We are approaching the day that the world celebrates as Halloween and the church celebrates as Reformation Day. The celebrations could not be further apart in their allegiances. Those that celebrate Halloween do so with witches, ghosts, bats and goblins, with things from the dark side. Some would say it is the devil's holiday. On the other hand, those that celebrate Reformation Day remember October 31, 1517, that infamous day when Martin Luther challenged the establishment in nailing Ninety-five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg which led to a theological and biblical preciseness concerning justification: it is according to Scripture alone by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for the glory of God alone.
Some will read the opening paragraph and disagree with my assessment of Halloween, saying I have gone overboard in relegating to the underworld. While they might agree to its secularness, they will say to lighten up and let the children have their fun. After all, candy won't hurt them.
But it is not the danger associated with Halloween that concerns me today. It is more the reinterpretation of those great teachings that flowed out of the Reformation on justification. It is my hope to address some of these things over the next few days, particularly as it relates to Paul and his writings concerning justification now muddied by the teachings of New Perspective. If allowed to sink its tentacles any deeper into the foundation laid by the Apostles, this teaching could be far more damaging to the church than any Halloween celebration.
Stay tuned.
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