Editor’s note – Every autumn this debate resurfaces in churches and family group chats alike: is Halloween a doorway best avoided or a harmless night of costumes and candy? Zack Duncan takes both camps seriously instead of picking a side and scoring points. He traces Halloween’s pagan roots alongside its surprising ties to All Saints’ Day, then asks what Jesus and Paul would actually say. The answer he lands on isn’t a rulebook – it’s a call to hold two truths at once: real spiritual danger and real security in Christ. Read it before you decide what your porch light will say this year.
Christians Should Reject Halloween!
The avoid-Halloween crowd correctly acknowledges that October 31st is Samhain, a major focus for those who practice paganism and Wicca.
Samhain has roots dating to at least the 2nd century in Ireland. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the “darker” season. It was a time when people believed the barrier between humans and spirits in the immaterial realm was especially thin.
In ancient Ireland Samhain was associated with a pagan fertility and solar god known as Crom Cruach.
Before his worship was effectively ended by St. Patrick on his missionary journeys, ancient texts claim that Crom Cruach would be propitiated through child sacrifice.
During this beginning of the darker season, people would protect themselves – so they thought, at least – from roaming harmful spirits by wearing costumes and leaving out offerings of food. The purpose of wearing the costumes (known as “guising”) seems to have been to blend in with the spirits by looking like them.
They would also carve frightening faces into hollowed out root vegetables for protection. These first jack-o-lanterns were often turnips or beets before Scottish and Irish immigrants to the States began using pumpkins in the mid-19th century.
Careful Christians today correctly say such “magical” practices are completely opposed to following Christ. They reference verses like Ephesians 5:11 as Scriptural support to stay far away from Halloween.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. (Ephesians 5:11)
In addition to the pagan origins, these Christians know that Halloween continues to have significant occult connections. And they know the Bible is clear on its prohibition of all witchcraft.
They’ll note that despite what some other Christians may think, practicing magic is serious business for many. They know that witchcraft is growing in America.
- Only 8,000 Americans reported practicing Wicca or paganism in 1990.
- There was a greater than 40-fold increase to 340,000 practitioners by 2008.
- The number spiked again to a million only six years later according to a 2014 Pew study.
A Spiritual Reality
Like the former atheist Uber driver who came to know Jesus by realizing he had been demonized, these Christians fully believe there are real spiritual forces at work in the world.
A pagan might say these spirits are neutral or multifaceted and should be respected and cooperated with. But the Christian says that anything in the spiritual realm not loyal to Christ is ultimately opposed to humankind and should not be trusted.
The Christian is mindful that Paul warned his churches against participating in food that had been sacrificed to the Roman gods, and they see the same lesson applying to Halloween.
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. (1 Corinthians 10:20)
Further, they also see that Halloween tends to promote darkness, fear, and death. All of which are antithetical to the hopeful Christian ethos of light triumphing over the darkness.
Instead of celebrating darkness, Christians should spend their time and energy on what is admirable in Christ.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
That’s the summary of the first position.
Turn out lights. Lock the doors. Avoid the darkness. Pray for the neighborhood.
Editor’s note – It’s worth remembering that Paul didn’t tell the Corinthians to fear demons – he told them not to partner with them. That’s a meaningful distinction. The spiritual realm is real, but a Christian’s response to it is confidence in Christ’s authority, not anxious avoidance of every cultural symbol connected to darkness.
Halloween is Fine for Christians!
Some Christians see things differently.
They may acknowledge Paul’s cautions about anything spiritual that is not expressly Christ-centered, but they also know how important Christian liberty was to him.
If their conscience has no issues with Halloween, why should they be unduly influenced by those who are more tender? They may cite Scripture like Romans 14 when Paul wrote about liberty of Christian conscience regarding food and calendar days.
Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. (Romans 14:4-5)
Further, Christians with this outlook may know that the name Halloween derives from “All Hallow’s Eve” and is closely connected to All Saint’s Day.
It’s been that way for well over a thousand years.
Pope Gregory III moved the All Saint’s Day from May 13 to November 1 in the early 8th century to mark the opening of a new chapel dedicated to Christian martyrs.
The vigil the night before this celebration of “All Saint’s” was to prepare for recognizing these hallowed (holy) ones who had given their lives for the faith.
Many hundreds of years later Martin Luther tacked up his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg on All Hallow’s Eve.
In other words, both Roman Catholics and Protestants have something important in their respective traditions to honor.
And why not take advantage of an occasion to celebrate a night of harmless fun?
It’s a chance to form common bonds with friends, celebrate with family, and recognize that God made us so we could enjoy the world we live in.
Further, it can also be an opportunity to love one’s neighbor. This Biblical command was emphasized by Jesus and later by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the churches in Galatia.
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:14)
And it can be hard to love one’s neighbor well if you’re locked inside and the only house not giving out candy.
That’s the second position.
Bring on the costumes and candy! Carve the pumpkins. Have a Happy Halloween!
Editor’s note – The history here is a helpful corrective. Halloween’s connection to All Saints’ Day is a reminder that cultural practices often carry more than one layer of meaning, and Christians have reshaped pagan calendars before. That doesn’t erase legitimate caution – it just means the question is more complicated than either side’s slogans suggest.
Who Is Right?
Should Christians be cautious of Halloween because it’s connected to an ancient pagan celebration and it’s still marked by those with occult connections today?
Or, is it a chance for those who are in Christ to have fun with kids and neighbors (and to eat lots of Reese’s cups)?
When we look to the full picture from the Bible, there’s a compelling argument that both are correct.
Let’s consider what Jesus and the Apostle Paul might say if they were speaking on the subject.
Cosmic Reality for Jesus and Paul
Both Jesus and Paul affirmed humans lived in and alongside an invisible spiritual reality.
For Jesus, the real battle took place in the supernatural realm.
He authenticated his ministry through miracles, including the public removal of unclean spirits from people.
Paul taught the same.
Here’s how he describes reality in his letter to the church at Ephesus:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
They envisioned a world where the true battle is never against another human, but against deceptive and ultimately malevolent spiritual entities.
With such a worldview, it’s hard to imagine them recommending that Christians should do anything to “bribe” those malicious entities with treats left outside the house. Or to try and blend in with them through guising. Or to scare them off through terrifying looking jack-o-lanterns.
They would reject anything that could bring and acclaim honor to such rituals. Instead, they would exhort Christians to fight.
But how to fight, exactly? How does one stand against an invisible enemy?
Paul gives the answer in Romans 12:21. We overcome evil with good.
And pursuing goodness requires us to combine both truth and love in radical ways.
Jesus famously commanded His followers to love their enemies and to pray for those who persecute them. He went to His death praying for the forgiveness of those who were crucifying Him.
Paul affirms the teaching and example of the Lord in Romans 12:20 when he teaches that we should love our enemies by meeting their practical needs. And we must do it with genuine love.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says we are nothing if we do not have love. Love is both the way and the objective of the Christian life.
And love is the way that followers of Christ enforce the final victory that He won on the Cross.
Editor’s note – Overcoming evil with good is harder than either boycotting or ignoring a holiday. It asks Christians to show up – at the door, in costume, candy bowl in hand – and to let love do the work that fear or indifference never could.
So What Should Be Done?
The Gospels and the rest of the New Testament envision Earth as an occupied war zone where victory is assured for all who are in Christ.
- Since it’s a war zone, Christians should have their eyes open. No one goes into a battle with their eyes closed. Christians should recognize that there are real spiritual forces of darkness.
- And since victory is secure, those who are in Christ should be completely unafraid. Malevolent spiritual entities are far stronger than people, but they are powerless before Jesus. Walking out our door in the security of Christ, the truth of Scripture, and the power of the Holy Spirit means Christians have supernatural protection.
If we hold those two truths in tension, I think we see there are plenty of good options for a Christian who wants to participate in Halloween.
Perhaps it’s intentionally visiting neighbors and offer them a smile and a blessing instead of a “trick.” Maybe it’s giving out both candy and warm smiles along with encouraging Bible verses to inject light into an otherwise dark night.
Perhaps it’s hosting a party that both recognizes some of the good things about Halloween (I see you, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups!) while also pointing to the ultimate victory won by Christ.
Whatever it is, I think Scripture points us to an approach that is neither ignorant nor fearful. A way that is both aware of the darkness and fully confident of the security in Christ because of His victory.
What do you think?
And have a Happy Halloween!
Related Reading
- The Only 2 Options for Jesus: Gathering or Scattering
- False gods, Real Demons, and the Evil of Molech
- The Divine Council, Satan, and The Story of Job
- A Curious Case of the Undercover Satanist
- Undercover Satanist Part 2
Sources and References
- Samhain history: https://irishmyths.com/2022/08/15/samhain-history/
- Samhain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain
- The History of Guising | Halloween: https://www.mercattours.com/blog-post/the-history-of-guising-halloween
- The Jaw-Dropping History of the Jack-O’-Lantern: A Tale of Turnips, Samhain, and Severed Heads: https://irishmyths.com/2021/09/19/jack-o-lantern-history/
- Why paganism and witchcraft are making a comeback: https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/paganism-witchcraft-are-making-comeback-rcna54444
- Number of Americans who say they are witches is on the rise: https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/number-of-americans-who-say-they-are-witches-is-on-the-rise
- What are the origins of All Saints Day and All Souls Day? Are these linked with paganism and Halloween? https://catholicstraightanswers.com/what-are-the-origins-of-all-saints-day-and-all-souls-day-are-these-linked-with-paganism-and-halloween/
- Ninety-five theses: https://www.britannica.com/event/Ninety-five-Theses
- Love is the way: Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 Corinthians 16:14 // Love is the objective: Matthew 22:37-40, 1 Corinthians 13:13, 1 John 4:8
- 1 Corinthians 6:17
A Word from the Editor
Halloween will keep dividing Christians who love Jesus and want to honor Him well, and that’s fine – Romans 14 leaves room for it. What matters more is the posture underneath the decision. Paul told the Ephesians to live as children of light, not children of fear (Ephesians 5:8). Whatever you do with your porch light this year, let it say that.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
Distributed by – BCWorldview.org
Editor Comment: Zack Duncan offers a thoughtful, balanced framework for thinking through Halloween that neither panics nor dismisses the real spiritual stakes he raises.
This article appeared on Medium and is reprinted with modifications and by permission.