The Catholic Origins of Halloween

Gloria Romanorum ^ | October 25, 3017 | Florentius

[ealgeone]

Don’t play this “early Church” game. You’ll lose. Badly.

I seriously doubt it.

[Antoninus]

So this is something not witnessed in the early church.

The early Church also didn't say anything about how all Christians were basically fools and heretics until the truth would be revealed to a rebellious Augustinian and a fat adulterous king 1,500 years later. So there's that.

[ealgeone]

The early Church also didn't say anything about how all Christians were basically fools and heretics until the truth would be revealed to a rebellious Augustinian and a fat adulterous king 1,500 years later. So there's that.

Paul had some rather strong language for the church at Galatia.

John wrote some pretty strong words in Revelation for those churches.

Sadly, a lot of those words have been ignored as Rome has chosen to incorporate the worship of Mary into its denomination.

[Claud]

I seriously doubt it.

It would be best to remove all doubt. Your salvation depends on it.

[Claud]

The early Church also didn't say anything about how all Christians were basically fools and heretics until the truth would be revealed to a rebellious Augustinian and a fat adulterous king 1,500 years later.

Ah Herr Luther. The man who came up with his theology on the privy---

and it shows.

[daniel1212]

Whatever the specific elements had been that determined the proper date of the end-of harvest honoring of the dead in various places, by the ninth and tenth centuries the unifying influence of the Church had led to concentrating the rituals on November 1st and November 2nd. The first date was All Hallows, when the most spiritually powerful of the Christian community's dead (the Saints) were invoked to strengthen the living community, in a way quite consistent with pre-Christian thought. The second date, All Souls, was added on (first as a Benedictine practice, beginning ca. 988) as an extension of this concept, enlarging it to include the dead of families and local communities. Under the mantle of the specifically Christian observances, however, older patterns of ancestor veneration were preserved.” [Kondratiev: Samhain - Season of Death and Renewal] This is an honest assessment that seems to capture quite well the actual history behind All Saints Day / Halloween and its relationship to co-existing pagan death rituals and ancestor worship.

One of the points made in this article is that there's not much evidence that the "pre-Christian observances" of Halloween-like festivals were actually pre-Christian at all. Anyway, I haven't been able to find any solid historical sources which point to pre-Christian practices--just suppositions based on extremely scanty evidence from the middle ages. Maybe someone else can provide something better.

Considering that the article states that "Under the mantle of the specifically Christian observances, however, older patterns of ancestor veneration were preserved" then it seems your case is that of a lack of "solid historical sources," as if that was needed for Rome when it made believing in the Assumption mandatory, which it is not.

And it is hardly likely that Rome just instituted such a celebration without seeking to offer a substitute for a pagan one which it flowed from, as they was part of her modus operandi. Even Newman states,

We are told in various ways by Eusebius [Note 16], that Constantine, in order to recommend the new religion to the heathen, transferred into it the outward ornaments to which they had been accustomed in their own. It is not necessary to go into a subject which the diligence of Protestant writers has made familiar to most of us.

The use of temples, and these dedicated to particular saints, and ornamented on occasions with branches of trees; incense, lamps, and candles; votive offerings on recovery from illness; holy water; asylums; holydays and seasons, use of calendars, processions, blessings on the fields; sacerdotal vestments, the tonsure, the ring in marriage, turning to the East, images at a later date, perhaps the ecclesiastical chant, and the Kyrie Eleison [Note 17], are all of pagan origin, and sanctified by their adoption into the Church. John Henry Newman, An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, Chapter 8. Application of the Third Note of a True Development—Assimilative Power; http://www.newmanreader.org/works/development/chapter8.html

The Catholic Encyclopedia speculates that a further reinforcement of Marian devotion, “was derived from the cult of the angels, which, while pre-Christian in its origin, was heartily embraced by the faithful of the sub-Apostolic age. It seems to have been only as a sequel of some such development that men turned to implore the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. This at least is the common opinion among scholars, though it would perhaps be dangerous to speak too positively. Evidence regarding the popular practice of the early centuries is almost entirely lacking...,” (Catholic Encyclopedia > Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary)

Jacques Le Goff, French historian and prolific author specializing in the Middle Ages finds,

PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD Christians seem to have acquired the habit of praying for their dead at a very early date. This was an innovation...

These practices developed around the beginning of the Christian era. They were a phenomenon of the times, particularly noticeable in Egypt, the great meeting ground for peoples and religions. Traveling in Egypt around 50 s.c., Diodorus of Sicily was struck by the funerary customs: "As soon as the casket containing the corpse is placed on the bark, the survivors call upon the infernal gods and beseech them to admit the soul to the place received for pious men. The crowd adds its own cheers, together with pleas that the deceased be allowed to enjoy eternal life in Hades, in the society of the good."...

It then becomes clear that at the time of Judas Maccabeus--around 170 s.c., a surprisingly innovative period—prayer for the dead was not practiced, but that a century later it was practiced by certain Jews. The Birth of Purgatory By Jacques Le Goff. pp. 45,46 , transcribed using http://www.onlineocr.net.

And as regards praying to created beings in Heaven , nowhere is this common Cath practice ever seen in Scripture despite over 200 prayers inspired by the Spirit of God.

[daniel1212]

Don’t play this “early Church” game. You’ll lose. Badly.

You mean the reality that distinctive Catholic teachings are not manifest in the only wholly inspired substantive authoritative record of what the NT church believed (which is Scripture, especially Acts thru Revelation. and which best shows how the NT church understood the OT and gospels).

Or do you just want to contend that the common Catholic practice of praying to created beings in Heaven was part of NT church belief and practice?

Don’t play this “early Church” game. You’ll lose. Badly.

[DouglasKC]

Modern Christianity and Catholicism have done the exact opposite of God's will for those that follow him.

God said "don't incorporate the religious customs of nations around you into how you worship me."

Deu 12:29  "When the LORD your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, 
Deu 12:30  take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' 

Non-Christian religious practices in the land of Canaan and elsewhere freely borrowed customs and practices from each other. Original, biblical Christianity fell victim to the same thing. Instead of retaining the worship of Christ through Christ given holy days (Leviticus 23), traditional Christianity freely borrowed from cults around and them and incorporated these practices into a bastardized form or Christianity. From there it became easy to "invent" holy days to replace God given holy days.

It matter little if it's Halloween or All Saints Day. They are both non-biblical inventions of men.

[jmacusa]

I don’t ever remember the nuns in my Catholic elementary school telling us we could celebrate Halloween. And I went to Catholic schools in the early and mid ‘60’s. One of the great things for us Catholic schools kids was that the day after Halloween was All Saints Day and we had the day off.

[ealgeone]

It would be best to remove all doubt. Your salvation depends on it.

Doubt? I don't think the Roman Catholic wants to argue doubt.

Roman Catholicism cannot confirm if its members do or do not have salvation at anytime during their earthly life...or so we've been told on these forums.

NT Christianity however teaches the promises of Christ.

35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. 36“But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. 37“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. 38“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:35-40 NASB

I am trusting in Christ and Christ alone for my salvation. I'm believing His promise He makes throughout the NT.

The question is.....are you trusting in Christ or being a member of the RCC?

There is a difference.

[Claud]

You mean the reality that distinctive Catholic teachings are not manifest in the only wholly inspired substantive authoritative record of what the NT church believed (which is Scripture, especially Acts thru Revelation. and which best shows how the NT church understood the OT and gospels).

HA! Some "reality". You don't even have the Scriptures except through the Catholic Church's authority. You literally have to rely on our word for it *just* to have a Scriptura to Sola. How do you know to stick to Acts through Revelation and not include the Epistles of Ignatius, or the Didache, or the Gospel of Peter? Oh, right...it's "obvious"...except it isn't obvious at all, and if you study Church history you know that certain books were accepted in certain places and others were not.

And if you study English, you know that the verb "pray" was commonly used to ask something of living people right in front of you..."I pray thee, do this for me.". It just means "ask, beseech". It is not adoration.

[Claud]

Roman Catholicism cannot confirm if its members do or do not have salvation at anytime during their earthly life...or so we've been told on these forums.

Got news for ya there, chief. PAUL wasn't sure either:

1 Cor 9:27: "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

Absolute assurance of salvation is one of the most idiotic doctrines to ever come out of the Reformation. If you aren't working out your salvation in fear and trembling, you are going to end up on the short end of that stick, I guarantee you.

[daniel1212]

I used to pray for saints and ask for them to pray for me when I was a catholic. My grandmother had bundles of tracts of prayers to recite to many different saints. All of this was wrong and utterly unbiblical. Indeed.

The bible teaches us to pray to God the father through Jesus His son, who is the only mediator between God and man.

NT believers called and can/are to also call upon the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 7:59,60; 9:14,21; 22:16) since He is the only Heavenly intercessor btwn God and man, (1 Tim. 2:5) and thru Him believers go to the Father, (Jn. 14:6) and by His sinless shed blood have boldness to enter into the holiest (Hebrews 10:19) where He Himself is at the right hand of the Father. (Hebrews 1:3)

And being called upon in prayer is a privilege and power that belong to God alone in Scripture. Despite the Spirit inspiring the recording of over 200 prayers , and of this being a most basic practice, and despite there always being plenty of created beings to pray to, and occasions for it since the Fall, yet the only prayers or offerings in Scripture to anyone else in the spiritual world is by pagans, including to the only Queen of Heaven.

who is the only mediator between God and man.

Specify "heavenly" mediator. We do intercede for each other and His Spirit cries within us, "Abba, Father," (Gal. 4:6) no "Mamma, Mother."

Failing to find even one example of PTCBIH, and with instruction on who to address in prayer to Heaven only being that of to the Lord, thus you must resort to eisegetical extrapolation, presuming those in Heaven can not only hear/understand all prayers from earth, mental or oral (which only God is shown able to do), but that we are to address them, though again the Holy Spirit never mentions even one example of doing so.

He is the only priest in the new covenant era While all believers are called to sacrifice (Rm. 12:1; 15:16; Phil. 2:17; 4:18; Heb. 13:15,16; cf. 9:9) and all constitute the only priesthood (hieráteuma) in the NT church, that of all believers, (1Pt. 2:5,9; Re 1:6; 5:10; 20:6) Christ is the only high priest in Heaven and who we are look and pray to, seeing "he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

The book of Hebrews contrasts the old system of repeated sacrifice with the perfect sacrifice of Christ.

And if there was any NT book that was going to even mention prayer to created beings in Heaven then it would be this book. In-stead, it establishes the Lord Jesus as the high priest intercessor and with the Father being the object of prayer, not angels or saints.

His sacrifice was offered once (that means the mass is not a valid sacrifice, but rather implies that Jesus sacrifice on the cross was not enough to deal with our sins forever).

While we are to intercede for each other and earth, as well as clothe the naked etc., and engage in other sacerdotal work, the finished atonement of Christ was the perfect atonement for sin. And no where in the only wholly inspired-of-God and substantive record of what the New Testament church believed is the Lord's supper described as a sacrifice for sin as officiated (only) by a Catholic priest.

Which Catholic priesthood is itself unscriptural as is her related metaphysical contrivance of the Lord's supper.

If you have trusted in Christ alone for salvation and admitted your works are of no merit and you need God’s free grace to save you, then God will save you and sanctify you.

By effectual heart-purifying regenerating faith. (Acts 15:7-9) Without RC Purgatory . Glory be to God.

You can have full and lasting assurance of eternal life.

As true believers of living faith, which believers are thus warned against forsaking and thus forfeiting what it appropriates. (Heb. 3:12,14; 10:25-39; Gal. 5:1-5) And thus God works to bring repentance. (1 Co. 11:32) Thanks be to God

[daniel1212]

The early Church also didn't say anything about how all Christians were basically fools and heretics until the truth would be revealed to a rebellious Augustinian and a fat adulterous king 1,500 years later. So there's that.

Actually there were no Christians who were basically fools and heretics until doctor of your church was himself converted, which a fat adulterous king would need to be.

For the only Christians down thru history and now in Catholicism are those who (as required of all converts) are of poor and contrite heart and see past the unscriptural trappings of traditions of men to place all their faith in the risen Lord Jesus to save them on His account, by His sinless shed blood as damned and needy sinners. Versus confidence in their supposed merits and that of the Catholic church, along with some hope of mercy via Purgatory, which faith is what Catholic promotes.

And as usual, a remnant is what finds salvation. The Reformation enlarged that class.

[ealgeone]

You mean like what he wrote to that church somewhere in Italy?? Sure sounds pretty confident to me.

37But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 NASB

Or to the one in Ephesus?

TO 7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:7-14 NASB

Absolute assurance of salvation is one of the most idiotic doctrines to ever come out of the Reformation. If you aren't working out your salvation in fear and trembling, you are going to end up on the short end of that stick, I guarantee you.

Ok...what good works must you do? How many must you do? How do you know you even did the right ones?

How do you know even know for sure if you have or have not committed a "mortal sin"?

The terror and fear it must be in Roman Catholicism. Not knowing your eternal destination. I guess that's why some members of the RCC turn to idols like the Brown Scapular or some other false belief.

[Antoninus]

Paul had some rather strong language for the church at Galatia.

Sure. But again, he never said anything about how Christianity would be rescued by Luther, Calvin and Henry VIII 1500 years after it was founded. None of them are in Sacred Scripture. So why do protestants follow their example?

[ealgeone]

Sure. But again, he never said anything about how Christianity would be rescued by Luther, Calvin and Henry VIII 1500 years after it was founded. None of them are in Sacred Scripture. So why do protestants follow their example?

Doesn't have to mention anyone by name. You really don't want to argue that position.

Paul was warning very early about error creeping into the early ekklesia.

Roman Catholicism shows how that incremental creep happened...and is still happening. See your current pope.

The Reformation was an attempt to bring it back to NT Christianity.

IF Scripture is not the final source of authority in these matters....then you are open to man's teachings. Again, see your current pope and what's happening within the RCC.

[Antoninus]

And it is hardly likely that Rome just instituted such a celebration without seeking to offer a substitute for a pagan one which it flowed from...

I notice that you don't make that case, either. Because you can't. The best you can do is retreat to old arguments that the Church adopted pagan practices and Christianized them. No doubt, that was done in some cases--but not in this one. And that is the point of the article.

[Antoninus]

Original, biblical Christianity fell victim to the same thing. Instead of retaining the worship of Christ through Christ given holy days (Leviticus 23), traditional Christianity freely borrowed from cults around and them and incorporated these practices into a bastardized form or Christianity.

It's endlessly amusing to hear someone trash the "bastardized Christianity" of late antiquity when that person's own version of Christianity (2,000 years after the fact) is based entirely upon a muddled understanding of the canon of Sacred Scripture generated during that period of so-called "bastardization."

Good grief.

[Antoninus]

Or do you just want to contend that the common Catholic practice of praying to created beings in Heaven was part of NT church belief and practice?

Your contention seems to be that protestants, using the canon of Sacred Scripture developed by the early Church, have figured out that those who developed said canon actually worshiped God incorrectly. That argument is ludicrous on its face. But while we're here, let's look at what some of the early Church Fathers -- you know, the fellows who actually assembled the canon of Sacred Scripture -- thought about the saints in heaven.

Hermas
“[The Shepherd said:] ‘But those who are weak and slothful in prayer, hesitate to ask anything from the Lord; but the Lord is full of compassion, and gives without fail to all who ask him. But you, [Hermas,] having been strengthened by the holy angel [you saw], and having obtained from him such intercession, and not being slothful, why do not you ask of the Lord understanding, and receive it from him?’” (The Shepherd 3:5:4 [A.D. 80]). [The ancient Christian work known as The Shepherd of Hermas was included in some of the oldest canons of Sacred Scripture, but was later removed by the authority of the Catholic and Orthodox bishops as being written after Apostolic times. It was still judged by many of the Church Fathers as a work worth reading though outside of the canon.]

Clement of Alexandria
“In this way is he [the true Christian] always pure for prayer. He also prays in the society of angels, as being already of angelic rank, and he is never out of their holy keeping; and though he pray alone, he has the choir of the saints standing with him [in prayer]” (Miscellanies 7:12 [A.D. 208]).

Origen
“But not the high priest [Christ] alone prays for those who pray sincerely, but also the angels . . . as also the souls of the saints who have already fallen asleep” (Prayer 11 [A.D. 233]).

Cyprian of Carthage
“Let us remember one another in concord and unanimity. Let us on both sides [of death] always pray for one another. Let us relieve burdens and afflictions by mutual love, that if one of us, by the swiftness of divine condescension, shall go hence first, our love may continue in the presence of the Lord, and our prayers for our brethren and sisters not cease in the presence of the Father’s mercy” (Letters 56[60]:5 [A.D. 253]).

These were all taken from here where you may find many, many more. And even these merely scratch the surface.