Why 'Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?' Isn't the Best Question

With Halloween approaching, there is no shortage of opinions about Christian involvement in it. Online, respected Christians have attempted to help other believers navigate Halloween but even their conclusions differ leaving many still wondering, “Should Christians celebrate Halloween?”

I understand why the question is asked yet I feel that answering it often misses the point and ultimately leaves us with more questions. What does it mean to celebrate? What is meant by ‘should’? How can we as Christians approach Halloween and other matters that aren’t of first importance (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) when there are so many opinions and factors to consider? These and other questions are worth our consideration. However, I believe asking a better question will help us navigate these other, less important ones. That question is “How can we please Christ?”

There seems to be much fodder these days for polarization amongst Christians and Halloween involvement is no exception. Some acknowledge that they are free in Christ to participate as they choose while others have the conviction that any level of participation is the equivalent of endorsing evil. Rather than trying to discern what is pleasing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:10), and consider how we can enjoy our freedoms to serve others in love (Galatians 5:13), it can become easy to focus on being unlike those who hold different convictions than we do (at least for me it can). It is important to remember that as Christians, our primary aim isn’t avoiding legalism and it isn’t avoiding Halloween — our primary aim is to please Christ (2 Corinthians 5:9, 8:21).

Heaven will be full of saints who participated in Halloween activities and those who abstained. The church in Revelation consists of people of all tribes, tongues, and nations (Revelation 7:9) dwelling in unity worshiping Christ ceaselessly. Our future unity makes a compelling case for our present unity. So what might it look like to navigate Halloween as believers dwelling in unity with other believers (Psalm 133:1)? I’ve found it helpful to think through the following as we’ve decided how our family will respond to Halloween.

Celebration Defined

Prior to considering or being concerned by the idea of celebration, it may be helpful to actually define the term. It seems that a large cause of conflict, both online and off, is individuals using the same term but having arrived at different understandings of it. For the sake of our unity, which Jesus prayed for (John 17:11) and gave His life for, it is helpful to cultivate relationships with those who hold different convictions than we do. This is an expression of humility that manifests itself in a willingness to learn and seek to understand a perspective different from our own.

Proverbs 20:5 says, “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” When I’ve encountered Christians who believe differently than I do on nonessential issues, I’ve found it helpful to ask, “What does it look like to have a heart that seeks to understand?” The answer often involves asking questions of those with different convictions to create a context for understanding and asking questions usually requires some level of relationship. Establishing a shared understanding of terms early on in the conversation and asking questions helps with communication and creates a context where understanding flourishes.

Celebration Distinguished

I’ve read some compelling cases of how Christians can respond to Halloween but I have yet to come across one that makes the distinction between celebration and participation. If you see other believers who appear to be celebrating Halloween, it may be helpful for you to consider whether they are celebrating or participating. And if it is deemed that they are celebrating, it may be helpful to consider what is being celebrated. There can be the assumption that if one takes their child out for complimentary candy while clothed in a costume, they don’t take their obedience to Jesus as seriously as those who abstain from such activities (although, those same activities would likely be welcomed on different days in different settings, for example, a child receiving candy as a treat at school or wearing dress up clothes to play pretend).

For those who don’t participate, it is helpful to believe the best about those who do. It is highly unlikely that those who love Jesus are engaging in acts of evil to celebrate pagan rituals and practices. Participation in Halloween doesn’t make one more (or less) righteous before God. For those who do participate, it is helpful to remember that those who don’t may have valid motives that inform their current convictions.

I once served in youth ministry alongside a woman who practiced witchcraft before Jesus saved her. Although I don’t know her convictions about Halloween, I would understand if participation in it violated her conscience. We do well to consider if there are ways we can patiently bear with those whose consciences align differently than ours (Romans 14). Our consciences help us form convictions and the variety of convictions within a local church is likely as numerous as its members. When we see our spiritual siblings proceeding with different convictions than ours it is wise to believe the best and the love that God has shown us in Christ compels us to do that (1 Corinthians 13:7, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

Convictional Differences

Referring to a nonessential issue, I once heard a pastor say that his conviction wasn’t someone else’s command. I thought that was brilliant and incredibly helpful. It is important to believe the best (1 Corinthians 13:7) about our spiritual siblings as we work toward understanding their convictions about Halloween. The description of the church’s diversity in Revelation is indicative of the diversity that is present within the church, including a diversity of convictions. Isn’t it beautiful that groups of people with different backgrounds and experiences meet every week to worship our risen Savior?! What a compelling witness our unity can be to this lost world! There’s something lovely about fellowship being undisturbed because the unity of those in fellowship is greater than their differences.

So, should you, as a Christian, celebrate Halloween? That’s between you and the Lord and probably best worked out after seeking His heart in prayer, spending time in His word, and talking with His people in the context of your local church. God gives no specific commands about Halloween. You are free to participate or abstain (or do a combination of both). How you do or don’t participate in Halloween isn’t indicative of your position in Christ. Regardless of what you choose to do, God will not stop looking at you as perfect because of Jesus (Isaiah 61:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Whether you do or don’t engage in Halloween activities, Jesus remains Lord even on October 31st. He is going to build His church and even on Halloween, the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). After defeating sin and death on the cross to make a way for repentant sinners to be saved, Jesus declared some of the most profound words ever when He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Now those who have placed their hope for salvation in Him are robed in His righteousness (Isaiah 61:10) which is more glorious than any Halloween getup. That is good news that is worthy of our celebration (and participation) every day of the year.