Shall We Celebrate Halloween?

Every year, when October 31st is approaching, children and parents are in conflict of whether celebrating Halloween or not. Children face tough choices, to either participate or miss a day for their Halloween party day at school. Parents either ignore or go with the flow of society in their decision for Halloween. Definitely, we, including children, all need to understand our Christian perspective on Halloween, thus, it enables us to make a right choice. Should we celebrate Halloween?

History and Believe System of Halloween

The belief system behind Halloween came from the druids, the priests of ancient Gaul and Britain. The druids believed that witches, demons, and spirits of the dead roamed the earth on the eve of November 1. Halloween originally was a Druid holy day called "The Vigil of Saman." In early Britain it was called the festival of Samhain, which is pronounced sow-en. This festival would last for 3 days and many people would parade in costumes made from the skins and heads of animals.
The spread of Christianity did not make people forget their early customs. When Roman Catholicism became a world political and religious power the pagan customs were still widely celebrated. On the eve of All Hallows, Oct. 31, people continued to celebrate the festivals of Samhain and Pomona Day. In 800 A.D. the Roman Catholic Church moved "All Saints' Day" from May to November 1st. All of the "saints" who did not have a special day to their honor on the Catholic calendar were to be honored on All Saints' Day—a time to pay respect to the dead by visiting their graves. The "new day" that was to replace the pagan vigil of the dead was called "All Hallows Day". It soon became the custom to call the evening before, "All Hallows Eve", which was soon shortened to Halloween. The Halloween we celebrate today includes all of these influences, Pomona Day's apples, nuts, and harvest, the Festival of Samhain's black cats, magic, evil spirits and death, and the ghosts, skeletons and skulls from All Saints Day and All Soul's Day. (http://www.klove.com/promodetails.aspx?i=6055, Oct/30/2011) 

Steve Russo explained how the Halloween was in the minds of ancient people. It was a pure form of evil and fear upon evil was presented. He says,
            "As the power of the sun waned with the onset of winter, people were afraid that life itself, and not just the year, was coming to an end. They imagined that the night was haunted by ghosts and witches, and more particularly by the spirits of the dead who were revisiting their earthly homes. With the supernatural rampant, the night was full of danger and omens. Concerned for their survival, people employed every possible means to fortify the flames of the dying sun and to chase away, or at least pacify, the evil spirits. For this purpose they lit bonfires and sometimes offered gruesome sacrifices." (Russo, Steve. Halloween: What's A Christian to Do? Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1998. p. 9,10).

Why It is Bad? 

• Evil one blinds the spiritual eyes of people by this kind of activity, so that they cannot see the Gospel of light in them. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, "whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them."
• Evil is exalted by promoting their evil deeds. Definitely, we should not expose children to the evil deeds. Ephesians 5:11-12 says, " And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret."
• It is the work of darkness and power of evil that attack and influence people in the spiritual realm. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

What the Bible Says to The Christians about It?

1. Christians are to avoid all forms of evil. "Abstain from every form of evil." (1 Thess. 5:22)
2. Christians are to extract the leaven from the lump. Meaning; Christians should pluck out even a little evil or sinful form from our lives. For it will destroy the whole being.  "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." (Gal.5:9)
3. Christians are called to live holy and sanctified life. "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you." (2 Cor.6:17)
4. Christians are called to be distinctive Christians apart from this world."And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom.12:2)
5. Christians are not to be engaged in any evil. "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead." (Deu.18:10-11)

Why We Do Not Celebrate It?

1. We know the root of Halloween is, although superficially fun to participate in it. The believe system of it and the truth that we know cause us not to celebrate.
2. We choose to obey God to live a distinctive Christian life in this world.
3. We believe that celebrating Halloween mean we cannot bear testimony to others and are not glorifying our Savior.
4. We compromise our Christian value, if we engage in Halloween.
5. We want to avoid all forms of evil and not to promote it. 

In reality, it is difficult to live a distinctive Christian life. However, we are called to live for Christ as the lights to the world. "You are the light of the world." (Matt.5:14). As a light, each one of us can shine in the darkness of this world by living distinctive lifestyle. What's the point, if the light is merged with darkness (compromised)? Then it loses its radiance of light. Let your light shine in this world. Indeed, we do not want to celebrate Halloween.

Tackling The Issue of The Day

This situation has took place during the annual gathering of the Christian families at Christian camp site in 2011. The youth and some adults from this author's church were attending the camp.  This article is how the author wanted to debrief the issue. The youth and pastor has been discussed the issue through this writing.

According to eyewitness account, a young woman was screaming, laughing, calling out someone, uttering senseless tone (gibberish), acting weird (bizarre), and rolling on the ground during Christian youth gathering. This scene causes some perplex, some fear, some doubt, some bitterly reject, some discomfort, some acknowledge, some turn it to be spirit filled moment, etc. When it is over, the responses from the youth are summed up into one word, "Confused." What is that all about? Three common questions that they may have in this confusion. These are the questions;

            The first question: is this Holy Spirit manifestation?
            The manifestation of Holy Spirit in the believers lives is seen in the first century Christians in Acts 2. Where the Holy Spirit came upon the believers on the day of Pentecost. The same old story that is used by so called Charismatic moment for in any case of spiritual manifestation. Today, Charismatic movement has different faces and invading Christendom in various format. So, above scenario, is that Holy Spirit manifestation? Definitely not. These are the reasons;
            (1) Holy Spirit manifests for purpose of edifying the body of Christ, the church. That is His very purpose for coming and in order to help/ edify us before God. Jesus says that He will send the Helper (Holy Spirit) for us, the Church. And Holy Spirit will glorify Christ and represent Christ (John.16:14). Holy Spirit has gifted Christians with spiritual gifts for the purpose of edification of the Church. Paul concurs it, says, "Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel." (1Cor.14:12). Where is the edification in this? Instead of youth turning into God and conforming themselves more like Christ, utilizing their spiritual gifts to serve the Church of Christ, instead, it brings confusion, discouragements, driving them away from the church, feeling that you are not good enough for Christ, etc..
            (2) Holy Spirit does not gibberish, bizarre or rolling on the ground. Instead, Holy Spirit brings words (message) in clarity, "we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." (Act.2:11). He brings Truth with power as Peter preached God's word (Act. 2:14-39). He brings Gospel (Act.2:32-39). He brings sinners to be saved by grace and added to the church as members (Act.2:41). The one who rolling on the ground in the Bible is evil one (Mk.9:20; Jn.18:6).
            (3) Holy Spirit manifestation is not for showmanship nor personal gain. It is difficult to discern when a little truth mixed with error. When someone is screaming God's name and saying that he or she is with Holy Spirit, defiantly we are easily yield to that person. But stop for a moment and ask yourself a question, is this for me? Is that person is doing it for himself or herself? People have an attitude like, "holier than thou." They love to prove others that they are better in spiritual life (by doing such scene) and bring condemnations or accusations to those who are not like them. They normally say, "You are not good enough in your Christian life. You don't have Holy Spirit (Yet, we are sealed with Holy Spirit in our salvation through Christ. Eph.1:13). Your churches are wrong, they are only doing religious things (Then, what are they doing? Anything that doesn't appeared to be religious?). You must have spiritual power (they prefer you to do the same as they often do odd actions and unusual physical appearances). Paul says, " Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." (1Thess.5:11). When they don't comfort you nor edify you, that is not Holy Spirit at all. And Holy Spirit will NEVER, EVER speak evil about the Church of Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit convicts sinners for their sins (Jn. 16:8) but NEVER CONDEMN the believers in Christ. Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

            Second question: is this a sign of mature spiritual life?
            Erroneous one accepts such experiences as a sign for spiritual maturity in their lives as Christians. Definitely, it is not the case. In fact, spiritual maturity is nothing to do with our experiences at all. Beside, no known spiritual Christians have ever boastful for their spiritual experiences; nor they prioritize those as a mean of measurement to their spiritual maturity in the church history. True Christian experiences are properly like steps that we need to climb up in our spiritual journey for growth. Sometime, God brings afflictions in life, persecutions (2Tim.3:12), spiritual encounters with both God and people. Sometime, even joyful experiences like God's deliverance from harmful ways, or healing from sicknesses, etc. that we enjoy. These experiences are nothing worthwhile when compare to the Heavenly glory that we are bound to receive. Thus, Paul says in his sufferings, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom.8:18). Paul has more spiritual encounters than anyone of us, yet he counted them all as lost for better purpose, to gain Christ. He says "I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ." (Phil.3:8). What more we need if we have Christ? Are you perusing Christ or are you seeking spiritual experiences? Paul says to young Timothy, "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness." (1Tim.6:11). Our adversary wants to deviate or derail our attention from Christ, and substituting none essential/ superficial agendas such as spiritual experiences into our lives. Mature Christians would sound more like these;
"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death," (Phil.3:10)
"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil.1:21)
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil.3:14).

            Third question: am I good enough in my spiritual life?
Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." This verse knows exactly what we are. We worry for everything in our lives either doing good or bad. Why are you weary when you pursuing Christ daily and being obedience to Him. People seek for perfection, yet Christ never expected from us that we can be perfect on our own like perfectionists. Thus, He prayed that we are to be perfect only in Him with the Father. "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one," (Jn. 17:23). Yes, we are weak in our daily task to follow Christ. That doesn't give opportunity for our adversary to get hold of us and make us guilty. That is their tactic. Remember, when I am weak I am strong in Christ. Paul says, "We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong!" (1Cor.4:10). Let's give a little credit to ourselves that we are more than conqueror, the victors in Christ Jesus (Rom.8:37). If you and I feel being fainthearted/weak by seeing others' spiritual maturity, let us turn positive way that we should do more, love more, serve more, preach the gospel more as we pursue Christ in our daily lives. We will live in obedience and follow Christ. That would please our Savior. That would be far better than having experiences of so called spiritual manifestation.
"I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 3).
Soli Deo gloria!