Something Much Better Than Halloween

Sadly, Christians in free, or mostly free, societies take for granted they can have a Holy Bible in their native tongue and can attend a church that teaches salvation is not by our works but by active faith in Christ and His finished work (Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Titus 2:4). Too few know about the atrocities in previous centuries in the name of religion quite similar to what we are hopefully repulsed by today when we hear of the injustices against Christians committed by hard-core communists, Muslim extremists and others.

When being trained at Bible institute I had opportunity to visit a church that celebrated the Protestant Reformation. They held their celebration on or near October 31 of each year. It was on that date in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door (much like we tack notices to bulletin boards today) at Wittenberg. He was looking for discourse in the hopes of change, but the established Church was not about to change. During this time, and in the centuries before and even after, many who stood for the true Gospel were brutally persecuted.

In my early days of pastoring I mimicked what some other churches would do around October 31–have a “Hallelujah Night.” Young people were encouraged to dress up as Bible characters and we might hold something like a mystery munch.

But I felt something munching at me instead. I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me that I was compromising. I began to realize I might have been influenced by satan(1) to help bury accounts of thousands who gave their lives for the Gospel or / and that we may read the Holy Bible in our own language.

So, at some point the compromise was terminated and we began to observe Reformation Day each year. We “open” Reformation Day sometime during the morning service by singing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” It is again sung at the close of the evening service. Often, for the morning we have a Reformation Day message and in the evening an impromptu play. So far we have done plays on John Huss, John Staupitz, Martin Luther, William Tyndale, three men drowned at Naples, the lesser known and the unknown names. So far we have not used any elaborate props or costumes.

Other possibilities besides an impromptu (or full-blown) play might include readings from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs or Martyrs’ Mirror (or similar works), a news report (via a “time machine”) of a historic event, a DVD, and so on. You can keep the time range broad, anywhere from Stephen (Acts  7) to the present. In fact, it might be good to have more than one observance a year, one perhaps being Reformation Day and maybe the other as A Day of Remembrance.

Someone said history repeats itself and if you sense what I sense we who sit at ease in “free” nations will soon join our brothers and sisters in other countries who each day face torture, confiscation of goods, imprisonment, rape and even death. I often wonder how many who claim to be Christian in our well-to-do nations realize they too may be confronted by such things. Note the “all” in this verse (2 Timothy 3:12): “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” While we who live in a political comfort zone currently might only face social and legal persecution, we need to be firmly resolved to stand for Christ at all times.

Remembering those who have stood, and stand, for Christ develops not only a preparedness, but a rightful appreciation of the labors and sacrifices of others. It should encourage us and strengthen our resolve.

So, I say “Out with Halloween. In with Reformation Day!” To facilitate that, I sent this article to the online publisher more than a month ahead so those that care can make plans.

Notes:

(1) Purposely not capitalized. Triond gives me the freedom to do that!

The Lord willing, this article will be part of my Bible GemLight series as bloodstone005.

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