Ask The Pastor: Why does Island Pond celebrate Satan’s holiday?
This past week I was stopped before the service and asked this question. The reason this person asked is because we do an outreach close to Halloween called Trunk or Treat. While we do not mention anything about Halloween at the event, any reasonable person can put “two and two” together when it is within a week of Halloween, people dress up, and candy is given out. But this begs the question, as the person asked (though with different words: Why do we do an event that is linked to Halloween?
There is no specific Bible verse that says “do this” or “don’t do this.” Paul does write, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Eph. 5:11). He also says, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons” (1 Cor. 10:21). John writes, “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good” (3 John 1:11). And finally, Paul again: “Do not be conformed to this world…” (Rom. 12:2).
Usually the argument against Christians participating in Halloween is this: 1) It is a holiday that celebrates demons. 2) As Christians, we don’t celebrate demons. 3) Therefore, why in the world would Christians participate in a holiday that celebrates demons?
Now that the question has been established, here is my response:
1) We are not celebrating Halloween, we are doing an outreach during the Halloween season.
I will not attempt to make an argument for or against individual families participating in Halloween because that is outside the scope of this answer. What I want to make clear is that Island Pond is NOT celebrating demons, partying with Satan, or participating in the holiday. What we are doing is using the opportunity that Halloween opens up to be a light to our community.
Yes, if you come to the Trunk or Treat on October 27, you will notice games, candy, and fun. But that is just the means we use to work toward the goal of being a light to our community. In the midst of the fun, we are sharing Jesus with people in various non-confrontational ways, gathering people’s info to later invite them to church, and generally showing them kindness by giving them a free and safe opportunity to gather together as a community.
Halloween is one time in the year where non-church-attending people actively leave their homes to go to other places in search of fun and candy. Each year we literally have hundreds of people come to our church property for this event. Why would we turn down an opportunity like this when we can do it in a way that brings glory to Jesus while avoiding any of the demonic things?
2) Celebrating or not celebrating Halloween is a matter of conscience.
In Romans 14:5-6, Paul says, “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.”
Paul speaks of Christians having the freedom to regard one day as more sacred than another or to treat all days the same, depending on personal conviction. Therefore, Halloween can be seen as a matter of personal freedom where each Christian decides how to engage or abstain, based on their conscience.
With that in mind, in Galatians 5:13, Paul says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” In other words, Christianity is more about freedom in Christ than “do this” or “don’t do this.” But one of the overarching themes of “freedom in Christ” is to do all things in love. Halloween can be used as an opportunity to serve others in love.
3) Outreach on Halloween is one way we can live for the glory of God.
In Colossians 2:16-17, Christians are cautioned to not let others judge them regarding religious festivals, which could include holidays like Halloween.
Then in 1 Corinthians 10:23-33, Paul talks about what to do in the situation of eating food that has been sacrificed to an idol (which, by the way, has a lot of connections to the idea of Halloween!). He starts out by saying, “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor” (10:24). He then concludes by saying, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).
Christians are encouraged to approach all things, including holidays, with the intention of glorifying God. Some may view completely avoiding Halloween as bringing more glory to God. If that is you, then follow your conscience. But for others, like myself, I see Halloween as an opportunity to point people to Jesus Christ as bringing more glory to God than simply avoiding it.
4) Jesus modeled what to do when it comes to sinful people and demons.
Throughout the gospels, Jesus kept getting himself in trouble with the Jewish religious leaders because he reached out to sinful people. He hung out with tax collectors and prostitutes. He forgave and loved on a woman who had just been caught in the act of adultery. He went TO people who were possessed by demons. All of these examples reveal the heart of Jesus: he cared for and loved lost people.
It is by no means a stretch to say that we, as Christians, are called to do the same. With that in mind, doesn’t it make sense to have that same willingness to mingle with people who don’t follow Jesus? In our culture, unsaved people generally avoid religious people like the plague. But during the Halloween season, they are more than willing to come hang out with us! Why would we not take advantage of the opportunity?
I do agree that Halloween can be a dark holiday. But in Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus calls believers to be the “light of the world” and not to hide that light. Light shines best in the midst of darkness! This is an amazing time to engage with the community, show hospitality, reflect Christ’s love, and share Jesus. That is what it means to be a light!
In conclusion, why are we celebrating Satan’s holiday? We aren’t! We are simply using the holiday season as an opportunity to spread the light of Jesus around in the midst of darkness. From my perspective, that is what Christians are called to do. Not 364 days a year — hiding from everyone on Halloween — but every day!