It's that time of the year..Christians and Halloween.

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Abstain from every form of evil. -- 1Thessalonians 5:22 (ESV)

https://charismamag.com/life/women/43062-if-we-reject-halloween-are-we-rejecting-opportunities-to-spread-god-s-love

It seems every year some Christian leader comes out in favor of Halloween. One year it was the yet to be disgraced Mark Driscoll who whined how he didn't want to be that weird church in the neighborhood. Way to have the goals of Christ in mind Mark. Another year it was Natalie Grant dancing with the devil because she wanted to see her eight-year-old dressed up like a princess. Way to see how you lay out your child's future in what we you allow when they are young Natalie. This year we have Rosalind Jukic, who penned the above linked article entitled, "If We Reject Halloween, Are we Rejecting Opportunities to Spread God's Love?" I know the answer to that one! Rosalind is a missionary in Croatia and in her defense, she gets some of the point. Far more than Driscoll or Grant but she just misses the mark in some crucial areas. Now in the spirit of full disclosure, I do not have children and I recognize this is far easier for me to take this stance than Christian parents but sometimes, we are called to be that peculiar people. Halloween is one of those times. Let us reason together through Mrs. Jukic's article.

"As we near the Halloween season, many questions are raised about whether one ought to celebrate it or not. For some these questions extend even beyond Halloween, encompassing Christmas and Easter, in an effort to distance themselves from all things pagan. If we were to distance ourselves from all things pagan, we'd barely be able to exist in this present culture at all. To be sure, Halloween's origins are dark, pagan and demonic. I could go into a huge history lesson here--but it really would not serve the purpose for what I want to share. I think the majority of us know Halloween's Celtic origins, how jack-o'-lanterns came to be, why they dressed up and so on. Additionally, I think we could all agree that the way Halloween is currently celebrated hardly at all resembles the way it was originally celebrated. It is commercialized, and I'd argue that most parents are not focused on the pagan aspects of the holiday--they simply want their children to have a good time. When the topic comes up among Christians, the opinions are varied and deeply rooted. Some are so steadfastly convinced that all Christians should completely ignore the day, along with any kids who come calling." -- Rosalind Jukic

There is a lot to unpack here so let's start with the pagan angle. The fact that Halloween has pagan roots is not the issue. Usually that is brought up as a red herring designed to dismiss any criticism of celebrating it. Christmas has pagan roots but has become part of Americana. I take no issue with Christmas, even though Jesus was not really born in December. Easter is Resurrection Sunday and should be the most important date of our faith. Just ditch the bunnies and eggs and we are fine. The difference between these three holidays is that Halloween is evil. It was born of evil and has stayed such throughout history. It is currently a high holy day in Satanism. Now call me crazy, but I do not think we should be celebrating the high holy day of Satanism. So the point is not in avoiding everything pagan but everything inherently evil. The way Halloween is currently celebrated is still evil. Sure kiddos dressed up like Captain America is not evil but it is still the day that mischief is generally tolerated. Remember, your Captain America or little princess is not going to be eight years old forever. When they are 16 and they want to be a zombie or sexy nurse you must realize that YOU taught them that was ok when they were eight. You lost the moral high ground. The spiritual warfare we face is real, and comes against us at any age.

Then we come to the typical "not what we are focusing on" argument. Often this is represented as "that's not what we are celebrating for." I am sure the devil cares why you are celebrating his high holy day. I am sure parents just want their kids to have a good time. That is an exercise in missing the point by miles. Jesus Christ died and suffered on the cross for our sins. So that we might be redeemed. So that we would carry our own cross daily and die to self. Now I understand these lessons are not taught in church anymore but it is from the bible. Is asking to not go door to door for candy one time per year a bridge to far? Is it too heavy a cross to bear? I think we need to take inventory of our spiritual life.

"Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? The Bible does command us to reject--indeed flee from--evil, specifically demons, witches and witchcraft in all its forms. And to a degree, Halloween falls into that category. Yet, it begs the question that if we as believers so reject Halloween as a day, refuse to open our door to trick-or-treating kids or allow our churches to be a safe haven for those who would otherwise be on the streets, are we missing out on an opportunity to share Christ's love? Did Jesus literally turn away sinners in an effort to broadcast a message about sin? Did Jesus isolate Himself from unbelievers in an effort to protect Himself from pagan customs? And let us not forget that in His day paganism abounded--as did every other form of wicked behavior. Turning our lights out and pretending Halloween doesn't exist doesn't mean it ceases to exist. Our refusal to acknowledge the day doesn't make it go away.

People still celebrate Halloween--people who need the love of Jesus. If our quest is to be like Him, let us look to His behavior as an example of how we ought to respond when faced with paganism, evil, and even wickedness in our culture. The church can and should capitalize upon every opportunity presented to bring the gospel to the lost. So I challenge my readers this year to consider how you might use Halloween to reach out to your neighbors and those you usually do not get a chance to talk with." -- Rosalind Jukic

To a degree? No Rosalind -- it is evil, period. Our desire to dress up evil or downplay it does not change what it is. Now let us deal with red herring number two -- missing an opportunity to share God's love. Why did you wait until October 31 to realize you need to share God's love? This is an empty argument designed to make evil sound pious. First of all, no one is arguing to not GIVE candy. I am not expecting the unsaved to realize what they are partaking in is evil. No one is suggesting turning out the lights and pretending you are not home. The reference to paganism in Christ's day is yet another irrelevant point. God has made it crystal clear that we are to avoid even the appearance of evil; just see the key verse. The church should always present the Gospel. The problem is in singling out this day as different from any other. I've heard this argument before from people who are just seeking permission to dabble in that which they know they know they should not be involved with. If you have neighbors you usually do not talk to why wait until Halloween? Why not bring them an apple pie in June? I mean if this is really just about getting to know your neighbors better and showing them the love of Christ. C'mon. Look, I accept that many Christians will partake and I would just rather them be honest about not wanting to disappoint their kids as opposed to pretending God approves. He does not.

"4 Ways Christians Can Use Halloween to Spread God's Love

1. Hand out tracts with candy. When kids come to your home, have a tract ready to hand out with candy. Use this as an opportunity to spread the Good News of the gospel." -- Rosalind Jukic

Agreed. Candy and a tract is the perfect way for Christians to respond to Halloween. Will some in the neighborhood look upon you strangely? Possibly but we are supposed to be separate. We are supposed to be a shining city on a hill. I had a Christian case manager working for me once who wore Christ on her sleeve. She had a peer that hated God and tried at every turn to make the Christian woman's life miserable including a complaint to Human Resources for proselytizing. At every turn she would just smile and tell her God loved her. After about two years, when this woman's life was on the precipice, she came to the Christian case manager and heard the Gospel and was saved. We do not know what happens to the seeds we plant. God gives the increase. Give the tract and one day they might ask you for the reason that you hope. Just be prepared for that day as if it is always coming because one day it might.

"2. Trunk or treat. Find a church or organization hosting a trunk or treat and get involved with them, or organize one yourself and get your friends and church family involved!" -- Rosalind Jukic

I am sorry but no. Just get dressed up then and get it over with. The idea is not to try an sanitize evil because that does not work. I have heard the misguided cry that we are going to redeem the holiday from the devil. Yeah that won't work either. I would also ask that you examine yourself and be honest because that is not our true motivation in these situations. We just want to be able to do something. I remember once a brother wanted to have a costume party but insisted it had nothing to do with Halloween. Right. Then have it in April. All trunk and treats are is an excuse to celebrate Halloween AND separate yourself from the world. Wait, I thought this was all about spending time with your unsaved neighbors? Are we seeing the hypocrisy yet?

"3. Throw a neighborhood party. Get your neighbors together and organize a huge neighborhood block party. You can do a tour of homes or, if the weather is warm, host a block party. Give children a safe place to go and begin building a bridge to your neighbors as an opportunity to share the gospel." -- Rosalind Jukic

Hate to be a broken record here but why not do this on any day other than Satan's high holy day? I am all for the block party idea but not on Halloween. Not to mention I find it laughable that you would be willing to go to all the hassle of organizing as block party just to avoid having to not celebrate Halloween.

"4. Join a church harvest party. Join your church or a neighboring church in hosting a harvest party. This gives children and their families a safe place to go and gets them off of the streets. It also opens the door for you to spread the gospel. Don't just ignore Halloween; turn it into an opportunity. Be proactive!" -- Rosalind Jukic

This is very similar to the trunk and treat. It is just a whitewashing of the evil. It might look prettier on the outside but inside it is still as evil. Can we just admit as we close that this has nothing to do with any sincere desire to spread the Gospel? You have 364 other days of the year to do that and you don't in all likelihood. For the majority of us this has nothing to do with not wanting to be proactive, meeting your neighbors, or spreading the love of Jesus Christ. This has to do with the current state of parenting. In our culture today, parents think they have to be friends with their children instead of parenting them. As parent, you are in charge. You are not their co-pilot making suggestions. I know this can be difficult to hear but sometimes the answer needs to be no. Doesn't God sometimes say no to us? Halloween is not a formative event in our lives. I understand this is easier taught than caught but every year the church needs to be reminded that as the key verse says, abstain from every form of evil.

Reverend Anthony Wade -- October 18, 2019

Authors Bio:
Credentialed Minister of the Gospel for the Assemblies of God. Owner and founder of 828 ministries. Vice President for Goodwill Industries. Always remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.