Happy Valentine’s Day
I recently watched the short film “The First Valentine” in which my understanding of Valentine’s Day was reshaped. Basically, I had no idea it was St. Valentine’s day. (There’s a lot of debated history connected with this but the Catholic church maintains an encyclopedia of whom they consider “Saints” and a few Valentines made it on the list and a couple of those are supposed to be remembered on February 14th.) So I watched this classically campy 80’s afterschool special and was mildly surprised. First, that it was actually fairly decent (for a religious film from the 80’s) and second, that it challenged me to live the Christian life in such an obvious way that I am ashamed I haven’t seen it before. The valentine that was given was an encouragement and a love note from Christ (through His servants), but more importantly, it was the life of Valentine himself.
Valentine’s Day for any Christian isn’t about a date, some chocolate, hard candies, flowers, and jewelry, and romantic bonding (these things are okay in and of themselves and I actually encourage married couples to employ these tools of romanticism, love, and general caring sporadically throughout the year to better communicate that their spouse is still special to them), it is about giving up of your own life for the sake of others.
In practice, this is loving others through actions that show that another person is more important than my own wants. Sometimes in simple and easy ways like an encouraging thank you note, and other times in difficult and drawn out ways like sacrificing money and time to help another in need, long term missions, and even death for many of our brethren throughout the world. (By the way, these all apply to how we treat our family members as well. I struggle daily with giving up of myself so that I can treat my wife and children better and show them that I love them as Christ has loved me.)
There are many ways that this post can go and I probably should have ended it already, but in light of the ministry of this blog I think it is good to take note of how we treat brothers who may not believe exactly as I do. William H. Willimon writes in “Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry,”
“I recall a fierce debate that erupted at an ecumenical gathering of clergy when it was suggested that we end the gathering by celebrating Holy Communion. Some objected to this intercommunion saying, ‘My church has a very high theology of the Eucharist an therefore I am not allowed to partake with those who are members of churches where there is a low eucharistic theology. I have such a high view of the Eucharist that I cannot celebrate the meal with those who have another theology of the sacrament.’
But based upon Paul’s corporeal reading of the Lord’s Supper, it would seem that a ‘high’ view of the Eucharist is that view that stresses the unity of Christians about the table of Christ. A ‘low’ eucharistic theology is that which uses the table to draw lines of division between Christians.”
When somebody purports to take a “high view” of anything (especially Scripture) it is often so that that person can separate themselves from others whom they judge as having a “low view” of said thing. This tactic treats others with contempt and causes division. I am not a person who believes that if we all just love each other and get along then everything will be okay. But I am a person who believes that Christ commands us to love each other as He has loved us. That means that your spiritual health and well being comes before my ego, my interests, and my attitudes.
“Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.  Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.  But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” 1 John 2:7-11
February 14th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
good thoughts, sir.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:18 am
In a general sense, though, Christian, if you say that a movement takes a “high view” of scripture - with the general understanding meaning that it is inspired and the source of what we know about God apart from his creation, itself - does that have to imply that someone else takes a “low view”? I do find myself at times pointing out that certain churches (often those taking the brunt of fundie criticism) take a “high view” of scripture….
Excellent thoughts, Christian!
February 15th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Chris L,
I find myself doing the same. In general I think we mean what you say “it is inspired and the source of what we know about God apart from his creation.” And I thought twice before making the connection to other things (besides communion) in my post because of that. But, I think often times what we think we mean and the attitude we have are not always the same. We value scripture greatly and I would say both of the oft attacked Mars Hill churches do as well. But I know there are many who would take the “we have the high view you have the low view” stance towards those churches and maybe even us. My point is not to say that we can’t have a high view of anything. My point is that often when we bring it up ourselves (our view is high and somebody else’s is low) it is more so that we can say “you are wrong and I’m right and so I’m not going to play in the sandbox with you anymore.”