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Attach a tilde (~) to the front of a word to omit results containing that word. More search tips English 中文 Español Русский عربي Монгол улс Français አማርኛ ελληνικά Português हिन्दी Kiswahili Kinyarwanda Indonesian فارسی 한국어 Română ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ဠှီၤ/ကညီကျိာ် తెలుగు Čeština ไทย Biblical Education. For the World. For Free. Learn More Which learning solution is right for you? We provide world-class biblical and theological resources and online classroom solutions. For students, teachers and schools. For free. Explore Sign Up for Our Quarterly eNewsletter myThirdmill.org A global online community of learners who want to grow in their understanding of the Bible and theology. Join Our Classroom daysIntoCycle: 74 remainder: 0 volume: 22 issueNumber: 11 number: 11 Thirdmill Weekly Vol. 22, No. 11 Our online magazine archive is available for your research and personal growth. Browse by Topic Browse by Issue Subscribe Article RSS Feed the gospel of the kingdom by: Ed Hartman the mute christian under the smarting rod by: Thomas Brooks encountering god by: Dr. Tim Keller obviously children by: William F. Joseph III hebrews 9:15-22 by: Rev. J. Scott Lindsay 332 a lasting faith for the last days by: Rev. C. R. Biggs 267 the spirituality of the church by: Kenneth Taylor 287 dining with deity by: Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr. 289 third mill q & a Trending Recent Browse by Topic Is Valentine's Day biblical? The term “valentine" comes from the from the Latin word valens meaning to be in good health. Valentine’s Day occurs every year on February 14 in the United States. It’s also celebrated in Australia, Canada, France, Mexico, etc. It is customary for loved ones and friends to purchase candy, flowers and other gifts such as jewelry to share with others on this day. But where did Valentine’s Day originate? Are there any saints associated with it? Who or what is Cupid? Should Christians celebrate this day? St. Valentine – The Legend Some have suggested that there is a patron saint associated with Valentine’s Day. Within Catholic theology, among many other things, Saint Valentine is considered the patron saint of love, marriages, engagements, young people, greetings, beekeepers and epilepsy. [1] The Catholic Church officially recognizes Valentine as a real person who died in 270 A.D. [1] However, this was questioned as early as 496 A.D. by Pope Gelasius I. In fact, there are at least a dozen or so Valentines, including one pope (827 A.D.), associated with the celebration of Valentine’s Day. [2] One legend asserts that a Valentine of Rome was a priest martyred on February 14 under the rule of Claudius II. Others say that the patron saint of this day is Saint Valentine of Terni who was also martyred by the same emperor on February 14 but in a different year. Yet, others say that both of these two men are actually one and the same. So, the identity of St. Valentine is rather shrouded in mystery. Although the truth behind St. Valentine’s existence is full of questions, all the stories seem to see him as a hero and a romantic figure, which became especially popular in England and France just as today in many romance novels and movies like, some might say, a Hallmark romance movie per se . However, Christians shouldn't worship saints. St. Peter and St. Paul both refused to be worshiped (cf. Acts 10:25-25; 14:11-18). Cute Cupid – The Legend Have you ever seen a picture of a cute, rather chubby, naked, angel-type figure launching arrows of love at unsuspecting lovers? This character is Cupid, whose name comes from the Latin word Cupido meaning "desire." But his origin isn’t so cute. I remember learning in high school that the Roman god Cupid had his roots in Greek mythology. He was the Greek god of love known as Eros (from which we obtain our word “erotic”) and is symbolized by a bow and arrow. He too is a rather mysterious figure. Some say he was “the son of Nyx and Erebus; or Aphrodite and Ares; or Iris and Zephyrus; or even Aphrodite and Zeus.” [3] In history, Eros is depicted as a handsome but threatening teen figure who would play with the hearts of mortals and gods to cause mayhem. Only later was he portrayed as the little child-like figure we observe on some Valentine’s Day cards today. The Bible instructs us not to worship other gods (Exod. 20:3; 1 Cor. 10:20; cf. Mark 7:7; John 4:24). And Paul writes, “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7). Christians shouldn’t worship other gods or entertain myths. Valentine’s Day – It’s Origins Some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated to commemorate the anniversary of Saint Valentine’s death or burial. But others believe it was an effort by the Catholic Church to Christianize the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. According to Wiki, “Lupercalia was an ancient, possibly pre Roman pastoral annual festival, observed in the city of Rome between 13-15 February to avert evil spirits and purify the city, releasing health and fertility. Lupercalia was also called dies Februatus , after the instruments of purification called februa , which gave February ( Februarius ) its name.” [4] Lupercalia was a fertility festival. It was dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of...