Halloween 2023:
Christian Bogeymen
Volume 1, Issue 1 | October 31, 2023
Table of Contents
Peter Leavell
Peter Leavell, a graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history and a MA in English Literature, was the 2011 winner of the Christian Writers Guild’s Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing’s Best award for First-Time Author, along with multiple other awards. An author, blogger, ghostwriter, teacher, historian, school director, and jogger Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho.
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Website: www.peterleavell.com
The Problem of Evil and Its Fruit
Joshua Snell
Keywords: Problem of Evil, Buddhism, Edwards, Augustine, Christianity
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Joshua Snell is a teacher in the Humanities Department at Boise Classical Academy. He holds a Master of Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has taught Humanities, ESL, and Bible classes in Idaho, Cambodia, and Kentucky. Josh loves learning and helping lead others to a better understanding of Jesus and all of creation.
The enduring philosophical and theological question of evil, deeply embedded in the human experience, has historically been navigated by diverse religious traditions, each elucidating a unique perspective. This essay delves into the Christian and Buddhist approaches to defining the problem of evil and its solutions, emphasizing the shifts in understanding from theological exploration of the nature of suffering and evil for the sake of orthodoxy and orthopraxy into apologetic responses in contemporary contexts. By examining the profound insights of Christian figures such as Augustine and Jonathan Edwards, juxtaposed with the foundational teachings of Buddhism, we see that prior to the modern era humans sought to understand the essence of human existence and the transformative potential of grappling with the existential quandaries of suffering and evil. We show that the conversation extends beyond East/West divides and bears the most fruit when the telos of inquiry is not winning a debate but becoming a better human being.
Spooky Spiritual Spaces Subverting Secularity
Michael Barros
Keywords: Halloween, Christianity, Disenchantment, Reenchantment, Metamodernism, Secularity
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Michael Barros is a teacher in the Humanities Department of Boise Classical Academy and an Adjunct Instructor of Philosophy at University of the People. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology and holds an M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies. He is keenly interested in narratives, especially in the context of religion and spirituality. His academic work has covered various cultural, narrative, and psychological topics. He has contributed to Sam Harris: Critical Responses and is currently co-editing a volume on the theology of Philip K. Dick.
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In the current climate, where society straddles the line between secular beliefs and a pull towards post-secular desires, Halloween stands out as a topic of deep reflection among Christians. For some, it's a time tinged with dark associations, while others see it as mere commercial entertainment. This essay suggests that Christians shouldn't overlook Halloween's spiritual dimension or treat it with indifference. By understanding its Christian roots, intertwined with pagan traditions and its place in today's world, we can see Halloween as more than just a secular event. Instead, it can be a way to reintroduce deeper spiritual connections in an age thirsting for meaning. This paper seeks to shift the mindset of Christians so that they can engage with Halloween with fresh eyes.