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Redeeming Halloween
Saturated in pagan traditions, religious misconceptions, and worldly commercialism, Halloween is perhaps the most controversial holiday among Christians. Many Christians ignore Halloween and are uncomfortable around its observance, while other believers go as far as dressing up like demons and decorating their lawns with blood and gore.
In Redeeming Halloween, you will explore the following topics:
The history of Halloween, including its root influences and how the holiday has become what it is today.
What the Bible says about themes legitimately associated with Halloween, including fear and death.
How Christians can celebrate Halloween in good conscience while identifying which aspects may be better left out.
Where the world sees death and darkness, Halloween presents Christians the opportunity to display hope and light - and enjoy family fun - as they look ahead to a time in the future when death and darkness will be no more.
In Redeeming Halloween, you will explore the following topics:
The history of Halloween, including its root influences and how the holiday has become what it is today.
What the Bible says about themes legitimately associated with Halloween, including fear and death.
How Christians can celebrate Halloween in good conscience while identifying which aspects may be better left out.
Where the world sees death and darkness, Halloween presents Christians the opportunity to display hope and light - and enjoy family fun - as they look ahead to a time in the future when death and darkness will be no more.
110 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2023
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About the author
Matt Sargeant
1 bookMatt Sargeant, born and raised in Buffalo, NY, has a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and a Master of Arts in Teaching Bible. He and his wife have two children, a girl and a boy. He is a teacher and occasional preacher at Cheektowaga Community Baptist Church where he serves on the maturity team.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 3, 2024
Agree or disagree with the author's point of view, this is an interesting and quick little read. Sargeant makes a good case that Christians should not only avoid celebrating Halloween, but embrace the dark holiday. In fact, Halloween includes core Christian concepts that deserve to be celebrated.
Like the author, I'm both a life-long Christian and a life-long lover of Halloween. I've had my share of arguments with fellow Christians who think Halloween is the devil's holiday and should be ignored, or, if not ignored, then celebrated in a Christian-friendly way, such as harvest festivals. Of course, the pagan Celtics celebrated it in the same way!
The author briefly recounts that history and shows that how we in America celebrate Halloween today has more to do with Christianity than paganism.
A couple missteps prevented me from giving it a better rating.
First, he blames love of money and greed for the mass consumerism which has supposedly plagued Halloween in recent times. We've all seen the scores of Halloween decorations available numerous online and brick-and-mortar stores. I, for one, welcome that "consumerism." The author thinks the companies that make and sell these items do it only for greed. I think that's a bit uncharitable. These companies are clearly providing a ready supply for increased demand, and regardless of their motives are helping folks better enjoy the Halloween season.
Secondly, he veers off into an unrelated topic by claiming the fall feasts that are established in Leviticus line up with end-times events. Nothing to do with Halloween there, but he desperately tries to tie it to Halloween by arguing that Jesus's second coming will come around Halloween time. As you may suspect, the case is strained, to say the least.
But still, for anyone who loves Halloween, or who has encountered resistance from Christian friends and family members, you'll find some good arguments to make.
Like the author, I'm both a life-long Christian and a life-long lover of Halloween. I've had my share of arguments with fellow Christians who think Halloween is the devil's holiday and should be ignored, or, if not ignored, then celebrated in a Christian-friendly way, such as harvest festivals. Of course, the pagan Celtics celebrated it in the same way!
The author briefly recounts that history and shows that how we in America celebrate Halloween today has more to do with Christianity than paganism.
A couple missteps prevented me from giving it a better rating.
First, he blames love of money and greed for the mass consumerism which has supposedly plagued Halloween in recent times. We've all seen the scores of Halloween decorations available numerous online and brick-and-mortar stores. I, for one, welcome that "consumerism." The author thinks the companies that make and sell these items do it only for greed. I think that's a bit uncharitable. These companies are clearly providing a ready supply for increased demand, and regardless of their motives are helping folks better enjoy the Halloween season.
Secondly, he veers off into an unrelated topic by claiming the fall feasts that are established in Leviticus line up with end-times events. Nothing to do with Halloween there, but he desperately tries to tie it to Halloween by arguing that Jesus's second coming will come around Halloween time. As you may suspect, the case is strained, to say the least.
But still, for anyone who loves Halloween, or who has encountered resistance from Christian friends and family members, you'll find some good arguments to make.
Displaying 1 of 1 review