Is it Biblical to Celebrate St Valentine's Day?

IS IT BIBLICAL TO CELEBRATE ST VALENTINE'S DAY?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

I have received a number of inquiries from my Christian friends seeking my theological opinion on whether it is appropriate for Christians to celebrate St Valentine's day.

This question is perhaps better rephrased: Should Christians celebrate St Valentine's Day? Does Scripture expressly or impliedly accommodate this practice?

I will begin with a disclaimer at the outset that this article is not a theological treatise on the day dedicated to Saint Valentino and neither is it a critique on its historical validity. I will therefore not delve in the historicity of the tradition which is ostensibly believed to fall into the patristic period of the early church. This article is informed by my theological reflection on the popular tradition based on my discernment of Scripture. I am aware that debates on the validity of this tradition have rocked Christian circles for centuries and that global Christianity is divided over it. The personal convictions of a believer on such controversial issues should primarily be anchored on their discernment of Scripture.

I am also aware of claims by some that St Valentine's Day was originally a godly Christian celebration done in honor of Saint Valentino of Rome, who was revered as a holy priest under the Roman Catholic tradition. He was reportedly martyred on 14th February 269 AD.  It is also important to appreciate that there are conflicting stories surrounding the origin of this tradition. Some say that the priest fell in love with the jailer's daughter while in prison awaiting his execution and that he wrote a note to her expressing his undying love for her.

I would also wish to outline a second disclaimer. Not every church tradition or practice is necessarily commanded in Scripture. Some popular Christian traditions have been developed by Christian societies through the centuries. What is of paramount significance is that these traditions and practices should be consistent with the holistic revelation of Scripture and should not openly or covertly violate its fundamental truths. Where a tradition or practice is veiled in obscurity or controversy and cannot be satisfactorily reconciled with the moral principles of the word of God, my view is that such tradition or practice should be discarded by a Bible centered Christian community. 

I am further aware that some popular traditions can be quite divisive depending on the cultural implications of  their practice in a given society. For instance, some cultural practices that may be embraced or accommodated by Western Christianity may be considered repulsive in African Christianity and vice versa. Some American Christians celebrate Halloween, a tradition that some would consider to be closely linked to pagan rituals. Similarly, many African Christians mix culture and religion during Christian celebrations such as weddings and burials. 

I will attempt to explore the question on the biblical legitimacy or validity of St Valentine's day on the basis of my discernment of the teaching of Scripture. My view is that every Christian doctrine or practice should be governed by the principles of the word of God. It should stand or fall on the scale of biblical revelation and authority. This is the trajectory that this article will take. 

Was St Valentine a Christian martyr who stood on the same canonical and ecclesial threshold as say Stephen the martyr or Apostle James who defended the gospel with their blood? (Acts 7:54-60; 12:1-4). Romans Catholics would perhaps readily respond to this question in the affirmative. Roman Catholics celebrate several saints under their tradition and dedicate calendar events in their honor. Unfortunately, several traditions and practices associated with the Roman Catholic Church do not appear to find the support of Scripture, in my opinion. They appear to be founded on extra-biblical sources. If Scripture prescribed the celebration of Christian martyrs, then St Stephen's, St James' or St Paul's calendar celebrations would be a welcome opportunity for Christian societies to commemorate. Sadly, Scripture is silent on the celebration of saints! Suffice it to state that Christ should be at the center of every celebration or worship in a Christian community. 

BIBLICAL FOUNDATION 

Scripture is replete with exhortations on moral Christian conduct. It warns the followers of Jesus Christ against imitating the world or joining them in their revelry and abominations. 3 John 1:11 says "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God." When we imitate the world, we allow their practices to shape or influence our religious worldview. (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Scripture also exhorts believers to flee from any appearance of evil and to avoid any circumstances that may bring their Christian witness into question (Titus 2:7-8). Joseph fled from the advances of Potiphar's amorous wife under godly fear. He later paid for his moral convictions through a jail term in an Egyptian dungeon (Genesis 39:7-9). 

Elsewhere in Scripture, we learn that Daniel resolved in his heart never to defile himself with the food served at the king's table (Daniel 1:8). He too suffered for his moral convictions on a number of occasions as he served in the royal courts of Persia. Neither of these heroes of faith have a day dedicated to their honor in Scripture.

My view is that our Christian ethics and practices should be governed by religious convictions that are primarily founded on the revelation and authority of Scripture rather than historical traditions. I am persuaded that any patristic or medieval Christian tradition that does not stand on a faithful interpretation of Scripture should be discarded.  

I am therefore convinced at the outset that St Valentine's Day celebration is not contemplated in Scripture. It is decidedly not a Christian calendar celebration and no Christian community is obligated to observe it. Besides, I am unable to identify a similar celebration in any New Testament Christian community. My view is that no passage of Scripture teaches or implies that the church should set aside a lovers day for the believers. Our love for one another in the context of Christian marriage [if that is truly the object of the celebration] cannot be reduced to a calendar event!

Some have argued that the love theme in the Book of Song of Solomon is a classic authority for St Valentine day celebration. I am not persuaded by this notion. I am convinced that Christ is the Lover who is metaphorically depicted in the Song of Solomon and that the woman symbolizes the Church, His bride. Believers are singly and collectively the bride of Christ, having been betrothed to Him under a covenant relationship of love and commitment even as we eagerly await His soon coming to take us to be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  We should therefore watch lest our garments are stained by this passing evil world (Rev. 16:15). The marriage supper of the Lamb mentioned in Rev. 19:1-10 is the final ritual that will commemorate our eternal union with Christ. It will be celebrated in heaven at a time appointed by God.

Meanwhile, our Christian marriage relationships should be governed by the moral exhortations conveyed in several passages of Scripture on covenant faithfulness (cf. Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:16; 1 Peter 3:7). I therefore find no biblical basis for considering the celebration of St Valentine's Day as a legitimate Christian calendar event. This is not to suggest that a Christian couple cannot celebrate their marriage or have an evening outing meant to spice up their marriage! This should however happen outside the context or influence of any pagan religious tradition or practice and is definitely not restricted to February 14th! 

I once attended a Sunday church service in a leading Evangelical church in Nairobi a few years ago. During the service, I noticed that most ladies were in red! It had not occurred to me that this strange scene was on purpose! It soon dawned on me that that Sunday happened to be February 14! There was a celebration mood in the air, so to speak!

When the senior pastor, who also happens to be the Bishop of the church, took to the pulpit, he proclaimed that St Valentine's Day was an important Christian celebration! He went on to commend all the ladies who were dressed in red and declared that every believer is entitled to have their own Valentine during the occasion (sic!). He did not elaborate further.

A large number of youth in the congregation were heartily cheering on as the clergyman spoke. Sadly, the minister did not point out a single Scripture passage in defense of the celebration. The rest of the church service was intermittently interrupted by St Valentine ululations and cheers. 

When did St Valentine celebration become an important Christian calendar event and who proclaimed this celebration for the church? 

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Now back to our question.

Should Christians celebrate St Valentine's Day? Does Scripture expressly or impliedly accommodate this practice? I have already submitted my response to this question in the negative. I am aware that some Christians will disagree with my views on this popular celebration.

I have supplied Scripture evidence in support of my convictions on this popular global celebration. Let me conclude by reiterating that St Valentine's Day does not appear in Scripture as a Christian calendar celebration. Its celebration is therefore not binding upon any Christian community. To my knowledge, there are only two celebrations or sacraments that the Bible commands the church to observe: the Lord's Table or Holy Communion (Matthew 26:26-30; 1 Cor.11:23-34) and Baptism of believers (Matthew 28:19-20).

Secondly, my view is that Christian participation in such celebrations does not advance the gospel. Given its erotic and sensual appeal, I have not found a convincing reason for teaching and upholding this celebration among believers! There is simply no express or implied command in Scripture that legitimizes the celebration in a Christian community. If St Valentine's Day can be celebrated in a Christian congregation or community, then Halloween and other pagan rituals that are popular in Western societies should be accommodated as well!

Vivian Bricker identifies three flaws that St Valentine celebration portends for the Christian community, namely, the  controversy behind its pagan roots; its impracticability for single Christians and its susceptibility as an avenue for open temptation. [1] [2].

If we must have a Christian tradition for celebrating love among Christian couples, then this should be distinct and independent of pagan calendar celebrations and should be founded on the express teaching of Scripture. I do not condemn those who are persuaded that St Valentine's celebration is a valid Christian tradition. They are entitled to their views. I am aware that some Christian communities accommodate the celebration and even encourage believers to honor the practice within their congregational gatherings. However, given its global hedonistic and erotic rituals and indulgences, I am persuaded that the worldly activities associated with this celebration convey the marks of Christian apostasy. They are not consistent with the moral principles of Scripture. The Bible warns in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?..." 

Here are some of the findings on St Valentine celebration that were identified in a research study in America:[3]

144 million greeting cards were sent every year.

Americans spent $20.7 billion dollars in 2019 on Valentin's Day.

3 in 10 people do not celebrate this holiday in America.

$2.1 billion dollars was spent on Valentine's Day in 2010.

3% of pet owners give gifts to their animals on Valentine Day.

I wish to recommend that before celebrating any ritual or social event, a Christian community needs to prayerfully respond to the following questions:

1) Does the celebration, event or ritual glorify God?

2) Is the celebration taught or implied in Scripture?

3) Does its practice advance God's purposes for the church?

4) Does it promote our Christian witness?

5) Does the celebration conform to our uniqueness as God's holy people who have been set apart for Christ?  (cf. 1 Peter 2:9).

If the answers to the above questions are in the negative, my view is that a Christian community should flatly reject the celebration even if it has a popular appeal in our contemporary world. The truth is that Christians are not of this world. We should daily yearn for the city whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:14-16). 

Here's wisdom....The Bible proclaims in Revelation 18:4-5 "....“Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities."

Let him who has ears to hear listen and discern the admonitions and convictions of the Holy Spirit.



Shalom

References 

[1] https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/can-christians-enjoy-valentines-day.html

[2] https://becomingchristians.com/2016/01/27/10-simple-but-powerful-reasons-christians-should-not-celebrate-valentines-day/

[3] https://justdisciple.com/should-christians-celebrate-valentines-day/




© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020