Comments on: Keeping Christ in Halloween.

By: James

James — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:31:52 +0000

Steve, I was not aware of St.Patricks contribution to reconditioning halloween by giving instead of taking when last year my wife had that idea and took our children out to encourage the elderly/shut-ins,etc w/ a visit and goodies. That was a last minute thought, so planning ahead, we hope to expand on that and do more this year. That article was encouraging , THANK YOU for sharing & GOD BLESS, James.

By: Patty Boge

Patty Boge — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:03:18 +0000

I love Nancy’s pumpkin. She is lovely, this wife of yours, but what I love the most is her weird-wild side!

By: Thomas D. Dalke

Thomas D. Dalke — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:50:30 +0000

I think you’ve touched on a valid point; though as you realized the principal is far more reaching then just halloween. When Jesus said: “If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). He was not only speaking of salvation but the freedom of it. That there would be liberty to experiance life outside of the normal confines of the “fold”.
In the next verse that follows Jesus says that the thief does not come except to steal; kill and destroy; while Jesus says “…I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJ).
Now in contrast to Jesus’ light yoke and easy burden that He brings to ones life (Matt. 11:28-30). The Pharisees as their name implies were separtists isolating themselves from the greater community in which they lived in the hopes of purfying themselves. A similair group mentioned briefly in the N.T. was the Essenes. They are believed to have been those who started the community at Quram (i.e. where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered). The result though of such isolation whether in Jewish; Christian or even Musilm circles historically never seems to have positive effects on their adherents.
While in contrast the Lord Jesus was always engaging of the culture He step into. And it was often because of His contraversial assocations with known sinners that He fell into the disdainful regard of such individuals. Yet His purpose was not to be contraversial.
Rather it was for healing and repentance of many that He took such risks (Matt. 9:9-13). If it meant His reputation or Person would be called into question. He bore it. For love demands action, not isolation (Luke 15:3-7).
I guess for us as individual believers or would be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we must decide for ourselves just what our comfort zones are. But engagment of our culture, if done wisely and tacfully, can never be a bad thing. For both might come to a better understanding of each other and who they are. And we just might become greater agents by which God plants seeds of grace, hope and life through us as well.

By: Jon Dykstra

Jon Dykstra — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:00:04 +0000

I appreciate your argument, and I think I agree – that rather than simply retreating from Halloween, Christians can participate, but in our participation still show our difference.

But I thought the vomiting pumpkin undermined your point – if Christians are going to participate, then we shouldn’t join in celebrating what’s dark, disturbing and disgusting. Where’s the antithesis then?

By: Karen Flack-Buettner

Karen Flack-Buettner — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:04:09 +0000

This was a very good blog – I have thought for a long time that Halloween or another festival or time of celebration doesn’t have to be given over the satan or the world. We have the power of Christ to redeem anything from evil’s temptation or the flesh’s lust. Instead of banning things…let’s look for creative ways to engage the culture with redemptive joy and dare, I say: “fun”.

And I LOVE the barfing pumpkin – superb job. Gotta love ya Nancy, Karen Flack-Buettner.

By: Ted & Mary Goossen

Ted & Mary Goossen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:24:29 +0000

Thanks Steve for a well reasoned Christian’s response to dealing with Halloween – to be involved rather than disassociating ourselves from an opportunity to connect with our community.
Appreciated the perspective of St. Patrick that you brought to light. I agree that the Church ought to be actively encouraging believers to engage the community in the various cultural arenas.

By: Mike Stevens

Mike Stevens — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:49:31 +0000

Your wife’s the vomiting pumpkin was excellent. She could have won a competition, I give her the blue ribbon. Loved the article too. You truly have a gift for writing. I enjoy all that you write.

By: Barbara Rempel

Barbara Rempel — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:26:33 +0000

Me again! I find every comment here of value. This Halloween tug and pull (and Christmas can be the same way) seems to grab our sensibilities year after year. I especially was intrigued by the parallel made to the events at the crucifixion – something that I’m sure I’ve even studied in the past but hadn’t thought of in years. I’m not sure you can make a connection. But there is food for thought there. As I approach 40 years of the Christian dance, I find myself relaxing into the simplicity of it. It really is about a day to day journey, with our hands firmly in the Father’s, and with the enjoyment of Jesus’ occasional (or daily) wink. And as I write this I’m listening to Al Gore talking to Charlie Rose about the environmental crisis we face – another very emotional and heated debate.. There are such huge issues for us in this day. Way beyond whether we should be carving pumpkins or not.

By: Rod Black

Rod Black — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:37:35 +0000

Thanks, Steve. We are working on the concept of helping new believers think through replacing their old religious holidays with new celebrations, and this discussion was very helpful. Of course, hearing about the old days in Drum is also fun.
Rod

By: rusty crozier

rusty crozier — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:30:50 +0000

Hey Steve… I like your article but i would like to suggest that the origins of Halloween are not in the Celtic Culture. i believe that culture was imitating something that was real and perhaps scary but originated somewhere else.

The bible tells us that when Christ died, a spectacular event happened. Matthew 27:50 says, “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”

I think the world and Satan have been trying to imitate and distort this amazing victory over death ever since. Imagine the city at the time… relatives long dead show up at the door for tea! It was scary but also a celebration. Perhaps we in the church have missed something and given away the resurrection moment the same way we gave away Easter in general, and Christmas and ?

I dont think we should participate in the imitation, but rather in the real! Just some thoughts from an old red head. By the way, i know your uncle Steve and Blance. I learned a great deal from them growing up!