Tag: Reformation Day

cultural

My Suggestion for Christians on Halloween.

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

Before you get too worked up, I’m not a legalist who has elevated October 31st to the level of a Primary Article of the Faith. Hopefully that puts to bed some suspicions of where I’m headed with this. Consequentially, all the legalists are now mad, and proclaiming that I am going to hell. You all can quit reading, and go back to slandering me online.

Here is a screenshot I took of my search results for, “Reformation Day kids costumes.” This is to prove, that theoretically, people do dress their kids up for this day. I know some of you think this is ludicrous, and that Christian parents should just let their kids dress up like scary demons from hell.

When I was a kid, way back in the 70’s and 80’s, the costumes were pretty tame. Most of us either wore a plastic super hero mask held to your head with a little elastic string, or our mom’s put make-up on us to turn us into hobos, mustached villains, or some other low-budget production. We could never afford masks. That was for the rich kids. So, we went as hobos, or cowboys. I contrast those days with our time, and how kids come to my door dressed in elaborate costumes that appear to be pretty expensive, and time demanding. I also compare our costumes themes, to the ones I see today. Nobody was scared by our costumes. Even the teenagers with the skeleton suites weren’t scary. Now I see kids, with their parents, come to my door wearing masks that rival Hollywood make-up before all the CGI animation. I’ve seen deformed monstrous faces, demons, blood drenched werewolves, zombies with gore hanging out of their mouths, all the while hearing little voices from inside the hideous masks echoing the nostalgic high pitched ultimatum of youth, “Trick, or treat!”

Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of princesses, cowboys, superheroes, and sheet-clad ghosts. Even in the scariest of visages, there is still the innocent desire for treats. (I’m not calling the little sinners innocent. Calm down Felicia.) Considering what I’ve just shared, I want you to think about an alternative to celebrating traditional Halloween. It is a traditional holiday on the same day as Halloween. It is called, “Reformation Day.” You can still dress your kids up. They can still get treats. Instead of celebrating scary demonic looking candy extortion, we can celebrate the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. This was a good thing, unless you are Roman Catholic. Then, well… You pretty much would rather people celebrate scary looking gargoyle statues on Churches, or something. That is one thing I never really got. Let’s put these scary sculptures on our Churches to keep the baddies away… I thought by the nature of God being Who He is, and the Church being His bride, we wouldn’t need scary sculptures… Back on topic! You could have your kids dress up like Monks, or maidens. You could do a Reformation Day celebration at your Church. We have soups, and breads. You could still hand out candy at your door, but also provide some gospel tracts. I like the ones from Living Waters. Here is one of their Halloween tracts. You could put a Bluetooth speaker outside, and have it stream a reading of Luther’s 95 Thesis in English. You could put a TV in the window, and have the audio on the outdoor speaker, while looping the, “Are you a good person?” cartoon gospel presentation. You can teach your kids about why the Reformation was so important in world, and Church history. This is also a good way to contrast how the world views Halloween, and how we view the world. Your kids will see the scary costumes. You have them dressed in costumes, but they are not demonic looking. You can show them the difference between worldviews. Teach them the virtues in the Christian worldview. They are old enough to understand more than you give them credit. You all are a pretty creative bunch. You can come up with some good ways to celebrate the day, and teach your kids good things, while not making them blind to how the world is.

By the way, ladies… We need to talk. You should never wear immodest costumes while escorting your little toddlers around the neighborhood on their quest for a sugar high. I’ve seen way too much, of way too many women who live in these parts. No naughty nurse costumes. No lady vampire costumes. No witch costumes. You all ought to be ashamed of yourselves! I know the Christian moms are not doing this. You Christian moms need to tell your friends this is not a good thing for them to be doing.

Now, to the dads. You should not be walking your kids around the neighborhood with a beer attached to your finger in frat boy style. I’m not against having a beer, but you are supposed to be protecting your children on their quest, not simply tolerating the experience, and needing to self-medicate. Be present, and enjoy the time you have with them before they reach 12 and decide they hate you.

Alrighty then, rant over. Go out, and share the gospel of Jesus. Enjoy your life in Him. Enjoy your family.

Church · cultural · protestant reformation · roman catholicism

Happy Hallow… Reformation Day?

Bob SnyderLeave a comment

Yes, that time of year is upon us once more. The dreaded pagan holiday where people put up scary decorations, and attempt to frighten off the demons that come around extorting them for treats, or else tricks. As Christians, most of us have had the debate internally as well as externally, over whether or not to celebrate Halloween due to its pagan roots. No matter where you land on that issue, I have an alternative to offer you, “Reformation Day!”

The Protestant Reformation was a pivotal instance in world history. In public education, little is made of it. In the same way little is made of the spread of Christianity being responsible for the Renaissance era. The world actually credits humanism for the Renaissance, and blames Christianity. Without a Christian world-view, we’d all still be stuck in the dark ages. This is my assertion, and opinion. You are free to go argue the point somewhere else if you don’t agree. I’m not going to argue over it. I do believe it is factual. I’m old enough to remember how history was taught when I was a kid in school, as opposed to now. When I was a kid the pilgrims were heroes, and the puritans were too. Now the indians are considered peaceful, spiritual, earth hippies, who were victimized by the pilgrims. It seems that the, “Ministry of Truth” Orwell wrote about is in full effect.

Anyway, back on task. On October 31st in 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his list of 95 thesis to the Church door, he started something big. A movement began. People started to question what Rome had been telling them. Soon they would have the Bible in their own language to read for themselves. Armed with God’s word, they were able to analyze Rome’s lies against the truths of the Bible. The movement only picked up more steam from there.

It wasn’t without problems. The peasant uprising occurred. Much to Luther’s dismay many of his countrymen died. They were fighting against tyranny and lies. Much like then, tyranny lives on today in the form of secular-humanism, globalism, and leftism. All of these can be sub-categorized under satanism. I believe we must continue to protest against spiritual tyranny in all of its manifestations. One way to do that is to teach our children about what happened, and what to do about it. We commemorate Reformation Day, as a memorial to the past saints, and martyrs, who travailed and suffered for the one true faith. We also must remember that our turn may well be upon us, and if we forget the lessons of the past, our futures will be that much more spiritually impoverished.

So, on October 31st, don’t just had out candy, do trick or trunk, or hide out with the lights off. Watch the 2003 movie, “Luther” with Joseph Fiennes. Read the 95 Thesis and try to figure out what that Luther fellow was all upset about. Have a Bible study on the doctrine of justification, or how to resist tyrants. Consider the effects, both good, and bad, of the Reformation. Wonder at the grace demonstrated by God in bringing the world out of the dark ages. Hand out some gospel tracts to the kids knocking on your door. Put up some decorations that might make your neighbors ask, “What the heck kind of Halloween decoration is that Ted?” Educate someone about freedoms they enjoy due to the Reformation. The gospel of Christ will not disappear from the Earth. The truth and light will not be extinguished. We can thank God, all of us, for justification by faith alone, and the other four Solas that came out of the Reformation. You could even do a little lesson on the Solas.

Don’t forget what happened, and teach the kids to remember as well. Have a great month, and enjoy the holiday by enjoying God, and the peace you have with Him, in Christ.