Theology 101 No. 34

This week=s Theology 101 is perhaps out of the norm from the past. Typically the topics discussed on this page are an attempt to present in a simple manner what we as Lutherans believe, teach and confess on specific doctrines. Every once and a while, however, a subject of interest comes up that is relevant and timely. In a few short days we will come to October 31^st. Every year it is discussed and debated as to whether or not Christians can participate and celebrate Halloween. The simple answer is yes and no.

It is know that Halloween has it=s origin as the Feast of All Hallows Eve which was a preparation for All Saints Day. All Saints was officially established in 837 A.D. to commemorate all the saints of God both known and unknown. October 31 became a traditional day in the Roman Catholic Church to pray for the dead B which is unscriptural and was forbidden after the Reformation. It was the beliefs and practices in the Middle Ages surrounding All Hallows Eve that evolved into the night of the spirits and some Irish practices that fed into the modern concept of Halloween.

All Saints Day has a history and association with Catholic practices that are not acceptable, but the holiday is still observed in Lutheran and general protestant circles. All Saints Day is for us a day of remembrance and celebration. It is a day that we thank God for those who have faithfully departed this life during the current year. We remember those who have been martyred for the faith, but more specifically we remember the members of our local congregations who have gone on to the Lord in the past year.

In America many of the traditional activities associated with Halloween seem to come from Irish immigrants who fled Ireland to the United States during the Great Potato Famine (1845-49). Parties, costumes and bobbing for apples were some of these traditions. There were occult overtones to their celebrations that were frowned on by other Christian populations in America. Some of these concepts began to become more mainstream in the early 1900's. Commercially manufactured costumes arrived n the late 1930's. Wide spread trick or treating became common in the 1950's.

The increase of attention to the occult component and the glorification of the devil, violence, and evil is more recent. This is truly the source of the problem for Christians today. We are to honor God and we are to focus on and participate in that which is holy and good (Philippians 4:8). We are not to participate in activities which glorify that which is opposed to God: The devil, death, violence, etc. As these things have taken over a day that was once a fun day for children, it is increasingly more difficult for Christians to participate.

Dabbling in the occult and its related activities (divination, witchcraft, seances, spiritism, and spell casting) are forbidden by Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). This prohibition has not been erased by the New Testament. We are not to participate in the occult practices and the celebration of death and the devil that is a part of modern Halloween. Our children should not dress in costumes that glorify these themes. But does this mean a Christian cannot participate in Halloween festivities at all? No. Just the aspects that glorify un-Godly things.

Trick or treating is not a problem if our children are costumed appropriately. Halloween parties can be attended if one participates in the activities that are not displeasing to God (and besides it can be turned into an opportunity to witness to the true meaning of All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day). But if we truly want to be able to avoid any discussion or remove anything questionable from the day, why not celebrate Reformation Day with a party and have an All Saints celebration the next day? Many Protestant churches have gone to such a plan.

Some Christians, no matter how you explain Christian freedom will boycott Halloween completely. Other Christians take their Christian freedom too far an jump head long into the whole Atheme@ of the day. But it is possible to celebrate our freedom from bondage of the Gospel to man-made laws and revel in the justification by faith we have in Christ. October 31 is indeed a high and holy day in Lutheran circles and perhaps the victories of the Reformation should be at the forefront of not only our thoughts but activities.

Halloween has unfortunately evolved to a point that it is no longer just about fun and games. As such, perhaps the church ought to reclaim the day as a celebration of Christ=s gifts to us. It might be a great witness to those around us that there is something better to celebrate on this day than death and evil. We can use the day to show that it is life and salvation in Jesus Christ that is truly worth celebrating.