Author: Goforth, Wayne

As with most every American holiday, there are backgrounds of paganism and Catholicism involved in Halloween. Certainly, we want to make sure we avoid any appearance of these, even as we would of Christmas. In one community in which we lived, the Satanists were prominent enough (there were three active covens) that the local police suggested bringing in any black animals the week prior to Halloween. There, most people who professed Christianity did not go door to door, but had private parties or would go treating in the mall. The local culture will determine to some degree whether the Christian can participate.

It is certainly no wonder the Bible declares that “jealousy [is] as cruel as the grave.” Song of Solomon 8:6; and that “jealousy is the rage of man”, Proverbs 6:34. Let us strive to be humbly grateful for the gifts which God has so richly blessed us with, rather then being grumbly hateful over what he has not (yet). Paul said in Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'”

Brethren, churches must demand preachers who will preach the whole counsel, and preachers must demand churches respect the whole counsel. Some preachers may be fired as a result of standing for the whole counsel … and some churches may need to fire some to be able to receive the whole counsel.