin as long as we don’t carve it into a jack-o-lantern. Why? Well, because pumpkins are good, jack-o-lanterns are satanic. Instead of saying “halloween party” we must call it a “harvest festival.” Why? Well, because “harvest festival” is good, and “halloween party” is satanic.
Illogical
It is illogical to conclude that since something was used for pagan purposes 2000 years ago, it must still be evil today. Let’s think about the days of the week for just a moment: For Christians, “Sunday” (dies solis - day of the sun) is the first day of the week, the Lord's Day: It is a day of rest, and the day the Christ rose from the dead. Yet the nomenclature “Sunday” has Pagan origins. “Sunday” celebrates the sun gods (Ra, Helios, Sol, Apollo, Ogmios, Mithrias, and goddess Phoebe). Yet, we do not see Christians come up with a new name for “Sunday.” Next, the title “Monday” is derived from the latin Lunae Dies (or, day of the moon) and reflects the ancient observance of feast days dedicated to the moon goddess (the Greek Selene, the Roman Luna and the Nordic moon god Mani). I won’t go through each day, but their names can all be traced back to false gods and pagan worship.
So What?
The point is, so what? If I say, “I worship on Sunday,” does it REALLY mean that I worship the sun god and not the Son of God? Of course not. If I carve a face in a pumpkin, have I actually become a pawn of the devil?
Note This Confusion
Some Christians condemn the Christmas tree because they believe that the custom of cutting down a tree, decorating, and erecting it in the home is a Pagan custom. Yet, in 2000 the city manager of Eugene, OR., said that Christmas trees could not be erected on city properties because they are Christian religious symbols that violated the separation of church and state. OK boys, which is it?
You see, some things are simply “neutral” and then we imbue those things with meaning, good or bad. A jack-o-lantern on my front porch is meant to entertain kids and make them smile; I do not imbue it with satanic overtones. The decorated Christmas tree in my house is the American custom I grew up with, and I like it; it is not my “secret” worship of pagan gods.
If you want to enjoy these customs, fine. If you do not want to enjoy these customs, fine. But neither you nor I should condemn the other as either atavistic muttonheads or satanic pagans in Christian clothes.
The Rubber Tanks of Satan
Personally, I think that Satan loves the fact that many Christians spend so much time on non-issues. Untold hours of Christians’ time will be devoted to fighting the “dummy tank” of halloween, and all of its “secret meanings” and “evil influences.”
"In wartime, truth is so precious
that she must always be attended by a bodyguard of lies."
~Winston Churchill, 1943
During World War II, the Allied-forces came up with a brilliant plan: “dummy tanks.” Space does not permit to explain it all (Operation Overlord), but suffice it to say that the Allies devised a plan that kept the Germans off guard about their invasion plans. The Allies built and deployed phony armies, complete with dummy planes, ships, tanks, and jeeps. They created entire fake army bases. Rubber decoy tanks were strewn in great numbers along the coast, aimed at confusing the enemy about where the genuine buildup of forces were. The deception worked. Hitler ordered a heavy concentration of troops and artillery to combat these dummy planes, ships, tanks, and jeeps. In doing so he left Normandy less heavily defended.
I think Satan has his own dummy planes, ships, tanks, and jeeps. We call them halloween, jack-o-lanterns, and Christmas trees. All of them hollow and mean nothing more than what you imbue them with. And, while Christians are off wasting time fighting "rubber tanks," Satan is hard at work keeping people from understanding the Gospel of Christ.
Winston Churchill said, "In wartime, truth is so precious that she must always be attended by a bodyguard of lies." Satan knows this tactic. And, while Christians are fighting “rubber tanks” in the form of scouring the Internet and books and tracts to find out the esoteric and historical meanings of carved pumpkins, Satan is attacking on the real front, i.e., in the lives of your family and neighbors.
"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils.
One is to disbelieve in their existence.
The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.
They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and
hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight."
~C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
To Disagree Agreeably
In keeping with the spirit of Columbia Evangelical Seminary's policy to disagree agreeably about non-salvific issues, I solicited the responses of three men that I knew were more "conservative" on this topic than I am. Here are their responses to this CT and their overall comments on this topic:
My family has made a choice based simply on the fact that we don't appreciate halloween's increasing association with hedonistic and even satanic celebrations. Especially in recent years Halloween has climbed the "holiday" ladder almost to the top. Why? Naively because of the non-religious tone to it (so say some newsmakers); more perceptively (in my opinion), because in our Goth, hedonistic, death culture, it is the "hot" holiday. It does seem that the "satanic" side of life has been glamorized and glorified more and more on this particular day. It has become huge. However, my family does not campaign against it, and we even carve pumpkins (because it is fun and festive for harvest time), but we prefer to focus on the traditional link of Halloween to All Saints Eve (Oct 31) into All Saints Day (Nov 1), a time of reflecting on great saints of the Christian faith. Even more, though, we would rather celebrate October 31, 1517, as the day the Reformation "began" in earnest, when Luther posted his 95 theses. In doing so, we are careful not to judge our brother who feels it is ok to enjoy that day.—David Cornette
I think your critique of halloween is well-balanced. However, I would add a few more points. First, witches & Satanists today still consider halloween one of their holiest days of the year. Though most Americans don't take the day seriously, wiccans and Satanists do. Second, Christians changed all the pagan holidays into Christian holidays, except halloween (which was left virtually the same as it originally was). Third, I recommend that Christians celebrate halloween but transform it into a Christian celebration as was done with the other holidays. Many churches have "harvest fests" in which the children dress as good Bible characters, play games, and eat candy in a Christian, safe environment. And, fourth, though all things should be done for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:13), it is not mandatory that Christians celebrate any of the "Christian holidays." But, it is mandatory that we do not fellowship with darkness. Good Christians will disagree as to what is harmful, sinful behavior and what is good, clean fun. I personally believe halloween needs a massive reworking—many of my Christian friends disagree and take one of two extremes: refuse to celebrate halloween altogether or celebrate it the same way the world does.—Phil Fernandes, PhD
I think you present some very good points which should cause those who are extremely dogmatic about the issue to pause and think things through a bit. I do believe there are two sides to this issue. I have wrestled with them quite a bit myself. I think that the most important point you made (which I am in full agreement with) is: "If you want to enjoy these customs, fine. If you do not want to enjoy these customs, fine. But neither you nor I should condemn the other as either atavistic muttonheads or satanic pagans in Christian clothes." There may be some, of course, who are offended by this article, but CES is an educational institution, and level-thinking Christians should be willing to consider these non-black-and-white issues in Christian love and with a desire to understand the full counsel of God as expressed in His Word. As for me, personally, I just wish Halloween would go away, permanently!—Kevin McGraw, MTS
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For more Charlie Brown Halloween, check out these links
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Denominational Differences
The Elusive Football
Lucy and Linus choose their pumpkin
The Great Pumpkin?
Charlie Brown gets a rock
For those who may be interested, here is a link to The History of Halloween
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Readers respond:
Ric
Thank the Lord for a balanced view! But then that’s what you have contributed to the Pentecostal debate over the last years………again thanks!
Blessings and joy, In the saints — Richard W
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Dr. Walston,
Thank you for posting the Halloween article for CT. I found it to be a very balanced view. I also thought it was great to include the feedback from the other people listed at the bottom. That seemed to bring added depth to the article. I have already forwarded the link to some family members. On one side there is the ardent Halloween celebrant, and on the other side is the anti-Halloween detractor. I am hoping this will defuse some of the yearly infighting! Thanks again. — Brian A
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Ric
October is a great month for me and my sweetheart (wife) as well (anniversary 10/8). Our four boys love dressing up and their cousins come over to gather treats w/them. I pull the fire-pit in the front yard, eat pizza w/family & neighbors and have a nice "fall festival."
Enjoy your beach adventure! — Kevin F
[note from Ric: Kevin is referring to the fact that my wife and I try to take a vacation to the beach each year for our anniversary, 10-29]
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Please remove me from the Coffee Talk e-mailing list.
[note from Ric: can't please all of the people . . . ]
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Greetings Ric
I learned of your Coffee Talk on Halloween from a clergy colleague. I've put a link on our church web site to your Halloween Coffee Talk essay. I'm an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America. And I think this quote of yours is spot on:
I think that Satan loves the fact that many Christians spend so much time on non-issues. Untold hours of Christians’ time will be devoted to fighting the “dummy tank” of halloween, and all of its “secret meanings” and “evil influences.”
Please place me on the Coffee Talk e-mailing list. Grace and peace — Dave V
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Dear Rick,
Thank you for your delightful and informative article on Halloween. Every year Buck and I both look forward to seeing all the little "tricksters" at our door on Halloween night. They all bring a smile to our faces, and make us remember happy times from the past in our own lives. It is also a pleasure to see some of our neighbors whom we haven't seen in awhile.Thank you for pointing out that we Christians sometimes spend too much valuable time on pointless issues like Halloween and Christmas trees. We are so busy demonizing things that we often lose our opportunities to evangelize people. "What think ye of Christ?" is far more important to ask the world than "what think ye of Halloween or Christmas trees?" — Dawn Y
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Finally you have put into words what I have thought since I came to the Lord more than 30 years ago. The holidays are what we make them,fun and innocent, or dark and forbidden (which makes our kids want it even more). I too love to see the little ones all dressed up and my granddaughters eyes sparkle at the fact that they are the prettiest princess or the cutest pirate. Lighten up and enjoy life as the good Lord intended.—Janice T
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Hey Dr. Walston, I thought that your CT was great. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays other than Christmas, Easter, and my days off, LOL! The last couple of years Halloween landed on the day that I didn't have to work, so I was able to enjoy the night with my kids. Why is Halloween one of my favorite holidays? Well every year when my kids were to young to go out, we would stay home and give out candy. I would not only give candy but also Christian tracts. The kids loved them, not to mention that they quick and easy. Also the night before All saints day. A time for us to reflect on the lives of Christian in the past. God Bless — Michael R
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I just wanted to comment on your Halloween CT. I plan to use it in the teen Sunday school class I teach. I’ve been showing a video and discussion about Halloween for the last few years, and I thought I would bring some balance by sharing your article with them. I usually show them a video that discusses the evils of Halloween, along with all the Satanic rituals that go along with it. I am still planning to do the same this year, but thought I would remind them that it is okay to have a little fun as well. While I understand that evil things do happen on Halloween, I also know how important it is for Christians to be the light in a dark world. I have a couple of little girls of my own, and I know they plan on dressing up and trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. —Kirk R
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I really liked this CT. I agree with you about Halloween being a "rubber tank." Satan’s tactic: Make the Christians fight over something that doesn't matter so I can attack them unaware. Satan seems to do a great job of that, sadly. I think this was an eye opening article. — Anthony S
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Last year I noted a disconnect between my pastor’s attitudes toward Halloween and how he truly acted on that day. My pastor preached “it’s an all-Satanic holiday” sermon and the leaders of our church shouted their “amens.” Then, I stopped by my pastor’s home on Halloween night and to my surprise he was greeting kids and handing out candy. He was participating, to some extent, in the rituals of Halloween! Why is it sin for kids to go door-to-door collecting candy, but it is not sin for him to give candy to those kids? My curiosity being piqued, I checked out a few of our prominent church leaders, and most of them too were engaged in some way in the rituals, one even took his kids door to to collecting candy. What am I to make of this? I’m beginning to wonder if preaching against this day is just part of the “Christian ritual,” dead though it is. The thing is, however, our church leadership went out of their way to make all of us pew-sitters feel that if we participated in Halloween, we would be “pawns of the devil.” Then, they all participated in Halloween! Interestingly, I did not notice any significant decline in their Christianity after they had participated. I guess all I want to say is that I loved your CT; I think you are right-on and balanced, and to all those who preach so vehemently against it, why don’t you just stick to preaching the Gospel of Christ and let God take care of the other things. — Leonard K
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That was very well said. I truly believe that the enemy's tactics are to get us to battle each other in the church and to get us verbally battling the rest of the human race. We need to be smart and pick our battles right - lives count on it. — Jerry M
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