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SHOULD we celebrate St. Valentine’s DAY?
Practical application of Pentecostal theology in politics, economy and social issues
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Gray Watson
Wow, I read this post, and while it tries to make some big claims about ‘hidden truths’ and ‘secret knowledge,’ I gotta say, it just doesn’t feel right. It sounds a lot like what they call Gnosticism, which isn’t new.
Troy Day
Michael Faber Wow, I read your short comment, and while it tries to make some big claims about ‘hidden truths’ and ‘secret knowledge,’ I gotta say, it just doesn’t feel right. Valentines is great – just ask your wife if you still got 1 – It sounds you’ve got A LOT OF what they call Gnosticism, which isn’t new.
Troy Day
Wow Dean Williams I read your short comment, and while it tries to make some big claims about ‘hidden truths’ and ‘secret knowledge,’ I gotta say, it just doesn’t feel right. Valentines is great – just ask your wife if you still got 1 – It sounds you’ve got A LOT OF what they call Gnosticism, which isn’t new.
RT the original OP comment Here what I wrote to my congregation in our weekly newsletter:
When the Secular Reinforces the Sacred
A Valentine’s Day Thought
In keeping with Romans 12:2, some of us become conflicted when considering the celebration or observance of national or cultural holidays and events. The associated concern is understandable, since many celebrations arise from secular origins that are fully emptied of any fidelity to Scripture, and quite frankly, can serve to do the exact opposite. Here, to address this possible conflict of mind, I should note that not every cultural observance stands in opposition to Scripture. In fact, the truth is, many of those cultural observances significantly echo what God himself has commanded, and as such, they actually serve to reinforce what which is good, acceptable, and perfect.
Valentine’s Day is one such example. Scripture calls husbands to love their wives “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Eph. 5:25). As Christians, we know through Scripture that this is not a seasonal suggestion but a daily calling to be sacrificial, covenantal, and Christlike. Yet, in spite of knowing this to be a daily calling, we should readily acknowledge that the presence of a day set aside to express affection, gratitude, and devotion can serve as a providential reminder of that biblical command.
So, we see then, that in God’s kindness, even the rhythms of our culture can prompt us toward obedience. A card, a word of affirmation, a thoughtful gesture; these are not substitutes for faithful, lifelong love, rather they serve as tangible expressions of it. It is here that we affirm that Valentine’s Day does not create the Christian duty to love; Scripture already does that. What we should note however, is that it can remind us, prod us, and give us a moment to practice that love in intentional ways.
So, dear brothers in Christ, let us seize this moment to laud our wives with flowers, food, and any other tangible expression of love we can think of. Let there be an overabundance of expressions so that they flow over to our daughters who are learning through you, what it means to be loved and cared for. Wives, I pray that you will know and experience the love of Christ as expressions of love fill your day and your heart.
And may all this be done in a way that pleases and brings glory to our Lord. Amen!
Pastor Geoffrey Dean
Troy Day
@followers sounds like Bob W Jones + Philip Williams still try make some big claims about ‘hidden truths’ and ‘secret knowledge,’ I gotta say, it just doesn’t feel right. Valentines is great – just ask your wife if you still got 1 – It sounds you’ve got A LOT OF what they call Gnosticism, which isn’t new.
Troy Day
we do not call names here Garry Turner we just do not BUT may be you are caught red handed on the wrong foot with Troy D. Adams +@Elton Michael Misfeldt here