How Should Christians Approach Halloween?
October 21, 2024
On October 27th from 3-5 pm at the nZone, New Life is hosting it’s 4th Annual Trunk or Treat for the community. It has been a great event New Life has done over the past few years as it has enabled many people to be encouraged, have fun and get to meet people in the community.
Recently, a question was asked of Brett Andrews, our Lead Pastor, about how we should handle Halloween as Christians. And, should we be doing Trunk or Treat. Brett wrote back and today we are sharing what he shared in regard to this and other pagan holidays.
From Brett…
One bottom line for me, I would not want you to violate your conscience on matters like this.
I agree that Halloween has become the worst holiday of the year. Through the years, it has grown darker and darker. When I walk through our neighborhoods, I’m stunned by the fixation people have with graves, blood, bones, and death. Ugh. Like so many horror movies, I wonder, “why?”
The question I think you are asking is how Christians can do something like a Trunk or treat because it is about candy and costumes like Halloween.
The Biblical parallel, I believe, is found in Romans 14 and the early church’s tension over eating meat sacrificed to idols. Some were offended by Christians eating meat sacrificed to idols. Others weren’t.
Romans 14:1-3 says “don’t argue about disputed matters. One person believes he may eat anything, while one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not judge one who does, because God has accepted him.”
Some don’t feel comfortable participating in anything associated with anything pagan (so, they don’t participate in Christmas, or are offended by Easter eggs, candy, etc.). Personally, I don’t have a problem with hiding Easter baskets for my kids or giving Easter candy, even though Easter is clearly rooted in the worship of a pagan fertility god. However, if someone’s conscience doesn’t allow them to have anything to do with Easter, I’m not going to argue with them.
For what it’s worth, no, I don’t believe Trunk or Treat is a celebration of Halloween. Just as Christmas and Easter have associations with pagan celebrations, Christianity has a history of redeeming things for good. I see Trunk or Treat as a way for Christians to do good, to celebrate good, to enjoy a time together, and to offer a wholesome alternative. In short, we are being light when the world is dark.
Having said that, I don’t think there is “a way for Christians to think” about this. In essentials, unity. In opinions, liberty. Glorifying death or toying with the occult is not something Christians do, I think participating in something like Trunk or Treat or handing out candy on Halloween is an “opinion” issue. It would not be right for me to judge others for their opinion. It would also not be right for me to insist that everyone must agree with my deductions on this. The best thing is for each of us to educate our consciences with the Scriptures and honor others in the process.
I agree that Halloween has become the worst holiday of the year. Through the years, it has grown darker and darker. When I walk through our neighborhoods, I’m stunned by the fixation people have with graves, blood, bones, and death. Ugh. Like so many horror movies, I wonder, “why?”
The question I think you are asking is how Christians can do something like a Trunk or treat because it is about candy and costumes like Halloween.
The Biblical parallel, I believe, is found in Romans 14 and the early church’s tension over eating meat sacrificed to idols. Some were offended by Christians eating meat sacrificed to idols. Others weren’t.
Romans 14:1-3 says “don’t argue about disputed matters. One person believes he may eat anything, while one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not judge one who does, because God has accepted him.”
Some don’t feel comfortable participating in anything associated with anything pagan (so, they don’t participate in Christmas, or are offended by Easter eggs, candy, etc.). Personally, I don’t have a problem with hiding Easter baskets for my kids or giving Easter candy, even though Easter is clearly rooted in the worship of a pagan fertility god. However, if someone’s conscience doesn’t allow them to have anything to do with Easter, I’m not going to argue with them.
For what it’s worth, no, I don’t believe Trunk or Treat is a celebration of Halloween. Just as Christmas and Easter have associations with pagan celebrations, Christianity has a history of redeeming things for good. I see Trunk or Treat as a way for Christians to do good, to celebrate good, to enjoy a time together, and to offer a wholesome alternative. In short, we are being light when the world is dark.
Having said that, I don’t think there is “a way for Christians to think” about this. In essentials, unity. In opinions, liberty. Glorifying death or toying with the occult is not something Christians do, I think participating in something like Trunk or Treat or handing out candy on Halloween is an “opinion” issue. It would not be right for me to judge others for their opinion. It would also not be right for me to insist that everyone must agree with my deductions on this. The best thing is for each of us to educate our consciences with the Scriptures and honor others in the process.
If you would like to be part of the Trunk or Treat on October 27th by serving or donating candy, click here.