The Bryce Crawford Podcast – EP 144

Date: October 27, 2025
Theme: Christian Perspectives on Halloween – History, Liberty, and Discernment
Guests: Bryce Crawford (Host) & Elijah Lamb

Episode Overview

In this Halloween special, Bryce Crawford and guest Elijah Lamb dig deep into the hotly debated topic of Halloween in Christian circles. With humor, candor, and biblical depth, they explore Halloween’s origins, address common Christian anxieties, analyze scriptural guidance, and weigh popular claims (and misconceptions) circulating online. Set in the playful mood of SpongeBob costumes and long-time friendship, this conversation aims to clarify, debunk, and encourage a Christ-centered approach to gray areas—highlighting freedom, conscience, and unity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Christian Liberty and Halloween: Framing the Issue

• Christian Liberty Defined: The core tension around Halloween for Christians is an issue of "Christian liberty"—areas not explicitly addressed in scripture where believer’s conscience comes into play.
  • “I think the issue of Halloween is like one of Christian liberty... It doesn't have to be that serious. I like that C.S. Lewis quote where he's like, 'Don't think too little of the devil, but don't think too much of the devil.'” (Bryce, 02:03)

2. History & Origins of Halloween

• Uncertain, Secularized Roots:
  • Origins are murky—some cite Samhain (an ancient pagan festival), others All Hallows Eve (Christian). Most American Halloween traditions are recent and secularized.
  • “Halloween as it exists in America... we're kind of guessing. You'll hear people say things like, well, it comes from Samhain... I personally think it basically has nothing to do with that at all.” (Elijah, 02:58)
• All Hallows’ Eve & All Saints’ Day:
  • “The name Halloween is basically an old English rendering of Hallows Eve, which is... All Saints Day. ...a holiday that goes back to the 700s... on November 1st to celebrate Christian martyrs...” (Elijah, 04:00)
• Wicca and Modern Witchcraft: Today’s witchcraft (Wicca) is a modern invention from the 1940s, younger than trick-or-treating.
  • "Wicca... is from like the 1940s. It's younger than trick or treating by a few decades." (Elijah, 04:50)

3. Experiential Claims vs. Scriptural Authority

• Ex-Witch Testimonies: Admire journeys out of darkness, but experience doesn’t equal authority on biblical discernment.
  • "...why does that make you an authority on all things supernatural? ... I think the Bible is the authority." (Elijah, 05:21)
• What is Demonic?
  • Avoid casual labeling; true “demonic” influence is what literally stems from a demon.
  • "You can't call something demonic unless it literally comes from a demon. Otherwise we just water the word down." (Elijah, 06:07)

4. Biblical Guidance: Romans & Corinthians

• Conscience, Conviction, & Weakness:
  • Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8-10 are foundational for navigating gray areas (food offered to idols, celebratory days).
  • “Paul says, you have a weak conscience, and so you shouldn't violate that conscience because anything not done in faith is sin.” (Elijah, 08:32)
• Judgment and Unity:
  • Scriptural tone is against judging others for disputable matters—each is accountable to God.
  • See extended reading of Romans 14 (16:50–18:31).
  • "Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind. ...Let us no longer judge one another. ...If your brother or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love.” (Elijah, 16:50-18:31)
• Practical Application:
  • “Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.” (Bryce, 18:31)
  • Something sinful outside Halloween is sinful on Halloween. If not a sin otherwise, it’s not a sin just because it’s October 31st.

5. Origins, Paganisms, and Cultural Drift

• Dilution of Pagan Roots:
  • Even granting possible pagan origins, centuries of Christianization and secularization have stripped away original “darkness.”
  • “Even if it's from paganism, ...the whatever darkness was there has been so diluted by 1100 years of Jesus and 100 years of us just having cultural suburban fun that there is no more darkness involved.” (Elijah, 12:49)
• Modern Paganism vs. Ancient:
  • Modern-day pagans ("neo-pagans") are nothing like ancient ones. The supposed dangers are vastly overstated.
  • "The real pagans were like, you know, it'd be awesome if we killed a lot of innocent people all the time. You know, like, that's real paganism." (Elijah, 14:47)

6. Addressing Viral Claims & Christian Panic (30:11–49:01)

• Common Social Media Claims Debunked:
  • Costumes/jack o'lanterns/trick or treating are demonic: Unsubstantiated, highly inconsistent.
    • “Pumpkins don't come—don't gain a demon the moment you carve them. ...That's not how demons work.” (Elijah, 31:38)
  • Witches take back God’s territory at Halloween: No biblical or rational support.
    • "I'm a big fan of saying stuff that makes sense." (Elijah, 34:13)
    • "Everything is the Lord's and the kingdom of God is winning... I see the world through the lens of victory.” (Elijah, 37:19)
  • Costumes swap your identity in the spirit: The Church of Satan is actually atheistic, and this idea isn’t biblical.
    • "The Church of Satan... are atheists by creed... They don't believe in spirits." (Elijah, 40:07)
    • "That's not biblical language. The Bible does not describe things that way. Ever." (Elijah, 41:20)
  • Horror movies invite demons through your TV: Demons are not omnipresent or omniscient; demonic influence comes from sin or deception, not media.
    • "You don't catch a demon like you catch a cold." (Elijah, 45:50)
    • "If we're going to say you catch a demon from watching a horror movie... should we say people get the Holy Spirit from secular Christmas?" (Elijah, 47:15)
  • Takeaway: Don’t make new rules or “invent new sins” for arbitrary reasons—be consistent, sober, and biblically grounded.

7. Practical Wisdom: Glorifying God Whether You Celebrate or Not

• Condemnation and legalism are unhelpful; so is reckless libertinism.
  • Celebrate (or don’t) with faith, charity, and a clear conscience.
  • "If your conscience doesn't prevent you from celebrating Halloween, then I think you should feel okay to do it. Just stay sober, dress modestly... Mermaid man and Barnacle Boy are perfectly chill..." (Elijah, 51:38)

8. Major Takeaway – Focus on Unity, Fruit, and Genuine Righteousness

• Real threats to Christians are unrepentant sin and false teaching, not costumes or candy bowls.
  • "The real footholds in our life are—do I have unrepentant sin in my life that I'm not dealing with?" (Bryce, 24:11)
• Don’t let superficial markers substitute for fruit:
  • "If righteousness and Christianity is nothing more than—oh, I don’t celebrate Halloween—you’re taking the bar of righteousness, which is the fruit of the spirit...and pulling it down..." (Elijah, 25:16)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I have admiration for those who avoid Halloween to avoid darkness... But they don't get to define what darkness is.” – Elijah, 07:01
• "If it's not a sin on any other day, it's not a sin on Halloween." – Elijah quoting friend Austin, 28:30
• "You don't catch a demon like you catch a cold." – Nathan (via Elijah), 45:50
• "Christianity conquered paganism. W W. Get lost w. Jesus." – Elijah, 51:38
• "Make sure that what you're doing on Halloween is glorifying to God... I promise you, Elijah and I do not have a demon because we are in SpongeBob costumes." – Bryce, 51:38

Important Timestamps

• (01:30) – Episode intro & Halloween special premise
• (02:03–02:28) – Christian liberty and the devil’s true power
• (04:00–04:50) – Brief history of Halloween & Wicca
• (07:52–10:32) – Handling gray areas and conscience
• (16:46–18:31) – Extended reading of Romans 14 (“Let each be convinced...”)
• (31:38–32:31) – Debunking “demonic origins” of traditions
• (34:13) – Warlocks, witches, and “taking back territory” claim
• (40:07–41:20) – Church of Satan, costumes, and identity claims
• (43:52–46:56) – Horror films and the demon panic
• (49:30–51:38) – Caution against experience-based faith and the ultimate application

Tone, Energy, & Approach

The episode is marked by a relaxed, humorous, and honest rapport—two friends in costumes unafraid to challenge, disagree, or poke fun at Christian panic while holding fast to biblical grounding. Their mutual respect for differing consciences comes through, aiming at unity and clarity over stoking fear or division.

Bottom-Line Guidance

If you celebrate Halloween:

• Do so in faith, with clear conscience, for the glory of God
• Avoid sinful or genuinely dark expressions
• Enjoy community and joy without fear

If you abstain:

• Do so in faith, without judging others
• Avoid pride or creating new laws not found in scripture

For everyone:

• Major on the majors—unity, truth, and Christlikeness
• Minor on the minors—disputed matters of conscience
• "May we bear the fruits of the Spirit even on a day like Halloween." (Bryce, 52:08)

Conclusion

The Christian life is not lived in fear of shadows or in judgment of other consciences, but in the light of Christ’s victory, shaped by scripture, humility, and the Spirit—a message, this Halloween, that might be the most freeing treat of all.