As an international student, I often get asked questions about my experience when I first came to the US. One of the most common questions I get is about culture shock, and I honestly struggle to answer that question. With the prevalence of American media, I had a pretty good idea of what I was walking into, so nothing huge really stood out. But now as October creeps along, I’m reminded of something I didn’t expect when I first came to the US: the prevalence of Christians celebrating Halloween.
I know this post will likely touch a nerve for more than a few readers, but before you close this tab and write me off as just another legalistic voice condemning any fun, I encourage you to stick around and allow me to share my perspective…and perhaps share your own with me.
I’ve recently heard culture shock described as a “clash of worldviews,” and I believe that’s exactly what was happening to me on my first October at Liberty. My worldview, while on the surface is similar to that of many Americans, has been impacted by the context I grew up in.
In Africa the spiritual realm is far more openly acknowledged than it is here in the US. Many people in South Africa—even those professing to be Christians—live in fear of evil spirits or dead ancestors. It breaks my heart to know that so many don’t experience true freedom in Christ because of the stronghold that fear has on them. While I don’t believe for a moment that the spirits of the dead are roaming around on earth causing havoc, I do acknowledge that there are spiritual realities in this world that are not to be taken lightly (Ephesians 6:10-13, I Corinthians 10:19-21).
When I was growing up, Halloween was not commonly celebrated in South Africa, but in recent years, it’s grown in popularity—and along with it, controversy. Among Christian communities, it’s still not viewed favorably. I’ve never celebrated Halloween and I don’t feel as though I’m missing out on anything. I’ll be the first to admit that I personally don’t get the hype around Halloween. But that’s where I have to step outside of the comfort zone of my own perspective and try to understand this issue from the perspective of all those who do enjoy the celebrations—who see it as not a moral issue (as it’s seen among most Christian circles in South Africa), but a culturally important occasion.
Where do we find the line between cultural practices and religious practices? Or between preference and righteousness, for that matter? I think it’s not as cut-and-dry as deciding whether or not to attend a costume party. It’s an issue that’s buried far deeper in the recesses of the human heart. We are called to stand for our convictions, but to do so in a manner that is most loving to our brothers and sisters (I Corinthians 10:24). I could easily stand on my soapbox and extol the virtues of abstaining from celebrations, or touting the evils of participating. But that would only make me guilty of picking at splinters. So instead, I want to ask a simple question: Why?
Why do you celebrate Halloween? Perhaps you celebrate simply because it’s a fun tradition and you enjoy a good costume party. You may even go out of your way to avoid anything creepy or evil. If so, I commend you, but would also encourage you to dig a little deeper into the history of this holiday (and any other holiday, for that matter). There are very dark roots to some of the “fun” things done at Halloween time, and I personally think their dangers still echo today (feel free to reach out to me if you’d like to hear why). If you celebrate out of a love of things spooky and dark, I’d encourage you to ask yourself why you are drawn to such things. Can you confidently honor the Lord in this way? Prayerfully consider verses such as Romans 14:6, 1 Cor 10:31, Philippians 4:8. Or perhaps you actively seek to redeem this holiday, as I know many have done. I admire this approach, but much discernment and intentionality is needed here. Be in prayer about how you participate in the holiday. I believe that this can be a wonderful opportunity to be a light to the world, but wisdom needs to be exercised and care needs to be taken to ensure that the line between light and darkness does not blur.
If you don’t celebrate Halloween, why not? Is it out of fear, preference, legalism, conviction, or something else entirely? In order to engage in light-bringing conversations, we need to be able to lovingly explain why we take the stance that we do. I believe that we who don’t participate in Halloween celebrations still have a responsibility to ensure that our hearts and motives for doing so are God-honoring. We can’t simply bury our heads in the sand and ignore it or condescendingly dismiss those who do celebrate. I think the most important question we need to be asking ourselves is how does our response reflects Jesus’ love? Are we allowing this issue to cause division among our Christian brothers and sisters? Or even alienation of those who do not know Christ? If so, we need to take a step back and re-evaluate our priorities. The enemy can work through division just as much as he can paganism or any other form of idolatry that turns our eyes away from our Father.
As John 17:18-19 reminds us, we have been sent into this fallen world, but we have also been set apart for holiness. Regardless of whether or not we celebrate, it is vital that we be incredibly intentional in our approach to Halloween. Romans 14:6-10 is clear that we are to honor the Lord in what we do, and speaks against standing in judgement of our brothers and sisters. We all are one body, but we will each individually stand before the Lord to give an account of our lives (v. 12). So, I urge you to consider whether your approach is bringing honor to God and letting “your gentleness be known to all men” (Philippians 4:5). Is your approach allowing your attention to remain fixed on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy, as we are commanded in Philippians 4:8?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments! How do you think we can best glorify our Savior in this regard?
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