John Piper is a human being, an extraordinary one in my humble opinion and the man deserves respect although we may disagree with some of his answers. Regarding pagan holidays, me and my family, including three kids, do not celebrate them after realizing the history of these holidays. And even my kids understand when I explained to them the origins and why we shouldn't celebrate (yes, including Christmas), but rather go to church on those so called holidays. It's a day off, and the best thing to do is to worship the Almighty.
II. How Did Christmas Come to Be Celebrated on December 25? A. Roman pagans first introduced the holiday of Saturnalia, a week long period of lawlessness celebrated between December 17-25. During this period, Roman courts were closed, and Roman law dictated that no one could be punished for damaging property or injuring people during the weeklong celebration. The festival began when Roman authorities chose “an enemy of the Roman people” to represent the “Lord of Misrule.” Each Roman community selected a victim whom they forced to indulge in food and other physical pleasures throughout the week. At the festival’s conclusion, December 25th, Roman authorities believed they were destroying the forces of darkness by brutally murdering this innocent man or woman. B. The ancient Greek writer poet and historian Lucian (in his dialogue entitled Saturnalia) describes the festival’s observance in his time. In addition to human sacrifice, he mentions these customs: widespread intoxication; going from house to house while singing naked; rape and other sexual license; and consuming human-shaped biscuits (still produced in some English and most German bakeries during the Christmas season). C. In the 4th century CE, Christianity imported the Saturnalia festival hoping to take the pagan masses in with it. Christian leaders succeeded in converting to Christianity large numbers of pagans by promising them that they could continue to celebrate the Saturnalia as Christians.[2] D. The problem was that there was nothing intrinsically Christian about Saturnalia. To remedy this, these Christian leaders named Saturnalia’s concluding day, December 25th, to be Jesus’ birthday. E. Christians had little success, however, refining the practices of Saturnalia. As Stephen Nissenbaum, professor history at the University of Massachussetts, Amherst, writes, “In return for ensuring massive observance of the anniversary of the Savior’s birth by assigning it to this resonant date, the Church for its part tacitly agreed to allow the holiday to be celebrated more or less the way it had always been.” The earliest Christmas holidays were celebrated by drinking, sexual indulgence, singing naked in the streets (a precursor of modern caroling), etc. F. The Reverend Increase Mather of Boston observed in 1687 that “the early Christians who first observed the Nativity on December 25 did not do so thinking that Christ was born in that Month, but because the Heathens’ Saturnalia was at that time kept in Rome, and they were willing to have those Pagan Holidays metamorphosed into Christian ones.”[3] Because of its known pagan origin, Christmas was banned by the Puritans and its observance was illegal in Massachusetts between 1659 and 1681.[4] However, Christmas was and still is celebrated by most Christians. G. Some of the most depraved customs of the Saturnalia carnival were intentionally revived by the Catholic Church in 1466 when Pope Paul II, for the amusement of his Roman citizens, forced Jews to race naked through the streets of the city. An eyewitness account reports, “Before they were to run, the Jews were richly fed, so as to make the race more difficult for them and at the same time more amusing for spectators. They ran… amid Rome’s taunting shrieks and peals of laughter, while the Holy Father stood upon a richly ornamented balcony and laughed heartily.”[5] H. As part of the Saturnalia carnival throughout the 18th and 19th centuries CE, rabbis of the ghetto in Rome were forced to wear clownish outfits and march through the city streets to the jeers of the crowd, pelted by a variety of missiles. When the Jewish community of Rome sent a petition in1836 to Pope Gregory XVI begging him to stop the annual Saturnalia abuse of the Jewish community, he responded, “It is not opportune to make any innovation.”[6] On December 25, 1881, Christian leaders whipped the Polish masses into Antisemitic frenzies that led to riots across the country. In Warsaw 12 Jews were brutally murdered, huge numbers maimed, and many Jewish women were raped. Two million rubles worth of property was destroyed. The Origins of Christmas Customs A. The Origin of Christmas Tree Just as early Christians recruited Roman pagans by associating Christmas with the Saturnalia, so too worshippers of the Asheira cult and its offshoots were recruited by the Church sanctioning “Christmas Trees”.[7] Pagans had long worshipped trees in the forest, or brought them into their homes and decorated them, and this observance was adopted and painted with a Christian veneer by the Church. B. The Origin of Mistletoe Norse mythology recounts how the god Balder was killed using a mistletoe arrow by his rival god Hoder while fighting for the female Nanna. Druid rituals use mistletoe to poison their human sacrificial victim.[8] The Christian custom of “kissing under the mistletoe” is a later synthesis of the sexual license of Saturnalia with the Druidic sacrificial cult.[9] C. The Origin of Christmas Presents In pre-Christian Rome, the emperors compelled their most despised citizens to bring offerings and gifts during the Saturnalia (in December) and Kalends (in January). Later, this ritual expanded to include gift-giving among the general populace. The Catholic Church gave this custom a Christian flavor by re-rooting it in the supposed gift-giving of Saint Nicholas (see below).[10] D. The Origin of Santa Claus a. Nicholas was born in Parara, Turkey in 270 CE and later became Bishop of Myra. He died in 345 CE on December 6th. He was only named a saint in the 19th century. b. Nicholas was among the most senior bishops who convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE and created the New Testament. The text they produced portrayed Jews as “the children of the devil”[11] who sentenced Jesus to death. c. In 1087, a group of sailors who idolized Nicholas moved his bones from Turkey to a sanctuary in Bari, Italy. There Nicholas supplanted a female boon-giving deity called The Grandmother, or Pasqua Epiphania, who used to fill the children's stockings with her gifts. The Grandmother was ousted from her shrine at Bari, which became the center of the Nicholas cult. Members of this group gave each other gifts during a pageant they conducted annually on the anniversary of Nicholas’ death, December 6. d. The Nicholas cult spread north until it was adopted by German and Celtic pagans. These groups worshipped a pantheon led by Woden -their chief god and the father of Thor, Balder, and Tiw. Woden had a long, white beard and rode a horse through the heavens one evening each Autumn. When Nicholas merged with Woden, he shed his Mediterranean appearance, grew a beard, mounted a flying horse, rescheduled his flight for December, and donned heavy winter clothing. e. In a bid for pagan adherents in Northern Europe, the Catholic Church adopted the Nicholas cult and taught that he did (and they should) distribute gifts on December 25th instead of December 6th. f. In 1809, the novelist Washington Irving (most famous his The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle) wrote a satire of Dutch culture entitled Knickerbocker History. The satire refers several times to the white bearded, flying-horse riding Saint Nicholas using his Dutch name, Santa Claus. g. Dr. Clement Moore, a professor at Union Seminary, read Knickerbocker History, and in 1822 he published a poem based on the character Santa Claus: “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in the hope that Saint Nicholas soon would be there…” Moore innovated by portraying a Santa with eight reindeer who descended through chimneys. h. The Bavarian illustrator Thomas Nast almost completed the modern picture of Santa Claus. From 1862 through 1886, based on Moore’s poem, Nast drew more than 2,200 cartoon images of Santa for Harper’s Weekly. Before Nast, Saint Nicholas had been pictured as everything from a stern looking bishop to a gnome-like figure in a frock. Nast also gave Santa a home at the North Pole, his workshop filled with elves, and his list of the good and bad children of the world. All Santa was missing was his red outfit. i. In 1931, the Coca Cola Corporation contracted the Swedish commercial artist Haddon Sundblom to create a coke-drinking Santa. Sundblom modeled his Santa on his friend Lou Prentice, chosen for his cheerful, chubby face. The corporation insisted that Santa’s fur-trimmed suit be bright, Coca Cola red. And Santa was born - a blend of Christian crusader, pagan god, and commercial idol.
Devlin Cheelong Ahn indeed brother... but it boggles my mind how some seasoned saints don't know about the truth of christmas. you're %1000 correct sir
GOD SAYS TO avoid even the appearance of evil (1 Thess 5:22). We are to have nothing to do with the darkness of this world. Halloween doesn't even point to GOD at all. Not at all. It's all about witches, demons, ghosts, fear, mischief and terror. NOT the things of God. WHatever we do we are to do to the glory of God, we're told. There's no glory to God in pagan, dark, evil Halloween. We are children of the LIGHT.
“When the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations which you are going in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ (Deut 12:29-31) Yahweh was explicit with the Israelites on several occasions, "Don't worship me the way the pagans do". I love John Piper and his teachings, but he's wrong.
***** Thank you for the response. I'm familiar with this passage. But John was talking about intermingling our faith as believers with Halloween, which is historically a pagan practice. It's the same thing the Catholics did with Christmas (historical Saturnalia) and Easter (a day of worship to the pagan goddess Ishtar, also known as Ashtoreth and Isis). In Romans 14, Paul wasn't referring to the Law of Yah. He was referring to fast days which was a common practice amongst the Jews (specifically the Pharisees) of that time (Luke 18:12). But there was nothing in Scripture that commanded the Israelites to fast twice a week, and different sects of Jews fasted on different days. The only fast that was commanded was Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). This is why later in the scriptures Paul mentions those who regard one day higher than another. The fast days were simply matters of Pharisaical Jewish teaching, which made it a "quarrel over opinions". The Law of Yah, however, was not a matter of opinion. Nothing Yahweh commands has ever been up for debate nor is it a matter of opinion. What He says is set in stone. I hope you weigh this against scripture. May the Father bless you and keep you.
I think celebrating and participating are two different things. Dressing up and going door to door and passing out candy is harmless doesn’t mean I worship Satan by doing that.
I am amazed at the "Pharisaic" comments on this subject. I have absolutely NO doubts Jesus would have been offensive to some of the people here....if.....they didn't know he was Jesus. I have used Halloween for over 40 years as an evangelistic outreach to children and parents. I have connected with literally thousands of children and parents with a Gospel/Kingdom message through the opportunity of Halloween. The Pharisees were highly offended when Jesus healed on the Sabbath. How many of you would be offended if you found out some may have come to know Christ as Lord and Savior through Halloween?
Using Halloween to evangelize is different from celebrating Halloween. I use the opportunity of people asking me for candy to give them the gospel in kid-friendly tract form with the candy. I don't need to dress up and go trick-or-treating to do that, and I can be friendly and welcoming without complimenting demonic or sensual/sexy costumes. Some people here might feel like that's still participating in an evil holiday, but I suspect most people are debating whether Christians should dress up, go to parties, trick-or-treat, or otherwise celebrate the pagan holiday.
@@tliw2 You are correct. Who's celebrating Halloween...we are using it. Another example of "being in the world, but not of it". I have given out candy/tract bags for over 40 years from my house and have been using community sponsored major trunk or treats. We had over 1000 kids at one trunk or treat alone last weekend. You can use overflow bags for food banks and downtown Christian missions. Then there are Christian social service agencies that may be interested if approached. I absolutely abstain from using any images or symbols of Evil, Darkness, Satan, Demons and fear. I've actually had one guy tell me to "Repent" twice even though I tell him this.
@@topgeardel okay, so I think we're on the same page, but many Christians are actually celebrating Halloween, and they see nothing wrong with that. They dress up, trick-or-treat, decorate jack-o-lanterns, go to/host Halloween parties... Churches used to have Fall Festivals as an alternative, but I visited one when my daughter was younger where one of the adult helpers was dressed as a witch. The Word of God seems to have very little sway with today's "Christians". I think most of us here (with some exceptions) are not taking issue with Christians using a pagan holiday to evangelize pagans.
@@tliw2 I simply celebrate it as a Fall festival. I love the cooler weather, change of colors, Fall and giving candy to kids. I also think Christians need to start realizing that many, many unbelievers do not celebrate Halloween either. Tons of parents take their kids out as a family to do a community event with their neighbors. Their kids are dressed in positive costumes. It's Christians who insist on inserting "evil" into it...IMO. Anyways, I do disagree with you on one account. I've visited a host of TH-cam sites on this subject and I am shocked and dismayed at all the commentators sounding like modern day Pharisees on the subject. I've been told to repent by one....and that I am "so deceived" by Satan by another. Most of the comments on all these videos are total avoidance of Halloween. The lack of focus on the Great Commission on a subject like this is unbelievable.
@@topgeardel yes, I have seen those types of comments re a variety of subjects, so I understand what you're saying. Scripture tells us to rebuke/warn, but also to do everything in love. Shalom.
I think that Halloween and other activities like it (Mardi Grass) are just examples of human being's herd mentality. We go along and celebrate the traditions that our ancestors celebrated and on down the line without even questioning the meaning of the things we are participating in. For instance, did you know that Mardi Grass is actually celebrating when white people owned slaves? It is the same spirit that fueled WWII (elitist). I was convicted about celebrating Halloween last year and ended up looking it up and found out it has it's roots in witchcraft. So this year, my kids, husband, and I made a bonfire in the backyard and roasted marshmallows, burned idols, prayed, and sang Christmas carols. I figure trick-or-treating is a nice way for the enemy to lull unsuspecting people to aimless fruitlessness while he is organizing his people for encantations, spells, and conjuring, so we might as well use that same time to counter him with praise, prayer, and the pulling down of strongholds. I do believe that we as disciples of Christ should not just blend in with the world on any day, we should always stand up and stand out for Jesus. True freedom is found in setting ourselves apart from the world's mold.
Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Jeremiah 10:1 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. Jeremiah 10:2 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. Jeremiah 10:3 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. Jeremiah 10:4 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Jeremiah 10:5
Amen sister. I noticed you mentioned Christmas carols. Research the origins of Christmas when you get an opportunity. I realize you posted 4 years ago. Hope this finds you well. God bless you!
I agree we shouldn't quarrel over it but there does need to be discussion over certain things from a biblical perspective in order that iron might sharpen iron and also let our speech be so seasoned with salt that those who reject Christ might see light. So that being said I'll add this in response to a few comments below. We see men redeemed out of a fallen state but not pagan practices redeemed. A good case for this is the worship of the bull at the foot of mt Sinai. The Jews stated that they created this bull with the intentions of having a feast unto The Lord with it. God said they were in rebellion against Him in doing this. WE cant take what is unholy and make it holy, only God can and he has chosen to do this with His people, not pagan traditions. After our redemption, purchased at the cross with blood, He calls us to be separate from the evil practices of this world. We are the ecclesia, or called out ones. Called out by Wisdom at the gates and from the hilltop as seen in proverbs. We are called out to spread the gospel, and can not do this while still living in conformity to the image of the world
So the Apostle Paul would have condoned dressing your children up as zombies, ghosts, and demons as a practice that is justified provided we give them candy?
@@daviddavenport9350 The apostle Paul said: "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks." (Romans 14:1-6) The context of Paul's statement is receiving those who are weak in the faith. I do not believe that we should "reject" a brother or sister in Christ on the basis of this matter. Nevertheless it is difficult to credibly defend the practice of dressing children as zombies, ghosts, and demons as something done "to the Lord." KEY QUESTIONS (TL/DR): 1. Do you believe dressing a child up as a demon can be done "to the Lord" in sincerity? 2. Is that an evidently righteous act or an evidently sinful act? 3. If it is righteous, what is the biblical case for the righteousness of dressing a child as a demon? 4. If it is sinful, is the church right to oppose sin? Please answer those questions directly. God bless, TETH
+TJ Anderson you didn't get what I meant. We christians are in war against the devil because we have decided to follow Jesus, so we have to refuse everything that links us to the enemy and his influence
Noe Vargas I totally agree with that! I guess I just don't associate dressing up and trick or treating as linking myself (or my children) to the enemy and his influence. I was raised in a wonderful Christian home and always participated in this as a child. It hasn't affected my walk with Christ at all. Just my experience / opinion. God Bless!
+TJ Anderson keep this in mind, people that embrace evil link themselves to halloween the satanic church in Spring, Tx decided it was the perfect day to open their doors for the first time
The fact that anyone has to question this holiday is proof it's wrong. Almighty God help us. The church looks and acts and conforms more to the world every day.
As though we could be "faithful to God's word" in any capacity, we were dead, but those who have eyes to see are resurrected into a new disposition of total freedom, where I do not struggle against my flesh or give any thought to sin, I walk in the Spirit now. No more guessing, no more belief, no more struggle at all, pure communion with Jesus all day long like Enoch, Adam, the prophets and the apostles
I believe that most people when they think of this question, have fallen for the trap of believing in the genetic fallacy. Just because something has a poor origin, that doesn't mean it still has any bearing on today's application. For example, I am sure most of you have no problem calling the days of the week by their name despite the majority of them all have pagan origins. Most people watching this probably have an iPhone, which was created by Steve Jobs, a self-proclaimed Zen Buddhist. A lot of modern medication used today is a direct result of the Nazis' existence. I'm sure most of you would take it. Any of you own a Mazda? (the car brand?) that's named after the Zoroastrian god, Ahura Mazda. There is a litany of other things that have non-Christian origins, but we don't stray away from those because we understand that how something came to be doesn't always define its entire existence. Besides that, what do you think the reason kids like to go trick or treating?... Its to get free candy. It's not to celebrate the Celtic deities as was the point of the original Halloween (Samhain). If it was, you would be witnessing animals being sacrificed in giant bonfires made of crops. I don't know about you, but I see none of that today because that's not what it's about anymore. We can redefine what something means over time. I don't mind if anymore chooses not to celebrate it, especially if the holy spirit is convicting you in this subject. I just think the line of reasoning that "it has pagan origins" is not very strong.
Halloween today is still a day that has current ties with death, paganism and demonic practices. Americans tend to be ignorant of that because it became a big part of American culture.
@@amandaalmeida1629 I don't think "having ties" is a good enough reason to place judgment on a specific day when it doesn't have any bearing on its actual present meaning. Some people connect Christmas to paganism. Does that mean I should stop celebrating it? The Church has been linked to a countless number of deaths over the past 2k years, should I not go to church? Frank Turek once said " I don't judge my religion based on its heretics" I think the same would apply to a holiday.
Bro..WAKE up !! U r like Sammson who fell asleep on Delilah's....she took Advantage of Him..whe u have seen a criminal counterfeiting money? Or murdering people in a house? How u 👀it? Well the children's of Satan do the biggest WITHCRAFT in Halloween...people r beign sacrifice..if u go to Miami u will find animal beign sacrificed that nighth..if 🤔Halloween is ok according to U why they do that at nigth? Why not in the morning?..if u love Jesus why u have to cheat on him? It is like saying I love my wife but I want hang out with this girl one nigth..STOP beign decived about Satan...now HE got u by the throat...REPENT for your ignorance... I'm know about this because JESUS let me beign DEMONIC ATTACK multiple times. I was paralyzed from the nose down at 4am ..I could NOT move..I was AWAKE...the only name that help me to rebuke those demonds was the Name of Jesus of Nazareth...( not God or Buddha or the name of your son) he let me see DEMONDS in the spirit realm...UNFORTUNATELY not many pastors belive that ..u know whay..because they don NOT read their bibles ..in order that Satan might not outwit us. " For we are not unaware of his schemes."2 Corinthians 2-11..WAKE UP AND SAY NO TO HALLOWEEN
I love pastor John. A true man of God, but not without error. This is the first - and hopefully the last - dislike I ever put on his TH-cam videos. Demonic matters such as Halloween cannot be taken lightly. Praise Lord, at least this year, we’ve had the light of Reformation Anniversary outshine the darkness of that pagan holiday. For “you cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” (1 Cor 10:21)
I guess a helpful question to ask might be "is the culture sacrificing to demons?" To put 1 Cor 10:20 into context. If so, then you're right. I think that would be a good place to debate. :)
You were lied to. Why would a demon name his party with the word holy (hallowed)? He would not. This holiday has christian roots not pagan and you are judging people for some made up rumor you were fooled into believing.
Nikki Schumacher Official In what way is Halloween hallowed? Satan appears as an angel of light. Don’t be quick to call others deceived. Check your own heart.
This is the problem, pastors would rather keep the church full than teach the consequences of sin. We are not to promote darkness, but rather light. This is one reason the church is in the state it is.
Darkness can never be turned into light God calls us out of darkness into light. They will always be opposites. If we continue to make a light version of dark things our conscience will become damaged . The Holy Spirit makes a complete separation between light and darkness. It says come out from among them. Pagans are to think it strange that you no longer take part in their rituals. Instead they think it strange that they were hijacked and called Christian.
He said..... I'm willing to run the risk of attachment to worldliness. What ? The Holy Scriptures teach .... Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Haven’t scrolled down yet, but I’m guessing this comment section is filled with rabidly dogmatic Christians condemning Halloween in every way, shape and form. EDIT: I was right.
Well michael Dukes, you believe what you want, and Christian's believe what they want. Nobody said it has to be against the law, Christians don't want to recognize it. Just like you don't want to recognize God. Whatever.
And you are right because God has given us his word of discernment. 1 john 1:5 God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. Halloween is a day associated with darkness not light. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. Does Holloween meet any of these virtues below? Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
John 8:12 - God's children cannot participate in pagan demonic-based practice that started as worship to the dead. REad also 1 John 1:5; 1 Cor. 10:21; 2 Cor. 6:14... we can't mix God's truth with paganism and things that involve Satan. You are right that many of us want no part of this evil day of darkness, and I hope you will come to see - if you read the scriptures I gave you -- that neither should you.
Yes! Redeem it! for the past 5 yrs I've found it absolutely impossible to ignore the fact that all the kids in my neighborhood are coming to my door just waiting for me to give them something. Anyone who has gone door to door sharing the gospel understands the inestimable potential value of this night. God gave me a vision for Halloween 5 yrs ago, and it's been growing till last year I organized FIVE different halloween evangelism hubs all over the city.
So this question I would ask Piper... If you apply your philosophy to holidays where you said, "I'm willing to run the risk of attachment to worldliness in order to be biblically faithful in witnessing", why could that not be applied to MUSIC, HAIRSTYLES, CLOTHING, and e/thing else?
Friendship with the world is enmity with God. I know what Piper is saying, but I really think you need to be careful in this case. If you want to witness that is good, even at Halloween. But most just want to participate in the event.
At the end of the day it’s just a unique day where stuff gets done. If you know someone has problems with it, skip the whole thing on their behalf because their spiritual journey is more important than your leisure. Personality I’m not caught up in those traditions so I don’t miss anything about it.
Halloween is NOT of God, this is the devils holiday and if you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, do your research and see the true meaning behind it. You cant serve 2 masters! “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15 KJV
Precisely why compromise ourselves when we are children of the light with the devil; it doesn’t make sense at all. We are only suppose to live in the world but not be of the world, instead we need to be set apart from the rest of the world.
@@PWS-by8lu What did you feel his “error” was? I appreciate that people object to halloween as a “celebration of evil” - but dressing up as/acknowledging fictional characters, hardly seems a celebration/advocacy of their ideals...
@@beelzzebub DID YOU READ THE SCRIPTURES? 2 COR 6:14, 1 cOR 10:21, jOHN 8:12; 1 jOHN 1:5. HE used no scriptures. God does not want us in ANY WAY dabbling with the pagan ways the nations before us worshiped their gods (Deut 12:1-4, 28-32). We are to totally come out of Babylon, not half dabble in it. Rev 18:4 - come OUT of her my people... we cannot in any way celebrate the Devil's night. Not in ANY way. I sure can't see Jesus, Paul, John and others having anything to do with this Eph 5:8-12 -- read all these first, and then let's talk again. I gave a sermon recently on the same topic th-cam.com/video/KJpBF7hzqYo/w-d-xo.html
@@daviddavenport9350 I take GOD'S word very seriously and HE IS CLEAR: have NOTHING to do with demons and the dark side. A "fun little secular holiday for children" -- with axes splitting heads as their depictions, with murderous depictions, with witches, demons.... wake up people. GOd HATES this, and we all know it. Stand up and obey God's word.
I believe Paul advocated the same thing this pastor recommends....let some observe the celebration without blame, let those who do not also be without chastisement!
My neighbors were lovely Catholics who made Halloween very fun for the neighborhood. To me it is just an occasion to dress up and eat some candy and visit the neighborhood. I don't like people who frighten children though and I believe if you give kids a good spiritual foundation even the worst demons will not ruin them.
I'm totally agree with John , I don't care if the background of Halloween or Christmas is evil ,I still celebrate them and I believe God redeeming everything and yes Enron Halloween ! And at the end that's what Christian are calling for !
How can we do anything "unto the Lord' that has to do with Satan, witches, goblins, evil, terror, mischief -as is Halloween? Instead, COME OUT OF HER, my people (Rev. 18:4) and 2 Cor. 6:14-16 says we can't mix and match worshiping God with worshiping Satan. Anton LaVey, founder of Church of Satan, calls Halloween their most important day and is so glad that Christians let their children worship Satan at least on one day - Halloween.
@@PWS-by8lu Amen to that. Not to mention that is not the proper context of that verse he used. If referring to Paul writing in Colossians 2:16. This is regarding those Christians being challenged by Jews, both those that either received Jesus as the Messiah or those that didn't. This is precisely why we must rightly divide the Word.
A lot of people don't question it, but living a life to please Christ is a good place to start. Not sure how celebrating Halloween can be part of that. Using it as an occasion to witness seems good though.
AMEN PASTOR JOHN! Awesome that you stated your beliefs while leaving room for other's beliefs. You don't see that a lot from the other side of the Halloween argument.
This is not a topic about your opinion or your belief...the question is what does the WORD say? avoid all Pagan rituals flee from evil have nothing to do with the ways of the world... people compromise because they like doing certain things would you set up an Ashera pole in the middle of your living room and call it good? We really need to quit saying that we're taking something back and trying to wrap JESUS NAME around Pagan rituals.. we're not taking anything back that never originated with HIM..Halloween is evil no two ways about it... read Anton lavey's comment he was the head of Satan's Church dead now he quoted I'm thrilled that Americans will allow their children to worship Satan one day of the year
The myriad inaccuracies and misinformation that so many seem to promulgate and perpetuate year after year on the supposed origins of Halloween is staggering. It is honestly difficult knowing where to even begin in attempting to comment on the utter absurdities circulating about the origins of both Halloween and its predecessor Samhain, and their associated customs. To encompass all the inaccuracies and misinformation would quite easily make for a small book. Suffice to say that most supposed origins of Halloween are wishful thinking at best. Virtually all our modern Halloween traditions originated from right here in the good ol’ USA and date no earlier than the early 1900’s. To be completely fair, there are vestigial remnants of pre-Christian traditions that still survive with some Halloween traditions; most notably those from the Roman celebration of Pomona - specifically, all the apple related traditions. Yes, the original holiday associated with Halloween is Samhain/Samhuain/Sauin (depending on where you’re from; Ireland, Scotland, or Man), but as mentioned, most of the modern traditions associated with the holiday which supposedly originated with Samhain are, at best, wishful thinking. It should be noted that Halloween's association with Satanic worship and practices is a very modern phenomena (1960's to present); it's not old at all. The thing is, most people who observe Samhain regard Satanists with just as much disgust and disdain, indeed, if not more so, than Christians - Satanists are responsible for using this day to promulgate their beliefs and completely twist the day into something it simply never was. And, no, the Bible says absolutely nothing about Halloween/Samhain - a Semitic people living in what is now called the Middle East had no clue about the religious practices of a people (the Celts) they would not have even known existed. Samhain/Halloween is to some people a very spiritual and magickal time of the year; for some it’s a time of fun and candy, perhaps a way to celebrate Fall in general; for others perhaps, a time to contemplate their own mortality as part of the holiday tradition is mocking death. Still, others are not quite sure what to make of it and prefer to steer clear of it, but however you wish to celebrate it….or not - Halloween is only ‘evil’ if one chooses to make it so.
Well said! You should write that small book. Publish it on Amazon Kindle. People are interested in Halloween and there's a paucity of accurate information about it.
@@aoeulhs Probably won't be a book, but I have been giving consideration to a TH-cam video - maybe next year. Though, now that I think of it, it's possible the notes for the video would provide for a good outline/template for a small booklet.
@@kavikv.d.hexenholtz3474 You have a nice writing style and conveyed a lot in a short post; two rare gifts these days. I think whatever you choose to do will be well-received.
Salvation is a personal thing. If you’re convicted then talk to God. Because there are people who say it’s a Christian holiday, those who say it’s of the devil, and others where it’s just a secular holiday and doesn’t matter.
It's simple. Don't worship Satan or do witchcraft. Some people have taken it that route, but you are not of this world, so do not partake in those specific things. Everything else Halloween is fair game, it's just another holiday.
Moving pictures, words and music combined are extremely hypnotizing. I'm thinking that Halloween is harmless enough, but movies like "Halloween", hypnotize US to grow in the wrong direction. As a matter of fact most movies made in America makes US grow in the wrong direction.
That was one of the most lukewarm wishy-washy compromising cowardly explanation of a faults shepherd that I've ever seen, for God is light and there is no Darkness at all, read 2 Cor 6:14- 7:1 follow the word of God wholeheartedly and do not be afraid of their threats nor be dismayed when you stand up for what's right, when they attack you, because the wicked think it's a strange thing that you don't run in the same destruction as they do.
Christmas also has pagan origins, but Christians celebrate it religiously and also commercially. With that in mind, i dont see any harm if you celebrate halloween commercially, which i believe is entirely different from celebrating it as it was.
At exactly 2 minutes in he says "I'm willing to run the risk of attachment to worldliness"!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT??!!!??!!!?? We shouldn't be running any risks! Let alone risks with "attachment to worldliness" 💔 Below is what God has to say about that. Oh John, this was so sad 😔 😢 😭 💔
Romans 12:2 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV) 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
James 4:4 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV) 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Do you really believe Jesus would go Trick or Treating? Do you really think Jesus would approve of celebrating a Pagan Holiday in ANY form? What's wrong with you people!!? Very Disappointed.
It is not ok with God for Christians to participate in celebrations that have pagan connections. Jeremiah 10: 2 "This is what the LORD says: "Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them." Mr. Piper is wrong about this one. Isaiah 42: 8 ""I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols."
+Lea Leandre What Piper's saying, is that we need to be the salt and light of the world as they are lost in sin we need to dress up in something good as we tell the lost about the cost of the cross. Just like Jesus did as he turned water into wine, AND DRANK WINE ALL NIGHT as He ministered to them about the truth!!! John 4:46
Loose and broad is exactly how the church has become an abomination. Whenever I hear these (great men/women) speak in such “loose” terms regarding things God hates, I’m shaken to my core, mostly because of the impact and influence they have on so many believers who don’t and won’t go out and study for themselves. But I am also grateful for the many believers who’ve commented in correct teaching and will pray for this brother
To each his/her own...a faithful Christian will always know where to draw the line...avoid both ends "legalism and liberalism" stay at the center with CHRIST...its a culture thing...
if your going to attack him so much on halloween make sure you do the same with christmas, although WE glorify the Lord on that day (w.e. you do, do it all for the glory of christ), it too is a pagan holiday.
Great man of God, but sometimes he just don't let us follow an perfect example, rather a middle way. Not he should be perfect, but his advice. Not allways his advice can be perfect, but for such simple matters, allways. With christmas is something, with halloween is really something else.
At the end... I have to recognize that Old Pentecostals have the best position on Christianity... I didn’t expect this answer From John .... So disappointed....
This is most unfortunate. However, I realize that Pastor John is likely speaking out of a position of profound ignorance of this "holiday" and its significance in the occult today. It is not merely a matter of ancient connections to paganism. It is a matter of real life, present day, horrific, vile, grotesque acts of violent and demonic sin. This is a high holy day of the Satanic kingdom. By having any other position besides outright and total condemnation of this, we are failing in our commitment to stand up for the Truth and failing to defend the defenseless--those who have been victims of Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA). This is about as serious a matter as can be. It deeply grieves me to see those who claim to follow Christ demonstrate their profound ignorance on so important a topic, and more so, when that ignorance leads others astray. I have much respect for Pastor John, however, in this I believe he is in serious error. His position only weakens the Body of Christ, leaving her vulnerable to certain attacks of the Enemy she would not otherwise be, and emboldens the Enemy to charge forward when he knows he can do so unopposed.
God formed the light and created *darkness* . There is beauty and spirituality in darkness. Not all darkness is evil. Halloween, how most people celebrate it, is good darkness. Its simply good fun in dark aesthetic. Not a celebration of evil. God is good but he's not as puritanical and sanitary as some believe.
I know lots of people still pray to satan and demons on halloween. Whether or not we agree on trick-or-treating we as Christians should unite in prayer against those evil spiritual powers. I know I'll be praying on halloween night. especially around midnight...anyone joining me?
If you are a Christian and you base your belief based on a pastor’s opinion, then you need to look at yourself in the mirror. The Bible is not for private interpretation. In other words, read the Bible and find out for yourself. I’ll say this, though: if your goal as a Christian is to find loopholes in the Bible so you can satisfy the flesh, then your spirit isn’t right with God.
You admitted halloween is paganism in your video. And you also say that you want to be loose and broad? ...Well. I think you've summed yourself up there Joel Osteen,... 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
@cornwallsteve when you are little its not about being pagan or like the world, its about having some fun with friends and having a little candy, and the other associations are absolutely missing from your head
These kinda decisions are easy to make when you remove yourself from the equation and decide that you are going to love God with all your heart your soul and your mind. for what Fellowship does Darkness have with light. what happened to what God said about him being a jealous God, does the bible not warn us to flee every appearance of evil. what is so hard to see that there is nothing holy about celebrating Halloween? I can't imagine eating a dish that was prepared right before my eyes and I was able to see the chef mix in a teaspoon of poop.. I definitely won't be touching the dish at all this is what you do as a Christian when you decide to celebrate Halloween you're eating a poop prepared dish
YOU'RE SO SPOT ON. 2 Cor. 6:14-16 - we can't match the two. We can't do everything to the glory of God and think we'll find it in Halloween, a time of evil and darkness and pagan roots!
I am amazed at the number of " popular pastors " who give this answer. It is not popular to stand fast on scriptural truth. One only needs to read the Chapters in Lev.18 to 20. Lev.19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. True pastors will not let the Demonic Practices into their churches. What happen to Passover ( resurrection day? ) Easter eggs, bunny rabbits are so cute, but where do they come from : Isthar, fertility god and goddesses. Isn't Santa wonderful; look at the little Demon elves, Yule tide, Christ Mass, witches celebrate the Winter Solstice, Not our Lord. If some of you think I am to harsh, just remember people who practiced witchcraft were put to death. The Lord has not changed his mind concerning sorcery, witchcraft, wizards and witches. What has changed is that the Lord loved you so much He gave His life a ransom for your sin.1Tim2... Instead of killing you immediately for your sins as in the 1st Testament, He is allowing you to repent for Christ's sake, who loved you and gave Himself for you. Jn.3:16,17. So, now that we are saved, do we continue in these Abominations. I am not a "popular pastor" therefore I can tell you the truth : GOD FORBID !!. Check out America's Occult Holidays by Doc Marquis. (Real Eye opener.) th-cam.com/video/0XL0sxisJGM/w-d-xo.html P.S. This is not personally against John Piper. This is for all Christians; esp. them who are our mentors and teachers in the Word of God. His servant, Peter
@T2Todd2 As John said, worship on Sunday and celebrating Christmas have roots in pagan holidays. Are you going to deny Christmas and say that people who worship on Sundays are wrong? As Paul said, if what you do becomes a stumbling block for other Christians than you shouldn't do it. It's OK to eat things sacrificed to idols so long as you don't cause a brother to stumble (1 Cor. 8). Piper is not wrong; he is taking Paul's principles and applying it to our current day culture.
@@troywright359 : Because Halloween is rooted in the occult and such practices are condemned from beginning to end in the scriptures. (Deut 18 : 10-13; Rev21 :8)
@@ewankerr3011 please reread what I said, on a day where others celebrate darkness, Christians can celebrate separately on the same day, the light of Jesus. That is not celebrating Halloween.
@@troywright359 : Christians can celebrate God every day, true. But dressing up as ghouls and supporting the occult even for fun is a different matter altogether.
@@ewankerr3011 my original comment says "celebrating the things of God". not "dressing up as zombies and cartoon devils". I don't subsctibe to the thoery that 31st of october is a day purely for celebrating halloween and anything Christians do is celebrating that also
Halloween is unacceptable before God and is ungodly: 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Psalms 101:3 "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes..." 1 John 1:5 God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. Holloween is a day that's associated with darkness not light. Not every pastor is qualified to wield the sword(word) of God.
Me: John can you explain this in a simple way Piper: Let me explain hedonism to you. Note: One preachear said that satan comes as an angel of light; little kids with little fangs, little worewolfs, little demons, cute evil appearances.
@bartguys How did you come to that conclusion? He says, "I'm willing to run the risk of attachment to worldliness in order to be biblically faithful in witness. Same thing with Christmas, same thing with birthdays, same thing with Easter, same thing with worshiping on Sunday. All these things have pagan connections." Piper clearly understands the origins of many Christian traditions.
I'm totally agree with John , I don't care if the background of Halloween or Christmas is pagan and evil , I still celebrate them , because that's what Christian are in this world for , we are here to be light, I think God is redeeming our culture no matter the evil background!
Halloween is pretty sad, think about it, dressing up in silly costumes and doing daft things like trick and treating, give us something to eat or we’ll do something mischievous, also, it’s a great night for perverts and paedos. It shows an immature understanding of spiritual things.
@bartguys Yes, it's well known that many Christian "holidays" have been appropriated from earlier pagan practices and given a Christian makeover. You said Piper does not understand this. Piper's statement in the video shows that he's very well aware of it. So what's your argument?
But what’s wrong with John Piper?? The Bible clearly says we need to abstain from any appearance of evil. He’s going back and forth is quite shocking to me.
in the philippines... filipinos celebrate all saints day is going to our beloved relatives/family/friends and give repect that dies on cemetery and do some little picnic and leave a candle infront of our door so that our beloved one's soul who passaway can visit us too trough that candle. is it bad thing too?
@@awezomecrasher8367 catholic influence I think, it's not in the Bible so I would be wary of anything about contacting or feeling the presence of the dead
@@troywright359 and bible didn't say it isn't too right.. And why catholics include?.. Lots of catholic country dont do that.. This is the problem of Christian religion u guys want to separate Christians to any sectors or group or protestant or whatever u call it... This is just a tradition or culture before & after religion... Like what protestant/sectors adopt to catholic traditions/culture and we can't deny it.. Just support and respect one another and maybe we can be a new human like Jesus christ said "in this rock(earth) I build my church(new humanity)" so please stop crushing other christians just because we don't like their tradition or doings stop pointing out if we don't know the real history.. God bless to all of us
@@awezomecrasher8367 it's not about 'tradition', the belief that there is a night when the dead drift past candles we light may bring comfort to some, but it contradicts the teaching of the bible that those whom are dead rise only once at the end of times, to face judgement. it's like if it was a tradition to take pure cocaine.....like ok that's your culture that I don't want you to feel attacked by me questioning it, but....it just seems to be at odds. regardless, you shouldn't feel crushed as we discuss and share, maybe there are tradiitions in the UK that the Bible doesn't agree with also, we could talk about those as well. this wasn't meant to belittle or attack you, and if you are a fellow Christian, then I'm glad as a brother that we were able to share discourse without dissension. Have a good day friend
Did John Piper give us God's Word or his opinion? Some of the comments here leave me very concerned for the people making them. True followers of Christ may disagree and even debate, but we don't get offended when we're challenged by the Word of God. We look for verses to support what we think, maybe, but we ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in all Truth, always desiring to submit to the Word of God even when our flesh rebels. If we ignore Scripture and lean on our own opinions, we reveal ourselves to be lawless-- without God's law on our hearts-- and Jesus said some terrifying things about the lawless. Scripture doesn't mention "Halloween" but it does give us clear principles for how to view the appropriation of formerly pagan practices, even if the are "repurposed"to "worship Yahweh". Read God's Word and ASK HIM to show you Truth, intending to submit to Him. Deuteronomy 12:1-4 These are the statutes and judgments which you shall be careful to observe in the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth. You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations which you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. And you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and burn their wooden images with fire; you shall cut down the carved images of their gods and destroy their names from that place. You shall not worship the Lord your God with such things. Deuteronomy 18:9-14 When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this. Acts 19:19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. Ephesians 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ...NOTHING to do...
@T2Todd2 I said you didn't repeat anything TO ME. I'm not going to read your previous comments to other people. And I did give Biblical evidence TO YOU. "It's OK to eat things sacrificed to idols so long as you don't cause a brother to stumble (1 Cor. 8)." We apply principles to today's situations. That's how you handle Scripture. And of course God hasn't changed; but the Old Covenant is done away with for the New Covenant. So how does your argument stand in light of what NT says?
@T2Todd2 Actually, I read your comments to me and this is the FIRST time that you are acknowledging that those days have pagan roots. You have not been "repeatedly" saying anything. I've given Biblical proof of my position and still you have not challenged it. Answer my question: is eating meat that is sacrificed to pagan idols a sin or not?
@T2Todd2 Want me to quote what Paul said? "But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat (1 Cor. 8:8)." So... what am I supposed to be pushing here? It's obvious that eating meat sacrificed to idols isn't a sin. And what did Jesus say? He said it is not what goes into a man that defiles him but what comes out (Matt 15:11). Again... you have absolutely nothing to substantiate your claims; I have clear scripture.
the message is love one another has jesus loves you whats wrong with love you buy cards and candy for your spouse real love is how ever sharing with those who have less or nothing the world needs charity hope and real love may the god of peace bring home today is gift of love and change one soul god bless
Scripture and Christ and Apostle Paul -- are all clear. There's to be no mixing and sharing between light and darkness (2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Cor. 10:31; John 8:22; 1 JOhn 1:5, etc. etc.) and we are NOT to learn what pagans did and then christianize them somehow by putting a new label on them (see Deut 12:1-5, 29-32). Please take time to read the scriptures prayerfully. The day is the #1 holiday of Church of Satan folks and witches, and even the movies, logos and artwork all celebrate witches (which God's word condemns), ghosts, ghouls, blood and death. No thanks. I will have no part in this wicked evening.
@T2Todd2 Ah, so "Sunday" is "HIS Holy day"? "Christmas" is "HIS Holy day"? What about Easter? You still haven't acknowledged the fact that these three days have pagan roots. You fail to acknowledged the fact that these three days have no Biblical foundation as being "HIS Holy days. You are straying from the topic. John Piper isn't wrong; he is applying Paul's (and I would argue even Jesus') principles to today's culture. You have yet to challenge that assertion.
Unfortunately he doesn't know the whole truth about the bible...the question was very simple..HALLOWEEN is a day meant for SATAN period...even if u dress up as a Bible-character .if u love Jesus WHY in the world decide to be part of Satan that day? That's why we see ppl r beign cursed ...pray for Him that way he could see the whole true .."in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes" 2 Corinthians 2-11"
@cornwallsteve because its pagan based? i think john piper said it pretty well... if you keep a balance of the child understanding the bad, but celebrates with friends thats no problem. I did it, and i dont think it has corrupted me, made me more like the world, in fact i think if i didnt it would make it so there is so much of borderline with my other friends that they could come closer to christ from me, they would think of he's just different.
John Piper is a human being, an extraordinary one in my humble opinion and the man deserves respect although we may disagree with some of his answers. Regarding pagan holidays, me and my family, including three kids, do not celebrate them after realizing the history of these holidays. And even my kids understand when I explained to them the origins and why we shouldn't celebrate (yes, including Christmas), but rather go to church on those so called holidays. It's a day off, and the best thing to do is to worship the Almighty.
+Devlin Cheelong Ahn I was in total agreement with you until your 2nd sentence and beyond. Not celebrate Christ's birthday (Christmas)?! Hmmm....
II. How Did Christmas Come to Be Celebrated on December 25?
A. Roman pagans first introduced the holiday of Saturnalia, a week long period of lawlessness celebrated between December 17-25. During this period, Roman courts were closed, and Roman law dictated that no one could be punished for damaging property or injuring people during the weeklong celebration. The festival began when Roman authorities chose “an enemy of the Roman people” to represent the “Lord of Misrule.” Each Roman community selected a victim whom they forced to indulge in food and other physical pleasures throughout the week. At the festival’s conclusion, December 25th, Roman authorities believed they were destroying the forces of darkness by brutally murdering this innocent man or woman.
B. The ancient Greek writer poet and historian Lucian (in his dialogue entitled Saturnalia) describes the festival’s observance in his time. In addition to human sacrifice, he mentions these customs: widespread intoxication; going from house to house while singing naked; rape and other sexual license; and consuming human-shaped biscuits (still produced in some English and most German bakeries during the Christmas season).
C. In the 4th century CE, Christianity imported the Saturnalia festival hoping to take the pagan masses in with it. Christian leaders succeeded in converting to Christianity large numbers of pagans by promising them that they could continue to celebrate the Saturnalia as Christians.[2]
D. The problem was that there was nothing intrinsically Christian about Saturnalia. To remedy this, these Christian leaders named Saturnalia’s concluding day, December 25th, to be Jesus’ birthday.
E. Christians had little success, however, refining the practices of Saturnalia. As Stephen Nissenbaum, professor history at the University of Massachussetts, Amherst, writes, “In return for ensuring massive observance of the anniversary of the Savior’s birth by assigning it to this resonant date, the Church for its part tacitly agreed to allow the holiday to be celebrated more or less the way it had always been.” The earliest Christmas holidays were celebrated by drinking, sexual indulgence, singing naked in the streets (a precursor of modern caroling), etc.
F. The Reverend Increase Mather of Boston observed in 1687 that “the early Christians who first observed the Nativity on December 25 did not do so thinking that Christ was born in that Month, but because the Heathens’ Saturnalia was at that time kept in Rome, and they were willing to have those Pagan Holidays metamorphosed into Christian ones.”[3] Because of its known pagan origin, Christmas was banned by the Puritans and its observance was illegal in Massachusetts between 1659 and 1681.[4] However, Christmas was and still is celebrated by most Christians.
G. Some of the most depraved customs of the Saturnalia carnival were intentionally revived by the Catholic Church in 1466 when Pope Paul II, for the amusement of his Roman citizens, forced Jews to race naked through the streets of the city. An eyewitness account reports, “Before they were to run, the Jews were richly fed, so as to make the race more difficult for them and at the same time more amusing for spectators. They ran… amid Rome’s taunting shrieks and peals of laughter, while the Holy Father stood upon a richly ornamented balcony and laughed heartily.”[5]
H. As part of the Saturnalia carnival throughout the 18th and 19th centuries CE, rabbis of the ghetto in Rome were forced to wear clownish outfits and march through the city streets to the jeers of the crowd, pelted by a variety of missiles. When the Jewish community of Rome sent a petition in1836 to Pope Gregory XVI begging him to stop the annual Saturnalia abuse of the Jewish community, he responded, “It is not opportune to make any innovation.”[6] On December 25, 1881, Christian leaders whipped the Polish masses into Antisemitic frenzies that led to riots across the country. In Warsaw 12 Jews were brutally murdered, huge numbers maimed, and many Jewish women were raped. Two million rubles worth of property was destroyed.
The Origins of Christmas Customs
A. The Origin of Christmas Tree
Just as early Christians recruited Roman pagans by associating Christmas with the Saturnalia, so too worshippers of the Asheira cult and its offshoots were recruited by the Church sanctioning “Christmas Trees”.[7] Pagans had long worshipped trees in the forest, or brought them into their homes and decorated them, and this observance was adopted and painted with a Christian veneer by the Church.
B. The Origin of Mistletoe
Norse mythology recounts how the god Balder was killed using a mistletoe arrow by his rival god Hoder while fighting for the female Nanna. Druid rituals use mistletoe to poison their human sacrificial victim.[8] The Christian custom of “kissing under the mistletoe” is a later synthesis of the sexual license of Saturnalia with the Druidic sacrificial cult.[9]
C. The Origin of Christmas Presents
In pre-Christian Rome, the emperors compelled their most despised citizens to bring offerings and gifts during the Saturnalia (in December) and Kalends (in January). Later, this ritual expanded to include gift-giving among the general populace. The Catholic Church gave this custom a Christian flavor by re-rooting it in the supposed gift-giving of Saint Nicholas (see below).[10]
D. The Origin of Santa Claus
a. Nicholas was born in Parara, Turkey in 270 CE and later became Bishop of Myra. He died in 345 CE on December 6th. He was only named a saint in the 19th century.
b. Nicholas was among the most senior bishops who convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE and created the New Testament. The text they produced portrayed Jews as “the children of the devil”[11] who sentenced Jesus to death.
c. In 1087, a group of sailors who idolized Nicholas moved his bones from Turkey to a sanctuary in Bari, Italy. There Nicholas supplanted a female boon-giving deity called The Grandmother, or Pasqua Epiphania, who used to fill the children's stockings with her gifts. The Grandmother was ousted from her shrine at Bari, which became the center of the Nicholas cult. Members of this group gave each other gifts during a pageant they conducted annually on the anniversary of Nicholas’ death, December 6.
d. The Nicholas cult spread north until it was adopted by German and Celtic pagans. These groups worshipped a pantheon led by Woden -their chief god and the father of Thor, Balder, and Tiw. Woden had a long, white beard and rode a horse through the heavens one evening each Autumn. When Nicholas merged with Woden, he shed his Mediterranean appearance, grew a beard, mounted a flying horse, rescheduled his flight for December, and donned heavy winter clothing.
e. In a bid for pagan adherents in Northern Europe, the Catholic Church adopted the Nicholas cult and taught that he did (and they should) distribute gifts on December 25th instead of December 6th.
f. In 1809, the novelist Washington Irving (most famous his The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip Van Winkle) wrote a satire of Dutch culture entitled Knickerbocker History. The satire refers several times to the white bearded, flying-horse riding Saint Nicholas using his Dutch name, Santa Claus.
g. Dr. Clement Moore, a professor at Union Seminary, read Knickerbocker History, and in 1822 he published a poem based on the character Santa Claus: “Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in the hope that Saint Nicholas soon would be there…” Moore innovated by portraying a Santa with eight reindeer who descended through chimneys.
h. The Bavarian illustrator Thomas Nast almost completed the modern picture of Santa Claus. From 1862 through 1886, based on Moore’s poem, Nast drew more than 2,200 cartoon images of Santa for Harper’s Weekly. Before Nast, Saint Nicholas had been pictured as everything from a stern looking bishop to a gnome-like figure in a frock. Nast also gave Santa a home at the North Pole, his workshop filled with elves, and his list of the good and bad children of the world. All Santa was missing was his red outfit.
i. In 1931, the Coca Cola Corporation contracted the Swedish commercial artist Haddon Sundblom to create a coke-drinking Santa. Sundblom modeled his Santa on his friend Lou Prentice, chosen for his cheerful, chubby face. The corporation insisted that Santa’s fur-trimmed suit be bright, Coca Cola red. And Santa was born - a blend of Christian crusader, pagan god, and commercial idol.
Devlin Cheelong Ahn this is the most accurate response
Devlin Cheelong Ahn indeed brother... but it boggles my mind how some seasoned saints don't know about the truth of christmas. you're %1000 correct sir
Devlin Cheelong Ahn 👍🏾
Our Lord looks at man's heart; from out of the heart flows the true person.
D. O'D 💯
@@briankeatonjr.638 Are you serious?
GOD SAYS TO avoid even the appearance of evil (1 Thess 5:22). We are to have nothing to do with the darkness of this world. Halloween doesn't even point to GOD at all. Not at all. It's all about witches, demons, ghosts, fear, mischief and terror. NOT the things of God. WHatever we do we are to do to the glory of God, we're told. There's no glory to God in pagan, dark, evil Halloween. We are children of the LIGHT.
“When the LORD your God cuts off before you the nations which you are going in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ (Deut 12:29-31) Yahweh was explicit with the Israelites on several occasions, "Don't worship me the way the pagans do". I love John Piper and his teachings, but he's wrong.
***** Thank you for the response. I'm familiar with this passage. But John was talking about intermingling our faith as believers with Halloween, which is historically a pagan practice. It's the same thing the Catholics did with Christmas (historical Saturnalia) and Easter (a day of worship to the pagan goddess Ishtar, also known as Ashtoreth and Isis).
In Romans 14, Paul wasn't referring to the Law of Yah. He was referring to fast days which was a common practice amongst the Jews (specifically the Pharisees) of that time (Luke 18:12). But there was nothing in Scripture that commanded the Israelites to fast twice a week, and different sects of Jews fasted on different days. The only fast that was commanded was Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). This is why later in the scriptures Paul mentions those who regard one day higher than another. The fast days were simply matters of Pharisaical Jewish teaching, which made it a "quarrel over opinions".
The Law of Yah, however, was not a matter of opinion. Nothing Yahweh commands has ever been up for debate nor is it a matter of opinion. What He says is set in stone.
I hope you weigh this against scripture. May the Father bless you and keep you.
This pastor is very human, so easy to relate to him, yet very knowledgeable.
I think celebrating and participating are two different things. Dressing up and going door to door and passing out candy is harmless doesn’t mean I worship Satan by doing that.
I am amazed at the "Pharisaic" comments on this subject. I have absolutely NO doubts Jesus would have been offensive to some of the people here....if.....they didn't know he was Jesus. I have used Halloween for over 40 years as an evangelistic outreach to children and parents. I have connected with literally thousands of children and parents with a Gospel/Kingdom message through the opportunity of Halloween. The Pharisees were highly offended when Jesus healed on the Sabbath. How many of you would be offended if you found out some may have come to know Christ as Lord and Savior through Halloween?
Using Halloween to evangelize is different from celebrating Halloween. I use the opportunity of people asking me for candy to give them the gospel in kid-friendly tract form with the candy. I don't need to dress up and go trick-or-treating to do that, and I can be friendly and welcoming without complimenting demonic or sensual/sexy costumes.
Some people here might feel like that's still participating in an evil holiday, but I suspect most people are debating whether Christians should dress up, go to parties, trick-or-treat, or otherwise celebrate the pagan holiday.
@@tliw2 You are correct. Who's celebrating Halloween...we are using it. Another example of "being in the world, but not of it". I have given out candy/tract bags for over 40 years from my house and have been using community sponsored major trunk or treats. We had over 1000 kids at one trunk or treat alone last weekend. You can use overflow bags for food banks and downtown Christian missions. Then there are Christian social service agencies that may be interested if approached. I absolutely abstain from using any images or symbols of Evil, Darkness, Satan, Demons and fear.
I've actually had one guy tell me to "Repent" twice even though I tell him this.
@@topgeardel okay, so I think we're on the same page, but many Christians are actually celebrating Halloween, and they see nothing wrong with that. They dress up, trick-or-treat, decorate jack-o-lanterns, go to/host Halloween parties...
Churches used to have Fall Festivals as an alternative, but I visited one when my daughter was younger where one of the adult helpers was dressed as a witch.
The Word of God seems to have very little sway with today's "Christians".
I think most of us here (with some exceptions) are not taking issue with Christians using a pagan holiday to evangelize pagans.
@@tliw2 I simply celebrate it as a Fall festival. I love the cooler weather, change of colors, Fall and giving candy to kids. I also think Christians need to start realizing that many, many unbelievers do not celebrate Halloween either. Tons of parents take their kids out as a family to do a community event with their neighbors. Their kids are dressed in positive costumes. It's Christians who insist on inserting "evil" into it...IMO.
Anyways, I do disagree with you on one account. I've visited a host of TH-cam sites on this subject and I am shocked and dismayed at all the commentators sounding like modern day Pharisees on the subject. I've been told to repent by one....and that I am "so deceived" by Satan by another. Most of the comments on all these videos are total avoidance of Halloween. The lack of focus on the Great Commission on a subject like this is unbelievable.
@@topgeardel yes, I have seen those types of comments re a variety of subjects, so I understand what you're saying. Scripture tells us to rebuke/warn, but also to do everything in love. Shalom.
may we celebrate you Lord more than any holiday
I think that Halloween and other activities like it (Mardi Grass) are just examples of human being's herd mentality. We go along and celebrate the traditions that our ancestors celebrated and on down the line without even questioning the meaning of the things we are participating in. For instance, did you know that Mardi Grass is actually celebrating when white people owned slaves? It is the same spirit that fueled WWII (elitist). I was convicted about celebrating Halloween last year and ended up looking it up and found out it has it's roots in witchcraft. So this year, my kids, husband, and I made a bonfire in the backyard and roasted marshmallows, burned idols, prayed, and sang Christmas carols. I figure trick-or-treating is a nice way for the enemy to lull unsuspecting people to aimless fruitlessness while he is organizing his people for encantations, spells, and conjuring, so we might as well use that same time to counter him with praise, prayer, and the pulling down of strongholds. I do believe that we as disciples of Christ should not just blend in with the world on any day, we should always stand up and stand out for Jesus. True freedom is found in setting ourselves apart from the world's mold.
Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Jeremiah 10:1 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. Jeremiah 10:2 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. Jeremiah 10:3 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. Jeremiah 10:4 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Jeremiah 10:5
Amen sister. I noticed you mentioned Christmas carols. Research the origins of Christmas when you get an opportunity. I realize you posted 4 years ago. Hope this finds you well. God bless you!
I agree we shouldn't quarrel over it but there does need to be discussion over certain things from a biblical perspective in order that iron might sharpen iron and also let our speech be so seasoned with salt that those who reject Christ might see light. So that being said I'll add this in response to a few comments below. We see men redeemed out of a fallen state but not pagan practices redeemed. A good case for this is the worship of the bull at the foot of mt Sinai. The Jews stated that they created this bull with the intentions of having a feast unto The Lord with it. God said they were in rebellion against Him in doing this. WE cant take what is unholy and make it holy, only God can and he has chosen to do this with His people, not pagan traditions. After our redemption, purchased at the cross with blood, He calls us to be separate from the evil practices of this world. We are the ecclesia, or called out ones. Called out by Wisdom at the gates and from the hilltop as seen in proverbs. We are called out to spread the gospel, and can not do this while still living in conformity to the image of the world
So the Apostle Paul would have condoned dressing your children up as zombies, ghosts, and demons as a practice that is justified provided we give them candy?
Did he not say...do not condemns one for celebrating nor one for not celebrating....? I believe he did.
@@daviddavenport9350 The apostle Paul said:
"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks." (Romans 14:1-6)
The context of Paul's statement is receiving those who are weak in the faith. I do not believe that we should "reject" a brother or sister in Christ on the basis of this matter. Nevertheless it is difficult to credibly defend the practice of dressing children as zombies, ghosts, and demons as something done "to the Lord."
KEY QUESTIONS (TL/DR):
1. Do you believe dressing a child up as a demon can be done "to the Lord" in sincerity?
2. Is that an evidently righteous act or an evidently sinful act?
3. If it is righteous, what is the biblical case for the righteousness of dressing a child as a demon?
4. If it is sinful, is the church right to oppose sin?
Please answer those questions directly.
God bless,
TETH
I can't imagine Jesus celebrating halloween. Can we find any holy (took away from evil) thing in it?
+Noe Vargas Trick or Treating is hardly 'celebrating' Halloween. Can you find anything 'holy' about cleaning your house? Get real, honestly.
+TJ Anderson you didn't get what I meant. We christians are in war against the devil because we have decided to follow Jesus, so we have to refuse everything that links us to the enemy and his influence
Noe Vargas I totally agree with that! I guess I just don't associate dressing up and trick or treating as linking myself (or my children) to the enemy and his influence. I was raised in a wonderful Christian home and always participated in this as a child. It hasn't affected my walk with Christ at all. Just my experience / opinion. God Bless!
+TJ Anderson keep this in mind, people that embrace evil link themselves to halloween
the satanic church in Spring, Tx decided it was the perfect day to open their doors for the first time
cmoneymadhops Sorry but that is just complete crap. Stop generalising and get some actual FACTS!
The fact that anyone has to question this holiday is proof it's wrong. Almighty God help us. The church looks and acts and conforms more to the world every day.
As though we could be "faithful to God's word" in any capacity, we were dead, but those who have eyes to see are resurrected into a new disposition of total freedom, where I do not struggle against my flesh or give any thought to sin, I walk in the Spirit now. No more guessing, no more belief, no more struggle at all, pure communion with Jesus all day long like Enoch, Adam, the prophets and the apostles
I believe that most people when they think of this question, have fallen for the trap of believing in the genetic fallacy. Just because something has a poor origin, that doesn't mean it still has any bearing on today's application.
For example, I am sure most of you have no problem calling the days of the week by their name despite the majority of them all have pagan origins. Most people watching this probably have an iPhone, which was created by Steve Jobs, a self-proclaimed Zen Buddhist. A lot of modern medication used today is a direct result of the Nazis' existence. I'm sure most of you would take it. Any of you own a Mazda? (the car brand?) that's named after the Zoroastrian god, Ahura Mazda. There is a litany of other things that have non-Christian origins, but we don't stray away from those because we understand that how something came to be doesn't always define its entire existence.
Besides that, what do you think the reason kids like to go trick or treating?... Its to get free candy. It's not to celebrate the Celtic deities as was the point of the original Halloween (Samhain). If it was, you would be witnessing animals being sacrificed in giant bonfires made of crops. I don't know about you, but I see none of that today because that's not what it's about anymore. We can redefine what something means over time.
I don't mind if anymore chooses not to celebrate it, especially if the holy spirit is convicting you in this subject. I just think the line of reasoning that "it has pagan origins" is not very strong.
Halloween today is still a day that has current ties with death, paganism and demonic practices. Americans tend to be ignorant of that because it became a big part of American culture.
@@amandaalmeida1629 I don't think "having ties" is a good enough reason to place judgment on a specific day when it doesn't have any bearing on its actual present meaning. Some people connect Christmas to paganism. Does that mean I should stop celebrating it? The Church has been linked to a countless number of deaths over the past 2k years, should I not go to church?
Frank Turek once said " I don't judge my religion based on its heretics"
I think the same would apply to a holiday.
Bro..WAKE up !! U r like Sammson who fell asleep on Delilah's....she took Advantage of Him..whe u have seen a criminal counterfeiting money? Or murdering people in a house? How u 👀it? Well the children's of Satan do the biggest WITHCRAFT in Halloween...people r beign sacrifice..if u go to Miami u will find animal beign sacrificed that nighth..if 🤔Halloween is ok according to U why they do that at nigth? Why not in the morning?..if u love Jesus why u have to cheat on him? It is like saying I love my wife but I want hang out with this girl one nigth..STOP beign decived about Satan...now HE got u by the throat...REPENT for your ignorance...
I'm know about this because JESUS let me beign DEMONIC ATTACK multiple times. I was paralyzed from the nose down at 4am ..I could NOT move..I was AWAKE...the only name that help me to rebuke those demonds was the Name of Jesus of Nazareth...( not God or Buddha or the name of your son) he let me see DEMONDS in the spirit realm...UNFORTUNATELY not many pastors belive that ..u know whay..because they don NOT read their bibles ..in order that Satan might not outwit us. " For we are not unaware of his schemes."2 Corinthians 2-11..WAKE UP AND SAY NO TO HALLOWEEN
I love pastor John. A true man of God, but not without error. This is the first - and hopefully the last - dislike I ever put on his TH-cam videos. Demonic matters such as Halloween cannot be taken lightly. Praise Lord, at least this year, we’ve had the light of Reformation Anniversary outshine the darkness of that pagan holiday. For “you cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” (1 Cor 10:21)
I guess a helpful question to ask might be "is the culture sacrificing to demons?" To put 1 Cor 10:20 into context. If so, then you're right. I think that would be a good place to debate. :)
They sacrifice children by the hundreds in that period
You were lied to. Why would a demon name his party with the word holy (hallowed)? He would not. This holiday has christian roots not pagan and you are judging people for some made up rumor you were fooled into believing.
Nikki Schumacher Official In what way is Halloween hallowed? Satan appears as an angel of light. Don’t be quick to call others deceived. Check your own heart.
@@NikkiSchumacherOfficial I’m sorry Nikki love you sister but maybe it isn’t right...sadly it is connected to pagan roots...
Meh, i expected at least some scripture to back up John's thoughts on this matter
This is the problem, pastors would rather keep the church full than teach the consequences of sin. We are not to promote darkness, but rather light. This is one reason the church is in the state it is.
Darkness can never be turned into light
God calls us out of darkness into light.
They will always be opposites.
If we continue to make a light version of dark things our conscience will become damaged .
The Holy Spirit makes a complete separation between light and darkness. It says come out from among them.
Pagans are to think it strange that you no longer take part in their rituals. Instead they think it strange that they were hijacked and called Christian.
He said..... I'm willing to run the risk of attachment to worldliness.
What ?
The Holy Scriptures teach .... Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Haven’t scrolled down yet, but I’m guessing this comment section is filled with rabidly dogmatic Christians condemning Halloween in every way, shape and form.
EDIT: I was right.
Well michael Dukes, you believe what you want, and Christian's believe what they want. Nobody said it has to be against the law, Christians don't want to recognize it. Just like you don't want to recognize God.
Whatever.
And you are right because God has given us his word of discernment.
1 john 1:5 God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
Halloween is a day associated with darkness not light.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Does Holloween meet any of these virtues below?
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Real Christians hate Halloween. Gain the knowledge behind Halloween from satanists view. Don’t provoke God to anger.
John 8:12 - God's children cannot participate in pagan demonic-based practice that started as worship to the dead. REad also 1 John 1:5; 1 Cor. 10:21; 2 Cor. 6:14... we can't mix God's truth with paganism and things that involve Satan. You are right that many of us want no part of this evil day of darkness, and I hope you will come to see - if you read the scriptures I gave you -- that neither should you.
@@PWS-by8lu PRAISE GOD BROTHER.. IT IS WRITTEN "Be holy, for I am holy."
Yes! Redeem it!
for the past 5 yrs I've found it absolutely impossible to ignore the fact that all the kids in my neighborhood are coming to my door just waiting for me to give them something. Anyone who has gone door to door sharing the gospel understands the inestimable potential value of this night. God gave me a vision for Halloween 5 yrs ago, and it's been growing till last year I organized FIVE different halloween evangelism hubs all over the city.
So this question I would ask Piper... If you apply your philosophy to holidays where you said, "I'm willing to run the risk of attachment to worldliness in order to be biblically faithful in witnessing", why could that not be applied to MUSIC, HAIRSTYLES, CLOTHING, and e/thing else?
Friendship with the world is enmity with God. I know what Piper is saying, but I really think you need to be careful in this case. If you want to witness that is good, even at Halloween. But most just want to participate in the event.
Hairstyles?
At the end of the day it’s just a unique day where stuff gets done. If you know someone has problems with it, skip the whole thing on their behalf because their spiritual journey is more important than your leisure. Personality I’m not caught up in those traditions so I don’t miss anything about it.
Halloween is NOT of God, this is the devils holiday and if you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, do your research and see the true meaning behind it. You cant serve 2 masters!
“Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:14-15 KJV
Precisely why compromise ourselves when we are children of the light with the devil; it doesn’t make sense at all. We are only suppose to live in the world but not be of the world, instead we need to be set apart from the rest of the world.
Ok, I was expecting him to be dead against it.
You surprised me John Piper, and I agree fully with your position! 😄
He surprised me too, but I was terribly disappointed. He didn't use one single scripture to support his terrible error.
@@PWS-by8lu What did you feel his “error” was? I appreciate that people object to halloween as a “celebration of evil” - but dressing up as/acknowledging fictional characters, hardly seems a celebration/advocacy of their ideals...
@@beelzzebub DID YOU READ THE SCRIPTURES? 2 COR 6:14, 1 cOR 10:21, jOHN 8:12; 1 jOHN 1:5. HE used no scriptures. God does not want us in ANY WAY dabbling with the pagan ways the nations before us worshiped their gods (Deut 12:1-4, 28-32). We are to totally come out of Babylon, not half dabble in it. Rev 18:4 - come OUT of her my people... we cannot in any way celebrate the Devil's night. Not in ANY way. I sure can't see Jesus, Paul, John and others having anything to do with this Eph 5:8-12 -- read all these first, and then let's talk again. I gave a sermon recently on the same topic th-cam.com/video/KJpBF7hzqYo/w-d-xo.html
@@PWS-by8lu Ou are taking a fun little secular holiday for children far too seriously PWS
@@daviddavenport9350 I take GOD'S word very seriously and HE IS CLEAR: have NOTHING to do with demons and the dark side. A "fun little secular holiday for children" -- with axes splitting heads as their depictions, with murderous depictions, with witches, demons.... wake up people. GOd HATES this, and we all know it. Stand up and obey God's word.
I believe Paul advocated the same thing this pastor recommends....let some observe the celebration without blame, let those who do not also be without chastisement!
Nobody comes to our door, but I think it’s a good time to distribute tracts.
My neighbors were lovely Catholics who made Halloween very fun for the neighborhood. To me it is just an occasion to dress up and eat some candy and visit the neighborhood. I don't like people who frighten children though and I believe if you give kids a good spiritual foundation even the worst demons will not ruin them.
That is wishful thinking!
John Piper’s lukewarm answer is so carefully crafted. He literally just Christianized Halloween .. 😤 Stay away from this heresy.
I'm totally agree with John , I don't care if the background of Halloween or Christmas is evil ,I still celebrate them and I believe God redeeming everything and yes Enron Halloween ! And at the end that's what Christian are calling for !
Let no man judge you on holidays... For what you do, in everything you do, do it unto the Lord.
How can we do anything "unto the Lord' that has to do with Satan, witches, goblins, evil, terror, mischief -as is Halloween? Instead, COME OUT OF HER, my people (Rev. 18:4) and 2 Cor. 6:14-16 says we can't mix and match worshiping God with worshiping Satan. Anton LaVey, founder of Church of Satan, calls Halloween their most important day and is so glad that Christians let their children worship Satan at least on one day - Halloween.
@@PWS-by8lu Amen to that. Not to mention that is not the proper context of that verse he used. If referring to Paul writing in Colossians 2:16. This is regarding those Christians being challenged by Jews, both those that either received Jesus as the Messiah or those that didn't. This is precisely why we must rightly divide the Word.
the thing I'm liking about John Piper is he's balanced in what he says, yet is still truly christian in his message.
great videos
you're absolutely right Mr. Piper!!! Its high time for us Christians to be biblical based.....
To the best of my knowledge, when I was a child there was no objection to participation in Halloween in my church.
A lot of people don't question it, but living a life to please Christ is a good place to start. Not sure how celebrating Halloween can be part of that. Using it as an occasion to witness seems good though.
AMEN PASTOR JOHN! Awesome that you stated your beliefs while leaving room for other's beliefs. You don't see that a lot from the other side of the Halloween argument.
This is not a topic about your opinion or your belief...the question is what does the WORD say? avoid all Pagan rituals flee from evil have nothing to do with the ways of the world... people compromise because they like doing certain things would you set up an Ashera pole in the middle of your living room and call it good? We really need to quit saying that we're taking something back and trying to wrap JESUS NAME around Pagan rituals.. we're not taking anything back that never originated with HIM..Halloween is evil no two ways about it... read Anton lavey's comment he was the head of Satan's Church dead now he quoted I'm thrilled that Americans will allow their children to worship Satan one day of the year
This has nothing to do with right or wrong, its about control. Its always about control.
The myriad inaccuracies and misinformation that so many seem to promulgate and perpetuate year after year on the supposed origins of Halloween is staggering. It is honestly difficult knowing where to even begin in attempting to comment on the utter absurdities circulating about the origins of both Halloween and its predecessor Samhain, and their associated customs. To encompass all the inaccuracies and misinformation would quite easily make for a small book.
Suffice to say that most supposed origins of Halloween are wishful thinking at best. Virtually all our modern Halloween traditions originated from right here in the good ol’ USA and date no earlier than the early 1900’s.
To be completely fair, there are vestigial remnants of pre-Christian traditions that still survive with some Halloween traditions; most notably those from the Roman celebration of Pomona - specifically, all the apple related traditions.
Yes, the original holiday associated with Halloween is Samhain/Samhuain/Sauin (depending on where you’re from; Ireland, Scotland, or Man), but as mentioned, most of the modern traditions associated with the holiday which supposedly originated with Samhain are, at best, wishful thinking.
It should be noted that Halloween's association with Satanic worship and practices is a very modern phenomena (1960's to present); it's not old at all. The thing is, most people who observe Samhain regard Satanists with just as much disgust and disdain, indeed, if not more so, than Christians - Satanists are responsible for using this day to promulgate their beliefs and completely twist the day into something it simply never was.
And, no, the Bible says absolutely nothing about Halloween/Samhain - a Semitic people living in what is now called the Middle East had no clue about the religious practices of a people (the Celts) they would not have even known existed.
Samhain/Halloween is to some people a very spiritual and magickal time of the year; for some it’s a time of fun and candy, perhaps a way to celebrate Fall in general; for others perhaps, a time to contemplate their own mortality as part of the holiday tradition is mocking death. Still, others are not quite sure what to make of it and prefer to steer clear of it, but however you wish to celebrate it….or not - Halloween is only ‘evil’ if one chooses to make it so.
Well said! You should write that small book. Publish it on Amazon Kindle. People are interested in Halloween and there's a paucity of accurate information about it.
@@aoeulhs
Probably won't be a book, but I have been giving consideration to a TH-cam video - maybe next year. Though, now that I think of it, it's possible the notes for the video would provide for a good outline/template for a small booklet.
@@kavikv.d.hexenholtz3474 You have a nice writing style and conveyed a lot in a short post; two rare gifts these days. I think whatever you choose to do will be well-received.
@@aoeulhs
Thanks for the kind words - the few short paragraphs were "condensed" from a several page post, way too long for a Y/T comment.
Salvation is a personal thing. If you’re convicted then talk to God. Because there are people who say it’s a Christian holiday, those who say it’s of the devil, and others where it’s just a secular holiday and doesn’t matter.
It's simple. Don't worship Satan or do witchcraft. Some people have taken it that route, but you are not of this world, so do not partake in those specific things. Everything else Halloween is fair game, it's just another holiday.
WE SHOULD NOT CELEBRATE HOLLOWEEN HE IS WRONG !!!
+Isaac Herrera No he's not. He's being asked as a pastor to state his opinion as you are clearly stating yours!
1 Corinthians 12:6- All things are lawfull for me but not everything is beneficial
Moving pictures, words and music combined are extremely hypnotizing. I'm thinking that Halloween is harmless enough, but movies like "Halloween", hypnotize US to grow in the wrong direction.
As a matter of fact most movies made in America makes US grow in the wrong direction.
So what about anime?
The church is divided. It saddens me how many Christians are confused.
That was one of the most lukewarm wishy-washy compromising cowardly explanation of a faults shepherd that I've ever seen, for God is light and there is no Darkness at all, read 2 Cor 6:14- 7:1 follow the word of God wholeheartedly and do not be afraid of their threats nor be dismayed when you stand up for what's right, when they attack you, because the wicked think it's a strange thing that you don't run in the same destruction as they do.
Christmas also has pagan origins, but Christians celebrate it religiously and also commercially. With that in mind, i dont see any harm if you celebrate halloween commercially, which i believe is entirely different from celebrating it as it was.
+53catman Totally agree!
going along with something because of the masses is not safe. the Bible tells us that the gate is strait, the way is narrow, and few will find it
My non Christian family members celebrate Christmas, I as a Christian do not. So your presumption is not always correct, only sometimes.
At exactly 2 minutes in he says "I'm willing to run the risk of attachment to worldliness"!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT??!!!??!!!?? We shouldn't be running any risks! Let alone risks with "attachment to worldliness" 💔 Below is what God has to say about that. Oh John, this was so sad 😔 😢 😭 💔
Romans 12:2 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
James 4:4 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Yes, disheartening indeed and yet I'm reminded that he's human and thus prone to error...so we respond like the Bereans as you just did...
Do you really believe Jesus would go Trick or Treating? Do you really think Jesus would approve of celebrating a Pagan Holiday in ANY form? What's wrong with you people!!? Very Disappointed.
It is not ok with God for Christians to participate in celebrations that have pagan connections. Jeremiah 10: 2 "This is what the LORD says: "Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them." Mr. Piper is wrong about this one. Isaiah 42: 8 ""I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else, nor share my praise with carved idols."
+Lea Leandre What Piper's saying, is that we need to be the salt and light of the world as they are lost in sin we need to dress up in something good as we tell the lost about the cost of the cross. Just like Jesus did as he turned water into wine, AND DRANK WINE ALL NIGHT as He ministered to them about the truth!!! John 4:46
Lea Leandre if that's the case, Christmas needs to go too
Is it me or does he look a lot like Larry David?
+TJ Anderson I thought that too! Seems a nice man tho!
Loose and broad is exactly how the church has become an abomination. Whenever I hear these (great men/women) speak in such “loose” terms regarding things God hates, I’m shaken to my core, mostly because of the impact and influence they have on so many believers who don’t and won’t go out and study for themselves. But I am also grateful for the many believers who’ve commented in correct teaching and will pray for this brother
To each his/her own...a faithful Christian will always know where to draw the line...avoid both ends "legalism and liberalism" stay at the center with CHRIST...its a culture thing...
if your going to attack him so much on halloween make sure you do the same with christmas, although WE glorify the Lord on that day (w.e. you do, do it all for the glory of christ), it too is a pagan holiday.
I believe John Piper is a true man of God and loves the Lord very much and no one is perfect.
Helpful thoughts for this time of year, thank you!
On halloween I'm gonna give out Bible scriptures. But their gonna be chocolate.
Great man of God, but sometimes he just don't let us follow an perfect example, rather a middle way. Not he should be perfect, but his advice. Not allways his advice can be perfect, but for such simple matters, allways. With christmas is something, with halloween is really something else.
At the end... I have to recognize that Old Pentecostals have the best position on Christianity... I didn’t expect this answer From John .... So disappointed....
So you’re against Santa clause for your kids on Halloween? Santa is worldly. Easter bunny for kids? Ya gotta lighten up a bit bud
KeepItLowkey definitely.....
I don’t want nothing to do with paganism
This is most unfortunate. However, I realize that Pastor John is likely speaking out of a position of profound ignorance of this "holiday" and its significance in the occult today. It is not merely a matter of ancient connections to paganism. It is a matter of real life, present day, horrific, vile, grotesque acts of violent and demonic sin. This is a high holy day of the Satanic kingdom. By having any other position besides outright and total condemnation of this, we are failing in our commitment to stand up for the Truth and failing to defend the defenseless--those who have been victims of Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA). This is about as serious a matter as can be. It deeply grieves me to see those who claim to follow Christ demonstrate their profound ignorance on so important a topic, and more so, when that ignorance leads others astray. I have much respect for Pastor John, however, in this I believe he is in serious error. His position only weakens the Body of Christ, leaving her vulnerable to certain attacks of the Enemy she would not otherwise be, and emboldens the Enemy to charge forward when he knows he can do so unopposed.
God formed the light and created *darkness* . There is beauty and spirituality in darkness. Not all darkness is evil. Halloween, how most people celebrate it, is good darkness. Its simply good fun in dark aesthetic. Not a celebration of evil. God is good but he's not as puritanical and sanitary as some believe.
If only Christ lived THROUGH us instead of us having to discern his Will and interpret on our own
I think you'd get a different answer if you asked a British pastor.
I know lots of people still pray to satan and demons on halloween. Whether or not we agree on trick-or-treating we as Christians should unite in prayer against those evil spiritual powers.
I know I'll be praying on halloween night. especially around midnight...anyone joining me?
I most definitely would !
You can't redeem evil. Evil is from the devil.
What if it is predestined that we go trick-or-treating?
If you are a Christian and you base your belief based on a pastor’s opinion, then you need to look at yourself in the mirror. The Bible is not for private interpretation. In other words, read the Bible and find out for yourself. I’ll say this, though: if your goal as a Christian is to find loopholes in the Bible so you can satisfy the flesh, then your spirit isn’t right with God.
You admitted halloween is paganism in your video. And you also say that you want to be loose and broad? ...Well. I think you've summed yourself up there Joel Osteen,...
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
@cornwallsteve when you are little its not about being pagan or like the world, its about having some fun with friends and having a little candy, and the other associations are absolutely missing from your head
Halloween doesn’t glorify God. It glorifies fear.
The counter event seems like a good idea, but isn't that still kind of playing the game? I say group one all the vvay.
the god of calvinism reformed theology is many times the monster than anything Halloween has.
What are your thoughts on Halloween? How long is a piece of string?
These kinda decisions are easy to make when you remove yourself from the equation and decide that you are going to love God with all your heart your soul and your mind. for what Fellowship does Darkness have with light. what happened to what God said about him being a jealous God, does the bible not warn us to flee every appearance of evil. what is so hard to see that there is nothing holy about celebrating Halloween? I can't imagine eating a dish that was prepared right before my eyes and I was able to see the chef mix in a teaspoon of poop.. I definitely won't be touching the dish at all
this is what you do as a Christian when you decide to celebrate Halloween you're eating a poop prepared dish
YOU'RE SO SPOT ON. 2 Cor. 6:14-16 - we can't match the two. We can't do everything to the glory of God and think we'll find it in Halloween, a time of evil and darkness and pagan roots!
“Christians” literally hating on people who dress up and eat candy. Sad. Nothing sinful or demonic at all.
Y’all need to talk to John tamarin. Praying for you. Being deceived. You don’t know how to tak a stand.
I am amazed at the number of " popular pastors " who give this answer. It is not popular to stand fast on scriptural truth. One only needs to read the Chapters in Lev.18 to 20.
Lev.19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
True pastors will not let the Demonic Practices into their churches. What happen to Passover ( resurrection day? ) Easter eggs, bunny rabbits are so cute, but where do they come from : Isthar, fertility god and goddesses. Isn't Santa wonderful; look at the little Demon elves, Yule tide, Christ Mass, witches celebrate the Winter Solstice, Not our Lord.
If some of you think I am to harsh, just remember people who practiced witchcraft were put to death. The Lord has not changed his mind concerning sorcery, witchcraft, wizards and witches. What has changed is that the Lord loved you so much He gave His life a ransom for your sin.1Tim2... Instead of killing you immediately for your sins as in the 1st Testament, He is allowing you to repent for Christ's sake, who loved you and gave Himself for you. Jn.3:16,17.
So, now that we are saved, do we continue in these Abominations. I am not a "popular pastor" therefore I can tell you the truth : GOD FORBID !!. Check out America's Occult Holidays by Doc Marquis. (Real Eye opener.) th-cam.com/video/0XL0sxisJGM/w-d-xo.html
P.S. This is not personally against John Piper. This is for all Christians; esp. them who are our mentors and teachers in the Word of God. His servant, Peter
@T2Todd2 As John said, worship on Sunday and celebrating Christmas have roots in pagan holidays. Are you going to deny Christmas and say that people who worship on Sundays are wrong? As Paul said, if what you do becomes a stumbling block for other Christians than you shouldn't do it. It's OK to eat things sacrificed to idols so long as you don't cause a brother to stumble (1 Cor. 8). Piper is not wrong; he is taking Paul's principles and applying it to our current day culture.
At least he was being honest when he said that most of the "Christian" holidays are pagan.What does that tell you about "Christianity?"
But what's wrong with that? If everyone is celebrating on a a certain day, why can't Christians also celebrate things of God on it also?
@@troywright359 : Because Halloween is rooted in the occult and such practices are condemned from beginning to end in the scriptures. (Deut 18 : 10-13; Rev21 :8)
@@ewankerr3011 please reread what I said, on a day where others celebrate darkness, Christians can celebrate separately on the same day, the light of Jesus.
That is not celebrating Halloween.
@@troywright359 : Christians can celebrate God every day, true. But dressing up as ghouls and supporting the occult even for fun is a different matter altogether.
@@ewankerr3011 my original comment says "celebrating the things of God". not "dressing up as zombies and cartoon devils".
I don't subsctibe to the thoery that 31st of october is a day purely for celebrating halloween and anything Christians do is celebrating that also
Halloween is unacceptable before God and is ungodly:
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Psalms 101:3 "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes..."
1 John 1:5 God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
Holloween is a day that's associated with darkness not light. Not every pastor is qualified to wield the sword(word) of God.
Me: John can you explain this in a simple way
Piper: Let me explain hedonism to you.
Note: One preachear said that satan comes as an angel of light; little kids with little fangs, little worewolfs, little demons, cute evil appearances.
"Is this salt and light? Is this bad or good? Is that my flesh or is that sin?" This person is not free!
@bartguys How did you come to that conclusion? He says, "I'm willing to run the risk of attachment to worldliness in order to be biblically faithful in witness. Same thing with Christmas, same thing with birthdays, same thing with Easter, same thing with worshiping on Sunday. All these things have pagan connections." Piper clearly understands the origins of many Christian traditions.
I'm totally agree with John , I don't care if the background of Halloween or Christmas is pagan and evil , I still celebrate them , because that's what Christian are in this world for , we are here to be light, I think God is redeeming our culture no matter the evil background!
Broad is the way that leads to destruction.
Halloween is pretty sad, think about it, dressing up in silly costumes and doing daft things like trick and treating, give us something to eat or we’ll do something mischievous, also, it’s a great night for perverts and paedos. It shows an immature understanding of spiritual things.
If we dress up as Batman and eat candy having NO knowledge of its "demonic backgrounds" how is it wrong? You're not getting a negative effect from it.
Are you sure there are no negative effects? Is Batman neutral?
Wrong answer piper. The Lord would be angry with us celebrating Halloween.
@bartguys Yes, it's well known that many Christian "holidays" have been appropriated from earlier pagan practices and given a Christian makeover. You said Piper does not understand this. Piper's statement in the video shows that he's very well aware of it. So what's your argument?
Great answer John Piper...!
But what’s wrong with John Piper?? The Bible clearly says we need to abstain from any appearance of evil. He’s going back and forth is quite shocking to me.
John Piper answered like a true politician to please many views. However, you cannot drink the cup of the Lord and cup of demons.
in the philippines... filipinos celebrate all saints day is going to our beloved relatives/family/friends and give repect that dies on cemetery and do some little picnic and leave a candle infront of our door so that our beloved one's soul who passaway can visit us too trough that candle. is it bad thing too?
The idea of souls coming back to visit us through candles doesn't seem to be Christian
@@troywright359 so is it bad thing or not? filipinos before colonialism/religion are Animist..maybe it's different from the west
@@awezomecrasher8367 catholic influence I think, it's not in the Bible so I would be wary of anything about contacting or feeling the presence of the dead
@@troywright359 and bible didn't say it isn't too right.. And why catholics include?.. Lots of catholic country dont do that.. This is the problem of Christian religion u guys want to separate Christians to any sectors or group or protestant or whatever u call it... This is just a tradition or culture before & after religion... Like what protestant/sectors adopt to catholic traditions/culture and we can't deny it.. Just support and respect one another and maybe we can be a new human like Jesus christ said "in this rock(earth) I build my church(new humanity)" so please stop crushing other christians just because we don't like their tradition or doings stop pointing out if we don't know the real history.. God bless to all of us
@@awezomecrasher8367 it's not about 'tradition', the belief that there is a night when the dead drift past candles we light may bring comfort to some, but it contradicts the teaching of the bible that those whom are dead rise only once at the end of times, to face judgement.
it's like if it was a tradition to take pure cocaine.....like ok that's your culture that I don't want you to feel attacked by me questioning it, but....it just seems to be at odds.
regardless, you shouldn't feel crushed as we discuss and share, maybe there are tradiitions in the UK that the Bible doesn't agree with also, we could talk about those as well. this wasn't meant to belittle or attack you, and if you are a fellow Christian, then I'm glad as a brother that we were able to share discourse without dissension. Have a good day friend
Talk about digesting the Word of God!
INTERVIEWER: What do you think of Halloween?
PIPER: It's all good, dogg. Knowhutumsayn?
What a fence straddler.
Did John Piper give us God's Word or his opinion?
Some of the comments here leave me very concerned for the people making them. True followers of Christ may disagree and even debate, but we don't get offended when we're challenged by the Word of God. We look for verses to support what we think, maybe, but we ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in all Truth, always desiring to submit to the Word of God even when our flesh rebels. If we ignore Scripture and lean on our own opinions, we reveal ourselves to be lawless-- without God's law on our hearts-- and Jesus said some terrifying things about the lawless.
Scripture doesn't mention "Halloween" but it does give us clear principles for how to view the appropriation of formerly pagan practices, even if the are "repurposed"to "worship Yahweh".
Read God's Word and ASK HIM to show you Truth, intending to submit to Him.
Deuteronomy 12:1-4
These are the statutes and judgments which you shall be careful to observe in the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth. You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations which you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. And you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and burn their wooden images with fire; you shall cut down the carved images of their gods and destroy their names from that place. You shall not worship the Lord your God with such things.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14
When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this.
Acts 19:19
And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
Ephesians 5:11
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
...NOTHING to do...
THE WIDE AND NARROW ROAD SPEAKS OUT HERE ..IAM SUPPRIZED THAT MR PIPER , WOUNDNT BE MORE SPIRITUAL HERE ,SOUNDS AWFULLY CARNAL TO ME ..
@T2Todd2 I said you didn't repeat anything TO ME. I'm not going to read your previous comments to other people. And I did give Biblical evidence TO YOU. "It's OK to eat things sacrificed to idols so long as you don't cause a brother to stumble (1 Cor. 8)." We apply principles to today's situations. That's how you handle Scripture. And of course God hasn't changed; but the Old Covenant is done away with for the New Covenant. So how does your argument stand in light of what NT says?
@T2Todd2 Actually, I read your comments to me and this is the FIRST time that you are acknowledging that those days have pagan roots. You have not been "repeatedly" saying anything. I've given Biblical proof of my position and still you have not challenged it. Answer my question: is eating meat that is sacrificed to pagan idols a sin or not?
@T2Todd2 Want me to quote what Paul said? "But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat (1 Cor. 8:8)." So... what am I supposed to be pushing here? It's obvious that eating meat sacrificed to idols isn't a sin. And what did Jesus say? He said it is not what goes into a man that defiles him but what comes out (Matt 15:11). Again... you have absolutely nothing to substantiate your claims; I have clear scripture.
the message is love one another has jesus loves you whats wrong with love
you buy cards and candy for your spouse real love is how ever sharing with those who have less or nothing
the world needs charity hope and real love
may the god of peace bring home today is gift of love and change one soul
god bless
Scripture and Christ and Apostle Paul -- are all clear. There's to be no mixing and sharing between light and darkness (2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Cor. 10:31; John 8:22; 1 JOhn 1:5, etc. etc.) and we are NOT to learn what pagans did and then christianize them somehow by putting a new label on them (see Deut 12:1-5, 29-32). Please take time to read the scriptures prayerfully. The day is the #1 holiday of Church of Satan folks and witches, and even the movies, logos and artwork all celebrate witches (which God's word condemns), ghosts, ghouls, blood and death. No thanks. I will have no part in this wicked evening.
@T2Todd2 Ah, so "Sunday" is "HIS Holy day"? "Christmas" is "HIS Holy day"? What about Easter? You still haven't acknowledged the fact that these three days have pagan roots. You fail to acknowledged the fact that these three days have no Biblical foundation as being "HIS Holy days. You are straying from the topic. John Piper isn't wrong; he is applying Paul's (and I would argue even Jesus') principles to today's culture. You have yet to challenge that assertion.
Unfortunately he doesn't know the whole truth about the bible...the question was very simple..HALLOWEEN is a day meant for SATAN period...even if u dress up as a Bible-character .if u love Jesus WHY in the world decide to be part of Satan that day? That's why we see ppl r beign cursed ...pray for Him that way he could see the whole true .."in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes" 2 Corinthians 2-11"
@cornwallsteve because its pagan based? i think john piper said it pretty well... if you keep a balance of the child understanding the bad, but celebrates with friends thats no problem. I did it, and i dont think it has corrupted me, made me more like the world, in fact i think if i didnt it would make it so there is so much of borderline with my other friends that they could come closer to christ from me, they would think of he's just different.