MPI’s Stance on Halloween
Halloween is often associated with witchcraft, satanism, revelry and other demonic activities, which are strictly prohibited in Scripture. No Christian should practice, imitate or glorify these works of darkness. That being said, other Fall activities that are not overtly demonic or are not done with the intention of glorifying the works of darkness are matters of one’s own conscience.
For as Paul instructed Titus, “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted” (Titus 1:15). And, as written in Hebrews, “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). We trust our disciples who love and fear God to make their own decisions for or against partaking in things like dressing in costumes, apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, and the like. Further, we give grace and space for our leaders to organize events in the Fall season, such as “Harvest Fests,” for the purpose of outreach.
Some will argue that the activities mentioned above are all essentially demonic, and have their roots in pagan rituals. This is debatable, and we welcome healthy debates among Christians about the origins of Halloween and other holidays. However, we do not allow the practices of pagans to determine how we live our lives as Christians. If we were completely consistent with this rule, then we would not celebrate birthdays, Christmas or Easter. We could look for and find countless customs and observances that have had some correlation to pagan practices.
Our rule comes from Scripture, “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:5-8).
In the above context, the Jewish Feast Days and Sabbaths were in question. In addressing whether Christians should continue to observe these days, Paul appeals to a greater principle that can apply to all days and activities: “everything” we do as Christians is done “unto the Lord.”
“The earth is the LORD’S, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1a).
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
“…Hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17b). “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from
heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy” (Acts 14:17).
Every day and everything under heaven belongs to our God. A devil can try to coopt and pervert parts of God’s good creation, but he can never lay claim to it. Therefore, October 31st belongs to the Lord, and the Christian is free to enjoy His blessings that day. The Fall season and the accompanying harvest are occasions for us to rejoice in God’s provision and order. To the extent that are we not in violation of God’s commands, we are free! The list of things God said we shall not do is small compared to all the good things are free to do in Christ!