Released: October 31, 2024

Christian Alternatives to Halloween

Written by Dr. Ted Baehr, Publisher and Dr. Tom Snyder, Editor

Finally, my brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is beautiful, whatever is admirable, whatever is beautiful and praiseworthy, think about these things.

– Philippians 4:8.

Instead of exposing your kids to fear and demonic possessions on Halloween, why not introduce them to two wonderful Christian holidays that occur simultaneously: All Saints’ Day and Reformation Day?

All Saints’ Day is celebrated on November 1. Historically speaking, this day has primarily become a day to honor Christian martyrs, or “witnesses” who peacefully gave their lives to serve their Divine Savior, Jesus Christ. This is the true definition of a Christian martyr, not someone who kills others as radical Muslims have done for nearly 1,500 years. Of course, theologically speaking, every Christian is a saint set apart by God by being born again through the power of the Holy Spirit, as predicted by the Hebrew Prophet Jeremiah in chapter 31 of the book of Jeremiah.

All Saints’ Day, November 1, provides a great opportunity to watch films and television programs about Christian martyrs such as THE ROBE, QUO VADIS, AD AND PAUL, THE HARPLE OF CHRIST, and movies about ordinary people, among others. Things like CHARIOTS OF FIRE, about Eric Liddell, and UNBROKEN, about Louis Zamperini, were wonderfully Christian.

October 31, the day before All Saints’ Day, is a very important day for Protestant Christians. The celebration marks the anniversary of the day (October 31, 1517) that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, marking the beginning of the Protestant Reformation that inspired the founders of the United States. America’s “shining city on a hill” that brings great light to the world.

History tells us that Martin Luther chose this day to protest the perverted use of indulgences because on that night everyone would be in church to celebrate All Saints’ Day the night before All Saints’ Day and would be in church the next day to celebrate All Saints’ Day. Day. Therefore, October 31 presented a great opportunity to warn people about the church’s improper use of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So October 31st also provides a great opportunity to watch movies celebrating the Protestant Reformation and all the good things it brought to the lives of believers.

Here are movies like LUTHER, LADY JANE and SQUANTO: A WARRIOR’S TALE offers an illuminating time for historical reflection, but LADY JANE is aimed at more mature audiences. Screenings of these films can be followed by other great historical films about important Christians and examples of faith, such as The Revolution of Christ, THE CABRINI, THE HEART OF A SERVANT, THE HIDING PLACE, RETURN TO THE HIDING PLACE, THE MAN NAMED PETER, THE SERGEANT. YORK, WEAPONS OF THE SPIRIT, GRACE THE GREAT, EL CID, I’M NOT ASHAMED, HACKSAW RIDGE and Roma Downey and Mark Burnett’s wonderful THE BIBLE miniseries and Season One of AD THE BIBLE CONTINUES are even better. Also AMISH GRACE, MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, HEAVEN IS REAL, THE BLIND SIDE, SOUL SURFER, ELENI, THE SECRETARIAT, I CAN ONLY DREAM, EXIT, ORDINARY ANGELS, THE YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA, VISION, VOICES OF HOPE, and FIRE TEAM.

And of course, there are major fiction classics like BEN-HUR, DRUMS AT THE MOHAWK, and IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE that show the power of faith. Newer movies may include the GOD’S NOT DEAD film series, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, WAR ROOM, OVERCOMER and BLUE MIRACLE.

Christians’ belief in God and His miracles, including the miracle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is at the center of all these films in one way or another. Now isn’t that a better message to touch the hearts and minds of your children than dark visions of goblins, ghosts, witches, ghouls, demons and monsters?