There are some in the religious world who think that such traditional American holidays as Halloween (along with Christmas and Easter) are sinful in and of themselves. Even with some members of the church, it has almost become a matter of brotherhood "political correctness" not to use such terms as "Halloween" (or "Christmas" or "Easter"), yet if we do the same activities and call it "Fall Festival" (or "Holiday party" or "Spring Festival") it is okay. How consistent is this? While the term "Fall Festival" may be preferred over "Halloween," if the activities are sinful in and of themselves, then it does not matter what we call it. However, the question remains: Are all activities associated with Halloween, or "Fall Festival," sinful?

We Must Have Bible Authority!

What makes faithful New Testament Christians different from everyone else is that they live by the principle: "whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17). We must have Christ's authority for everything we do! This is not limited to just "religious" things, but "whatsoever ye do in word or deed"! We must have Bible authority to buy a car, walk the dog, go to the grocery store, and even lie on the couch to watch Monday Night Football! Bible authority is derived from explicit Biblical statements, Biblical examples, and implications from the two. The first relevant question here is: Does the Bible authorize recreational activities? The answer is yes. The American Heritage Dictionary defines "recreation" as the "refreshment of one's mind or body after labor through diverting activity." Jesus Himself showed the importance of recreation when He told the apostles just after John the Baptist was beheaded, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for...they had no leisure so much as to eat. 32And they departed into a desert place by ship privately" (Mk. 6:31-32). Jesus often resorted to places in Galilee to "get away" (cf. Mt. 4:12; Jn. 6:15). Recreation, therefore, is Biblically authorized. Recreation, of course, can be abused and become idolatry, but the fact remains that in principle recreation is Scriptural.

The second relevant question is: Does the Bible authorize some activities done on Halloween, or "Fall Festival"? The answer here is yes. Obviously, there are some activities that could be involved with Halloween, or "Fall Festival," that are not Scriptural (such as vandalism, alcoholic beverages, sexual immorality, etc.). However, is there anything wrong, in and of itself, for children to dress in costume, bob for apples, play games, or go around the neighborhood collecting candy from neighbors who participate? Children will play (cf. Job 21:11; Zec. 8:5; Mt. 11:16-17). As long as those activities are not sinful in and of themselves (cf. Gal. 5:19-21), and they are carried out expediently (cf. 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23), then they are Scriptural.

What About the Origin of Halloween "Fall Festival"?

The number one reason given against Halloween (and the reason why the term "Fall Festival" is so popular) is its origin. According to the Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, Halloween is "shortened from All-Hallows-even; the eve of All-Hallows or All Saints; the last night of October....In the Old Celtic calendar the year began on November, so that the last night of October was old years night, the night of all witches, which the [Roman Catholic] Church transformed into the Eve of All Saints." In other words, the Roman Catholic Church would allow the heathen practices of their "converts" as long as they incorporated Catholicism into them. Thus, Halloween originated as a combination of the Roman Catholic "All Saints Day" and the ancient pagan practices of the Celtic people.

The question here is: Does how something originated always mean that it currently carries that same connotation? The answer is no, not always. For example, some of the English names for the days of the week originated as pagan names honoring their gods, but does that mean when we say the word "Thursday," are we acknowledging the pagan deity "Thor's Day"? Obviously not! What about Valentines Day? On some calendars, it is called "St. Valentine's Day," which reveals Roman Catholic origins. Does this mean that when we give our sweetie flowers or chocolate that we are observing Roman Catholicism. Of course not! Furthermore, if it were the case that Halloween activities are always sinful because of the origins of Halloween, then why would not the activities associated with "Fall Festival" always be sinful? After all, "Fall Festival" originated from Halloween, which originated from paganism. Are not the activities of "Fall Festival" (children dressing in costume, giving out candy, games, etc.) patterned after traditional American Halloween activities?

What About Influence and Halloween "Fall Festival"?

Here is perhaps the main issue, not only with Halloween, or "Fall Festival," but with any of our cultural American holidays. Will our participation harm our good influence for Christ? If so, we must not participate in such activities (Mt. 5:13-16; Rom. 14:16; 1 Thes. 5:22). However, does all participation in all Halloween, or "Fall Festival," events hurt good Christian influence? The answer is no. There are some activities that can, but not all. For example, what kind of influence do we exert when our children (or ourselves) dress in the costume of a prostitute, murderer, or something else whose innuendo clearly violates Biblical principles? Some may choose not to participate in any activities of Halloween, or "Fall Festival," and that is fine and Scriptural (cf. Rom. 14:5-7), and those who do participate in such activities that are not sinful should not condemn them. Likewise, those who do not participate should not condemn those who do.

Again, none of us should be involved in any get-togethers or activities that are sinful and/or hurtful to our good Christian influence. We must not, however, bind laws that God has not bound. Halloween, or "Fall Festival," can be Scriptural forms of recreation, but, like with any other form of recreation, there is the potential that it can be turned into something unscriptural. Let us make sure that we never violate God's standard of morality, violate our conscience, force others to violate their conscience, hurt our influence, or cause our brothers and sisters to stumble. Christ died for us so that we might live for Him.