Holidays or Heresy

Reported By: Kate Mack

Illustrated By: Addie Patterson

It is a common belief in the Christian community that there are certain holidays that may be viewed as inherently evil. As a Christian college, George Fox University (GFU) has learned how to delicately balance such holiday celebrations in a way that not only allows people to have fun but also shows the love of Christ.

Jamie Johnson, a SpiL pastor and Quaker, gave some insight on this topic. Johnson described the history of Quakers and their beliefs about holidays, and he explained that early Quakers tried to be counter-cultural. They believed that even common names, such as days of the week, were pagan. This claim made by historical Quakers was based in real Norse history; Thursday, for example, was originally called “Thorsday” as a celebration of the god, Thor. To combat this, Quakers called the days of the week by the order of numbers that they were in. 

However, as Johnson explains, Quakers were certainly still a part of the larger communities they lived in, even though they believed in secular separation. Quakers founded well-known businesses such as Barclays Bank and even Cadbury Chocolate. This shows that they were still influential in the community while still separating themselves from pagan influences. 

Johnson explained that holidays like Halloween are actually days that people show Christ without even realizing it. It is one of the few times that people open their doors to strangers and are hospitable to anyone on their porch. This is one way people show Christ on holidays that may otherwise be considered pagan. 

Holidays that celebrate death have always fascinated humankind, explained Johnson. He added that death is the one thing that we can never truly know about until we experience it. And when it comes to Halloween, it is about the intent in which you celebrate the holiday. Anything can be perverted and twisted into something it’s not. Johnson described how holidays like Halloween allow Christians to interact with the culture in a way that shows Christ and is redemptive.

The holidays are a season filled with joy and laughter, and as a Christian, there are lots of reasons to fear that secularism is blending with Christ, but in reality, it is all about our intent in how those holidays are celebrated. Johnson explained with the knowledge of our intent we can both have fun during this holiday season and show Christ’s light within those holidays.