handy
Member
LostLamb had asked, "How can we take a Biblical approach to Halloween?"
For the sake of discussion, I'm going to throw out this thought:
Titus 1:10-16 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.
One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.
Now, again, I do want to frame this in the context that whatever is not done of faith, is sin. So, if someone truly believes that Halloween is evil or of Satan, then they should not participate. I'm directing this more at those who truly don't see anything but a fun, American tradition, one that is meant to bring joy to kids and to the adults that enjoy seeing them have fun.
In the context above, Paul is writing Titus and addressing a problem common to the first church, the Jewish Christians who were determined that the only way one could be a true Christian was to follow Jewish law. This was a huge issue in the Church, because the Gentiles who converted were comfortable with many things that the Jews were not. Also, the Jews had deeply held convictions that the only way one could truly honor God was by honoring His Law. The first division in the Body of Christ was over whether or not Gentiles had to in effect become Jews when they converted to Christianity. Paul diligently fought hard against such teachings. And, it was in this context of Gentiles serving Christ, but not serving the law of the Jews, that Paul said, "To the pure, all things are pure."
Fast forward to today, and we in the Church are still struggling with this idea that if one doesn't follow what was, mainly in the old testament, a list of do's and don'ts, then one cannot truly be said to be honoring God. Now, granted, if one is trying to actually be a witch and be a Christian at the same time, there is a problem. But, something like Halloween, is seen by most as a fun tradition of kids dressing up in cute costumes and getting candy from the neighbors, something that there is no law against. If in one's heart, one sees this as innocent fun, "pure", then I believe "to the pure, all things are pure".
If the only reason why one is wondering if they should let their kids dress up as Spiderman and go trick or treat, or put up a Christmas tree, or have a basket of candy on the table on Easter morning, is because other Christians are saying "thou shalt not", then there is probably no reason not to go ahead and enjoy the tradition.
If however, the Spirit is convicting one to not participate, then do not do so. Prayerfully examine why the Spirit is bearing such conviction upon you. And, if one is just torn in doubt about the whole thing, then do not do so, until one can either participate with a clear conscience or stand firm in one's conviction.
The one thing I think it is most important though is to remember that we do not have the "law" written in stone, but rather that the Spirit writes His law upon our hearts. This is why, while I myself may be truly convicted about something and must stand upon my conviction, it is NOT up to me to judge a brother or sister in the Lord who has freedom to participate. "I cannot" is OK in these matters. "Thou must not" isn't, unless there is a very clear exhortation in the word regarding the matter.
For the sake of discussion, I'm going to throw out this thought:
Titus 1:10-16 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.
One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.
Now, again, I do want to frame this in the context that whatever is not done of faith, is sin. So, if someone truly believes that Halloween is evil or of Satan, then they should not participate. I'm directing this more at those who truly don't see anything but a fun, American tradition, one that is meant to bring joy to kids and to the adults that enjoy seeing them have fun.
In the context above, Paul is writing Titus and addressing a problem common to the first church, the Jewish Christians who were determined that the only way one could be a true Christian was to follow Jewish law. This was a huge issue in the Church, because the Gentiles who converted were comfortable with many things that the Jews were not. Also, the Jews had deeply held convictions that the only way one could truly honor God was by honoring His Law. The first division in the Body of Christ was over whether or not Gentiles had to in effect become Jews when they converted to Christianity. Paul diligently fought hard against such teachings. And, it was in this context of Gentiles serving Christ, but not serving the law of the Jews, that Paul said, "To the pure, all things are pure."
Fast forward to today, and we in the Church are still struggling with this idea that if one doesn't follow what was, mainly in the old testament, a list of do's and don'ts, then one cannot truly be said to be honoring God. Now, granted, if one is trying to actually be a witch and be a Christian at the same time, there is a problem. But, something like Halloween, is seen by most as a fun tradition of kids dressing up in cute costumes and getting candy from the neighbors, something that there is no law against. If in one's heart, one sees this as innocent fun, "pure", then I believe "to the pure, all things are pure".
If the only reason why one is wondering if they should let their kids dress up as Spiderman and go trick or treat, or put up a Christmas tree, or have a basket of candy on the table on Easter morning, is because other Christians are saying "thou shalt not", then there is probably no reason not to go ahead and enjoy the tradition.
If however, the Spirit is convicting one to not participate, then do not do so. Prayerfully examine why the Spirit is bearing such conviction upon you. And, if one is just torn in doubt about the whole thing, then do not do so, until one can either participate with a clear conscience or stand firm in one's conviction.
The one thing I think it is most important though is to remember that we do not have the "law" written in stone, but rather that the Spirit writes His law upon our hearts. This is why, while I myself may be truly convicted about something and must stand upon my conviction, it is NOT up to me to judge a brother or sister in the Lord who has freedom to participate. "I cannot" is OK in these matters. "Thou must not" isn't, unless there is a very clear exhortation in the word regarding the matter.
