By Chikondi Phiri
“Be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2)
Introduction
Christianity has been beset by a number of worldly amusements over the last few centuries. What the early Church considered abominable is now the darling of modern Christians. It is not uncommon to find pagan rituals and days being incorporated in the Church. Some argue that this is not wrong because “we are doing it the Christian way”. Others say that the new generation in the Church will not accept anything less than what the world is offering in terms of music, celebrations and dressing. This is not strange because the enemy of our souls is working night and day seeking whom he may devour (1Peter 5:8).
Valentine’s Day, just like Halloween in United States of America, has found its way in the Church. If one was talking about cults it is no big bother but many so called evangelicals have fallen in love with Valentine Day. Many young Christian men and women exchange Valentine cards and bouquets around this time of the year. The excitement has caught up with Church leaders and other elderly Christians who have either kept quite or allowed the young ones to go ahead and “ be merry”.
The Bible is very clear on such issues as these. “ Be ye not conformed to the world” (Romans 12:2); “ Love not the World, neither the things that are in the world" ”1 John 2: 15). Valentine’s Day is of the world and Christians must keep away from it and have nothing to do with it. The failure by Church leaders to teach or warn their flock on such issues as Valentine’s day has partly contributed to the degeneration of morals in our society. Let us see where this day came from and what influence it has had over the years on the Church. This should form a basis for us to “watch our life and doctrine closely” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Historical Development
There are different stories surrounding the origins of Valentine’s Day. After a careful search, I have simplified my findings below.
Background
Two Roman Saints called Valentine are commemorated on 14th February. One was Bishop of Terni, beheaded in AD 270 in Rome; the other was a priest or physician (allegedly invoked against epilepsy because it is said he cured a youth who suffered from fits) who was martyred AD 269 under Emperor Claudius.
These two men were martyred on the same day- 14th February. However, Bollandists assert that these two Valentines were in fact one and the same. Neither of them seems to have any clear connections with lovers of or courting couples. This obviously breeds questions as why Valentines Day is associated with lovers and courting couples.
How Lovers Come In!
A few reasons have been forwarded for this famous patronage:
(1) It is believed that birds are supposed to pair on 14th February, a belief at least as old as Chauncer, just as a custom of choosing and calling oneself a Valentine is at least as old as the Paston letters.
(2) Some authorities see the custom of choosing a partner on Valentines Day as the survival of the elements of the Roman Pagan Lupercalia Festival, which took place in the middle of February. This was a festival in honour of the goddess Februato Juno, when boys drew a lot of names of unmarried girls. Youths were once given billet-doux with names of girls to be courted, their “valentines” and each gave a girl a present, often a pair of gloves! The giving of presents continued into the eighteenth century but was superseded slowly by the practice of girls sending hand-written cards to their Valentines, which were signed so that the man to whom it was addressed must guess who sent it. Francis de sales (1579-1622), in an unsuccessful effort to improve the occasion, suggested that names of saints to be emulated should be substituted for girls names.
Cards and Flowers
The first printed Valentines appeared in Stationery shops in 1761 and were folded sheets of flimsy paper with bright hand coloured engravings and verses. From 1800 they became more substantial with embossing and paper-lace. The advent of penny-postage led to a great increase of Valentines, as the sender could easily remain anonymous. The 19th Century produced comic Valentines and also romantic, sentimental cards made of swansdown or silk ribbon, silver lace paper or dried flowers, cards made in a shape of fans, circular or 3-dimensional cards and cards containing mirrors or sachets of perfume. It became the practice for men to send them as well as women.
Valentine Today
Many practices on Valentines Day in the United Kingdom are horrible. One lady, a pastor’s wife recounts how a fellow Pastor received a host of letters from some people within the Church. Some read as follows:
“…. Pastor, I wish you were not married to that wife of yours…your Valentine.”
Whatever the reason, the connection of lovers with St. Valentine, with all its consequences for the printing and retailing industries, is one of the less likely results of the cult of Roman Martyrs. For a long time, no Churches in England seemed to be dictated by Valentine, but his feast on 14th February remained constant on their calendars. The situation now is like that of Israel when there was no King; “ every man did that which was right in his own eyes” Judges 21:25.
The Christian Response
Christians who participate in Valentine’s Day are clearly compromising and following the ways of the world and of the ruler of the prince of the air who is now at work in the disobedient. The Bible has clear guidance on how we should conduct ourselves here on earth.
1. We are pilgrims – Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil.3: 19, 20). Our minds should be fixed on things above and not worldly amusements or festivities.
2. Young men should treat their sisters in Christ with purity. (I Tim. 5:2) There should not even be a hint of sexual immorality among God’s people (Eph.5: 3). Sexual sins have brought many a saint down. Let us be aware.
3. Our lives must show that we are Christians. People should be able to see the difference. Let your light shine. Things of the world must not be co-opted in the church. Avoid all appearance of evil.
4. Church History is vital in our understanding of many practices carried out in our time. There is nothing new under the sun.
5. All the men who have left a mark on society in the past have been men of no compromise. Wishy-washy Christians are no good for the Church. They are headache to their parents and neck ache to society. They can not be remembered for anything but compromise.
Amen .
Chikondi Phiri, February, 2000 - Mongu
“Be not conformed to this world : but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2)
Introduction
Christianity has been beset by a number of worldly amusements over the last few centuries. What the early Church considered abominable is now the darling of modern Christians. It is not uncommon to find pagan rituals and days being incorporated in the Church. Some argue that this is not wrong because “we are doing it the Christian way”. Others say that the new generation in the Church will not accept anything less than what the world is offering in terms of music, celebrations and dressing. This is not strange because the enemy of our souls is working night and day seeking whom he may devour (1Peter 5:8).
Valentine’s Day, just like Halloween in United States of America, has found its way in the Church. If one was talking about cults it is no big bother but many so called evangelicals have fallen in love with Valentine Day. Many young Christian men and women exchange Valentine cards and bouquets around this time of the year. The excitement has caught up with Church leaders and other elderly Christians who have either kept quite or allowed the young ones to go ahead and “ be merry”.
The Bible is very clear on such issues as these. “ Be ye not conformed to the world” (Romans 12:2); “ Love not the World, neither the things that are in the world" ”1 John 2: 15). Valentine’s Day is of the world and Christians must keep away from it and have nothing to do with it. The failure by Church leaders to teach or warn their flock on such issues as Valentine’s day has partly contributed to the degeneration of morals in our society. Let us see where this day came from and what influence it has had over the years on the Church. This should form a basis for us to “watch our life and doctrine closely” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Historical Development
There are different stories surrounding the origins of Valentine’s Day. After a careful search, I have simplified my findings below.
Background
Two Roman Saints called Valentine are commemorated on 14th February. One was Bishop of Terni, beheaded in AD 270 in Rome; the other was a priest or physician (allegedly invoked against epilepsy because it is said he cured a youth who suffered from fits) who was martyred AD 269 under Emperor Claudius.
These two men were martyred on the same day- 14th February. However, Bollandists assert that these two Valentines were in fact one and the same. Neither of them seems to have any clear connections with lovers of or courting couples. This obviously breeds questions as why Valentines Day is associated with lovers and courting couples.
How Lovers Come In!
A few reasons have been forwarded for this famous patronage:
(1) It is believed that birds are supposed to pair on 14th February, a belief at least as old as Chauncer, just as a custom of choosing and calling oneself a Valentine is at least as old as the Paston letters.
(2) Some authorities see the custom of choosing a partner on Valentines Day as the survival of the elements of the Roman Pagan Lupercalia Festival, which took place in the middle of February. This was a festival in honour of the goddess Februato Juno, when boys drew a lot of names of unmarried girls. Youths were once given billet-doux with names of girls to be courted, their “valentines” and each gave a girl a present, often a pair of gloves! The giving of presents continued into the eighteenth century but was superseded slowly by the practice of girls sending hand-written cards to their Valentines, which were signed so that the man to whom it was addressed must guess who sent it. Francis de sales (1579-1622), in an unsuccessful effort to improve the occasion, suggested that names of saints to be emulated should be substituted for girls names.
Cards and Flowers
The first printed Valentines appeared in Stationery shops in 1761 and were folded sheets of flimsy paper with bright hand coloured engravings and verses. From 1800 they became more substantial with embossing and paper-lace. The advent of penny-postage led to a great increase of Valentines, as the sender could easily remain anonymous. The 19th Century produced comic Valentines and also romantic, sentimental cards made of swansdown or silk ribbon, silver lace paper or dried flowers, cards made in a shape of fans, circular or 3-dimensional cards and cards containing mirrors or sachets of perfume. It became the practice for men to send them as well as women.
Valentine Today
Many practices on Valentines Day in the United Kingdom are horrible. One lady, a pastor’s wife recounts how a fellow Pastor received a host of letters from some people within the Church. Some read as follows:
“…. Pastor, I wish you were not married to that wife of yours…your Valentine.”
Whatever the reason, the connection of lovers with St. Valentine, with all its consequences for the printing and retailing industries, is one of the less likely results of the cult of Roman Martyrs. For a long time, no Churches in England seemed to be dictated by Valentine, but his feast on 14th February remained constant on their calendars. The situation now is like that of Israel when there was no King; “ every man did that which was right in his own eyes” Judges 21:25.
The Christian Response
Christians who participate in Valentine’s Day are clearly compromising and following the ways of the world and of the ruler of the prince of the air who is now at work in the disobedient. The Bible has clear guidance on how we should conduct ourselves here on earth.
1. We are pilgrims – Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil.3: 19, 20). Our minds should be fixed on things above and not worldly amusements or festivities.
2. Young men should treat their sisters in Christ with purity. (I Tim. 5:2) There should not even be a hint of sexual immorality among God’s people (Eph.5: 3). Sexual sins have brought many a saint down. Let us be aware.
3. Our lives must show that we are Christians. People should be able to see the difference. Let your light shine. Things of the world must not be co-opted in the church. Avoid all appearance of evil.
4. Church History is vital in our understanding of many practices carried out in our time. There is nothing new under the sun.
5. All the men who have left a mark on society in the past have been men of no compromise. Wishy-washy Christians are no good for the Church. They are headache to their parents and neck ache to society. They can not be remembered for anything but compromise.
Amen .
Chikondi Phiri, February, 2000 - Mongu
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