Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ah, it’s Valentine’s Day, a day when we send cards and candies and flowers and special wishes to the one we love.  But is this type of romantic love Biblical, or are we to be more reserved about our affections? One read through the Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs) easily answers that question. Here are some excerpts from the NIV version of the Bible.

She
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth,
for your love is more delightful than wine.
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your name is like perfume poured out.

- Song of Solomon 1:2-3

He
How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes are doves.

- Song of Solomon 1:15

She
How handsome you are, my beloved!
Oh, how charming!
And our bed is verdant.

- Song of Solomon 1:16

He
My dove in the clefts of the rock,
in the hiding places on the mountainside,
show me your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.

- Song of Solomon 2:14

Clearly God has shown us through His Word that expressing our romantic love to our mate is not only permissible, but encouraged and beneficial. So today, don’t neglect to show that someone special in your life how much you truly love them. Happy Valentine’s Day!

- The full Song of Solomon

- More posts about Biblical Love

As we raise children in the Christian faith, a common theme resounds in how we teach them about the love of God and their relationship with Jesus. One of the most popular children’s songs heard in churches and homes is Jesus Loves Me (this I know for the Bible tells me so). As children, the world can be a scary place, and we work hard to reassure them that they are truly loved.

“Jesus loves the little children.”  - Bible or Not?

While this popular church phrase is based upon Biblical principles, it is not in the Bible – it’s a children’s song. Here are the full lyrics to the song, and below is some history about its origins and of course a Bible reference.

Jesus Loves the Little Children Lyrics

By Clare Herbert Woolston

Jesus loves the little children,

All the children of the world.

Red and yellow, black and white,

All are precious in his sight,

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

The Bible reference that inspired the song comes from the Gospel of Matthew: “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven’.” (Matthew 19:14 NKJV). The words of Jesus Loves the Little Children were written by Chicago pastor and preacher Clare Herbert Woolston (1856–1927) and it was put to the tune of an 1864 Civil War song “Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!” written by George Fredrick Root.

Over the years many variations of the lyrics have been introduced, all still with the same enduring message to our children, that Jesus loves them.

In the Bible Jesus states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”, in John 14:6. He also states in John8:12, “I am the light of the world”. John further writes, arguably one of his most notable Bible verses, in 1 John 4:8, “God is love”. So today’s quote is perfectly in line with the Bible, or is it Not?

“God is life, truth, light. He is love.”  - Mahatma Gandhi

From a Christian perspective today’s quote is true and Biblical – yes God is life, yes God is truth, yes God is light and yes God is love. We see Him as the creator of the universe and the giver of life. We recognize Him as one and only true God, full of grace and truth. We do believe that Jesus is the Light of the world, that “in Him was life and the life was the light of men”. And lastly, for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to take away the sin of the world.

So what’s the problem?

While Gandhi was a great man, and a man who changed the world through peace and love, when he refers to God he is not referring to the one true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Jesus Christ the Holy One of Israel. Gandhi was raised in a predominantly Hindu and Muslim county and tended toward Hinduism. He also adopted the philosophy of Jainism and developed an appreciation of the teachings of Jesus. In the end, he was a strong advocate and peaceful fighter for religious tolerance and accepted all people of all faiths.

So when Gandhi refers to God, he refers to whichever God you happen to believe in. But, when you consider the God of the Bible, then Gandhi’s quote rings true.

Here’s a good article on Gandhi from the BBC.

Here are some more Gandhi quotes.

Great sketch by Sagarpuro.

Mahatma Gandhi