Blinded-By-Grace October 20th, 2008

Dear Mr. Monk:

Yes, demonology stole Halloween, just as political correctness stole Thanksgiving and consumerism stole Christmas. Are there any childhood holidays that are still the same?

Now there are events on my hallmark calendar that most WASP's had never heard of when I was a child.

Okay, so dressing up as your favorite biblical character for the annual Fall Festival is not the same experience we had as a child. However, neither is the phenomenon of adults dressing up in fantasy outfits for a night of inebriated activities. Today, Halloween is celebrated by adults looking for another excuse to drink and pretend they are somebody else.

While we may lament that Halloween is no longer for kids, it seems that many of yesterday's kids never grew up. It's just that their costumes got bigger (well, some of them are actually smaller) and their candy turned to a numbing liquid. The Eve of All Saint's Day has just become another excuse for one big party!

Wait a minute, so did Christmas!

Mark October 20th, 2008

Next thing you know we will be wanting wine at weddings!!! What would Jesus do?!?!?!?!

The Boar’s Head Tavern October 20th, 2008

[...] I've got a piece up on Halloween at Steve Brown, Etc. [...]

internetmonk.com » Blog Archive » Both Are True October 20th, 2008

[...] I have my Annual Halloween Rant up at Steve Brown, Etc. I'll publish it here in a few days. I'll be the guest at SBE on October 31st. [...]

James Dye October 20th, 2008

For full disclosure, I am the same guy that called The internet Monk's post on the Reformation "pathetic".

I just wanted to say that I LOVED every word of this post on Halloween!!!

"We ruined something good, and everyone knows it but us."

I will handing out Bible tracts, WITH candy, and maybe even popcorn balls! Great Post Michael !!!!!!!!!!!!

In Christ,

James

dorsey October 21st, 2008

Michael, you summed up my Assemblies of God upbringing in a nutshell. I guess the difference is that we had Halloween with tongues.

Great article, and a disturbing look at how sheep have gotten distracted by a bunch of power-thristy wolves dressed like shepherds.

Johne Cook October 21st, 2008

My family and I have long thought that Halloween is the absolute best date on the calendar for getting out and meeting the neighbors face-to-face. I wrote a piece on it a couple of years ago called A Christian Twist on Halloween:
http://www.dkamagazine.com/item.php?sub_id=21

We made hand-made thank you cards and gave them out as we went around. It teaches the kids not to expect a hand-out from the neighbors without giving them something in return, it startles (and pleases) the neighbors, and it makes for one of the more interesting holidays when you realize what you're really accomplishing among your family and community.

Take Halloween back. Don't be insular. And enjoy the time with your family and your community out-of-doors. Your computer and your couch will be waiting for you when you get home. It's worth the effort. Trust me.

Lint Hatcher October 21st, 2008

Michael, You should check out my website — http://www.ChristianHalloweenFan.com . I think you'll get a big kick out of it.

Mike October 22nd, 2008

I'm taking my kids to Disney world on halloween, It's cheaper than costumes and candy.

George October 22nd, 2008

OMG!

Michael, you took me back to my childhood. Yes I grew up in the Southern Baptist Universe myself. No short pants in the sanctuary (but they were all right in the fellowship hall). And, the deacons standing outside smoking their cigarettes and pipes (again, ok outside: not ok inside) between Sunday School and the worship service..

It's sad that so many Christians live a life motivated by fear. Fear of demons, fear of music, fear of Harry Potter (oops, did I say that?) fear stepping out of line and royally offending God.

Or… Is it that their God is too small?

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

Thanks Michael. And may God bless the hell out of you!

Angela Reichelderfer October 22nd, 2008

What a fabulous post! Bravo!

Hubie October 27th, 2008

BOO! yourself.

Good night Irene. Now I know why I cringe everytime someone calls me evangelical!

I'm taking the kids trick-er-treating…..

I'm also going to start a new tradition in my neighborhood. Garages are for the adults (iced micro-brews would be my choice) and the front door is for the kiddies. No driving now! Send Junior up to the front door in his cute little goblin outfit and stop by the garage to sample some brew!

This could catch on folks! it really could…..

Nathan October 27th, 2008

Maybe my reasoning will make sense to you!

Why this Christian doesn't celebrate Halloween

Tony Heringer October 28th, 2008

Nathan,

The gist of this post is an attempt to be winsome to the culture we live in. Like Michael, my church in the 70s had a haunted house each year. Like he said, it was just fun.

My question for you is do you celebrate any holidays? If so, which ones? Most of the popular ones have pagan roots.

Nathan October 28th, 2008

Yes I do celebrate the other holidays that have pagan roots.

But my contention with Halloween is not one of history–it is one regarding the present day practice (and specifically in American culture).

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown « Ponder Anew October 28th, 2008

[...] an interesting rant here about the loss of simple innocent [...]

Mike October 29th, 2008

Nathan, I was glad to see someone who has similar thoughts to me on the subject of this holiday. Also, I don't celebrate any of the pagan rooted holidays, I participate as little as my family and culture allow me to get away with. Remember the only holidays that God ever endorsed are the ones that christians don't celebrate, like Rosh Hashona, and Passover.

W.A. October 29th, 2008

Where did we go wrong? Thanks Michael for reminding me of "pure fun" memories. In the late 60's our little Baptist church had one of the best haunted houses in town and all the leaders of the church were dressed up as spooky and fun characters. I remember seeing men and women I looked up to having and encouraging "pure fun". Perhaps it was a kinder and simpler time.

Nathan October 29th, 2008

@Mike I will look into this!

Tony Heringer October 29th, 2008

Nathan,

I guess that is my point. The other holidays, also rooted in pagan tradition, have similar issues — Santa substituted for Jesus along with crass consumerism; Easter Bunny substituted for Jesus more crass consumerism, Valentine's Day, etc. etc., etc. It is a slippery slope, eh? You can take Mike's position, but I'd like to offer another option that is in keeping with the freedom promoted on this site. As Wellington Boone would say "don't shout me down!"

With this particular holiday, the church has stepped into the mix a long time ago. Halloween, according to Webster is "short for All Hallow Even (All Saints' Eve)". The night before All Saints Day. The same is true for Christmas and I think Easter, but I'll leave that to any church history majors out there. The bottom line, the church did this to influence the culture for Christ.

In the case of Halloween, I'm not advocating we dress up like or favorite saint or Bible hero, but we should attempt to be salt and light to our culture. That means being in the world but not of it. The Great Commission commands us to "make disciples" and in order to do that we need to "go" to where the people live, work and play.

This holiday, like every other day in the year, allows for this "going" because we are "more than conquerors" in Christ Jesus. Our challenge is to take what the culture gives us to reach people for Christ. As Paul says, "To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." (1 Corinthians 9:2). When Paul says "all means" he means it. At times, that meant doing things he was vehemently opposed to.

For example, circumcision, he had some showdowns with the Judaizers – the original faith plus works guys. Paul tells the Judaizers in Galatians, they should just emasculate themselves if they think so much of the practice of circumcision — in other words, no amount of cutting will make a difference to those of us in Christ. However, in Jerusalem, Paul circumcised Timothy to avoid offending the Jews who lived in that area (Acts 16:3). Wow! That is literally putting some skin in the game with regard to sharing the Gospel! I wonder if Timothy got a vote on that one? .

Therefore, when kids come to the Heringer house on Halloween, we give them candy, comment on their costumes and in general, practice hospitality. We may put up decorations and carve a pumpkin because it's just fun. Whether we like it or not Halloween is a part of our culture and I don't see it going away just because we ignore it.

If we don't like how our neighbors or any Americans celebrate this day, we need to ask God to show us how to do so in a winsome way. We are called to "make disciples" and to do so in a loving way.

This Friday let's give some thought to how we can meet our neighbors where they are and in doing so have a chance to expose them to the Truth that will set them free. The Gospel is not about retreating, it is about advancing – "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18 KJV)

Nathan October 29th, 2008

@Tony

What is worldliness and in what way does God call us to flee it? We can fellowship with the unbelievers and reach our nation without giving a blind eye to the darkness of the holiday!

Tony Heringer October 29th, 2008

Nathan,

James tells us to keep from being polluted by the world. Later on the gist of chapter 4 is related to coveting and pride. That is the worldliness or devilry he has in view which, in this context, relates more to Christmas than Halloween. I see Halloween to be in line with Ephesians 6 and I don't see any fleeing there, just suiting up with the full armor of God for a fight.

While we are to avoid the world's toxins, Jesus tells us to be as clever as serpents and as gentle as doves. The Bible is full of tensions like these and it is up to us to lean into God as to how to proceed in light of them.

I did not say to turn a blind eye to the darkness of the holiday but to simply consider how to leverage something that is a part of our culture — whether we like it or not — for the glory of God. You have the liberty to not participate and it is not my intent to "bind your conscience" in this matter. However, I simply wanted to offer another way of looking at this issue in support of the original post.

Nathan October 30th, 2008

@Tony

I am in complete agreement with you that we should use the holiday for God's glory!

My ideal Halloween is not one spent in a dark house

But my ideal Halloween is also not one of dressing up, watching scary movies, and visiting haunted houses!

If we are willing, God will use us to glorify Him in whatever situation.

If one does not celebrate the fear, darkness, and death of Halloween, I have no qualms with their celebration at all! I've attended harvest festivals my whole life

Jordo October 30th, 2008

The world is so screwed up right now, that there is no way to have an ordered sober view of it. Its like trying to piece together Humpty Dumpty. It is important to walk in the spirit with discernment as much as you are able because each situation is different. Categorical descriptions of cultural things are at worse disastrously wrong, and at best alienate us from the people we are meant to love. Halloween isn't bad. Its not a sin to celebrate it. It is a sin to be involved in the occult. Its so dark. Believe me Halloween is the least of our worries. No, I'm not a prophet of doom. Its been this dark for centuries. But we need to pick our battles.

Digging into the Vault: Happy “Fall Family Festival”? « Everyone’s Entitled to Joe’s Opinion October 30th, 2008

[...] And if you're interested in further reading, here is Michael Spencer's annual Halloween rant over at the Steve Brown Etc. blog. [...]

Steve Brown Etc. » Blog Archive » Today on SBE - The Internet Monk October 31st, 2008

[...] 10.31.08 – Michael Spencer – The Internet Monk and blogger in our Guest Room. Read his Halloween rant and join us for the [...]

Steve Brown Etc. » Blog Archive » Internet MONKeying Around - Michael Spencer on SBE October 31st, 2008

[...] Monk, aka Michael Spencer, is a campus minister, communicator, writer and popular blogger. Read his latest post on Halloween in The Guest Room and visit InternetMonk.com…if you dare [insert evil laugh [...]

Jeremy November 3rd, 2008

Sorry, but I have to disagree on this one. I'm not saying fight Halloween in the world, we're not called to that, but I just can't see that it's what the church is supposed to be about. I live in an environment where the current trend is specifically toward Paganism, and like it or not its the holiday they identify as their own. See e.g.:

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/starhawk/2008/10/a_witchs_halloween.html

My question is not so much whether Halloween is good or bad in its secular form, but rather, why would the church want to mess with it, and how is it helping us present the truth about Jesus to do so? I probably feel the same way about most of what we do for Christmas too, except where we talk about the sacrifice Christ made for us and make it about Him – just to clarify any perceived inconsistency.

I'm very specifically not condemning Mr. Heringer's position on the issue. I would say his personal hospitality response is nigh perfect. What I am more concerned about is the church missing its focus on exactly the fact that we are supposed to be a bastion of sanity and hope in an insane and hopeless world. And I'm afraid the Halloween thing is just one more way to confuse that. People's lives are way to serious for us to afford to be frivilous with what we are about.

Tony Heringer November 4th, 2008

Jeremy,

I with you bro, that is why we need to be very discerning on how we as a local body of believers react to Halloween. I heard a quote this week-end from St. Jerome — "love without truth is sentimental, truth without love is sterile." That seems to fit here. What is the most loving response we can have to Halloween and still speak the truth.

What we have to be to our community is salt and light — is that through things like "The House Of Smite" — which they really have here in Georgia (though I'm sure its not as funny as what Erik and company put together) — or Fall Festivals or getting back to the haunted houses of a bygone era?

The Imonk seemed to back off of this stance in the podcast. He seemed to be advocating more of a community type thing — like I noted before.

I think the church should not shy away from our culture on any front, but how we deal with it, well, that is the leaning into God part of the faith that is so vital. I don't have a good answer other than praying for everyone who works with our young people. They seem to be the ones most impacted by this particular holiday — at least they are the most impressionable.

Hubie November 20th, 2008

Okay. No gobblins. No skeletor's. No Indiana Jones out begging for candy…. it's just too much like satan worship. BAH!

Jesus wasn't born in December. Christmas is an early church attempt to combat the Pagans and their Winter Solstice…..

Easter….. well. I think this may actually be the one example where the Pagans came up with crap to combat the Gospel message of Resurection. maybe….

Evangelicals gotta stop beating this drum tho'. It's getting as annoying at those idiotic Peace Mongers out in front of the gate to work here. If everyone is ignoring you; try a different method of communication.