If the point of James Jordan?s article was to establish a biblical foundation for celebrating Halloween, then I must agree with Xtian that it comes up short.
However, although All Saints? Day does not have it?s grounding anywhere in Scripture; it does not make this festival of the church any less important. In fact, most of our Christian festivals have more to do with encouraging people to examine their faith, than they do with celebrating a specific biblical event.
The festival of All Saints grew out of a desire in the early church to commemorate the lives of martyrs (those who had died for their faith). The origins of this festival are sketchy, probably because the early practice of the church was to honor these individuals near the celebration of Christ?s own death and resurrection.
In 609 or 610, Boniface IV dedicated the Roman Pantheon to Mary and all the Martyrs. It?s believed that the date he chose for this dedication (May 13) was to offset a pagan festival. However, it wasn?t until Gregory IV moved the date from May 13 to November 1, in 835, that the festival of All Saints was celebrated by most of the Christian Church.
Contrary to Jordan?s article, Martin Luther did not choose the eve of All Saints? Day to post his Ninety-five Theses, because the date was associated with evil and demonic powers and Luther was trying to make a statement about the wickedness of the Roman Catholic Church. Most likely he chose this day because the church door was the community bulletin board, and he knew that there would be a large crowd coming to church the next day to celebrate All Saints? Day.
I think that it would be a real shame, if we chose to allow the growing secular popularity of Halloween diminish one of the truly great festivals of the church.
Matt
Oct 18 2005
02:15 pm
If the point of James Jordan?s article was to establish a biblical foundation for celebrating Halloween, then I must agree with Xtian that it comes up short.
However, although All Saints? Day does not have it?s grounding anywhere in Scripture; it does not make this festival of the church any less important. In fact, most of our Christian festivals have more to do with encouraging people to examine their faith, than they do with celebrating a specific biblical event.
The festival of All Saints grew out of a desire in the early church to commemorate the lives of martyrs (those who had died for their faith). The origins of this festival are sketchy, probably because the early practice of the church was to honor these individuals near the celebration of Christ?s own death and resurrection.
In 609 or 610, Boniface IV dedicated the Roman Pantheon to Mary and all the Martyrs. It?s believed that the date he chose for this dedication (May 13) was to offset a pagan festival. However, it wasn?t until Gregory IV moved the date from May 13 to November 1, in 835, that the festival of All Saints was celebrated by most of the Christian Church.
Contrary to Jordan?s article, Martin Luther did not choose the eve of All Saints? Day to post his Ninety-five Theses, because the date was associated with evil and demonic powers and Luther was trying to make a statement about the wickedness of the Roman Catholic Church. Most likely he chose this day because the church door was the community bulletin board, and he knew that there would be a large crowd coming to church the next day to celebrate All Saints? Day.
I think that it would be a real shame, if we chose to allow the growing secular popularity of Halloween diminish one of the truly great festivals of the church.