Peter Kreeft’s Joyful Apologia

For Catholics, the end of October marked the beginning of Hallowtide—All Hallows’ Eve, or Halloween, All Hallows (All Saints), and All Souls. For Protestant Christians who have maintained some connection with the first Protestants, October 31 is celebrated as Reformation Day, which commemorates Martin Luther’s posting of his Ninety-five Theses.

I grew up celebrating Halloween (the secular version) and, because my parents started attending a Calvinist congregation (Christian Reformed) when I was young, we sometimes attended Reformation Day services. Proudly Calvinist in my teenage years, I argued the questions of predestination and free will with one of my best (Baptist) friends for endless miles while hiking at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. I guess we each won in a way: I later became Catholic, and he a serious Presbyterian.