Halloween

[Keith]

If I actually do anything this year for Halloween, other than work, is I'll get a body bag, have my work van side door open, crawl inside the bag, and who ever comes by for a peak, I'll start opening the bag and yelling, "I'm not dead!"

I wonder how many cardiac arrests and complaints to IA I will get out of that little stunt? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

ROFL!!!!!!!! You would owe me a clean pair of underwear at the very least!

[Micah68]

... and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 1 Co 10:20, 21

[Kabowd]

First off It is a Pagan Holiday

So? What do origins have to do with anything? Who created all things? What makes one day more evil/holy than the next? Is God not Redeemer? Do you use a calendar?

.....

Lastly, for those who are adamantly opposed to Halloween let me ask you this:

1. Do you celebrate birthdays of family members and friends? If so, how is that different than participating in any other holiday?

2. Paul states in Romans 14 that we are free to eat meat, even meat that was once used in sacrifice to idols. If we are free to consume (absorb into our temple) something that was originated (or used) for evil, why can we not participate in a day/event that originated as something "pagan"? If, in our hearts, we are not observing anything evil...how can it be called sin? Isn't it the heart's intent that matters?

3. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph shows us how God took something that the enemy meant for evil and He redeemed it. God used it for good. Why can't this concept be applied to other areas of our lives? Even if something was originally intended for something evil or anti-God, why can't we take that very thing and use it for God's glory?

4. What is more important: A) showing the world that you don't participate in Halloween (i.e. that you are "separate") or B) showing the world love and grace. Because honestly, alot of times it cannot be both.

Sometimes in our pursuit to be "separate" we inadvertantly alienate the very people we're here to reach.

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Still no response on these questions......?

[Guest Zayit]

First off It is a Pagan Holiday

So? What do origins have to do with anything? Who created all things? What makes one day more evil/holy than the next? Is God not Redeemer? Do you use a calendar?

.....

Lastly, for those who are adamantly opposed to Halloween let me ask you this:

1. Do you celebrate birthdays of family members and friends? If so, how is that different than participating in any other holiday?

No, I don't , the only reference in the bible is to two pagans birthdays, almost two thousand years apart, but share a common thread, beheading. ( Pharaoh and Herod) .

2. Paul states in Romans 14 that we are free to eat meat, even meat that was once used in sacrifice to idols. If we are free to consume (absorb into our temple) something that was originated (or used) for evil, why can we not participate in a day/event that originated as something "pagan"? If, in our hearts, we are not observing anything evil...how can it be called sin? Isn't it the heart's intent that matters?

Obedience to G-d is what matters first, not what we think is good. Jeremeiah 17:9 reveals about the heart. Revelation 2:14 and 2:20 don't agree with that interpretation of what Paul was saying.

3. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph shows us how God took something that the enemy meant for evil and He redeemed it. God used it for good. Why can't this concept be applied to other areas of our lives? Even if something was originally intended for something evil or anti-God, why can't we take that very thing and use it for God's glory?

I would not call Josephs brothers the enemy. And because G-d can use something meant for harm for good, does that put us on the same level that we can have his understanding to do the same as He?

4. What is more important: A) showing the world that you don't participate in Halloween (i.e. that you are "separate") or B) showing the world love and grace. Because honestly, alot of times it cannot be both.

C. Showing obedience and reverence to my G-d the one and only one, not even using something that others use to worship their g-ds to worship the True G-d.

Sometimes in our pursuit to be "separate" we inadvertantly alienate the very people we're here to reach.

The spirit of obedience and the joy that comes from this: showing G-d we respect him and love him, is what will speak to the world, not joining in their activities in order to reach them, for no one comes to the Father unless he draws them. That does not depend on us being as the world to save the world.

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Still no response on these questions......?

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[yomotalking]

If I actually do anything this year for Halloween, other than work, is I'll get a body bag, have my work van side door open, crawl inside the bag, and who ever comes by for a peak, I'll start opening the bag and yelling, "I'm not dead!"

I wonder how many cardiac arrests and complaints to IA I will get out of that little stunt?

[Guest JAR61]

On Halloween:

I think this is a basic approach one can take in dealing with Halloween:

First, we know that it is conceived from evil.

2. Does Halloween help place our eyes on Christ or take them off of Him?

3. How does the celebration of Halloween affect our witness to those who enjoy secular pursuits.

4. Scripture calls us to be in the world not of the world.

5. Ask yourselves this: Do I want my children to celebrate Halloween because we dont want our kids feeling "left out"? If the answer is yes.. then you must go to le Scriptures which says:

If the world loves you then you are of the world and don't belong to me. Christ is not of the world and the world rejected Him first....

I think many Christian families, esp. where the women in the home rule spiritually there is a propensity to react emotionally... and they are afraid to be different than their neighbors.

[yomotalking]

But how do we stop ourselves from getting into legalism???

[Guest Zayit]

But how do we stop ourselves from getting into legalism???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Define legalism. Do you mean following G-ds laws over those acceptable of the world?

[yomotalking]

But how do we stop ourselves from getting into legalism???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Define legalism. Do you mean following G-ds laws over those acceptable of the world?

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There's a dictionary.....

[Kabowd]

But how do we stop ourselves from getting into legalism???

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Define legalism. Do you mean following G-ds laws over those acceptable of the world?

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Here You Go