I'm a fan of celebrating Reformation Day on Oct 31. To me alternatives that look similar to the real deal just add credibility to the 'real deal'. If I'm ever accused of anything, let it be that I stayed far from sin or the appearance of it, not that I figured out how to get as close to it as possible, nearly scorching my hem in the fire and escaping with only a faint smell of smoke. (if that is my overall testimony at the end of my life, to God alone be the glory). In general I do not like activities that can swing one way or the other, meaning they appeal to the world to 'get them in' yet they have a Christian twist on them. It is a philosophy of ministry I'm not comfortable with as it's highly subjective. I'm sure seeds can be planted amongst unbelievers, but what about children of believers and their understanding of the situation? If we've been in a church with a Harvest celebration or some other Halloween alternative, I only hear the churched kids talking about Halloween, from every family participating.
Through the years of parenting we've done various things on October 31st, a day I'd just as soon wipe off the calendar; but going door to door dressed up and asking for candy has never been among them. (We also leave anything mythical out of our Christmas celebrating and Easter celebrating, isn't Christ enough?)
We aren't PCA or Lutheran, but I think every Christian should be thankful for what Martin Luther did. He was used of God to shed light on the truth that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, and that Scripture alone is our authority. (Sola Scriptura ("scripture alone"), Sola Gratia (“grace alone”), Sola Fide (“faith alone”) are the 3 main solas commonly associated with the Reformation). In an age when the current Pope is granting time off of purgatory for following him on Twitter, how can we not be freshly moved toward thankfulness for Martin Luther?
The question that has crystallized in my mind recently in regard to false religions is this:
Through the years of parenting we've done various things on October 31st, a day I'd just as soon wipe off the calendar; but going door to door dressed up and asking for candy has never been among them. (We also leave anything mythical out of our Christmas celebrating and Easter celebrating, isn't Christ enough?)
We aren't PCA or Lutheran, but I think every Christian should be thankful for what Martin Luther did. He was used of God to shed light on the truth that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, and that Scripture alone is our authority. (Sola Scriptura ("scripture alone"), Sola Gratia (“grace alone”), Sola Fide (“faith alone”) are the 3 main solas commonly associated with the Reformation). In an age when the current Pope is granting time off of purgatory for following him on Twitter, how can we not be freshly moved toward thankfulness for Martin Luther?
The question that has crystallized in my mind recently in regard to false religions is this:
Why would anyone entrust a man or group of men to tell them what will give them eternal life in Heaven?
Since we are each accountable to God, shouldn't we investigate what the Word says on this matter?
It is a REALLY big gamble to stick with something just because it's been 'in the family' for generations. What ever happened to personal accountability? Anyone who holds Roman Catholicism up to the light of Scripture will see it is much like other false religions--some truth mixed with a lot of error, and that makes the whole cake bad (just like if you add a little poison to a cake batter...no amount of good ingredients undoes the bad).
Anyway, I digress.
This post below is not a blanket endorsement of CBN or it's affiliates, and I don't personally have reformation roots since my understanding is that Baptists are technically an offshoot of Anabaptists, not Protestants, but Luther still helped us all.
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HALLOWEEN
CBN.com – PCANews - What will your church be doing this Reformation Day, October 31st? For so many Halloween presents a dilemma, what do you do with a holiday with roots in the occult? It would be something like walking home late at night, past a grave yard, you notice that there is a celebration going with people dressed in death-glorifying or satanic costumes, beckoning you to come in and join them.
You rush home with a sense that something is VERY wrong. You are not surprised to learn that Halloween is now the most celebrated holiday of the year in our government schools (since Christmas and Easter are BIG no-no’s). You will see the signs of the event on schoolhouse windows and you can expect large celebrations of this occultic day.
Even a cursory look at the origins of Halloween will reveal satanic rituals played out in trick and treating, jack-o-lanterns, witches, ghosts, the dead and on and on. If you've ever taken time to research any of these Halloween practices you'll see the satanic background from the Celtic tribes of Scotland and Ireland.
So, should we retreat into the basements and attics of our homes, turn out the lights and hope that our ghoulishly dressed neighborhood children will pass us by? Our children would probably get the idea that the reasons for retreating are not sufficient to deny them activities every child loves -- dressing up and eating candy!
Well, how about a Reformation Day party at your church? I know that many churches have a "Harvest Day Celebration" or other such event where kids get dressed up as Bible characters and the fellowship hall is full of games to keep the kids off the streets. But I'm suggesting going a step further. Let's make it a day where we can learn more about our Reformation roots.
October 31 celebrates the day that the Reformation in Europe began with Martin Luther posting his 95 theses on the Wittenburg church door, leading to a firestorm response in Germany. Why not use this occasion for a celebration of our Reformed heritage. And yes, this can be fun for the kids too!
Why not have a celebration at church where all get dressed up as characters from the Reformation (I've dressed up as John Calvin, Martin Luther, a peasant, and even John Tetzel (the salesman of those infamous indulgences)? When I couldn't get a 16th century idea then I dressed as a Bible character. You can transform the fellowship hall into Wittenburg, Germany or Geneva. Here is an opportunity to go over the great "solas" of the Reformation: by Scripture alone, by grace alone, by Christ alone, by faith alone, and to God be the glory alone. Have people explain them. Show a video of one of the reformers. Draw murals of Reformation events.
Here are some other things our church has done over the years: Medieval line dancing (a lot like Scottish line dancing), Medieval relay races (put the indulgences in the bottle), bobbing for apples, German cover dish dinner, acting out your character (don't tell anyone who you are, but act it out -- the ideas are limited only by time and background).
Children's Ministry International has developed a small booklet, Heroes of the Reformation, that contains many of these ideas in it, along with lessons on the lives of Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox and other reformers. Also, you can order videos on the lives of the reformers from Gateway Films .
Let's make October 31 a day of great remembrance (and educational opportunity) of our Reformed heritage.
Brad Winsted is Director of Children's Ministry International (1-888-345-4264).
Anyway, I digress.
This post below is not a blanket endorsement of CBN or it's affiliates, and I don't personally have reformation roots since my understanding is that Baptists are technically an offshoot of Anabaptists, not Protestants, but Luther still helped us all.
--------------------------------
HALLOWEEN
Reformation Day - Redeeming October 31
By Brad Winsted Guest Columnist
CBN.com – PCANews - What will your church be doing this Reformation Day, October 31st? For so many Halloween presents a dilemma, what do you do with a holiday with roots in the occult? It would be something like walking home late at night, past a grave yard, you notice that there is a celebration going with people dressed in death-glorifying or satanic costumes, beckoning you to come in and join them.
You rush home with a sense that something is VERY wrong. You are not surprised to learn that Halloween is now the most celebrated holiday of the year in our government schools (since Christmas and Easter are BIG no-no’s). You will see the signs of the event on schoolhouse windows and you can expect large celebrations of this occultic day.
Even a cursory look at the origins of Halloween will reveal satanic rituals played out in trick and treating, jack-o-lanterns, witches, ghosts, the dead and on and on. If you've ever taken time to research any of these Halloween practices you'll see the satanic background from the Celtic tribes of Scotland and Ireland.
So, should we retreat into the basements and attics of our homes, turn out the lights and hope that our ghoulishly dressed neighborhood children will pass us by? Our children would probably get the idea that the reasons for retreating are not sufficient to deny them activities every child loves -- dressing up and eating candy!
Well, how about a Reformation Day party at your church? I know that many churches have a "Harvest Day Celebration" or other such event where kids get dressed up as Bible characters and the fellowship hall is full of games to keep the kids off the streets. But I'm suggesting going a step further. Let's make it a day where we can learn more about our Reformation roots.
October 31 celebrates the day that the Reformation in Europe began with Martin Luther posting his 95 theses on the Wittenburg church door, leading to a firestorm response in Germany. Why not use this occasion for a celebration of our Reformed heritage. And yes, this can be fun for the kids too!
Why not have a celebration at church where all get dressed up as characters from the Reformation (I've dressed up as John Calvin, Martin Luther, a peasant, and even John Tetzel (the salesman of those infamous indulgences)? When I couldn't get a 16th century idea then I dressed as a Bible character. You can transform the fellowship hall into Wittenburg, Germany or Geneva. Here is an opportunity to go over the great "solas" of the Reformation: by Scripture alone, by grace alone, by Christ alone, by faith alone, and to God be the glory alone. Have people explain them. Show a video of one of the reformers. Draw murals of Reformation events.
Here are some other things our church has done over the years: Medieval line dancing (a lot like Scottish line dancing), Medieval relay races (put the indulgences in the bottle), bobbing for apples, German cover dish dinner, acting out your character (don't tell anyone who you are, but act it out -- the ideas are limited only by time and background).
Children's Ministry International has developed a small booklet, Heroes of the Reformation, that contains many of these ideas in it, along with lessons on the lives of Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox and other reformers. Also, you can order videos on the lives of the reformers from Gateway Films .
Let's make October 31 a day of great remembrance (and educational opportunity) of our Reformed heritage.
Brad Winsted is Director of Children's Ministry International (1-888-345-4264).
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