Halloween at RCC

Published November 18, 2025
Halloween at RCC
Convictions:

As October 31st approaches, we assume that some people in our church may have some questions about Halloween and what RCC teaches about this annual event. This article may not answer every question, but, hopefully, it is able to start conversations that we can continue to have as we wisely learn from one another and the Word of God.
First of all, we must say that we do not join in as participants with any celebration that dishonors God. We are in the world, but we are not of the world, and we want to live holy and distinct lives as Christians. We never want to subtract from the gospel or the law of God.
We also celebrate our Christian freedom through the gospel, being careful not to add to the gospel or to bind people’s consciences where Scripture does not. Christians are not called to live in fear of the world or to retreat from it, but to live wisely and faithfully within it.
Finally, we believe that Christians are a part of the kingdom of God, which is advancing in all the earth and making disciples of all nations. This involves the personal salvation of individuals, but it also involves Christ’s rule taking ground in every culture. Therefore, we aim to live with a gracious, patient, and public faith that declares Christ as King over our city and culture.

A Brief History of Halloween:

In the British Isles, the Celts had long celebrated a holiday called Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. The holiday was very charged with pagan spiritual beliefs and symbolism. They believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was especially thin during this evening each year, so they wore costumes and carved faces into vegetables (like pumpkins) to ward off spirits. So, when someone says that Halloween has pagan roots, they are referring back to the Celtic celebration of Samhain.
Completely separate from this, during the 4th century, the church began celebrating All Saints Day to remember Christian martyrs who have gone before. In the 8th century, All Saints Day was moved to November 1st as a way to replace the pagan holiday of Samhain with a Christian one. The night before All Saints Day became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which was later shortened to Hallowe’en. 
All Saints’ Day had similar elements to Samahin with bonfires, parades, and people dressing up in various costumes.

Centuries later, October 31 became significant for another reason. In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, launching the Protestant Reformation. This “Reformation Day” is an annual moment that celebrates courageous and needed reformation in church history. This is completely separate from Halloween or Samhein, but it is a very significant moment in the history of the church and a moment that is worthy to be remembered and celebrated.
Today, Halloween in our culture is mostly a secular holiday, a playful night of costumes, candy, and neighborhood fun. Some people use it for evil or immorality, but for others, it’s simply a cultural tradition. For Christians, we should be careful to not join in any celebration of evil, but this day can be an opportunity to show joy, hospitality, and gospel hope in a world that often plays with darkness but has no true light.

Application #1 - Wise, Missional Participation in the Community:
Some Christians may choose to participate in Halloween as a missional opportunity. This is not necessarily a compromise. It can be a mature, missional opportunity. For one night a year, families walk their neighborhoods and knock on each other’s doors. What other night provides such an open door for community connection?
Use this opportunity to:
  • Build relationships with neighbors.
  • Bless families with generosity and kindness.
  • Engage in conversations that display warmth, joy, and the hope of Christ.
  • As Brandon Hilgemann writes, “Jesus went to the parties of tax collectors and sinners because they needed him most.” If you participate, do so with wisdom and intentionality. Let your light shine brighter than the darkness around you.
Application #2 - Reformation Day or “All Saints Day” Party:
Others may choose to celebrate in an intentionally Christian way by hosting a Reformation Day or All Saints Day party. This is a wonderful opportunity to teach our children church history and remember the faithfulness of the saints, while avoiding the normal forms of Halloween.
If you do this:
  • Keep the tone festive and joyful, not fearful or pious.
  • Encourage fun, costumes, and candy, but avoid dressing as evil characters (witches, demons, etc.).
  • Use the time to sing, laugh, and thank God for the gospel’s triumph over darkness.
  • These gatherings can be joyful celebrations that Christians can observe while staying away from all the normal forms of Halloween. 
Application #3 - Avoid It Altogether:
There is also freedom to abstain completely from anything on October 31st. Some families may choose to skip Halloween out of personal conviction or conscience. That decision should be honored and respected.
If you choose to abstain:
  • Avoid judgment toward those who participate differently.
  • Use the evening for family worship, a meal, or rest.
  • Remember that our holiness is not measured by our withdrawal from culture, but by our faithfulness to Christ.
  • As Romans 14 teaches, each person should be fully convinced in his own mind, doing all things to the glory of God.
Pastor Nathan’s Example:

At the Forbes home, we aim to reclaim the evening rather than reject it and use it to build relationships in hopes of making disciples in our neighborhood.
We invite church members to hang out and have dinner in the front driveway.
Our kids (and some adults) wear fun or creative costumes (no darkness or gore).
We hand out generous candy bags that include an RCC invite card.
Dads walk with the kids to meet neighbors, laugh, and build connections.
We play joyful, worshipful music that proclaims Christ’s victory - audible but not obnoxious.
Why? Because the cross looked like defeat, yet it was the greatest victory in history. God’s wisdom and power were “in disguise,” and through that hidden triumph, Christ conquered every evil spirit and power of darkness (Colossians 2:15). Halloween, then, can become an occasion to declare His victory over sin, death, and the devil - not through fear or retreat, but through joy, light, and love.

Summary:

There is freedom for Christians to reject, redeem, reframe, or reclaim Halloween. The key is to act from faith, not fear. Whatever you do - whether through abstaining, hosting, or participating, do it for the glory of God, with clear conscience, joyful conviction, and gospel purpose.