This blog is dedicated to exploring true biblical Christianity. We are especially interested in the Hebrew Roots of the faith, and we seek to understand the biblical truths and customs which have been lost in today's modern churches.
What better way to spend this time of year than growing in our understanding of spiritual things? Normally, I am leery of books and other materials claiming to teach spiritual warfare. It's very difficult to know whether or not the teacher actually knows what he/she is talking about or if they are parroting what they've been taught to believe!
Bill Schnoebelen, however, has my attention! His testimony is too much for me to go into here, but he has spent years of his life involved in major occult groups and practices. Now, though, he is a follower of Yeshua, and (if I'm not mistaken) he is Torah observant! Either way, though, he definitely is educated - both formally and experientially.
If you're interested, you can easily find many of Mr. Schnoebelen's teachings on YouTube. I especially recommend his testimony! This is a long series, but you may start here:
Once you pass the introduction to the video, Mr. Schnoebelen spends a few moments giving a quick rundown of his history. You may want to check that out, even if you can't watch the entire video!
In the spirit of educating ourselves spiritually, A Bride Bejeweled will be giving away "Blood on the Doorposts (An Advanced Course in Spiritual Warfare) written by Bill Schnoebelen in 1994. (Click here for Amazon link and preview.) As with our last book giveaway, the winner is free to choose either a hard copy or e-book version of the book! (You must be willing to provide either a mailing address or e-mail address (in case of an e-book) for the delivery of your prize.)
You can enter in multiple ways, and some entries can be repeated daily! Check out our rafflecopter giveaway widget on the side of the page to enter!
I'm sure you've noticed (as every year), it's only August, but the stores are stocking their shelves with Halloween (and even Christmas!) items. It seems to me like they start earlier each year! Even though, in my mind, 2+ months away is too early to start worrying about it, if it's gearing up, then we should discuss it.
If you were a reader of my blog this time last year, then you already read my first post on Halloween. If not, please do so. If you're unfamiliar with the origins and symbolism associated with our traditions, please look into it! It's vital that, as believers, we should be EDUCATED about our faith and our traditions! Because Halloween is an annual tradition for many of us, we should know what it means and why.
Halloween, as you will quickly see, is a pet-peeve of mine. It hasn't always been, though. I celebrated as a child and went trick-or-treating like all the others. As an adult though, after deciding to serve YHVH (God) with my life, I've made a much different choice. I will share this choice with you here, in hopes that you, too, will perhaps consider your personal choice again in the light of this information.
It takes absolutely ZERO insight, discernment, or enlightenment of any kind to see Halloween's "true colors". It amazes me, now, how ugly the whole thing is! Spider webs, gory skeletons, goblins, witches, etc. - we decorate our businesses and homes with blood, guts, and gore! It's creepy! Yet, this time of year (again coming earlier and getting longer), it can hardly be escaped! Stores proudly showcase macabre merchandise that they would never have under any other circumstances. Fashions and behaviors that are normally viewed as odd, fringe, even disturbing are now celebrated and accepted by all! It's easy to understand why many enjoy this holiday and either ignore or enjoy the darkness of it. What isn't so easy to understand, though, is why most Christians are among them!
Please, if you call yourself a Christian, look into this! We are celebrating a high holiday of Satanism/Paganism in which horrible acts are commited, and the whole time we're encouraging and instructing our children to take part!
If you've read my "Cancelling Christmas" article, then you understand the biblical reasons that many believers are turning away from many of our traditional holidays. To state it quickly, in Deuteronomy 11-12, YHVH gives instructions to the Israelites (His people) on how to worship. He explicitly tells them NOT to repackage pagan practices! Anything that has ever been pagan was and always will be an abomination to God!!!! We can't "clean it up", "turn it around", or just go "so far." He requires us to worship Him in Spirit and truth - not ignorance and "bathed" occultism!
I honestly believe that YHVH is very displeased when His people (especially His churches) participate in the world's ways - either willingly or ignorantly avoiding the truth of those ways. IGNORANCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE! We have more than enough intelligence and resources to know the truth, and we must make an effort at it! The truth that we know, we are also held accountable to!
If I could declare war on Halloween, I would; but, honestly, what good would that do? What the rest of the world does is a moot point when God's people aren't doing right themselves! If you are His, I beg you... be intelligent and informed about your actions! Do your research, stay in prayer, and decide for yourself how your family can best serve and honor YHVH this year - every day.
Most of us (including myself) have celebrated Halloween at one time or another. Whether we just went trick-or-treating, went to parties, played pranks, or got into more troublesome activities, we likely just saw it as innocent fun. Even today, many sincere believers take part in traditional Halloween activities unaware of what it is that they are truly celebrating.
The seemingly innocent activities of Halloween commemorate horrific and ungodly activities that we would never take part in or even condone from a distance. During the last several years of my Christian walk, the Lord has brought to my attention the truth behind these things, and I have come to the conclusion that I can not in good conscience continue to take part.
As your sister in Christ, let me challenge you to stop and take a good look at what is going on around you and what you are possibly participating in. Simply research the background of Halloween, and (although you will find variations in minor details) you will see the true nature of this evening. I encourage you to give serious thought and prayer to your own decision as to whether or not your family will continue celebrating.
This is a topic I feel very passionately about, and I understand from experience that rejecting Halloween can have its difficulties- both because old habits are hard to break and because others may not understand. Being seen as odd or over zealous is a real likelihood, but we should seek to please God and not man.
I have included two videos (parts of a larger whole) because I feel they are a very good account of the roots of Halloween. I also felt it would be convenient for you to be able to watch them directly from here. However, you will have no difficulty finding additional information on your own from varying sources - some Christian and some not; but be guided by truth - not man's opinion. If you, likewise, decide that this is no longer going to be part of your life as a believer, let me encourage you to share what you have learned with others. We are called to be lights in the darkness, and we should especially take that call to heart concerning Halloween!
In the spirit of educating ourselves spiritually, A Bride Bejeweled will be giving away "Blood on the Doorposts (An Advanced Course in Spiritual Warfare) written by Bill Schnoebelen in 1994. (Click here for Amazon link and preview.) As with our last book giveaway, the winner is free to choose either a hard copy or e-book version of the book! (You must be willing to provide either a mailing address or e-mail address (in case of an e-book) for the delivery of your prize.)
