Valentine Gay Agenda

Pastor’s NewsViews


Tim Edwards, Pastor

First Baptist Church Highlands



Valentine Day is celebrated each year with multiplied millions of expressions of affection and love. Husbands and wives schedule a date night or weekend together; sweethearts search for just the right gift to send to each other; children give homemade cards to parents and friends. All such gifts and statements of love are consistent with a Biblical worldview of love and family. The sad reality in 21st century USA is that the very foundations for traditional Valentines continue to be under siege. Cultural attacks on the family include potential legalization of same sex marriage in more states, blatant disregard for the Defense of Marriage legislation that is still the law of the land, and granting same sex benefits to couples by some secular and governmental employers. The irony is that more heterosexual couples choose to cohabit without marriage commitment, while same sex couples are lobbying to redefine marriage and family to accommodate their desires. There are many overt political issues in this cultural struggle as traditional Biblical definitions of love and family are attacked.

There are also many subtle attacks as the gay rights agenda is championed in popular media. The recent interview with an All American football player from the University of Missouri is one such example. The announcement that he has same-sex attraction is giving this Southeastern Conference (SEC) co-defensive player of the year huge notoriety. He is hailed in the media as courageous for his efforts to be the first openly gay player in the National Football League. It is ludicrous to treat any person as a hero just because he or she redefines sexuality by cultural standards and not scriptural truth. His sexual choice does not give him special status. It is responsible journalism and good football strategy to just discuss his football abilities and draft him to play defensive tackle in the NFL if he can compete at the next level. He is no hero- just another very good football player. There is no reason to discuss bedrooms; just determine if he has the talent to be in an NFL locker room and play on Sunday afternoons next fall.

Those with same sex attraction and heterosexuals are constantly tempted by sexual sin. The temptation is not the sin, but acting on the temptation violates God’s standards. Homosexual behavior is one of many choices where people live by their own standards instead of accepting Biblical truth. Other sexual temptations include heterosexual sex without a marriage commitment, adultery, pornography. All these temptations are a battle, but can be overcome by persons who choose that their first love is Jesus Christ. The issues of love and marriage on Valentine’s Day in the context of 21st century culture are far more complex than can be addressed in this brief NewsViews article. The short-version of this Valentine’s challenge for authentic love is defined by the 1st century Holy Spirit inspired love poem in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christ-followers in ancient Corinth. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV