Taking It Back: Redeeming Halloween (Pt. 2)

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Later, in the 15th century, Luther nailed his 99-thesis on the door of the cathedral in Wittenberg on November 1, signaling a formal beginning to the Protestant Reformation. Mainline Protestant churches celebrate November 1 as Reformation Day, honoring the work of Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and others.

So for the Protestant church, November 1 marks two significant events: the honoring and remembering of the saints who came before us and the beginning of the Reformation. Yes, Halloween is a very ecclesiastical (church-y) holiday: for the Christian calendar it marks the Eve of All Saints Day, like Christmas Eve signals the evening before Christmas Day. The word, Halloween, itself is quite Christian, perhaps more so that Fall Festival or Harvest Celebration. In its original context, Halloween celebrates the lives of the saint who have gone before us.

 

In the New Testament, Paul wrote to the church at Colosse “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.” (Col. 2.16) The application of their scripture speaks for itself.

all saints day ancient celts calvin celebration christian calendar christmas church despise ecclesiastical eve Evotational germany halloween luther mainline protestant churches moon november 1 protestant reformation reformation day religious festival wittenberg Filed under Evotational |