Venice (Google Images)
November Satire and Theology post
October 30, 2011
A. Halloween/All Hallows Eve
H.F. Vos writes under the heading 'Halloween' (All Hallows Eve) that these are the names given to the October 31 celebration, the eve of the Christian festival of All Saints Day on November 1. Vos (1996: 493). All Saints Day dates back to the eighth century. Vos (1996: 493). The pagan festival of Halloween began with the Druids of Gaul (France) and Britain. The Druids reasoned that on Halloween night ghosts and witches were most likely to be at work. Vos (1996: 493). Therefore, a celebration took place. The Druids were involved in lighting bonfires and feasted on this night. Vos (1996: 493). Vos notes that pagan peoples in western Europe believed that their god could take human and animal form. Vos (1996: 493). Druid practices were eventually merged with Roman fall festival practices and all the Christian feast day. Vos (1996: 493).
BBC Religions
'All Hallows' Eve
All Hallows' Eve falls on 31st October each year, and is the day before All Hallows' Day, also known as All Saints' Day in the Christian calendar. The Church traditionally held a vigil on All Hallows' Eve when worshippers would prepare themselves with prayers and fasting prior to the feast day itself.
The name derives from the Old English 'hallowed' meaning holy or sanctified and is now usually contracted to the more familiar word Hallowe'en.'
Viewpoint
A view on Halloween from a fundamentalistic, very conservative evangelical perspective might be that Halloween celebrates evil, and since the Scripture states to abstain from even the every form of evil, anything to do with Halloween should be avoided. I am however, a moderate conservative.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
Page 605.
The Scripture is certainly true of course and the NASB, as it often does, does a good job of literally portraying the Greek text. Twenty-first century Christians should of course in no way be involved in any kind of Druid, Pagan, or occult like ceremonies, celebrations, games or like, on Halloween or any day of the year. That would be a form of evil that should definitively be avoided.
There is a gray/grey area in regard to dressing up in costumes I reason. I will be transparent, I have not been that interested in Halloween since I was 12 or so. Yes prior to that I was on the 31st Spider-Man or Batman and really cute, I watched out for those dreaded razor blades in the chocolate bars and 'pigged' out on a bunch of candy. I have just not been able to get interested into the 'pop' occultic nature and themes of Halloween. I remember one day in Elementary school some kids were quite upset with me that I was skipping trick or treating to go to the Canucks game as my Dad had Season tickets.
Does a Christian dressing up in a Halloween costume equate with being involved in a Druid or like pagan ceremony? I think not. One must realize that as Christmas has largely been de-Christianized of the Christian message and is largely a secular holiday and celebration, Halloween has also been largely been secularized and is no longer mainly an occultic celebration. So, if a Christian dresses up in an ghoulish costume celebrating Halloween, it is more so celebrating a secular custom than celebrating occultism. But I do acknowledge even with the pop nature of Halloween there is still a form of 'pop' occultism in a sense, which I personally as noted, do not find appealing.
As far a ministry is concerned, I live in an apartment, and so no children come by, but I generally love little children and I have thought about this quite a bit having little nieces and nephews and friends with little children. But living in a townhouse or home, if one is able bodied, I am now as a mature adult troubled with the notion of shutting the lights off and not handing out candy out to the little children. I am thinking it would be better to be known as the friendly Christian neighbour that is very kind to the children, complimenting them on their costumes and showing the love of Christ to neighbours on a secular celebration. I reason this is a far better approach than judging these children as children of the wicked world, turning the lights off and ignoring them. Again, I am not really interested in Halloween, but in Christ I am supposed to love others as myself (Matthew 22, Mark 12) and I think this a good approach.
B. Map Time
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Arc De Triomphe, Paris (Google Images)
Champs Elysees, Paris (Google Images)
Eiffel Tower, Paris (Google Images)
MARSHALL, ALFRED (1975)(1996) The Interlinear KJV-NIV, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
VOS, H.F. (1996) 'Halloween', in Walter A. Elwell (ed.), Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.
C. Funny Vids
CNN
Man tazed on US Black Friday at Walmart
I agree that Christmas has become largely secularized, though (at least here in the states) there still does remain some Christian message associated with it, though it is admittedly hard to find. Still, it presents an excellent evangelism opportunity by sending Christmas cards that contain a gospel message. One could even hand out Christmas gospel tracts on a street corner, or invite a neighbor to a Christmas church service, since most people go to church around the holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc.), even if that is the only day of the year they go.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Halloween, I disagree that it has become secularized. Many of the costumes, masks and decorations are demonic, devilish, or glorify murder or death. Nevertheless, even though many Christians I know do not celebrate Halloween because they consider it satanic (some celebrating alternatives such as Fall Festivals, 'Trunk or Treat,' or where they will dress up as Bible characters instead), it has become my favorite holiday in the past few years, because up to 350 kids/teens/adults come to my house, and it is the easiest time of the year to hand out gospel tracts (along with candy). The kids are actually happy and thankful to see that they are getting something special, instead of just candy. I am even having a couple of friends come over to help me hand out the candy & gospel tract packs, because last year I ran out and had to make up more. So I am looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the article is a good one, and I will post the link to my Facebook page.
Interesting...the "Word Verification" that I have to type in for this comment to go through is 'whica'...very similar to 'wicca'...which is related to the article and Halloween.
'I agree that Christmas has become largely secularized, though (at least here in the states) there still does remain some Christian message associated with it, though it is admittedly hard to find. Still, it presents an excellent evangelism opportunity by sending Christmas cards that contain a gospel message. One could even hand out Christmas gospel tracts on a street corner, or invite a neighbor to a Christmas church service, since most people go to church around the holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc.), even if that is the only day of the year they go.'
ReplyDeleteYes.
'As far as Halloween, I disagree that it has become secularized. Many of the costumes, masks and decorations are demonic, devilish, or glorify murder or death.'
ReplyDeleteI think you need to consider more the parallels with Christmas and Easter. It has become a quite secularized commercialized event. It is primarily a tongue and cheek celebration. But I do recognize the remnants which I call pop occultism, to Halloween as there are remnants with Christianity to Christmas/Easter, and that is a main reason I do not like Halloween that much. Halloween unlike Christmas also is not quite as family orientated although a shorter period.
Thank you for the Facebook support, Jeff. While writing the post I was thinking of you handing out tracts on Halloween and I do respect you for that fact. Like me you care for the children!
Thanks for sharing your childhood stories on Halloween. What are you going to dress up as this year??
ReplyDelete-Trick or Treat-
Nice idea Jeff with putting the Gospel message with your candy for the kids, You never know who's going to read this life changing message of Hope!!
ReplyDelete-Good News Chews-
The secularization of Christmas and Halloween seems to be currently prominent in our society and culture. It must be noted that Christmas is a HOLY-Day and Halloween is not.
ReplyDelete-Hallow Mellow-
Nice video on the dog, what a smart animal and a warm one too!
ReplyDelete-Doggy Doo-
'Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your childhood stories on Halloween. What are you going to dress up as this year??
-Trick or Treat-'
Uncle Chuckles
'Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteNice idea Jeff with putting the Gospel message with your candy for the kids, You never know who's going to read this life changing message of Hope!!
-Good News Chews-'
Agreed.
'Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteThe secularization of Christmas and Halloween seems to be currently prominent in our society and culture. It must be noted that Christmas is a HOLY-Day and Halloween is not.
-Hallow Mellow-'
Ah, and holiday.
'Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteNice video on the dog, what a smart animal and a warm one too!
-Doggy Doo-'
Scooby-Doo's cousin?
I find Christmas to contain just enough Christianity to further harden the hearts of the public.
ReplyDeleteCall me cynical.
I still attempt to send Christmas cards once every two or three years provided the cards contain relevant Scripture.
For Halloween, I decided several years ago that I would hand out the best candy I could reasonably afford. I want to be known as the neighbor who doesn't skimp when it comes to giving. The comments from kids have been tremendous. They'll often say things like "Wow! Big candy bars!" I'll give the kids a few of them if their parents are cool with it. I also tell their parent to feel free to come back at the end of the night, if they would like more, and I'll give them what I have left.
Another plus to Halloween: I live in a second story condo so I have to run down the stairs each time the doorbell rings. I end up getting a decent workout out of the deal.
'I find Christmas to contain just enough Christianity to further harden the hearts of the public.
ReplyDeleteCall me cynical.
I still attempt to send Christmas cards once every two or three years provided the cards contain relevant Scripture.'
Well, you make a reasonable point.
I agree with your Halloween philosophy in regard to giving to the children. I have especially come to that position as an adult with a few years under my belt.
Thanks my friend.
Here's an interesting take on Halloween:
ReplyDeleteThank God for Halloween
Thank you for the Facebook support, Jeff. While writing the post I was thinking of you handing out tracts on Halloween and I do respect you for that fact. Like me you care for the children!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Russ.
Nice idea Jeff with putting the Gospel message with your candy for the kids, You never know who's going to read this life changing message of Hope!!
ReplyDelete-Good News Chews-
Thank you. May many kids come to know Christ through this, and may their lives be dramatically transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit. And may those who are already saved be encouraged and motivated to spread the gospel to others.
'Here's an interesting take on Halloween:
ReplyDeleteThank God for Halloween'
Quote:
'Evidently some believe that if a bad group invented or was involved in starting something, the meaning of that something is fixed forever. If Hitler helped start a car company, no good man would ever buy one. Right?
And yet I once saw a pastor driving a Volkswagen.
Somehow a connection to Hitler seems of more pressing concern than the supposed Druidic pagan origins of Halloween, especially since we know little for sure about the Druids and have pictures of Hitler with a forerunner to the VW.
There might be many reasons people carved pumpkins in the past, but as a Christian I carve pumpkins because I can. Augustine would have been right if he had said: “Love God and carve what you will.”
Christians are good at taking wicked old customs full of fear and turning them into good and joyful events. If a cult worships a mountain and names it for a demon, Christians will ignore the old backstory and name it after a Christian hero.'
'Thank you. May many kids come to know Christ through this, and may their lives be dramatically transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit. And may those who are already saved be encouraged and motivated to spread the gospel to others.'
ReplyDeleteAmen. May we have a loving attitude.
(Look for) The Briefing 10-31-11
ReplyDeleteAlbert Mohler discusses the commercialization of Halloween which he states is now the second biggest commercial 'holiday' in the United States.
Texas will secede before Quebec does?
ReplyDeleteYou also need to consider that California already has an active movement to become a third world narco-republic, whereas Texas doesn't yet have a liberation party.
Thanks. I suppose California and Texas being the two most populated States and two of the most economically powerful, would be two of most likely to secede from the Union if that ever became a realistic and popular political option.
ReplyDeleteSad to state quite a few in the Lower Mainland need this lesson!;)
ReplyDeleteDo Not Tailgate (Bad Language Warning)
Here are several stereotype maps of Europe. Scroll down and click the right arrow for the next map.
ReplyDeleteHilarious diagram of current European political ad hominem.
ReplyDeleteI like the vid of the mob and the tailgater! Now thats how its done!
ReplyDeleteAfter the mobster yelled at the tailgater, it would have been interesting if the mobster invited him to church, but thats another movie!
-Drive Me Crazy-
Cardinal Chucklins, European powers squabbling and mocking each other, just as they have historically? Never!
ReplyDeleteCheers.
'Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI like the vid of the mob and the tailgater! Now thats how its done!
After the mobster yelled at the tailgater, it would have been interesting if the mobster invited him to church, but thats another movie!
-Drive Me Crazy-'
What kind of moron middle fingers four men in a car? Not a wise one.
The clip reminds me of the Dirty Harry series.
I wonder if any of your American readers have been through any of these internal checkpoints?
ReplyDeleteReminds me slightly of a military/related base in Florida I drove into with Documan (he was the driver technically). So that kind of thing in broad general terms is not unheard of in the USA.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I would think a basic check should be done at borders only, unless it is a military/related base.
Thanks, General Chuckins
Hello,
ReplyDeleteWell we arrived back in the states, better yet here in Saint Paul on Sat around 11:30 am. Airline food is the worst. Over all the trip was great, we saw a lot and ate a lot of food. I brought home some spice, olive oil, candy, and honey. We went to a place called Masada. You can either walk up the mountain to it, or take up the cable cars. We took up the cable cars up the mountain but I hiked back down the mountain. It says on the sign it takes roughly 30 minutes to walk down the path. They call it the (snake path) because it is so long and steep. Here is a brief video That a tour guide told me about, it is a guy riding a bike down the path, so you will get a brief glimpse of the mountain top and path. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4qUVZSSuNA
Well over all we did and saw so much it was not funny. I got my fourth Tattoo in Jerusalem in the worlds oldest tattoo shop. This place has been doing tattoo's for 500 years and they make their own Ink, they make it from Wine and soot. They even had homemade tattoo tools, But those were mostly for show now, they now have modern tools. My Tattoo is I.D.F in Hebrew. It stand for Israel Defense Force. We went to the dead sea, I am a true hard core land lover, I can swim and know how if I must, but I did not go into the dead sea. That is huge, it around 15 miles long or so. And they told us on average 5 people a year die in the dead sea. The ocean is about 3 percent salt, the dead sea is about 30 percent salt. If you drink the dead sea it can kill you, and if you stick your head under the water and open your eyes you can go blind. You also float in it. Every one is told not to be in the water longer than 15 minutes or the water can harm you, it will suck all moisture out of your body. But they also say, just being in the water and covering yourself in the Mud has amazing healing property's for your body, it soften the skin and does great things. I guess I will never know.
If you ever go you will say, this is the safest place to be on the planet. After going I was amazed and also not surprised that our media portrays Israel in a very negative way. Israel is made out to be hateful and evil by our media and when ever something happens over their it is like all hell and war is breaking out, Thats is so not true. Also Muslims in our country claim to be a peaceful loving religion, they might say that here to be PC but over in Israel the Muslims are honest in how they feel, they not only hate the Jews, but they do everything they can to get rid of any evidence they ever existed. They buy up property and then start digging up the ground looking for artifacts from years ago and destroy them.
The thing that really bugs me is our so called airline security, what a joke and it is also an insult to my intelligence. The government is responsible for our security and I dont blame the airlines for doing their job but still it really bugs me. They claim they cannot profile for fear of offending someone, yet they allow Muslims in head to toe burkas to pass through like nothing, they let people like me who clearly look like I might do something pass through with out any issue, yet I have a friend who is a 60 year old plus lady, she needs a cane to get around, has two knee implants and she gets patted down, wanded and set aside in a spot to be thoroughly checked. This pat down happened to her at every check point leaving the country and coming back in.
I even got vocal and said this is a joke, what, you think she looks like a terrorist? Yet I dont? Yet over in Israel they have real security. They looked at the group I was with, they pulled the leader aside and questioned him in private 3 different times and took notes. Then they pulled me aside and questioned me for about 20 minutes asking me things like, What was the bus drivers name? What was every hotel I stayed in and what were the dates? Did I pack my own luggage and did I load it myself onto the bus or did someone else load it? What was the tour guides name? Why am I in this country? Did I ever leave my luggage unattended? Did anyone give me any gifts, if so what were they.
ReplyDeleteThey have dogs sniffing for Bombs, Drugs, ammo and everything under the sun. Were were never required to remove our shoes or belts. All security is walking around with fully loaded machine guns and more times than not, they have their fingers on the trigger ready to go. We were told that when we were in Israel we could be spot checked at any moment by the police or military for any reason and if we do not have our passports on us, they dont care if we forgot them at the hotel, we would be arrested and thrown in jail, fined severely then after we pay the fine and get our passport the police would take us straight to the airport and toss us on a plane. This was awesome because it shows how tough and serious security is. We were told we were about 1 hour away from going to our next spot, so were were told to load our luggage onto the tour bus, the luggage goes under the bus and we were told that once we load it onto the bus and the door closes we are not allowed to go back and get anything, or it will cause severe problems. We I guess their always has to be one idiot. One guy went back and told the bus driver it wa sok for him to get into his luggage. Well all buses get stopped at check points and they stop random cars and trucks.
The bus driver and tour guide will never lie because it could cost them their jobs, they also are former militarily and their are cameras everywhere, so they would be busted for lying. So when we were stopped the guard asked, was the luggage compartment opened after it was loaded and closed, the bus driver said yes. As a result of some idiot we all were required to show our passports and all luggage was removed from the bus and checked. They also had dogs checking everything. We were detained for about 45 minutes and were told that if this person listened this would have never happened. But we also were told we got lucky since two years ago the same thing happened on a tour and they were detained for 5 hours. Everyone was removed from the bus, thoroughly bodily searched and all luggage removed and everything dumped out and was went through. So that is real security. Now for the part here in the U.S that really bothered me and was an insult to my intelligence. We were in Newark New Jersey and we had to pass through security to enter the airport, after we passed through security we saw a dunkin doughnuts and they do not have them here in Minnesota. So we had to pass through a second set of security to get to where I plane was, but their was no D.D in that area. So I decided I would go back to the area where DD was. I asked before I left, can I bring back through security a cup of Coffee, a Hot Chocolate and some doughnuts. Security told me I can bring back the doughnuts but not the Drinks since they are liquid.
ReplyDeleteI was like, Are you serious? I already had to pass through a security checkpoint just to get to DD so it's in a secure place, then it's right next to this place, but nope, they said it's liquid. Thank you Peaceful Muslim religion. Then to make it even stupider, After I bought a couple of doughnuts, They were required to pass through the Xray machine. I was like, Are you serious, I just bought them in a secure place and have receipt in hand, You think they are bombs or something? I was like, You guys need to go train in Israel for two weeks to learn real security. Then a guy in our group passed through with no problem in Israel with a jar of honey in his carry on luggage over in Israel, it seems they know if a jar of honey is really a dangerous bomb or not, but over here in the U.S they pulled it and threw it in the trash. Boy I feel so much safer after have my doughnuts xrayed and told I cannot have coffee and watching Muslims pass through with out getting patted down, and elderly and Little children getting patted down and a jar of Honey getting tossed. Yep I really feel safe now. Take care. Rick
Good presentation, thank you, Rick.
ReplyDeleteMy family are involved in a business to do with Dead Sea skin care products. They do work.
'If you ever go you will say, this is the safest place to be on the planet. After going I was amazed and also not surprised that our media portrays Israel in a very negative way.'
Yes, I suppose there is much security.
'Also Muslims in our country claim to be a peaceful loving religion, they might say that here to be PC but over in Israel the Muslims are honest in how they feel, they not only hate the Jews, but they do everything they can to get rid of any evidence they ever existed.'
I have heard like before. Not always the case, but often.
'The thing that really bugs me is our so called airline security, what a joke and it is also an insult to my intelligence.'
At US airports, my Mom gets the 'royal treatment' as she has artificial hips and is obviously disabled. It is annoying.
Habermas
ReplyDeletePhilosopher Gary Habermas on doubt, evidence, scholarship, the New Testament and the resurrection.
Sounds like an interesting trip that Rick had to Israel. Its astounding to see the degree of security checks and how the tourists are treated.
ReplyDelete-Home Sweet Home-
Philosopher Dr. Gary Habermas
ReplyDeleteOld atheism vs. New atheism.
The afterlife and the resurrection.
Attention Walmart Shoppers,
ReplyDeleteTasering Aisle Seven!
(Maybe the Owners of Walmart should be next in the tasering lineup for willful negligence/abuse in the treatment of their employees)
-Walmart WatchDog-
How horrible to throw a javelin into somebody!! I hope that innocent athlete is OK, it looked like a very remorseful athlete who threw it.
ReplyDelete-Danger Sport-
'Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAttention Walmart Shoppers,
Tasering Aisle Seven!
(Maybe the Owners of Walmart should be next in the tasering lineup for willful negligence/abuse in the treatment of their employees)
-Walmart WatchDog-'
Please elaborate. Cheers.
'Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteHow horrible to throw a javelin into somebody!! I hope that innocent athlete is OK, it looked like a very remorseful athlete who threw it.
-Danger Sport-'
I think he got the point.
Our Savior is speaking to us!! Please click the link below for this glorious message from our Lord!!
ReplyDeleteThank You!
http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/
2011/11/18/jesus-appears-in-a-dog-butt/
There is no live link to click on.
ReplyDeleteActually the image convinces me evolution is true.
Cheers.