What are the origins of Halloween? Halloween is a contraction of "All Hallows' Eve," which is also known as "All Saints' Eve." As with other holidays, Halloween seems to have a mixture of both pagan and Christian origins. It is a testimony to the uneasy relationship that church tradition has often had with the culture it meets and then inhabits. Listen to this Seven Minute Seminary from Ben Witherington III suggesting ways we can engage with culture at this critical holiday.