Jack K
Puritan Board Doctor
To answer the opening question... I find strong parallels between Halloween and the food-offered-to-idols discussion in 1 Corinthians 8. This means that, yes, it is a freedom-of-conscience matter, but one with an important caveat: we are to use our freedom in a way that puts concern for others ahead of what we personally would otherwise like to do. The parallels:
- Just as there was a clear way to connect the dots from the meat in Corinth to idol worship, it isn't hard to connect Halloween to the celebration of things ghoulish and theologically wrongheaded. To claim no connection requires quite a stretch. But that's okay, Halloween observer. A connection doesn't necessarily mean we must have nothing to do with it. So relax, and admit the connection exists.
- Just as eating meat is not sinful in itself, and in fact is a God-given part of life so that a clear-minded Corinthian believer might eat meat without sinning by the mere act, many parts of American Halloween observance are not sinful in themselves. For instance, showing hospitality to one's neighbors by handing out candy to visiting kids is not sinful in itself and actually fits a God-glorifying lifestyle rather well.
- The main point of Paul's instruction to the Corinthians is that their freedom on this matter does NOT mean they should just go ahead and eat meat, nor that they are better than "weak" believers if they do. Rather, they should be careful and always ready to abstain—because the connections that exist are potentially dangerous. Likewise, we should probably be asking ourselves some serious questions about Halloween: Am I encouraging others to respond to death by embracing the trappings of Halloween rather than by turning to Christ? Do I personally find some macabre spiritual fulfillment in spooky things when I should be looking to Christ? Even if not, might my participation be leading others down that road? Anyone who asks himself these or similar questions is to be commended, not dismissed as weak. And anyone who abstains because he finds he has answered yes should be praised for honoring God and loving his brother.
- The Corinthian believers who had knowledge that idol worship was pointless were not therefore free to eat meat if it might cause others to think there might actually be some power in idols. In the same way, our knowledge that spooky Halloween stuff is all a bunch of hooey, or that it has no power against the supreme reign of Christ, is not a license to do whatever we like. A significant number of people do fall prey to superstition. And the law of love for others trumps the law of "I'm more theologically sound."
- That said, you might still survey the situation and decide you can eat the meat, or hand out treat-or-treat candy, to the glory of God. At my house, we usually do hand out candy with the goal of being neighborly, though we'll be in our church fellowship this year as Halloween falls on Sunday. I don't think our participation causes others to stumble, and in fact, I hope that the way we participate speaks against much of Halloween's faults. There's room to consider this and act out of love rather than out of a blanket rule or thoughtless assimilation.