Colossians 2:16-17 is often misunderstood as proof that Paul rejected biblical holy days and food laws. But a closer look reveals something different. Paul wrote to counter false teachings—especially early forms of gnosticism—that had infiltrated the Colossian church. Some gnostics, particularly the ascetic kind, weren’t rejecting holy days altogether. Instead, they were keeping them in harsh, self-denying ways and judging others for being too festive…