This is the third, and final, installment in this series on Halloween.  Two weeks ago I briefly covered the history of the holiday. Last week, I discussed two ways Christians commonly err when engaging the world syncretism and isolationism.  Syncretism occurs when the church, in an attempt to engage the culture, becomes so much like the culture that it is difficult to distinguish it from the culture. Isolationism occurs when the church, in an attempt to promote holiness, becomes so isolated that it disengages from the culture.  Jesus offers us a third way, outside of liberalism or fundamentalism, through the Gospel (this pertains to Halloween, so hold tight).

Both sides contain elements of truth.  Liberals often value service, mercy and engaging culture. Fundamentalists often place a high-value on theology and holy living. Liberals rally behind the Jesus who came into the world to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).  Fundamentalists prefer to follow the Jesus that says, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (Jn 17:16)  Liberals appreciate the Jesus that tells stories and parables such as that of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10).  Fundamentalists follow the Jesus who clearly states, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6)   In the end, Jesus calls us to both.  Jesus is calling us to engage culture (John 17:15, 18) and live holy lives (John 14:21), to think deeply (Mt 22:37, emphasis on “mind”), to convey the Gospel clearly (Mt 28:18-20), and live in such a way so as to point to him (Mt 5:13-16). Jesus explodes our personal paradigms, pushes us beyond our comfort zones, whether we have liberal or fundamentalist leanings, and calls us to follow him not certain things we like about him.  This is the tension Jesus is calling us to maintain individually and corporately, as a church, in the world. 

So, where does that leave us in regards to Halloween? First, we shouldn’t simply accept it nor quickly dismiss it.  As scripture is unclear on the matter, each of us must give careful thought to the question.  The issue we’re dealing with here is one of conscience which means the end product may differ from Christian to Christian.  The Apostle Paul offers us some helpful guidelines when dealing with issues of conscience:

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful.  1 Cor 6: 12 
 Principle #1:  Is it helpful physically, spiritual and mentally? 

“All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.” 1 Cor 6: 12
 Principle #2: Does it enslave (i.e. bring me under its power)?

“Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” 1 Cor 8:13
Principle #3: Does it hurt others?

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor 10:31
Principle #4: Does it glorify God?

Prayerfully answering these questions will help you develop personal biblical convictions regarding Halloween.  The end result will likely not be the same for each person.  Let’s walk through them. Is Halloween helpful? Well, not inherently, but it could be depending on what you do with it.  Does Halloween enslave or bring me under its power?  The answer to this will depend on how you celebrate it.  Does it hurt others? Not inherently.  Lastly, does it glorify God?  In other words, does it cause praise, thanks, honor, respect and adoration to be given to God? The simple answer is, “not really”.  

Now, does this mean that we shouldn’t celebrate Halloween? As it is, perhaps.  However we have another option redeeming it. As Christians, there are some things that we are called to blatantly reject (i.e. things in scripture that are clearly outlawed), other things that we freely receive (i.e. things in scripture that are not outlawed), and yet others that we must redeem (i.e. things created good by God, but marred by sin).  Halloween falls in the “redeem” category because it is neither rejected nor received by scripture.  We can go about redeeming it by answering the following questions:  How could Halloween be helpful? How could I ensure that Halloween did not bring me under its power? How could I ensure it did not hurt others? How could I possibly glorify God through how I practice Halloween?  Given these questions, I submit to you the following six ways, which are by no means exhaustive, by which to redeem the holiday for the glory of God:

First, Halloween reminds us that Jesus created candy and taste buds.

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.
1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that my it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Candy and taste buds exist so that these verses make sense.  Without taste buds we’d be completely unaware of what it means to taste. Without candy, we’d be unaware of how strong this metaphoric language is.  What is more delicious than your favorite candy?  The most delicious of candy should remind us in a very tangible way of how truly good Jesus is.  Yet, unlike quickly dissolving candy, Jesus is ever present.  Compare this to John 6:35, where Jesus states “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” The very way in which God created us is meant to point us to him, including such basic functions of being thirsty and hungry.

Second, Halloween reminds us that Jesus created creativity and humor.

Gen 1:1, 27  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Col 1:15  For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

We are created in the imago dei image of God.  Just as God is a creative God that enjoys humor (I submit to you the hippopotamus) , so we are creative and enjoy humor.  Just as God has created all things, we are a creative people and Halloween provides an opportunity to express that shared quality with God.

 

Third, Halloween provides an opportunity to provide hospitality.

Romans 12:13  Practice hospitality
Heb 13:2  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Scripture encourages us to remember that all that we have and possess is ultimately from God.  Thus, we should share that which God has given us with others, which includes opening our homes and welcoming strangers.  Halloween provides an opportunity to love your neighbors and welcome them to your home.

Fourth, Halloween provides an opportunity to practice self-control.

Proverbs 25:28  Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
Gal 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
2 Peter 1:5-7  For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

Scripture frequently lists self-control (or, control over one’s own actions) among the essential character qualities that Christians should possess and develop.  To prove this is lacking in our culture, I submit to you the following statistics: The average American consumes 20 teaspoons of sugar per day (which is roughly 2-3 pounds of sugar per week, or 100 to 150 pounds per year).  The average teenage male eats 34 teaspoons per day.  America accounts for only 5% of world’s population but consumes 33% of world’s sugar.   Halloween is a prime opportunity to exercise self-control in eating, in particular. 

Fifth, Halloween reminds us that Satan and his servants also disguise themselves.

2 Cor 11:14-15  Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.
1 Peter 5:8  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Halloween may also serve as a reminder that our enemy rarely comes and knocks on our door dressed in a devil or witch costume.  He is much more subtle than that. Thus, Halloween reminds us that our enemy also disguises himself and that we should be on the lookout for subtle ways in which he may be attempting to tempt or lure us to sin, which is his primary strategy.

Sixth, Halloween reminds us that Jesus conquered Satan and demons.

John 12:31  Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
Col 2:9-10  For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 
Col 2:15  And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

God created two worlds, one visible and one invisible.  Satan and demons are fallen angels that chose to follow their own pride instead of following God.  They now stand accusing and condemning us, but they have been defeated.  D-day has occurred, V-Day is ensured (i.e. the decisive battle has been won on the cross, victory is ensured upon Jesus return).  The enemy knows this and attempts to take down as many with him as he can.  However he has no power over those who are in Christ.  Halloween is a great day on which to remember these central gospel truths.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God.  1 Cor 10:31