Cover Story by Tess Chierici "We had ghost walks that would scare the liver out of you!"

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Cover Stories | Send mail to The Voice Celebration doesn't mean compromise Thirty years ago Halloween was a time of innocent fun for many children. -Ann Staatz, photo Celebrations fall back to back during this time of year. Kids still pack leftover candy from Halloween in their lunches. Retail stores slide through Thanksgiving, making way for a pudgy man in crimson jumpers. Is celebrating American social holidays biblically wrong? According to Daniel Christiansen, a professor at Multnomah Bible College, the answer is no, unless your actions cause someone else to stumble. Professor Christiansen used 1 Cor 8, a passage the Apostle Paul wrote concerning the eating of sacrificial foods, to explain the concept of biblical offenses. He said a biblical offense causes someone to sin and does not simply offend a person. Dr. Daniel Lockwood, president of MBC, said, "I think it is important always to remember what the real purpose of any holiday is. And yet at the same time, it is legitimate to celebrate society's holidays if they don't cause you to compromise your own faith." Halloween Many Christians cringe at the word. But 30 years ago, that wasn't the case. David Needham, professor of Bible and Theology, said that in the past three decades "there has been a significant increase in focusing on demons, demon possession and witchcraft. Fifty years ago they didn't talk about witches; now there are some people who say they are witches." Because of this new emphasis, Professor Needham said Christians should to be careful how they celebrate Halloween. Both Dr. Lockwood and Professor Needham view church harvest parties as effective alternatives to Halloween celebrations. Dr. Lockwood often performs gospel illusion shows at these church events. Professor Christiansen said that society at large doesn't respect holiday changes. "I think that if you don't celebrate Halloween, stick to your conviction," he said. He argued that harvest parties are often similar to Halloween parties. He said if a person feels convicted to not celebrate Halloween, attending a harvest party is a contradiction. Years ago, as a youth pastor, Professor Needham hosted a ghost walk for the youth group at his parents' ranch. On part of the tour, he led kids past witches dancing on a raft in the middle of the pond. "We had ghost walks that would scare the liver out of you!" Professor Needham said. He added, "But I would say that isn't the better part of wisdom in our culture today." Professor Needham said that any way your family shows respect to Satan or makes light of him is wrong. Dr. Lockwood said, "[Halloween] was one of my favorite holidays growing up because I liked the candy." His carefree view of Halloween during his childhood no longer exists. Dr. Lockwood said he shares his parents' view of Halloween: "It isn't Satan's day. He doesn't have a day. Why concede him even one? It's the Lord's day, and we can dress up in costumes." He added, "I think it is unwise to dress as witches and ghouls...but to have fun and encourage neighbors to come over--I don't have a problem with that." Christmas Dr. Lockwood views Christmas as both a seasonal celebration as well as a religious holiday. "It is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ, but it is also a wonderful time to celebrate the winter and to participate as a citizen of this country," Dr. Lockwood said. His family sings the "Hallelujah Chorus" every Christmas Eve. They also indulge in oyster stew and English plum pudding. The pudding has special ingredients added: coins, a ring, a button and a thimble. The person to discover the ring will supposedly marry next. The button symbolizes bachelorhood and the thimble a spinster. Professor Needham said, "In America, Christmas has two values. One is a very special family time, and the other is the celebration of Jesus' birth." Professor Needham's family, sets Christmas Eve apart strictly for family and exchanging gifts. Christmas day is devoted to Jesus' birth, especially at the meal. "When Christians say, 'The world has secularized Christmas,' I'd say, 'No, you're missing the point," Professor Neeham said. "There is a wonderful pleasure in giving gifts and receiving gifts [and] saying 'Thank you' to." "If [Christians] spiritualize the whole holiday, they are missing something in our culture that is very valuable, and that is the family focus," he said. The nation of Israel had feasts; the Lord clearly wanted the people to celebrate His goodness and have a good time. Dr. Lockwood said, "[Feasts] were often related to harvest...so after a period of hard work to have a rest and festival was appropriate." In John 2, Jesus attended a wedding celebration, which Professor Christiansen said illustrates that Christ was part of society. He said that because Christ participated in celebrations, Christians should also participate in holidays and social celebrations. "I think we as Christians need to be seen as people who enjoy ourselves and people. That can be a good witness," Dr. Lockwood said. Dr. Lockwood said that Christians should be aware of holiday elements that are taken for granted yet originate from pagan roots. "Even the Christmas tree comes from pagan roots in early Europe," he said, "I don't think it is just Halloween that borrows from pagan symbols. Symbols can be powerful, but they are not controlling. Just because those symbols exist doesn't mean you are bound by their meaning as long as you are clear in your own understanding." Professor Christiansen shares this view. He said, "I celebrate Christmas, but I don't worship the god Balder. I celebrate Easter, but I don't worship Astarte. I celebrate Halloween, but I don't worship Satan." Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Cover Stories | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2001 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.