This has become my yearly post on the topic of Halloween. The subject remains the same so I’ve not changed much except for the links.
It’s that time of year again and inevitably we get people looking for one or two things: books exposing the occultic origins of Halloween and/or Halloween tracts. I’ve noticed a significant decrease in the number of books published on the topic but the tracts are still plenty available.
It seems the church has divided into two camps (there’s always some in between but for my purposes we’ll just look at the two basic positions). The first position says that Christians should have nothing to do with Halloween since it is, at its core, evil and satanic. The second position says as Christians we should not turn away from Halloween but rather redeem the day for the glory of God. There is a host of rumors and inaccurate information surrounding the issue which doesn’t help. The Internet abounds with such information but rarely do you find much that is documented. My intent here is not to change opinions but to provide a couple of links from various viewpoints. My citation of them does not mean I support their position. For the record I lean toward a redemptive view.
In response to last year’s post Joel Hoffman observed that Jews struggle with the same issues. His post can be found here (Halloween and the Jews).
Here’s a CNN Radio broadcast on the general debate.
For the redemptive view:
Matters of Opinion: Hallowing Halloween by Anderson Rearick III, (Christianity Today article from 2000).
CT Classic: Is Halloween a Witches’ Brew? by Harold L. Myra (Christianity Today article from 2000).
Christians and Halloween by Travis Allen, 2006 on Grace to You (John MacArthur’s website.)
Where did Halloween Come From? Can A Christian Celebrate It? by Matt Slick (Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry)
Top 10 Ways to Have a Catholic Halloween by Taylor Marshall
For the avoidance view:
Can I Change Your Mind About Halloween? by Julie Ferwerda
Halloween Should Celebrate Saints, Not Sin by Sarah Jennings
Should I Celebrate Halloween? by John Barnett
Why We Don’t Celebrate Halloween (from Women by Grace)
Andrew Paterson
October 31, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Thanks for this Louis. In Australia kids haven’t done ‘Halloween’ at all until maybe the last 10 years or so. I think it began here directly due to North American influence. Although I can only say this anecdotally, it’s never really taken off here. I had two kids knock on my door last year (the first time anyone has knocked for halloween!) but this year, no-one.
Good to have these resources you mentioned ‘though. I had a ministry friend in Sydney whose church gave out gospel tracts to kids who knocked on their doors along with lollies. I certainly don’t encourage anyone to go and door knock for Halloween, and I know my minister friends here don’t either.