Opinions concerning whether or not Christians should, or are free, to celebrate Halloween flood the internet. The opinions range from believing that a Christian is totally free to celebrate Halloween just as anyone else would, to believing that Christians are forbidden from even displaying simple Fall decorations outside their homes. Each side claims to have biblical and historical support for their stance, but obviously, there can only really be one correct biblical perspective—and what if it's somewhere in between the two extremes? But the crucial question is: what are you bringing to the world on that day, darkness or light?
What Halloween Once Was...
I'm sure you have read articles, or heard teachings, on what Halloween used to be, but here is a brief (very brief) overview, just in case. "All Hallows Eve" (or Halloween for short) is the evening before the Christian holiday "All Saints' Day," celebrated on November 1st. "All Saints' Day" is a day when the Church remembers and commemorates the Saints who have passed away, and those who are still living who have led many to Christ. The holiday was established in the medieval times; the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and other protestant and evangelical churches still celebrate the holiday to this day. But most evangelical churches have ceased from celebrating "All Saints’ Day" for the obvious reason that we do not believe in Saints, at least not as the Roman Catholic church defines them.
In the medieval times, people (usually the poor and children) would go from door to door during the holiday, singing and offering prayers for the families in each house, in exchange for "soul cakes" (small cakes made with nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and raisins). Others would also dress up and perform short scenes or parts of plays (called mumming), also in exchange for food or drink. Many believe that this is where "trick-or-treating" came from, which has been a part of Halloween in the U.S. since the late 1920s. For more information on "Trick-or-Treating," read this Wikipedia article.
Another medieval custom that accompanies Halloween is the dressing up as evil spirits or creatures—but not for the reasons you might think. In the medieval ages, believers would dress up as these things to mock the devil and his evil spirits; they would also carry jack-o-lanterns to ward off those spirits ( a superstitious belief, of course). People would mock the devil because he was defeated by Christ on the Cross. Since the devil’s main sin is pride, they concluded that he should really, really hate it when people mock him, and that’s what they did!—something the Bible advises against, by the way (Jude 8-10).
It is clear that "All Hallows Eve" (or Halloween) was, and sometimes is, seen as a spiritual and religious holiday, at least by some Christians—but, yes, also by witches and those who delve into the occult. Many scholars think that the holiday finds its roots in the Celtic pagan festival Samhain, but Christians definitely made it their own if that is the case, which is debatable. There are, anyways, other historians who say that "All Hollows Eve" originated as its own Christian holiday as part of a three-day celebration of the Saints. It is interesting to note that "hallow" means holy or revered (e.g., "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name," - Matthew 6:9). If you wish to learn more about Halloween, you can read through the long article on Wikipedia.
What Halloween Now Is...
So, does the Halloween of today look anything like the Halloween of the medieval ages and the early Church? Not much at all, but maybe some associations are making their way back into the public square, such as Reformation Day. But, except for Catholicism and the few Catholic-leaning denominations, most of Evangelicalism has forgotten about "All Saints' Day" and, consequently, "All Hallows Eve." Some churches are, however, trying to bring the holiday back to its Christian roots in an effort to fight against what the holiday has become in the United States. But if Halloween cannot be brought back to its roots, we need to analyze, as Christians, what the holiday means and represents now, and then make a wise and godly decision on whether to celebrate it or not.
Halloween was once a positively spiritual holiday for Christians, but today it has negative associations. While in the medieval ages people would go around praying and singing for others, or performing short scenes of plays, today some people play pranks on others, and sometimes destroy private property. And, while in the medieval ages people would dress up in decent costumes, today people (even some Christians!) use Halloween as an excuse to dress up in inappropriate ways (rated R costumes), or to dress up as evil characters without thinking what messages their doing so sends to others. And some men, especially, see Halloween as a license to be disrespectful towards women, terrorize others, and destroy public and private property. Not to mention, throw huge parties where ungodly things happen.
Also, Halloween today has become a highly commercialized holiday, and people will spend their hard-earned money on costumes and accessories that are sometimes opposed to God. I doubt Christians are being good stewards of their money when they spend it on these things—but there might be room for the wearing of appropriate costumes in order to facilitate evangelizing and giving out tracks. I have a really hard time, however, believing that Jesus would be pleased with this strategy, considering how a Christian "celebrating" Halloween would look like to others (and, no, the label of "hip and cool Christians" should not be a priority—"those peculiar, different, and holy people" should probably be at the top). And I am pretty sure Jesus would never wear one of these costumes Himself (and, no, believers doing so do not count as engaging in "contextualizing" the Gospel; "becoming all things to all men so that I may save some" does not mean dressing up as a witch or the like).
What About Trunk-n-Treat?
With that said, is “Trunk-n-Treat” a good alternative to Halloween? Well, I wouldn’t call it an alternative; for it’s simply a relocation (from neighborhoods to a church parking lot). Unless, if by "alternative," you mean an event that replaces the crazy partying, dangerous trick-or-treating, and lewd costume wearing. But again, sometimes even Christians engage in these things on that day. There are some ways, however, in which the Church has taken back this day for the Lord by using “Trunk-n-Treat,” which started in the 90s—even if it still makes some Christians uncomfortable. Many churches use "Trunk-n-Treat" to attract unbelievers to the church grounds, evangelize them, pass out tracts, put on "Christian" music, and have a safe, fun, family environment for the community.
Those are the things that any church hosting a "trunk-n"Treat" event should be actively doing on that day. If not, it is simply going along with the culture and is not making any significant changes to how society views and practices Halloween. If a church does not evangelize, pass out tracts, and share the Gospel, the whole event is a waste of the church's resources, and the event sends the wrong kind of message to everyone, from unbelievers to mature Christians in the faith. The message sent would be: "we believe in bringing the community together by any means necessary, even by compromising on who we are as a saved and holy people, born again by God; making people feel safe, happy, and comfortable is the most important thing we do."
I do believe in reclaiming Halloween for God, but we as a Church must be very careful as to how we go about doing this. We cannot afford not to share the Gospel on this day, especially when we put so much effort in bringing people to our churches, which they probably never visit throughout the rest of the year—maybe except for Christmas. The Church as a whole needs to be out there proclaiming the Gospel to a lost and dying world; every member should be involved in somehow making Jesus known to the visitors of their church's "Trunk-n-Treat." Believers need to remind people that death and evil (the things unbelievers depict through their costumes) are real, but that Christ defeated all of that.
What About Staying At Home?
Now, if you are a believer that simply likes to stay at home, do not turn off your lights! You are to be the light of the world. Instead, when children appear at your door, tell them that it's also Reformation Day; tell them an exciting and scary story from the Bible; give them candy with a Bible verse, or, better yet, a card with a website to your church or other site where they will be presented with the Gospel; or...present the Gospel yourself to them! Do not use Halloween as an excuse to do nothing for God on that day. Your way of "protesting" (by being confined indoors) delivers to others a message of rejection and that of a closed heart and mind. Be the light! Shine Jesus' light among all the darkness visible on that day!
Some Things To Think About
So, it’s not so much about what Halloween used to mean, but about what it now means. It’s not so much about defending our freedom in Christ to join the world on this holiday, as it is about denying our rights to ourselves in order to be a light unto the world by being different and set apart for Him (Matthew 5:14-16). It’s not so much about who’s right in this issue, but about what’s right in the eyes of the Lord. And it’s not so much about figuring out if Halloween is lawful, as it is about seeing if it is beneficial and edifying to the Church and to unbelievers—who are watching how we represent our God.
Jesus says that we are to remain in the world, but we are not of the world: "I have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:14-16). But, are you being of the world through the manner in which you celebrate Halloween? Think about that the next time you are deciding what kind of costume you will be representing Christ with on that day.
Let's Reclaim This Day For God! But...let's not get too crazy while we're at it. Bring to the world God's light, and not Satan's darkness.
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