Gospel Prism

Do you remember the SAT? There used to be an analogy section (I heard they’re not there any more, boy am I getting old). Well let me give you an analogy…

HALLOWEEN:CHRISTIAN::CHRISTMAS:ATHEIST

It seems that during every Halloween, including my family, Christians are wondering how they should respond. Should they partake? Should they run and hide? To treat or not to treat, that is the question. I wonder if atheists feel the same way. Does Michael Newdow close his doors, pull down the shades, and go to be early December 25th so that it will pass into the night. As Christians, there should be a better answer to this on Halloween.

Well, I do have some thoughts…

1. Halloween celebrates the macabre – Anyone who refuses to admit that has not walked into Costco. I was walking by the usual Costco places and then noticed this horrific monster. If I had my kids, they would have jumped out of their skulls. Halloween is the one day where children are encouraged to think about axes, split open heads, guts, and blood oozing out. Interestingly, in a world where we are trying to keep children from such sights, where such sights are all too common in this world, on Halloween, children get a license to be horrific.

2. We should keep #1 in mind – I am not advocating Christians pull out of Halloween as a whole. But I am advocating that Christians should think about Halloween and what it celebrates. For example, if my children were going to a Halloween party at school, to dress them up as Dracula (which I used as a child, with blood oozing out of my fake Dracula teeth) or the Devil is not taking seriously a text like Ephesians 6 which focuses on the reality of a spiritual warfare. Christians can take part in Halloween, but Christians should be the salt and light, even in the midst of Halloween.

2. Halloween is not a day off from the Gospel – What I mean is that what we do or do not do should be done in light of the Gospel. If I choose to have an alternative for my children, then I choose to do so of my own conscience. Thus, I do not judge those who participate in Halloween as “unspiritual.� If I choose to participate in Halloween, I do not judge those who do not participate in Halloween as “spiritually weak.� We are all in need of God’s mercy in all things. And we must all see ourselves in light of our own weaknesses before God. But if we participate in Halloween, we must be able to do so in free conscience and maintaining our worship before the Lord no matter what we do (1 Cor. 10:31).

3. Halloween can be used to share the Gospel – There are some who take this time to meet neighbors and see them perhaps for the first time (read Tim Challies article on this one). In many ways, that’s a great idea. I don’t think we can assume someone will turn to Christ when a Christian goes trick or treating. I also don’t think dressing up as Martin Luther or John Calvin is the idea either. But I do know that that wherever we are, we can be a witness for the Gospel of Christ. And if that just means meeting our neighbors for the first time, then yes, that can be a good opportunity.

I have often left home during Halloween because I didn’t want to partake in Halloween. But when my neighbors’ kids come over, what better time is there to say hi and meet them. And after meeting them, perhaps my next conversation, or the 10th after that, will give me an opportunity to tell them about my great and awesome and loving God.

I don’t think this is about whether Halloween is evil or not. We can get rid of the evil and still refuse to be involved with the evil. I don’t need to dress my kids as monsters and murderers. But I can participate in Halloween if my heart is geared toward the Gospel. So, yes, come over to our place this year with your kids. We won’t have the lights out with a sign that says:

“Christian home. We do not celebrate on the Devil’s Day.�

Instead, it will read,

“Christian home. We adore Jesus here. Come and get some candy!â€?