Churches and their Fall-O-Ween Jesus

So many “churches” are like the world, while trying hard to say they’re not. Repackaging Halloween with Trunk-Or-Treat, Harvest, or Fall-O-Ween, is like putting lipstick on a pig. It’s a counterfeit Christianity. Their “Fall-O-Ween Jesus” is blasphemy.

My words are gracious to those who claim their “Christian liberty” to do so as ‘individuals.’ But the church should never ‘corporately’ host these events. A solution is to repent and practice a regulative principle of worship.

And no, that’s not “legalism”, that’s a Biblical worldview. For starts – Ex. 20:7, 2 Cor. 11:4, Js. 4:4, 1 Jn. 2:15-17. In today’s Christendom, many are quick to slanderously pull the legalism card as fast as the woke crowd calls a conservative a racist. Here Jim Savastro gives an excellent definition of what legalism is, and is not.

“Legalism is not a strict and conscientious life of obedience to the commands of Scripture. Legalism is not pressing Biblical duty upon a person. To expound the Word of God and then apply that word to the hearts and consciences of the people of God is not browbeating and it is not legalism. Legalism, basically speaking, has three prongs to it. First, it is the mentality of a works righteousness – that is, the idea of my good works earn my salvation or secure my salvation before God. Second, and this is closely related, it is enforcing into practice regulations which God has fulfilled in Christ. This was part and parcel of the Galatian heresy – dietary laws, circumcision, feast days, and sacrifices were added to the work of Christ to ensure that one was truly saved. Third, legalism is when those in authority preach their own traditions in place of the Word of God. In Matthew 15:9, Jesus calls this, “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

(A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 (Ventura) Page 386)

Update: Here’s an excellent comment from @1689LBC5 on Gab. This Biblical standard would also reduce the egalitarianism at the various studies, events, conferences, and/or via podcasters.

“It’s my opinion. The Regulative Principle of Worship is not simply good and proper for corporate gatherings. I suggest the Regulative Principle is wisely applicable for our daily lives. Though the regenerate are physically individuals in their person. We are no less the Body of Christ at all times. The theory that we are bound to behave a certain way “at church” and free to do as we please “away from church”, doesn’t seem to hold with scripture. It is not at all legalistic to expect Believers to repent of idolatry and worldliness. I agree with and appreciate your remarks on this subject. The Church is awash in such nonsense.”