What Would Jesus Do on Halloween
Doug
I know this is controversial, but I resonate with Michael Patton:
I can’t believe I am going to say this but, WWJD? Really, what would Jesus do? Can you see it? Jesus with his lights turned off on Halloween? That would be the Jesus history never knew. That would be the Jesus of western fundamentalism. The one who is not a friend of sinners and tax gatherers. The Jesus that was never accused of being a drunkard. The Jesus who looked from a distance at the wedding of Cana waiting for the sinners to wipe the dust off their feet before he talked to them. The Jesus who saw a child dressed up as a Ghost and said, “I can’t take this anymore. It is not worth it. Give me that stone so that I can turn it into bread.”
Mark Young, my friend and former missions prof at DTS (now the president of Denver Seminary), used to talk about this in his missions 101 class. Oh the shame of all of us students who turned off the light. We left the class crying looking for little witches and ghosts to hug. His thesis: Christians are not Christians on Halloween. Not because they have compromised and participated, but precisely because they don’t participate. The one day of the year where children (”Permit them to come to me…” Mark 10:14) were attempting to come to us and we shut the door and turn off the lights. We left the class in tears and began to plan what we were going to be for Halloween. (Read the rest.)
(HT: Zach Nielsen)
Written by Doug Wolter - Visit Website
October 30th, 2009 at 8:16 am
I absolutely agree that I don’t want kids to be discouraged from coming to my front door on Halloween and that there is definitely an opportunity to get to know my neighbors. I also know that most people just think Halloween is a fun holiday and have no intention of participating in occult activities. My boys just want the candy and to get to dress up:) I do, however, struggle with the thought that there are still people who see this day as a day to celebrate the dark side of spiritual life. Historically, people have done the same. I know from personal experience that even kids as young as middle school (maybe even younger…) have enough awareness of this to try and mimic occult rituals “for fun”. I don’t necessarily believe that the way to flee from evil is to not participate in the Americanized version of Halloween.. but I definitely struggle with what to do that would most honor God.
I am going out to make sure we have the “good” candy this year, though. Thanks for challenging me.
Tiffany