₦airaland Forum

I'm not really a fan of Halloween. I'm a dad of 7 kids so I'm def interested in raising them right. I don't think I'd say that I would "celebrate it." It seems to me that the way that Christians approach such things falls into 2 kinds of response:

Reject Halloween - Criticize on everyone who celebrates Halloween. Kind of like this post seems to do.
Receive Halloween - Some Christians just do whatever the world does. "Let's pretend vampires are cool! Let's decorate our lawns with witches!" etc.

​I think we need a 3rd option:

REDEEM HALLOWEEN - Fill up the "celebration" with hope and Good News about Jesus instead.

I wish our Christians and churches could figure out how to REDEEM Halloween by doing a Gospel-Centered event that focuses on Jesus!

We've done one at our church in Oklahoma for about 13 years. We call it the Gospel Trunk or Treat. If you need ideas for a creative trunk or treat at a local church, I'd recommend it. I found a post about it here: https://www.newstartdiscipleship.com/post/trunk-or-treat-planning-for-churches-a-step-by-step-guide

So that's how our family does it.

Aemmyjah:
What Are the Origins of Halloween?

The Bible does not mention Halloween, a holiday that many observe on October 31 each year. However, the ancient origins and traditions of Halloween conflict with Bible teachings.

Halloween’s history and traditions

Do the pagan origins of Halloween matter?

Why is it called Halloween?

A. . Halloween’s history and traditions
Samhain: The origin of Halloween can be traced to this “ancient pagan festival celebrated by Celtic people over 2,000 years ago,” states The World Book Encyclopedia. “The Celts believed that the dead could walk among the living at this time. During Samhain, the living could visit with the dead.”—See “ Why Is It Called Halloween?”

Halloween costumes, candy, and trick or treat: According to one source, some of the Celts wore ghoulish costumes so that wandering spirits “would mistake them for one of their own” and leave them alone. Others offered sweets to the spirits to appease them. a

An orange pumpkin-shaped bucket laying on its side and spilling assorted candy onto a table.
In medieval Europe, the Catholic clergy adopted local pagan customs and had their church members go from house to house wearing costumes and requesting small gifts.

Ghosts, vampires, werewolves, witches, and zombies: These have long been associated with the evil spirit world. Referring to them as “supernatural monsters,” the book Halloween Trivia states that such creatures are “closely connected with death, the dead or the fear of dying.”

Halloween pumpkins, or jack-o’-lanterns: In medieval Britain, people “moved from door to door asking for food in return for a prayer for the dead,” and they would carry “hollowed-out turnip lanterns, whose candle connoted a soul trapped in purgatory.” (Halloween—From Pagan Ritual to Party Night) Some sources say that the lanterns were used to ward off evil spirits. During the 1800’s in North America, pumpkins replaced turnips because they were plentiful as well as easy to hollow out and carve.

B. Do the pagan origins of Halloween matter?
Yes. Although some people view Halloween as harmless fun, the practices associated with it are in direct conflict with Bible teachings. Halloween is based on false beliefs about the dead and invisible spirits, or demons.

Notice the following verses that show how God views the beliefs associated with Halloween:
a. “There must never be anyone among you who . . . consults ghosts or spirits, or calls up the dead.”—Deuteronomy 18:10-12, The Jerusalem Bible.

Meaning: God does not approve of efforts to contact the dead or even of giving the appearance of trying to have contact with those who have died.

b. “The dead know nothing at all.”—Ecclesiastes 9:5.

Meaning: Because the dead are unconscious, they cannot contact the living.

c. “[Do not] be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too.”—1 Corinthians 10:20, 21, New International Version.

Meaning: Those who want God’s favor must avoid any connection with demons.

d. “Stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil; because we have a struggle . . . against the wicked spirit forces.”—Ephesians 6:11, 12.

Meaning: Christians should oppose wicked spirit forces, not pretend to celebrate with them.


C. Why is it called Halloween?
The name Halloween is connected with the pagan Celtic festival of Samhain. The World Book Encyclopedia states: “Samhain . . . means summer’s end. The festival marked the start of the dark winter season and was celebrated around November 1. In the A.D. 700’s to 800’s, the Christian church established a new holiday, All Saints’ Day, on this date. All Saints’ Day was also called All Hallows’. Hallow means saint, or one who is holy. The evening before All Hallows’ was known as All Hallows’ Eve, or as it came to be abbreviated, All Hallow e’en. This name was eventually shortened to Halloween.”

© https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/halloween-origin/

Becoming a disciple of Jesus is a personal decision that involves a commitment to follow Jesus Christ and his teachings. The goal is to become a copy of Jesus in the world! Here are some steps to get started:

1. Believe in Jesus Christ: The first step in becoming a disciple of Jesus is to believe in him as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. This belief comes through faith, which is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2. Repent of your sins: Repentance is a turning away from sin and turning toward God. It involves a heartfelt sorrow for wrongdoing and a desire to change. Confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

3. Be baptized: Baptism is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ. It symbolizes your death to sin and your new life in Christ (Romans 6:4).

4. Read the Bible: The Bible is God's word and is the primary way that he communicates with us. Start by reading the New Testament, which tells the story of Jesus and his teachings. Here's a great Bible reading plan for new Christians.https://www.newstartdiscipleship.com/post/bible-reading-plan-for-new-believers-the-best-one-that-i-ve-ever-found

5. Pray: Prayer is a way to communicate with God. Talk to him about your hopes, fears, and struggles, and ask for his guidance and strength.

6. Join a community of believers: Being a disciple of Jesus is not something that you do alone. Find a local church where you can worship, learn, and serve with other believers.

7. Follow Jesus' teachings: Jesus taught us to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-40). Follow his example by living a life of service, compassion, and forgiveness. The goal of discipleship is not just learning, it is *learning in order to imitate.*

Remember, becoming a disciple of Jesus is a lifelong journey. It involves daily choices to follow him and to live according to his teachings.