Countercultural Evangeliving

This whole week kids in public schools experienced saturation with Halloween culture in classrooms.  Even in Catholic schools teachers would greet kids with “Halloweek.” Today, on October 31^st millions of people, young and old dress up to participate in a festival that is demonic.  Young children are drawn in with sweets and trick-o-treating; older folks have more concealed parties. 

This tradition is cultural, and perpetuated by the anglo-saxon culture as it originated from Celtic Druids Samhain feast.  Irish and Scottish immigrants introduced it to the North America, and since 1844 it has become a national festival.  Yet as English and American culture dominates global trends, it is spreading over the globe, and as church tolerates, or even accepts it, the dangers of spiritism go unnoticed.  Back in the 9^th century pope Gregory IV moved the “All Saints Day from May 13 to November 1 to accommodate this popular trend.

Even within our church, the Seventh-day Adventist movement, with our commitment to be faithful to the Bible, there are some families who either out of ignorance, or conforming to the external pressure of the culture, permit their children to participate in the “fun” activities, or even decorate their abodes for the occasion.  Leviticus 20:6 makes it very clear that practices derived from the occult have no place among God’s people.  God says that those who flirt (stronger words is used in KJV J) with spiritism, those who dabble in the occult,  will be cut off from God’s people, are rejected by God, and God will set His face against such.

We live in the world that denies existence of personal evil, demons, devil, and think that this is just a “fun game.”  Yet it is contrary to the Bible, where existence of personal satan and demons is revealed for us to be aware of.  Numerous warnings were given not to participate in occult.  In the Law Halloween is classified as “abomination!” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)  in the words of Ellen White ““There are many who shrink with horror from the thought of consulting spirit mediums, but who are attracted by more pleasing forms of Spiritism.” (Evangelism, p. 606)  Beware!

The Christian mission has been always “to overcome, to conquer” the culture of this world, the prince of this world, and in this way we are to be different, peculiar.  It is precisely on this day, October 31, that Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis of protest to the Church doors in Wittenberg, Germany, protesting worldly corruption of the church.  We must remember our protestant heritage.  God is reforming his church in every generation, calling his faithful people to come out of the culture, to step out of “Babylon” of spiritual confusion, not to conform, but to be transformed.  Set your mind on the Word of God.  Read the book of Romans with the family tonight, and reflect on the teachings that stirred Luther to preach righteousness by faith 5000 years ago.

Every festival has a purpose – to communicate certain values.  Biblical festivals communicated the Plan of Salvation, Sabbath communicates our faith in Creator and our worship to the One Who Created.  This is the First Angel’s message – to worship God on His terms.  The Second Angel calls out to step out of the worldly cultural ways.  And the Third Angel calls not to participate, and warns that any participation will be punished, rejected by God. (Revelation 14:6-12).  The Three Angels Message has been our Mission and the purpose for our existence as a movement.  Train your children to know God’s purpose, and not to be deceived by this world.