All Hallow's Eve

At Halloween, popular histories and certain religious sects (e.g. Jehovah's Witnesses and the Armstrong Churches of God) repeat the well-entrenched theory that this holiday's origins are found in paganism. This theory originated among certain well-meaning historians who sought to tie the practices of the Catholic Church to paganism. Unfortunately, the scholarship and research associated with the resulting "histories" ignored a great deal of the actual history of this holiday's origins (which are well-documented). In other words, the origins of All Hallows' Eve or "Halloween" are found in the history of the Christian faith.

Indeed, Catholic historians tell the story of the holiday this way:

In the early days of the Church, Christians celebrated each martyr’s feast on the anniversary of his death. As the number of martyrs increased over time, though, and because the liturgical calendar can only accommodate a limited number of Christian luminaries in its 365-day cycle, the Church began honoring all martyrs on a single day.

By the later A.D.300s and the early 400s, the Church began to celebrate a feast for all those who had given their life in witness to Christ and his Church. In 609 or 610, Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon in Rome to the Blessed Virgin Mary and all martyrs, choosing May 13 to honor the martyrs. Pope Gregory III (731-741) extended the feast to include all saints, moving its celebration to November 1, which explains why All Hallows’ Eve is celebrated on October 31, the day before.

See Is Halloween Demonic? The Truth About All Hallows' Eve

The Death of Dixon Cartwright

Mr. Reginald Killingley of Texas informed me today that Dixon Cartwright died yesterday. Many of my readers will remember Dixon as the publisher of The Journal, News of the Churches of God - a long running newspaper tracking schools of thought and happenings within the Armstrong Churches of God. He edited, reported and wrote for the paper until he retired some years ago.

I will always remember Dixon as a friend, and as the person who encouraged me to write about my experiences and views regarding human sexuality - especially concerning issues surrounding homosexuality and the Christian faith. Indeed, Dixon published several articles by me on this subject in his newspaper. True to form, Dixon was unafraid of controversy and invited the expression of different perspectives on a host of topics.

I remember many long conversations on a host of theological questions over the years, and some over political views where our disagreements were sometimes very profound. I had the honor of hosting Dixon in my home when he attended the funeral of Tom Justus of Arkansas many years ago. Despite the sad circumstances, Dixon and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together, and I will never forget that occasion.

May God bless Dixon on his journey, and may God bless his family and friends as they grieve his loss. Bottom line, everyone who experienced the Armstrong Church of God culture owes Dixon a debt of gratitude for his indefatigable and clear-eyed reporting on it.

Hebrews: Jesus, Outside of the City Gate

13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

10 We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. 12 So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. 13 So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. 14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. 16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

New Living Translation