Unfortunately, there is no single correct answer to this question. It is totally subjective... and I can back up this point of view with scripture. It comes down to the law of LIBERTY and the law of LOVE as described by Apostle Paul in Romans 14. I think it's great that Got Questions made a point to emphasize a distinction between celebrating Halloween and doing fun activities. I do not think there is actually any Christian out there celebrating death, evil, and demonic stuff. What we usually do is have fun with costume dressing and candy sharing.
I was motivated to write this post because of the questions and comments I got when I posted a picture of my daughter in her Halloween costume. There are a lot of Christians out there who are genuinely confused. I hope this post will help them get some clarity. Note that nowadays it is quite easy for us to get caught up in religious activity at the expense of the truth. It is important to check our hearts to make sure Halloween is not just another way we have found to manifest self-righteousness.
Why do certain Christians not let their kids dress up for Halloween? A lot will say it is because of its history or what it represents. According to this good resource by Focus on the Family, Halloween actually has pagan as well as Christian roots. Although it is a tradition of celebrating scary, dark stuff that has been sustained over the years, one can still choose to celebrate the Christian origin story. The truth is, for most people, it is not that deep... Halloween is nothing more than costumes, parties, and candy... all of which can have godly themes. I do believe only a relatively small percentage of people actually indulge in dark and evil stuff in celebration of that day. Still, given the controversy that surrounds the holiday, the question of whether to celebrate or not is a very personal one. Let us go through Romans 14 for some biblical investigation.
The Law of Liberty
Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; [a]and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:
“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
The Law of Love
14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Romans 14 NKJV (emphasis added)
Based on this chapter, my personal conclusion on the matter is that peace is the ultimate priority. Will dressing my kid up cause offense or division in my community/family? Will it hinder the love of Christ in any way? If yes, then I will not. I may dress my kids up this year, and then choose not to next year... it all depends. But yes, all things being equal I do participate in Halloween because I do believe the dark side of its history has no power over me, and what matters in the context of New Testament faith is HOW I choose to observe the holiday. I like how this article by Christianity highlights our victory in Christ... even over ancient practices like Halloween. Godless things can indeed be redeemed and used in the Christian context. Paul himself used the phrase ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ..." in Acts 17:28 (NKJV) borrowed from a pagan source.
Christ has redeemed Halloween, and it is not biblical to "fear" it. Interestingly, handing out candy can be a perfect evangelizing opportunity... remember Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NKJV):
"19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you."
May our Lord Jesus give us wisdom and understanding as we contemplate our stance on this subject.
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