As a believer who has fallen in love with Reformed theology (getting back to our roots) I wanted to pose a question to the AGTV community concerning halloween. Just like abortion, the practice nor celebration of halloween is not mentioned in scripture. Clearly because the event had not taken place. Yet just like abortion or other moral /ethical issues that are not explicitly addressed in the bible we can gather where the heart of God is from the full doctrine of the bible concerning abortion. My question is what verses, scriptures address a Christians stance toward celebrations by the world, for the world, and not trying to "christianize" those celebrations so that members of the church dont feel "left out" of the celebration? What truth from the Word can I use to encourage and equip parents in our church to take a biblical stand against worldy practices that are not outright addressed in the scripture?
Churches stance on Halloween
Just like Edwin, who has fallen in love Reformed Theology and still growing in the vast understanding of this rich truth, I too agree with the comment above, posted by Edwin D Epperson.
Have u ever thought or heard of Trunk or Treat
I could be misunderstanding the original question, but if not, I believe Trunk or Treat would fall under trying to "Christianize" the holiday so people don't feel left out as opposed to avoiding it.
the Lord has given us a day that we can rejoice in in its place. Oct. 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the church calling out the heretical practices of the selling of indulgences among other things igniting the flame of the Protestant Reformation. We at our body gather together in memory of how God used Martin Luther to bring glory and honor to His name.
Sometimes people ask questions because they’re trying to discern how close to the line of sin we can get to before falling off. Not saying you’re doing that, but many people are on the fence when it “doesn’t say it in the Bible”
The reality is we should be discerning whether what we’re doing is pointing to Christ or not.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Clearly, the world presents a celebration surrounding the dead and death, the spooky and paranormal. None of these things are “of God.”
Death only exists because of sin, and sin has no place with God.
However it may be dressed up (no pun intended) with gatherings, togetherness, and candy, there is nothing about Halloween that points to Christ.
As Christians, why would we want to participate in this celebration or feel like we’re missing out? This was part of our past.
1 Peter 4:2-4
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
Instead of giving out candy, we should give out the gospel. Not just that night, but every day. We are not of the darkness.
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
The world is in darkness and getting darker. All the more we should not try to mask (no pun intended again) what we believe through looking like the world, yet if we can hold an event in order to evangelize then we should. Note: this isn’t to Christianize the event for the sake of “missing out” on Halloween (no costumes, no decorations). Rather, it should be for the purpose of being set apart and for directly giving the gospel. That's the only “treat” people need.
In the end, we should guard our hearts in whatever we intake. This goes for TV, streaming, movies, music—all those are far more persistent than the one-day evil holiday.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.