CT: Worldly ‘Christianity’ and Valentine’s Day

Throughout the world, February 14th is often celebrated throughout the world as “Valentine’s Day”.

A 2008 news item correctly reported:

St. Valentine’s Day — a day to declare your affection for that special someone.

And what did Saint Valentine have to do with love notes and affection? Absolutely nothing! In fact, there’s a good chance he may never have existed. You see, at least according to most accounts, the day was begun by the residents of ancient Rome who wanted to honor the she-wolf that had raised Romulus and Remus. It was Romulus who founded Rome, after killing his brother Remus in a fit of rage. At least that’s the story they’ve been telling over the centuries.

However the Christian church leaders in Rome didn’t like the celebration. Too pagan-like, they said. But, knowing the celebration was too popular for them to end, they gave it some Christian respectability instead. They decided since it coincided with St. Valentine’s feast day they would call it St. Valentine’s Day (Brown P. Origin of Valentine’s Day may surprise us. The Enid News & Eagle, Enid OK, Published: January 16, 2008 12:49 am. http://www.enidnews.com/opinion/local_story_016004906.html viewed 01/17/08).

Yet Christianity Today (CT) reported,

Civilizations have celebrated Valentine’s Day for millennia, but even so, on February 14, we seem ready to celebrate love once again. Here are some articles on the holiday’s Christian history, thoughts on love, and ways to show your Valentine how much you care.

“Civilizations” of the world certainly “have celebrated Valentine’s Day for millennia”, but real Christians have not. On that page with that claim there was also an ad for “The perfect gift for your Valentine!”

How commercially convenient. How worldly.

In 2009, Christianity Today‘s Valentines from Heaven article began with:

How God reminded nine singles of his love for them on Valentine’s Day

Since I’m single, I spent February 14 trying to concentrate on the fact that God is my valentine…(Valentine’s from Heaven. Christianity Today. http://www.christianitytoday.com/singles/newsletter/responses-valentine.html, viewed 2/12/09)

The above page had an ad that attempted to sell some type of dating service. Would God want to be viewed as a Valentine?

In 2007, Christianity Today‘s History of Valentine’s Day article began with,

St. Valentine was actually two people (that weren’t romantically involved) who were martyred on the same day (c. 270). Feasts commemorating them were celebrated on February 14. One was a priest and physician who died in Rome during the persecution of Christians by Claudius II Grothicus. The other was the bishop at Terni, Italy who was also martyred in Rome. Both have been buried at different places along the Flaminian Way (History of Valentine’s Day. Christianity Today. 1999. http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/valentines/features/history.html, January 31, 2004).

The Christianity Today article above never mentioned the pagan origins of the holiday. The closest it comes is by stating,

So why do people send “valentines” or “love-tokens” to one another on that day? The origin of that tradition is not thought to have any connection with the saint’s day. Rather it comes from an early European belief that the second week of February was when birds began to mate. The idea suggests that lovers should probably exchange notes and gifts on February 14 in conjunction with what nature practiced. It then concludes with “Nowadays, Valentine’s Day is observed as a special day for love and romance. This topic is one of the oldest, and probably most-discussed, issues in history! As Christians, we know that love originates from God and that God is love (1 John 4:16).

That is the history of Valentine’s Day? Is that what Christianity Today believes Christians should know about that day? Are the customs associated with Valentine’s Day truly biblical? Or does the Protestant world wish to obscure the truth? Did Christianity Today intentionally leave the whole truth out?

Perhaps.

However, if one looks further, one will realize that although in every recent year Christianity Today tries to sell gifts related to Valentine’s Day on the internet, it does have an article that admits the following:

There are more tales of the “origins” of Valentine’s Day than arrows in Cupid’s quiver. As expected, most have something to do with pagan ritual (pretty much every holiday—from Christmas to Mother’s Day—has something to do with pagan ritual). Four centuries before Christ, Romans had a day called Lupercalia. Without going too much into it, I’ll sum it up as a sexual lottery. Pull names out of a box at random and couple with a young member of the opposite sex. After a year, you get to pick another name (Olsen T. Then Again Maybe Don’t Be My Valentine. Christianity Today. February 12, 1999).

So, Valentine’s Day was originally a sexual lottery according to Christianity Today. Yet, despite knowing that much of the truth, in 2011 (like it did in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010) Christianity Today still promotes and tries to sell gifts for Valentine’s Day.

Christians who may be tempted to compromise need to ask themselves if the origins of Valentine’s Day are biblical or pagan.

The Apostle John was inspired to write:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17, NKJV)

Valentine’s Day is a worldly holiday, essentially built upon lust of the eyes and the pride of life. It will pass away, it is not a Christian holiday.

It is of interest to note that even a Catholic source states,

The Catholic Church no longer officially honors St. Valentine, but the holiday has both Roman and Catholic roots.

It is good that the Church of Rome no longer officially honors Valentine or the holiday.

None who profess Christ should observe this February “holiday”–it simply is not a Christian holiday. It began as a pagan sexual lottery and still has sexual and lustful ramifications, even in the 21st century.

For more information, please consider studying the following articles:

Valentine’s Day: Its Real Origins Christianity Today suggests that Valentine’s Day is good for Christians to observe. Is this true?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Are the Ten Commandment Still in Effect? This article quotes the ten commandments and combines some of the previous articles into one article about the ten commandments. The commandments are shown at Mount Sinai, before Mount Sinai, in the teachings of Jesus, after the crucifixion, and in the teachings of Paul. It addresses the most common “traditions of men” regarding them as well.
Were the Pharisees Condemned for Keeping the Law or Reasoning Around it? Many believe that the Pharisees were condemned for keeping the law, but what does your Bible say? If they were not condemned for that, what were they condemned for?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?