We asked Bob Russell to help answer the question, “Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?”
Bob led Southeast Christian Church, the 5th largest church in the US, for 40 years. So we thought he could help Children's Ministry leaders by providing a wise response to this question that seems to be a hot topic every year in Children's Ministry. Here's his answer:
Halloween is a goofy holiday. According to the old standby from many years back, Encyclopedia Britannica, “In ancient Britain and Ireland, the Celtic Festival of Samhain was observed on October 31, at the end of summer…. The souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their homes on this day and the autumnal festival acquired sinister significance, with ghosts, witches, goblins, black cats, fairies and demons of all kinds said to be roaming about. It was the time to placate the supernatural powers controlling the processes of nature. In addition, Halloween was thought to be the most favorable time for divinations concerning marriage, luck, health, and death. It was the only day on which the help of the devil was invoked for such purposes.”
Since Halloween originated as a pagan holiday, a number of good Christian people refuse to have anything to do with it. Since it was originally a time to call on the devil’s power, Godly parents refuse to let their children dress up in costumes, go trick or treating or carve out jack-o-lanterns. Instead they seek to teach their children the reality of Satan and his demons by boycotting Halloween altogether. Some get frustrated with other believers who don’t join their fight. That’s understandable…and in a sense admirable.
It seems to me, however, that this is not a battle worth fighting. The Bible instructs us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. I’m of the opinion that Christians are wise not to waste spiritual ammunition on insignificant skirmishes. We can expend a lot of energy campaigning against Halloween and our kids eventually get the impression that we’re fun-hating legalists who are against everything.
I think we’re wiser (and just as Scriptural) to use the increasing hoopla around Halloween to our advantage. Instead of boycotting it as a pagan Holiday, let’s turn it around and make it a time of fun, instruction and family get-togethers.
The Bible instructs us, “Don’t be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” For example, Easter once had pagan roots, but Christians have captured that day with the good news of the empty tomb and today when people think of Easter they immediately think of the resurrection of Christ.
I think wise, Godly parents can instruct their children about the origin of Halloween and then say, “That’s why we don’t have you dress up like witches or demons. Demonic power is real. But God’s power is greater and we will fear no evil. You can dress up in other costumes and go to the neighbor’s house and ask for, “Trick or Treat,” because they know why you’re there. We’ll have hot cider and donuts when you get back and have fun. Then afterward, you read to them one of the really good Christian Children’s books like Liz Higgs’ The Pumpkin Patch Parable. The kids have fun, they enjoy carving out a pumpkin and dressing up; they are taught Biblical principles and learn about God’s truth. That just seems a lot wiser than boycotting Halloween altogether.
Many churches are turning Halloween into a positive by having ”Trunk or Treat” events. They invite their young members and other area children to come to the church parking lot for a safe Halloween outing and then invite them into the church building for refreshments and some Christian instruction.
The Apostle Paul was asked if Christians should purchase meat in the marketplace that had at one time been an animal sacrificed to a pagan idol. Did the fact that the source of the meat had been offered in an anti-God ritual contaminate it? If Christians ate it would they be inviting demons into their lives? Paul wrote, “Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, ‘The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it’” (1 Cor. 10:25-26).
Paul cautioned against exploiting Christian freedom in such a way that believers hurt their Christian testimony and caused a brother to stumble. “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial,” he wrote. But he made it clear that eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols was not participating in demon worship. In the same way having fun on October 31 is not inviting the devil into our lives.
I know of a church in Washington D.C. that outgrew its rented facility. They searched for a practical building they could purchase that would provide adequate space for their needs. They found a building with more than ample space at an ideal location that was available at a reasonable price. There was only one problem. It had originally been a Budweiser beer distribution center. Could they turn a building that had been used to store liquor into a worship center? They did and today it’s an effective house of worship where the gospel is preached and souls are saved almost weekly.
I’d worship in that building with no objection. Most believers would also, knowing it’s not how the building was used in the past that matters: it’s what it’s being used for in the present. I’m reminded of the old preacher who was asked, “If a man made his money in moonshine liquor and he died and left a million dollars to the church would you accept it?” The preacher thought for a moment and said, “Yes I would. The devil has had that money long enough!”
Satan and his minions have tried to occupy October 31 long enough. Instead of us surrendering the day to him, let’s remember that, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” Every day belongs to God. Let’s overcome evil with good and use October 31 to enjoy a party with our kids and teach them the truth that, “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.”
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
At just twenty-two years of age, Bob Russell became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church. That small congregation of 120 members became one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006 when Bob retired. Now through Bob Russell Ministries, Bob continues to preach at churches and conferences throughout the United States, provide guidance for church leadership, mentor other ministers and author books and Bible study videos for use in small groups.
25 comments
Vera
Oh, what Satan wants is Christians who wallow in fear over a holiday, any holiday, because they say “it’s the Devil’s Day!” or “It’s a pagan holiday!” You see, if we are Christ-followers, the devil can’t do anything except make us feel like we can’t do what God left us on earth for. I say don’t give him a day by saying it’s his. Turn it over to God and celebrate in a good and godly way.
Michelle
SATAN IS HAVING A FIELD DAY WITH ALL OF YOU WHO ARE DECEIVED. YOU EXCUSE HIS DAY AS IF ITS OK AND DON’T THINK YOU WILL BE JUDGED. FOR THERE WILL BE AT LEAST ONE PERSON YOU INFLUENCE WITH YOUR NONSENSE THAT THIS HOLIDAY OR ANY OF THE OTHERS THAT ARE NOT FOR GOD TO SWAY FROM THE LORD. SHAME ON EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU INCLUDING THE AUTHOR. I STAND WITH MY GOD. THERE WAS NO CHRISTMAS, EASTER, HALLOWEEN ETC IN THE BIBLE. REMEMBER WHAT IS TRUTH. IT’S IN THE WORD OF GOD. YOU WILL BE JUDGED BY GOD ALL MIGHTY FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN THAT YOU ARE TEACHING PEOPLE IT’S OK TO LIVE IN SIN AS LONG AS YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN AND GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY. THIS JUST MAKES ME EVEN MORE SICK IN THESE LAST DAYS THAN I ALREADY AM. AND TO THINK THAT MORE THAN 2/3RDS OF THE PEOPLE ON THIS PAGE AGREE THAT ITS OK TO CELEBRATE SATANS DAY. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CELEBRATION. I WON’T BE PARTICIPATING I WILL BE PRAYING FOR LOST SOULS THAT CHOOSE TO GIVE satan THE GLORY..
Jesse
This is exactly what Satan wants us to think. You see, many other Christian churches act just like Catholic or someone who does not have any religion, they lack foundation. In Genesis we see how inocent was the tempation of Satan, There was nothing wrong with the fruit, and Eve ate it and really was nothing wrong, but the fact that God had said no meant everything. The same way is Halloween, so incocent celebration with a bunch of kids dressed up collecting candies, however adult halloween does not stay only on dress up and candies. It’s the same thing as I don’t eat pork, or I don’t smoke, but I support tose who does. Even though we might be acting so incocently, we are playing in the devils ground, we are doing something that was instituted by him, so we sopport him. Today he would never show the hallowen as was invented, which was a demoniac party because he know people would not accept it, instead he brings something inocent involvind children to catch those who are off guard. Be carefull. Jesus said watch and pray so you don’t fall into temptation. Everytime we play in the devils ground we loose.
Larry
I am a Christian raised in an independent baptist church and we always enjoyed dressing up and going door to door on Halloween to see how much candy we could acquire before it was to late. We even had a haunted house in our home for the church kids and had a lot of fun. As long as your not a practicing witch or sorcerer I don’t see anything wrong with it. I wonder what Christ really thinks about it because that is what really matters? Although as an adult, I am not interested in celebrating it other than a jack o lantern or two on the porch and candy for the kids.
JOHNNY SANTIAGO
ANY Christian or church who:
1. Celebrates Halloween.
2. Has a Fall Festival.
3. Has a Trunk or Treat.
4. Has a Hallelujah Night
5. Has ANY sort of Alternative Halloween event.
6. Endorses this article.
is a PAGAN practicing church and should paint the word ICABOD above their door, close the church, and go pump gas.
:Lilly
At our church we have a Harvest Party during Sunday School time the Sunday closest to Halloween. The kids and teachers all dress up, but in church appropriate costumes (I keep some extra costumes in case somebody’e costume is inappropriate), we do a message around the harvest theme,play games, make crafts and have autumn type snacks. The kids and adults love it.
Ronel
The Christians I know call October 31 Reformation day. This was the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the castle church door in Wittenberg , Germany. This day was the start of the Protestant Reformation.
Ronel
The Christians I know call October 31 Reformation day. This was the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the castle church door in Wittenberg , Germany. This day was the start of the Protestant Reformation.
Kim
I am a Christian and raised my children in a Christian home. I love the dress-up and the candy hand-outs and decorate my house for all the neighborhood kids to enjoy. None of this makes me any less of a believer. Evil can be found wherever one is looking, but we treat this event as fun and hope others do not judge us for doing so.
Abner
I know many many people have some seriously ways to celebrate this day call Hall…owen, and at the end everybody need to decide. As a Pastor I have a call to inform, educate, teach about our God and His precious Word:my friends bros and Sis in our church have the freedom to choose, and I have the right they gave me to lead them bout never enforce them to do what Holy Spirit instruct them in their hearts. At last, the Last Day when Jesus come the last world He will let us heard, ones to the right and other to the left. Amen
Pastor Ski
its funny how folks manipulate words and ideas to suit their argument. Celebrating the birth of Gods Son and the risen Christ are not pagan holidays. That’s just mere stupidity to make a point. I do think adding the trappings of pagan celebrations to valid CHRIST believer celebrations is dangerous. Eggs, bunnies, chicks and the sort is cheapening the awesomeness of what God has done. And manipulating those symbols with a spiritual spin on them opens doors for others and our children to spin everything to cloud the truths of God. The article has much biblical common sense. If we can combine heightening our children’s awareness of the hidden evil in the ways of the world, and enjoy an experience scripturally relevant, we teach our children JESUS is to be celebrated, enjoyed and it’s cool to be a follower of Christ. While also educating them to the seductions of worldly celebrations and holidays.
Matt Norman
I am a children’s minister and had a friendly discussion about this with a member of my church this week. At the end of the day I told him that if someone had an idea for another event that would bring over 1000 people, many of who are unchurched and unsaved, to our church then I would be all over it. Until then, I’m going with trunk or treat.
Jeff Fox
First get your facts straight. Halloween, which came from All Hallows Eve, which is today known as All Saints Day in many denominations (November 1st). It was the Eve of All Saints Day.
Some confuse the Celtic Harvest feast of Samhain which actually came hundreds of years after Hallows Eve was a thing. It is however elements of the Celtic celebration that made it’s way to North America into what we celebrate as Halloween. Do some research on what Halloween actually is and how it formed in the United States.
Have some taken it and made into evil? Of course. That does not mean boycott it. I went trick or treating and dressed up as a kid and I love Christ and follow him. It did nothing to me. Spiritual warfare comes from much other common things besides going trick or treating.
Christy
So just because the majority of America celebrates Halloween that makes it OK for Christians to do so. Does that mean we need to start planning days for Muslim holidays as well? Those are on the rise and our kids might feel they are missing out on something. I personally treat Halloween like any other “holiday” that I do not believe in and ignore it. In our family we discuss each holiday and why we are celebrating it. This includes Christmas, New Years, Veterans Day, etc. I see no reason for Christians to celebrate Halloween or replace it so the kids are not missing out. We don’t replace other holidays. Now with that being said… We don’t judge others who have reached a different conclusion.
mark
Blah, blah, blah…
I suppose some on here would say do nothing that has anything to do with evil. Well, stop celebrating Christmas – it has pagan origins and do does easter, and stop putting your money in mutual funds – because most corporations support abortion and gay marriage, etc. We are to be light in darkness, not hidden under a barrel. You can’t be light and salt unless you are there, mingling, getting your hands dirty with the prostitutes and tax collectors.
mark
Blah, blah, blah…
I suppose some on here would say do nothing that has anything to do with evil. Well, stop celebrating Christmas – it has pagan origins and do does easter, and stop putting your money in mutual funds – because most corporations support abortion and gay marriage, etc. We are to be light in darkness, not hidden under a barrel. You can’t be light and salt unless you are there, mingling, getting your hands dirty with the prostitutes and tax collectors.
mary
It is for FREEDOM Christ came.
We are free to participate in this pagan holiday if we so choose. And we are free to wear the costumes we want.
I don’t live in bondage that other Christians will judge what I do. I try and focus on my relationship with Jesus every day. Period. I have a feeling if he were here on earth in the physical form, he would be walking around with all the kids and family’s. That’s the Jesus I believe in.
harvest party and teach about compassion for souls in eternity
Our church traditionally has a ‘harvest party’ for the children (No dress up). So the children have something to do that evening and as part of it, they also discuss having compassion for the souls in eternity.
Let it be
I know as an adult and knew as a child where halloween came from- but never celebrate it that way- my jack o lanterns were NOT put out to scare away the demons,ghosts, etc and even as an adult christian I still feel kids should be able to dress up as whatever they want- be it witch, angel, fairy, monster, whatever- it is all in good fun and we are not teaching them to do it in honor of the original pagan Holiday… it is same as dressing up for a play etc… we are NOT trying to invite the devil in and actually the pagan holiday told people to dress in scary costumes so the evil spirits would pass over them and not bother them- in any case- yes pick your battles- this is definitely NOT one of mine.. ans as for turning a brewery into a church- why not? beer in itself is not evil!! or any alcoholic beverage- Jesus drank wine ( and dont tell me it was unfermented) it is people who drink alcohol in excess and use it as a crutch that is bad…
SANDRA PAUCAR
WHAT?!!!! THE IS LIKE PAINTING WHITE OVER A STINKY TRUSH CAN EVEL IS EVEL DOSENT MANNER IF YOU PAINTED WHITE LIKE A WOLF DRESS IN LAM COSTUM THER R OTHER 164 DAYS IN THE YEAR TO DRESS UP AND GET TREATS THE BIBLE IS TRUTH AND SAIS THAT IF WE ARE FRIENDS WITH THE WORLD WE R ENEMIES WITH GOD SOOOO YOU DISEDE WITH PATH YOUR FALLOW .R WEN GOING TO BE DESIVE LIKE EVE WAS ……WITH AL BLA BLA BLA FROM SATAN PLEASE THE RUPTURE IS ALMOST HERE ANY DAY NOW LIVE HOLLOWEEN ON THE SIDE LET THE DEAD CELEBRATE THE DEAD TAKE CARE OF YOUR SALVATION AND SANTIFIED AND FILL UP YOUR OIL TO BE READY FOR HIS RAPTURE.
liz
its good that your trying to change the way people see this holiday BUT I still feel that everyone is always someway or another giving in to there own desires, bible also says in the last days people will listen to false teachings and have itching ears but you did have a good point what is profitable to some is not for others, guess I’ll continue to be the other, not judging so hopefully no hate emails or remarks from christians
Carolyn
i am so happy to see somebody write about this .. i agree with all of this .. we should teach our children about the Lord and show them that Christians can have fun as well.. but yet not of the world ..
Kay Savage
Our church celebrates a light party on or near to 31October because its not about looking at the darkness of sin but overcoming it with the light of Christ
Yvette
I agree in making a more positive event. I only would like another NAME FOR THE DAY…maybe this is a ministry that can be set forth for Christians and eventually the world will embrace as well. It would have to be catchy names like Storybooks Day…Costume Scene Day…Figurine Day. Something worth praying about Amen!!!
Nicole
Loved it!!!ni