Only a few dates on a calendar carry so many distinct historical, religious, and cultural confusions as October 31. In our current contemporary society, the evening is generally recognized as Halloween, and, as most everyone knows, is a highly commercialized, yet popular, festival characterized by costumes, jack-o-lanterns, parties, and neighborhood trick-or-treating.
Western ecumenical orthodox churches, such as that of Roman Catholic’s liturgical traditions, mark October 31 as All Hallows’ Eve — a solemn vigil preceding All Saints’ Day, which is dedicated to honoring recognized religious saints and martyrs. However, for most Protestant churches world-wide, this same date is exalted and celebrated as Reformation Day. This commemorates Martin Luther’s (Augustinian monk and professor of moral theology at the University of Wittenberg) “95 Theses” which he nailed to the door of the Castle Church of Wittenberg in 1517, challenging the erroneous / non-biblical Catholic doctrines. This event actually initiated the much-needed recovery of essential, foundational Biblical / Christian doctrines.
Understanding how a single date came to encompass such divergent observances requires examining many centuries of church history, regional folk-lore and traditions, as well as ongoing debates regarding the pagan and cultic or occultic roots of All Hallows’ Eve, Halloween, jack-o-lanterns, and even trick or treat.
This article examines why evangelical believers in Jesus Christ, who regard Scripture as their authoritative guide for life, reach diverse conclusions regarding Halloween activities / participation, community alternatives as we do at West Oaks Fellowship, and complete abstention and or recognition. The goal is to provide historical clarity, and support thoughtful biblical discernment, respecting differing convictions rather than promoting one universal practice.
All Saints’ Day and All Hallows’ Eve
All Saints’ Day is traditionally known as All Hallows’ Day, a feast dedicated to honoring all the saints and martyrs of the Catholic, orthodox and ecumenical churches, especially for those who do not have their own individual feast days on the liturgical calendar.
By the Eleventh Century the development of All Souls’ Day created a three-day period dedicated to the dead, and praying for the departed souls, which was then called “Allhallowtide” spanning from October 31 through November 2. Today, All Saints’ Day is observed across a broad spectrum of religious traditions, and is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church, as well as by many Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist, communities. Within these Western churches, the vigil on the evening of October 31 became known as All Hallows’ Eve.
By contrast, many evangelical Christians and non-liturgical Protestant traditions do not formally observe All Saints’ Day or All Hallows’ Eve simply because such observances are not found rooted in or required by the New Testament. Furthermore, evangelical, biblically-based theology rejects the invocation or intercession of departed saints, maintaining caution toward historical practices surrounding saint veneration and prayers for the dead. In fact, all genuine believers in Jesus Christ are “saints!” The scriptures apply this term to all living Christians who are united with Jesus Christ through grace by faith, rather than a special, post-mortem class of spiritually elite or canonized individuals. Spiritually, as well as biblically, this word is used 60 times in NASB. In the scripture, being a “saint” refers to a believer’s position or status as being one set apart unto the Lord by belief, rather than a reflection of personal perfection or flawless behavior.
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11-13
Many evangelical believers are wary of October 31 due to Halloween’s commercialization, its folk / pagan roots, and associations with the supernatural and the occult. However, many believers, and their churches, respond to this date with diversity, rather than uniformity. There is certainly no issue for believers who choose to completely avoid any reference or activities related to Halloween. Nonetheless, some groups host alternative family events, such as harvest festivals and / or “trunk-or-treat” gatherings, have special Reformation Day services, or, as we do at WOF, host a safe, fun, free community event with no references to Halloween.
Needless to say, God’s Word / Truth makes no mention of Halloween, All Hallows’ Eve, or the later ecclesiastical development of All Saints’ Day! Faithful followers of Jesus Christ view the invocation of departed saints or prayers offered on their behalf as inconsistent with the sufficiency of Christ’s mediation. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 authoritatively declares, “There is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.”
The Old Testament, (Deuteronomy 18:10–12) contains strict prohibitions against divination, spiritism, sorcery, casting spells, or inquiring of the dead, while the New Testament exhorts believers … “do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them”(Ephesians 5:11), with 1 Thessalonians 5:22 urging Christians to “abstain from every form of evil.”
Ultimately, Christian liberty and the edification of others must be considered. Principles articulated in 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 and 10:31 note that while “all things are permitted,” not all things are beneficial or edifying, and that believers should seek the good of their neighbors and do “all things for the glory of God.” Because these biblical texts speak to overarching principles of spiritual discernment rather than naming the holiday itself, bible-believing evangelicals can arrive at diverse conclusions. For some, conscientious fidelity requires complete abstention from all October 31 activities. For others, Christian freedom allows for participation in harmless community customs, such as those previously mentioned, providing they reject occult practices, maintain personal conviction, and prioritize neighborly hospitality and witness. Scripture contains no explicit prohibition against Halloween or simple neighborhood traditions, noting that the Bible does not say, “Thou shalt not celebrate Halloween.” At the same time, the Bible does take the pagan supernatural realm with deep seriousness, warning against witchcraft, necromancy, and occult themes rather than treating them as some form of trivial entertainment!
The practices that define modern-day Halloween emerged from a mix of medieval cults, as well as religious observations, various types of folklore, and transatlantic cultural shifts.
During the Middle Ages, the belief in purgatory gave rise to the practice of “souling.” On All Souls’ Day, children and the poor would go from house to house offering prayers for the deceased relatives of the homeowners in exchange for small spiced pastries called soul cake. In Ireland and Scotland, this practice blended with guising (disguising oneself in a costume) and mumming, where performers visited homes in exchange for food or drink.
These older house-visiting traditions provided the cultural foundation for the modern custom of “trick-or-treating,” which developed from the convergence of souling and guising. The phrase “treat” represents the food, pastries, fruit, or sweets offered by the householder, while the “trick” denotes the playful mischief, prank, or performance threatened or implied if no hospitality is extended. The custom of dressing up and going house to house was carried across the Atlantic by British and Irish immigrants, so the specific phrase “trick or treat” is a North American innovation. It began appearing in print in the late 1920s—initially in western Canada and the northern United States, and gained broader traction during the 1930s. Following World War II, the rapid growth of suburban neighborhoods, combined with mass-marketed costumes and commercially manufactured candy, firmly established trick-or-treating as a standardized, widespread autumn tradition.
Carving vegetable lanterns was another folklore practice that became closely tied to the season. In Ireland, Scotland, and parts of Britain, people traditionally carved turnips, mangelwurzels, and sometimes other root vegetables by hollowing out the centers and cutting expressive or frightening faces into the rinds. Illuminated by embers or small candles, these lanterns served a practical purpose by providing light during dark autumn nights, but were also associated with warding off harmful, evil spirits or frightening away wandering demonic supernatural beings.
The term “jack-o’-lantern” originally referred to the natural atmospheric phenomenon known as “ignis fatuus” (or “will-o’-the-wisp”) before becoming attached to carved lanterns designed to fight off evil spirits. This practice is also linked in folklore to the tale of “Stingy Jack”—a clever figure who repeatedly tricked the Devil and was ultimately doomed to wander the earth with only a hollowed-out turnip containing an ember from hell.
During the nineteenth century, Irish and Scottish immigrants brought these traditions to North America, where the practice adapted to local agriculture. Immigrants quickly adopted native pumpkins, which were significantly larger, softer, and easier to carve than European root vegetables. In this new setting, the pumpkin jack-o’-lantern evolved from an informal rural practice into one of Halloween’s defining symbols. American commercialization and the expansion of the candy industry transformed ancient pagan practices and vigils into the secular celebration we see today.
R C Sproul stated, “We don’t celebrate Halloween because we are too focused on celebrating the Reformation.” His perspective represents a distinct Reformed evangelical approach, combining cultural abstention with an active, positive celebration of Reformation Day.
For individual believers who are led and directed by God’s Holy Spirit in conjunction with the Truth of God’s Word, navigating October 31 requires both historical accuracy and biblical / spiritual discernment. While Scripture clearly forbids participation in occult practices, divination, or the glorification of evil, it also grants freedom of conscience on matters where God has not spoken an explicit prohibition. As Christ’s disciples, one should only act / respond with clear personal conviction, extend grace and charity toward those with differing convictions, but live one’s faith out loud with wisdom and spiritual discernment, without compromise, yet with genuine integrity, as well as clear and defining, unbiased and impartial love for their neighbors.
At West Oaks Fellowship, that’s what Games & Treats is all about!
His & Yours,
Pastor Frank
Here’s An Additional Note From PF,
On October 31, we must stand for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and in particular, these Truths that were developed from the Protestant Reformation:
SOLA SCRIPTURA
Scripture alone. God’s Word is final authority for the Christian (2 Tim. 3:14-17). No edict by the Church has the same force. Where tradition, teaching or our experience and the Bible differ, Scripture is always supreme.
SOLA FIDE
Faith alone. Only by placing one’s full trust in Christ Jesus can we be made right with God. It is “not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:9). Faith alone is our response to the grace of God mediated through Christ.
SOLA GRATIA
Grace alone. All are fallen sinners by nature and choice and are under God’s wrath (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Yet the one true Holy God responds with grace to the undeserving sinner because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Our works of righteousness have no effect. We are saved by God’s grace alone (Eph. 2:8).
SOLUS CHRISTUS
Christ alone. As the “one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:5-6)! Only He could take our place and our punishment. One’s right standing with God depends wholly on the merit of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. Christ alone saves / redeems!
SOLI DEO GLORIA
Glory to God alone. Since our chief end is to glorify God, whatever we do, we should “do all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).
A Reformation Day Prayer:
Almighty God, who through the preaching of your servants, the courageous Reformers, has caused the light of the Gospel to shine forth: Grant us Father, that knowing its saving power, we may faithfully guard and defend it against all enemies, and joyfully proclaim it, to the salvation of souls and the glory of Your Holy Name; through Thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.
Adapted from an Old Lutheran
Service Book & Hymnal
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