Halloween and Romans 14

When I preach on Romans 14, which is quite often to be truthful, I give two examples of how I am both the weaker and stronger brother on some issues. For example, my theology of Christian freedom means that I have no problem with Christians drinking alcohol in moderation. While drunkenness is censured, a leisurely drink is not, since wine “gladdens” the heart (Ps 104.15) and it is good for the stomach (1 Tim 5.23). In fact, I’m drinking a glass of Pinot as I write this blog post. So here I am a “stronger” brother who exercises his Christian freedom by enjoying a glass of wine or a beer. Though I try to use my conviction in this area not to offend those who do not share my views on this matter (but I won’t allow myself to be bullied on the issue either, see Rom 14.16).

But in other areas I’m a weaker brother. For instance, many of my American Christian friends, who are quite conservative both morally and theologically, often go to Halloween parties. Now my view is that it’s a stupid pagan festival, full of the macabre, glorifying all things dark, making light of witchcraft, and not good for your teeth or waistline either. I’m not saying let’s burn our Harry Potter novels (I liked the movies), but I couldn’t bring myself to go to a Halloween party dressed as Dracula, Death, or even a Democrat Senator (all three can be scary). Yet I know that it’s just a party, it’s just a costume, no one is worshipping the undead, but it’s just the vibe of the whole thing. Would Jesus go to a Halloween party? I couldn’t in conscience go. My conscience is more easily offended here, so on this issue I’m the weaker brother. But I recognize the freedom of others on this matter even if I don’t agree with it.

What matters, whether we are weak or strong on any given issue is this: pursuing the things that make for peace and mutual encouragement (Rom 14.19).

Siew Tony

Well said, Mike. I also don’t think Christians should be involved with all these Halloween business, party, dress-up and the like. It’s darkness, not light.
Siew Tony

Well said, Mike. I also don’t think Christians should be involved with all these Halloween business, party, dress-up and the like. It’s darkness, not light.
Anonymous

I appreciate your balanced approach on this.
Anonymous

I appreciate your balanced approach on this.
http://twitter.com/CauseofourJoy Leticia Velasquez

As a Catholic I find Halloween, at least the way I celebrate it, with a Vigil Mass for the Feast of All Saints, and with my children dressed in costumes depicting saints, to be a very Christian celebration of the Resurrection of the Dead and the Body of Christ, the Church.
Also in our version of the Scriptures we have the book of Maccabees which affirms the Catholic practice of praying for the souls of the dead who are suffering in Purgatory. It reads,
”
II Maccabees 12:43-46: “And making a gathering, he [Judas] sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.”
http://twitter.com/CauseofourJoy Leticia Velasquez

As a Catholic I find Halloween, at least the way I celebrate it, with a Vigil Mass for the Feast of All Saints, and with my children dressed in costumes depicting saints, to be a very Christian celebration of the Resurrection of the Dead and the Body of Christ, the Church.
Also in our version of the Scriptures we have the book of Maccabees which affirms the Catholic practice of praying for the souls of the dead who are suffering in Purgatory. It reads,
”
II Maccabees 12:43-46: “And making a gathering, he [Judas] sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.”
Peter G.

We’re about to hit Rom 14 in our small group and I was thinking of Halloween as a great test case.

Thanks, Mike. I might even share this blog with them.
Peter G.

We’re about to hit Rom 14 in our small group and I was thinking of Halloween as a great test case.

Thanks, Mike. I might even share this blog with them.
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DJ

From a slightly different angle, isn’t Halloween a fantastic opportunity to interact with our neighbors? Our street is filled with oodles of families going house-to-house with their kids. We have the opportunity to participate in a communal event that can be fun and celebratory with those we live close to.
DJ

From a slightly different angle, isn’t Halloween a fantastic opportunity to interact with our neighbors? Our street is filled with oodles of families going house-to-house with their kids. We have the opportunity to participate in a communal event that can be fun and celebratory with those we live close to.
John Thomson

Without commenting on Halloween, where does accommodation of doubtful behaviour guising as a ‘stronger’ conscience end? Is the person who habitually frequents lap-dancing clubs an example of someone with a strong conscience who must not be censured? Is it acceptable to own a pub or be a bartender?

I don’t think an offended conscience necessarily makes someone ‘the weaker brother’. A strong conscience is one educated by Scripture regarding Christian freedom not one free to do anything. Into the equation too must come a ‘seared’ conscience. For freedom Christ has set us free… only don’t make this freedom and excuse to indulge the flesh.
John Thomson

Without commenting on Halloween, where does accommodation of doubtful behaviour guising as a ‘stronger’ conscience end? Is the person who habitually frequents lap-dancing clubs an example of someone with a strong conscience who must not be censured? Is it acceptable to own a pub or be a bartender?

I don’t think an offended conscience necessarily makes someone ‘the weaker brother’. A strong conscience is one educated by Scripture regarding Christian freedom not one free to do anything. Into the equation too must come a ‘seared’ conscience. For freedom Christ has set us free… only don’t make this freedom and excuse to indulge the flesh.
MF

I feel similarly about the Pill — I don’t use it for conscience’s sake making me the “weaker brother.” I give grace to those who don’t find the (admittedly low) risk compelling.* I admit I’m acting conservatively here and erring on the side of caution in the face of unknowns.

If there were clearer evidence (or direct intent to prevent implantation, as with the Morning After pill, which is just a stronger dose of the Pill) and more of a church consensus, as with abortion proper (and IUDs, etc.), I wouldn’t be opposed to taking a harder line against the Pill, but that’s not where we are on either count. As such, I follow my conscience and let others follow theirs.

* Estimated 1% chance of causing a fertilized egg not to implant each cycle, assuming perfect usage of the Pill and an average rate of marital activity.
MF

I feel similarly about the Pill — I don’t use it for conscience’s sake making me the “weaker brother.” I give grace to those who don’t find the (admittedly low) risk compelling.* I admit I’m acting conservatively here and erring on the side of caution in the face of unknowns.

If there were clearer evidence (or direct intent to prevent implantation, as with the Morning After pill, which is just a stronger dose of the Pill) and more of a church consensus, as with abortion proper (and IUDs, etc.), I wouldn’t be opposed to taking a harder line against the Pill, but that’s not where we are on either count. As such, I follow my conscience and let others follow theirs.

* Estimated 1% chance of causing a fertilized egg not to implant each cycle, assuming perfect usage of the Pill and an average rate of marital activity.