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Should I celebrate Halloween? A Christian dilemma
Stephen Armstrong - October 29, 2011
Halloween is a relatively modern, non-Christian holiday that observes the eve of "All Saints Day," which is itself not a Christian holiday. Since All Saints Day was intended to honor the spirits of dead "saints," then the day before became a day to celebrate the "non-saints" or evil spirits. Obviously, Halloween has its roots in celebrating the occult, and at its worst, it promotes a fascination with the demonic realm and its powers. Should you or I as Christians celebrate or observe Halloween?
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Halloween celebrations can take many forms, including some traditions that are arguably harmless and acceptable to many Christians (i.e., costume parties and candy bowls, etc.). Nevertheless, Christians should think carefully (and prayerfully) before participating in Halloween. When asked for an opinion on the matter, I generally advise Christians against participating in Halloween though the decision remains a personal one.
As a Bible teaching ministry, we bear a special responsibility to present the Biblical perspective on every issue rather than our personal opinions and convictions. We believe it would be inappropriate for us to pronounce something to be wrong in all cases for all Christians, unless the Bible itself declares this to be the truth. Furthermore, our ministry takes great care to emphasize the full measure of God's grace and the liberty made available to every believer in Christ.
Liberty in Christ means a believer's actions are no longer judged by laws written on stone but according to a law written on our hearts, guided by God's word and enforced by the Holy Spirit. When believers act according to the leading of the Spirit, in an attitude of love and with a heart to obey God's word, then they are walking in God's grace without condemnation and have liberty in many areas of life – and in some cases, liberty even to participate in activities that may have undesireable connotations or origins.
In cases where Scripture is silent on specific activities or practices (like Halloween), our ministry determines if liberty is available by asking one simple question: is it possible for a Christian, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, to participate in some way without sinning?
For example, could a Christian dress up as a clown (or other harmless character) and attend a costume party without sinning? Could a Christian walk around the neighborhood and stop at each home to ask for candy without sinning? Biblically speaking, these activities are not sins by themselves, and therefore we must conclude that a Christian has liberty to decide for himself whether and how to participate in Halloween. This kind of freedom is at the core of Paul's teaching in Colossians 2:16-17:
Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day - things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.
In these verse, Paul mentions that no one can sit in judgment over us regarding how we respond to "festivals" (which referred not only to the Jewish festivals but likely also included pagan celebrations like our Halloween) or celebrations involving the moon, etc. Paul was teaching that those things hold no power over us, because they are merely shadows (symbols of power) to anyone who knows where true power in creation resides – that is Christ.
Furthremore, I do not believe that a Christian who participates in Halloween has automatically compromised or lessened their witness for Christ. Does that surprise you?
In Acts Chapter 16, Paul makes his young protege, Timothy, get circumcised before he participates in Paul's ministry to the Jews. Paul does this so that Timothy may be more acceptable to the Jewish culture where he would be bringing the Gospel message (v. 3). Yet later in Paul's epistles, we find him specifically directing that a man who comes to faith as gentile should not undergo circumcision (1Cor 7:18).
Why does Paul first direct Timothy to be circumcised but then orders other men not be? The answer is that sometimes conforming to the unbelieving world in harmless ways can improve our chance for winning them to Christ, while at other times our conforming may reduce our chances.
In the case of Timothy, submitting to circumcision made no difference in his relationship with Christ, yet it enhanced his opportunities to minister to the Jews. Consequently, Timothy wasn't wrong to practice it. In fact, if we were to preach the gospel to orthodox Jews too (who care very much about circumcision), then we might want to join in that practice too.
On the other hand, if we are ministering to a group who is confused over whether circumcision is necessary for salvation (as Paul was in Corinth), then we would do better not to participate in it. Do you see the difference?
The same rule applies for Halloween or any worldly practice today. In deciding whether to participate in Halloween, let scriptures like Col 2:16 be your guide. Make your decision based on what Christ is directing you, but give some thought to how you carry your witness to your friends or neighbors, both believer and unbeliever alike.
In my family, we decided several years ago that there was little about Halloween that attracted us anyway, so we would rather forgo the event and avoid sending a confusing message to those who may be watching what we do (like our neighbors). This is why I advise Christians not to participate in Halloween, though I acknowledge Scripture does not specifically prohibit the observance. While our Christian liberty may give us the right to participate in Halloween (so long as we do not sin in the process), nevertheless I believe participating in Halloween is unhelpful to a Christian life in most if not all cases.
Still, my choice doesn't become a rule for all Christians, nor can I judge another Christian on that basis, just as Paul taught in Colossians. So, if you feel the freedom in Christ to celebrate Halloween, then do so joyfully! Perhaps the Lord will give you an opportunity to witness through your participation even as He may use me as a witness in my choosing not to participate.
Obviously, we should also remember Paul's words from 1Cor 6:12, when he teachings that though our liberty in Christ allows us to do many things, not all things are profitable for our spiritual well-being. For example, if you know a friend who is struggling with the occult or with new age teaching, then you might do better to avoid Halloween, if only to avoid confusing them about the truth.
If you would like to hear more of our teaching on Christian liberty from Paul's writing in the New Testament, we highly recommend you listen to our Colossians study and our First Corinthians study. Both offer a clear and compelling explanation of Christian liberty in a world of ungodly possibilities. I believe you will be blessed by these studies.
I hope this explanation helps guide you in making your family decision, and as with all things, trust the Lord to make His will for you known in your hearts. Our calling is to obey His will – for if we love Him, we will keep His commandments.