Can Christians Celebrate Halloween?

The question of whether Christians can celebrate Halloween has been debated for a long time. To understand it, it helps to look at the holiday's history.

The Holiday's Pagan Roots

Halloween's origins trace back about 2,000 years to pagan worship in Western Europe. It was a time to honor spirits, hoping to please them and ensure a good harvest.

How it Became Christianized

Like several other festivals and holidays, Halloween was Christianized as the faith spread across Europe. November 1st was established as All Saints' Day to remember all the departed saints and faithful people. The evening before, October 31st, became known as All Hallows' Eve (or All Hallows' E'en)—the night before All Saints' Day.

During the Middle Ages, with death being a common part of life, this time became a solemn occasion. People would often attend church or even spend the night in the cemetery to remember and lament their loved ones who had died.

The Importance of Lament

Lament—the heartfelt expression of grief and loss—is a profound part of the human experience, particularly when grieving loved ones. This is reflected in the Bible, where several Psalms of Lament address distress and anguish. For example, Psalm 116 expresses both suffering and faith:

·    "The snare of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the Lord; 'O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!'" (v. 3-4)

·    "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." (v. 15)

Even within the sorrow, Psalms of Lament often shift to verses of praise and gratitude:

·    "I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my plea for mercy." (v. 1)

·    "What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people." (v. 12-14)

Modern Views and a Biblical Perspective

Today, there are a few distinct approaches Christians take toward the holiday:

1.   Abstaining due to Paganism: Some Christians refuse to participate at all due to its pagan roots. This is especially true for those whose cultures still have deep ties to beliefs in evil spirits. Others simply dislike the modern trick-or-treating traditions.

2.   Celebrating without Spiritual Connection: For most people in modern society, Halloween has completely lost its original spiritual significance (both pagan and Christian). It has become simply a Fall festival—a time for costumes and eating candy.

When considering whether or not to celebrate, Christians can look to the advice of St. Paul in Romans 14 regarding observing special days:

“The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.” (v. 6-7, ESV)

This suggests that for Christians, the guiding principle is honoring the Lord in one's decision, whether that means observing the day or abstaining from it.

Reformation Day

It's also worth noting that October 31st is remembered by many Protestant churches, such as the Lutheran Church, as Reformation Day. This marks the start of the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther is believed to have posted his 95 Theses for debate. He chose All Hallows' Eve because he knew many people would be coming to church that day, ensuring his post would be widely read.

Pastor Dorn