Nate explores whether Christians should celebrate Halloween—or just call it Reformation Day and dress as Luther.

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? Plus: Mark Ruffalo Hulks Out & Cornell 7 Case

What happens when October 31st rolls around and your church small group chat turns into a theological cage match? In this episode of the Ask A Christian Podcast, Nate tackles the annual dilemma: should Christians celebrate Halloween? He traces the holiday’s roots from Celtic Samhain to All Hallows’ Eve to the modern candy-industrial complex, then pivots to two stories making headlines: Mark Ruffalo’s October 2026 “Hulk out” threat at a voting rights rally and the disturbing Cornell 7 lawsuit. Plus, Nate offers the ultimate loophole for conscientious objectors: just tell everyone you are celebrating Reformation Day and dress as Martin Luther.

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween: The Biblical Bottom Line

Scripture does not mention Halloween by name, but it speaks directly to the principles at stake. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 forbids divination, sorcery, and consulting the dead—practices historically associated with Samhain and still glorified in some Halloween imagery. Ephesians 5:11 commands believers to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Yet Romans 14:5-6 establishes Christian liberty in disputable matters: “Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” The question is not whether Halloween is inherently sinful, but whether your participation honors God, edifies your conscience, and avoids causing weaker brothers to stumble. For deeper study on Christian freedom, explore our graceful disagreement resources.

Mark Ruffalo and the Cornell 7: When Culture Loses Its Mind

The episode also touches on two stories that reveal how fractured our cultural moment has become. Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk in Marvel films, spoke at a “Hands Off Our Vote” rally in New York City in early October 2026 ahead of the November midterms. After a crowd member shouted “You tell ’em, Hulk,” Ruffalo leaned into the bit: “I’m gonna Hulk out. You won’t like me when I’m angry”. He also told the crowd he is “still here” and “still playing the Hulk”. Meanwhile, the Cornell 7 case—a civil lawsuit alleging seven fraternity members drugged and assaulted a woman at a Chi Phi house in October 2024—has sparked outrage over institutional failures, with a Snapchat message advertising “free” sex now at the center of a reopened criminal investigation. Both stories raise hard questions about justice, trauma, and how Christians should engage a world that increasingly cannot tell the difference between righteousness and rage. For more on navigating controversial cultural moments, see our Christian Controversies category.

Reformation Day: The Ultimate Christian Alternative

Here is the playful pivot Nate offers: on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant Reformation. Rather than debating whether to hand out candy or dress as ghosts, Christians can simply declare October 31st Reformation Day—a celebration of salvation by grace alone through faith alone. Dress as Luther. Sing “A Mighty Fortress.” Hand out theses instead of Snickers. It is historically accurate, theologically rich, and absolutely hilarious. And it sidesteps the Halloween debate entirely.