Talking about Halloween with most Christians is about as volatile as talking about Calvinism -- there are strongly held beliefs on both sides of the issue and typically there is more "heat than light" in the rhetoric of diverse opinions!

The spectrum of opinion varies from total acceptance of Halloween festivities to total rejection. In between are those who enjoy pillaging neighbors' homes to satisfy a sweet tooth to cautious parents wanting their kids to have good, clean fun to others turning the event into an evangelistic opportunity.

I suspect that most Christians don't have a clue about the origins of Halloween. Even more, I suspect that many just want their kids to experience the kind of fun they had as kids growing up. Many Christians believe that one can observe Halloween without embracing satanism or evil or darkness. After all, who wouldn't shovel truckloads of candy into the bag of that sweet little princess or tiny Superman or the little G.I. Joe standing in your doorway?

At the same time, there is an excellent opportunity to take a worldly tradition and use it to reach people for Jesus Christ, a.k.a., the Harvest Festival. Many churches seek to offer an alternative to the dark, evil, scary practices of Halloween by providing a family-friendly event designed to impact their communities with the gospel. Great idea, don't you think?

Still, this issue is not decided on the cuteness of trick-or-treaters or the missional concern of churches alone. There is often a mixed response -- a best of both worlds position, if you will. For many, harvest festivals allow kids (and adults, I guess) to dress up, pilfer candy and goodies, participate in cake walks, and at the same time provide an opportunity to talk with a lost neighbor about Christ, the Light of the world that overcomes the darkness.

Let me conclude by pointing you to a few resources that might provoke your thinking on this issue a little more. Be safe this Halloween. And be a witness for Christ!

Resources:

Trick or Treat? How should parents respond to Halloween? by Steve Russo

Consider these halloween alternatives by Carolyn Ross Tomlin

Christian, don't be 'afraid' to share Christ at Halloween by Bob Nigh

Christianity and the Dark Side: What about Halloween? by Albert Mohler

Entry by Micah Carter

 

This entry was posted on October 30, 2009 3:15 PM and is filed under Reflections . You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.