Take Back the Night

To trick or treat or …not; that is the question. Or, at least it has been among the faithful in church for several decades. While I grew up in a family in which we annually celebrated Halloween by dressing up as funny, heroic, or ridiculous characters (I distinctly remember my favorite as “Buck Rogers”) and then proceeded to storm the neighborhood for candy, there are many within the church who hold to convictions that such celebrations are frivolous at best and demonic at worst. Some churches bemoan any celebration of Halloween as a compromise with evil. Many churches have seized upon the annual event as an opportunity to offer alternatives for ministry to the community. As with any other holiday celebration, we should carefully determine our participation with the culture in light of the gospel. Jesus’ prayer for His followers in His High Priestly prayer provides distinct guidance: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world” (John 17:14-18). So, whether it be Christmas, Easter, birthdays, or even Halloween, how much should we participate in what our culture celebrates? Should Christians participate in a celebration that has so many associations with anti-biblical themes or that is perhaps rooted in paganism?

While scripture provides definite principles in these questions, there is certainly room for disagreement among believers who are seeking to honor Christ. In certain regards, this is a matter of conscious, for which the Apostle Paul offers distinct instruction (Romans 14). Obviously, the bible clearly commands that believers are to have no involvement with the occult (Leviticus 20:6; Acts 8:9-24). Horror movies that celebrate bloodshed and violence, costumes which mimic demonic activity, and behaviors that explore occultic practices are not becoming of God’s holy people (Philippians 1:27). However, it has become my experience that Halloween can be celebrated in a manner that not only is removed from these activities, but even more so redeems the holiday in such a way that Christ is glorified.

So, what are the redeeming qualities of Halloween, and what can our celebration of this holiday teach us about the gospel of Jesus Christ?

1. We need not fear the dark.

Our culture is fascinated with the celebration of evil, darkness, and death. One does not have to search very hard to find movies, costumes, or even decorations that are intended to arouse fear. But the bible proclaims that we need no longer be afraid of the darkness. King David wrote, “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you” (Psalm 139:11-12). And in the New Testament, Peter wrote that God called believers “out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Jesus’ sacrificial death and glorious resurrection condemned the forces of evil (Colossians 2:15) and one day He will fell the enemy with just a word (Revelation 19:15). So, on a day which revels in fear, we can boldly proclaim that we are not afraid; our Savior has overcome!

2. The harvest is plentiful.

The New Testament emphasizes that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). When the culture around us rejoices in evil, Scripture implores us not to view people as enemies, but rather to see them in the manner that Christ did; they are as we once were, “like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). The very individuals whom frustrate or even frighten us by their behavior are people for whom God longs to redeem. So, may the celebration of the darkness around us remind us that we are to “be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

3. God’s people are marked by generosity.

We now live in a day in which a growing number of people have virtually no relationship with their neighbors. An unannounced ring of the doorbell at any time of day, but especially after dark, is greeted with suspicion. Yet, even in this very kind of culture, God has called Christ-followers to be “salt” and “light” (Matthew 5:13-14). Halloween provides an opportunity for believers to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). So, whether we are beside our children as they knock on doors for candy, handing out goodies from our own front porch, or participating alongside the church in a festival setting, we can be people of generosity. And since it is also “God’s kindness that is meant to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4), we can display kindness so that we might proclaim the gospel.

So, in Christ, we can take every opportunity to celebrate His grace and show His goodness, no matter the day.

Jason