Love, History, and Christian Conundrums: The Valentine's Day Debate
The crux of today's discourse revolves around the question of whether Christians may partake in the celebration of Valentine's Day. As we delve into the historical tapestry of this occasion, we uncover its multifaceted origins, entwined with both Roman customs and Christian traditions, notably the legacy of Saint Valentine, who clandestinely officiated marriages in defiance of imperial edict. We deftly navigate the complexities of love as articulated in scripture, reflecting on the profound Biblical injunction to "love your neighbor as yourself," which invites us to reconsider our expressions of affection beyond the confines of a single day. Ultimately, we arrive at the conclusion that the decision to celebrate is a personal one, hinging upon individual conviction and the potential impact on one's community. Join us as we explore these themes with a blend of erudition and light-hearted banter, ensuring that our reflections on love are both enlightening and engaging.
The intricate tapestry of Valentine’s Day, woven through time and tradition, is the focal point of this enlightening episode. The hosts embark on a journey through history, exploring the origins of this day dedicated to love, from its questionable Roman practices of name-drawing to its Christian roots linked to Saint Valentine. A third-century priest, Valentine’s defiance against imperial edicts regarding marriage has rendered him a martyr in the eyes of many, thus establishing a day that symbolizes love in myriad forms. As the hosts dissect the evolution of this holiday, they emphasize the blending of cultural practices that have transformed it into the commercial spectacle we recognize today.
Central to their discussion is the question of whether Christians should celebrate Valentine’s Day. They propose that such a decision is personal, hinging on individual beliefs and the potential impact on one’s spiritual life. Drawing on biblical references, the hosts encourage listeners to reflect on the nature of love as depicted in scripture, highlighting the emotional and spiritual dimensions of affection, as articulated through the Hebrew and Greek languages. This theological examination invites a deeper understanding of love’s significance beyond mere romantic gestures.
As the episode progresses, the hosts engage in witty banter, infusing humor into their exploration of societal pressures that accompany Valentine’s Day celebrations. They urge listeners to resist the allure of materialism and to recognize that true love manifests itself in everyday actions rather than extravagant displays. Ultimately, the episode serves as a reminder that love is not confined to a single day but is a continuous journey that should be cherished and nurtured throughout the year.
Takeaways:
- Valentine's Day, with its roots in Christian tradition, can be celebrated by Christians if approached thoughtfully.
- The decision to celebrate Valentine's Day ultimately lies between the individual and God, reflecting personal beliefs and conscience.
- Expressions of love should not be confined to a single day, as true affection is an everyday commitment.
- The history of Valentine's Day reveals its evolution from a romantic tradition to a corporate spectacle full of candy and expectations.
- Understanding love through biblical principles can guide our actions and relationships beyond mere celebrations.
- Celebrating Valentine's Day can either strengthen or challenge one's faith, depending on the motivations behind the celebration.
Transcript
Hey, guys, guess what?
Speaker A:It's Valentine's Day.
Speaker A:So what does that mean for us Christians, right?
Speaker A:Can you celebrate it?
Speaker A:Is it okay?
Speaker A:What's the deal with it?
Speaker A:Well, I got you.
Speaker A:Don't worry.
Speaker A:We're gonna go in a little bit about the history of Valentine's Day and whether if you can celebrate it or not, as a Christian.
Speaker A:Hey, stay tuned.
Speaker A:Welcome to Pure Frequency.
Speaker A:So before we get into if we can or if we can't, let's talk about the history of Valentine's Day.
Speaker A:So it's pretty obscure of whether it came from the Romans because they had a practice that they did on Valentine's Day where they would have boys pick girls names out of, like a box.
Speaker A:It's almost like, you know, choosing a mate type of thing.
Speaker A:And it would be like, cute and that society would do it.
Speaker A:But also there's a Christian side to it, too.
Speaker A:So Valentine's Day was celebrated on February 14.
Speaker A:Some of its roots have Christian traditions, most notably associated with Saint Valentine, a third century Roman priest.
Speaker A:So according to the legend, Valentine defied Claudius II's ban on marriages for young men.
Speaker A:Believing that single soldiers made better fighters, he continued to perform his secret weddings.
Speaker A:And this is what ultimately led to his.
Speaker A:So over time, St.
Speaker A:Valentine became the symbol of love and affection, and his feast day was established in the calendars.
Speaker A:So as the holidays evolved with the time, cultures mingled in, societies mingled in, and corporations mingled in and made it exactly what it is today.
Speaker A:A corporation mess, a big giant corporational mess full of candies and all the confection one can desire.
Speaker A:Valentine's Day, the day of love.
Speaker A:What does love mean in the Bible?
Speaker A:Let's check it out here.
Speaker A:One of my favorite verses is love your neighbor as yourself, right?
Speaker A: we can find that in Leviticus: Speaker A:Right?
Speaker A:Right here we see that this love is said, right?
Speaker A:In English, we noted it's love.
Speaker A:But I like the illustration of love here in the Hebrew, which the word is ahava, which means to have affection, for it's having a strong emotional attachment to someone.
Speaker A:So this command is telling us to have a strong emotional connection with the people around us, with it being one of the fruits of the spirit.
Speaker A:Let's see what the New Testament says in the Greek.
Speaker A:But the fruit of the spirit, spirit is love.
Speaker A:We can see that in Galatians 5.
Speaker A:22.
Speaker A:The Greek word used here in this reference is agape.
Speaker A:Agape means affection, benevolence, a love feast, charity.
Speaker A:A love feast is pretty cool, right?
Speaker A:That's like, whoa, I'm about to feast on this love.
Speaker A:Like it's about to be a whole lot myself on some love.
Speaker A:Wow.
Speaker A:It's the literal attitude that God has towards his son, Jesus Christ.
Speaker A:That's the fruit of the spirit.
Speaker A:So the fruit of the spirit is this type of love.
Speaker A:We're supposed to have affection towards people around us.
Speaker A:This is saying a lot here, but it still doesn't give us a clear view on whether Valentine's Day is good or not.
Speaker A:So.
Speaker A:Okay, okay, okay.
Speaker A:I know I'm taking a little too long with whether we should or whether we shouldn't, but I got something different for you.
Speaker A:Ultimately, the decision on whether you should celebrate Valentine's Day is between you and God.
Speaker A:With this in the back of your mind, anything that causes.
Speaker A:Causes division amongst the brethren isn't really a good thing.
Speaker A:If celebrating Valentine's Day is going to make your brother stumble, maybe you shouldn't do it.
Speaker A:Not explicitly said, but with a different scenario.
Speaker A:Paul gives us a clear view of what we're to do.
Speaker A:If we are okay with doing something, meaning it's not hurting our conscience or how we connect with God.
Speaker A:He used a different illustration, however, with foods offered to idols.
Speaker A:But if it causes your brother to stumble, don't do this.
Speaker A:We could say this in First Corinthians 8:13.
Speaker A:By this illustration, we know that days celebrated that aren't specifically Christian do nothing, because they are about nothing.
Speaker A:Really, they are about nothing.
Speaker A:If these gods do not exist, right, they're not God.
Speaker A:Right.
Speaker A:We do know that sometimes demons can be described as deities.
Speaker A:But this isn't really.
Speaker A:This isn't really that kind of party.
Speaker A:I mean, this is.
Speaker A:This is something to celebrate the love for one another, the love for your wife or, you know, and my thing is this love should be expressed every day.
Speaker A:Not just one day.
Speaker A:Shouldn't take one day to express how much you love someone.
Speaker A:And for the people who are waiting to receive some kind of great grand gesture, Buggin out of pocket.
Speaker A:Listen, we get it.
Speaker A:Love is good.
Speaker A:Sometimes people ain't got it like that though.
Speaker A:So the expectations are set super high.
Speaker A:Materialism, man, fall back on that.
Speaker A:That's a dangerous.
Speaker A:It's a danger zone.
Speaker A:That's one of them danger zones.
Speaker A:Proverbs 3 and 3 says, Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you.
Speaker A:We have to be faithful.
Speaker A:We have to be rooted in love.
Speaker A:Don't let it forsake you.
Speaker A:These are the things that we should be focused on.
Speaker A:Not on just one day of celebrating your quote.
Speaker A:But hey, this is Just my take.
Speaker A:This is just something that I read.
Speaker A:This is just something that I've shared.
Speaker A:You don't have to take what I'm saying straight to the bank.
Speaker A:Read it yourself.
Speaker A:Dive into the scriptures.
Speaker A:Start researching these things, because they really could help you.
Speaker A:Now, what happens if you don't celebrate it?
Speaker A:Or if you just decide, you know what, altogether, I'm just going to do away with everything I celebrate, excluding the certain days that we celebrate for the Lord.
Speaker A:Well, I would say this.
Speaker A:You're not wrong either.
Speaker A:If you don't celebrate it, you're not wrong.
Speaker A:And if you do celebrate it, you're not wrong.
Speaker A:Check the motives.
Speaker A:If you're doing it to put and place something else above God, then, yeah, you're out of pocket.
Speaker A:Maybe you should just chill out on that and just stop it all together.
Speaker A:But if you're doing it to give a grand gesture to someone you care about, or your family, your kids, or this, that, and the other, come on, man.
Speaker A:There's nothing wrong with it.
Speaker A:We understand that.
Speaker A:There are different things out there, like Cupid and all that.
Speaker A:You don't want to get into all that stuff.
Speaker A:I'm cool with that.
Speaker A:I don't really get into that stuff.
Speaker A:That's just me.
Speaker A:Right?
Speaker A:But I'm not going to put my yoke upon your neck.
Speaker A:I think it's time for us to start researching these things ourselves.
Speaker A:We probably.
Speaker A:I don't know many of you who've done this, but if you've been searching and clicking on the Internet and saying, hey, can Christians celebrate this?
Speaker A:Like, just don't do it.
Speaker A:If you think it's gonna cause your conscience to sear within you, don't do it.
Speaker A:If it feels like sin, don't do it.
Speaker A:Just.
Speaker A:Just don't do it.
Speaker A:You're better off not doing something than you are.
Speaker A:You know what I'm saying?
Speaker A:So God bless y'all, man.
Speaker A:I just wanted to give you a quick little buddy on Valentine's Day and whether or not you, as a Christian should celebrate it.
Speaker A:So you have my answer there.
Speaker A:If it wasn't quite clear, let me reiterate it.
Speaker A:If you want to, go ahead.
Speaker A:If you don't want to because it feels like sin, then don't.
Speaker A:But don't judge the other person for doing it, and vice versa.
Speaker A:God bless y'all.
Speaker A:I love y'all.
Speaker A:Peace.
Speaker A:So I'm here with my daughter Jenny, and I got a question for you, kid.
Speaker A:What does love mean to you?
Speaker B:Love means.
Speaker B:What it means to me is like being comforted and like, being, like, nourished and, like, taken care of.
Speaker B:Sort of like how, like, Jesus loves me.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:Okay, cool.
Speaker B:And, like, someone I can, like, talk to and have, like, fun lists and.
Speaker B:Yes.
Speaker A:Notice how she didn't say her parents?
Speaker B:Well.
Speaker A:She said.
Speaker A:Well, no, no, no.
Speaker A:Jesus before parents.
Speaker A:All the time.
Speaker A:All the time.
Speaker A:All the time.
Speaker A:Good stuff.
Speaker A:You can't be mad.
Speaker A:Thanks, kid.
Speaker A:I'm not mad at you at all.
Speaker A:That's what's up.
Speaker A:That's what's up.
Speaker A:All right.
Speaker A:Thanks.
Speaker A:Hey, honey.
Speaker B:Hey, baby.
Speaker A:Hey.
Speaker A:This is.
Speaker A:This is weird, right?
Speaker A:Because, like, I'm sitting on this side.
Speaker A:Usually I'm on that side.
Speaker C:Yeah, usually are on the side.
Speaker A:How do you feel about it?
Speaker C:I don't know.
Speaker C:I kind of like it.
Speaker A:So I got a question for you.
Speaker A:Sure.
Speaker A:What does love mean to you?
Speaker C:To me, love is caring about somebody so much that you don't really hold anything against them.
Speaker C:Like, you will correct them and tell them when they're wrong, but with love, with caring, because you don't want them to, like, walk down a hole in the middle of a street.
Speaker C:And also, when I think of love, I just think of God.
Speaker C:God is love.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:All right.
Speaker A:Well, thank you.
Speaker C:You're welcome.
