Topical Bible: Valentine

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Topical Encyclopedia

Valentine is not a figure directly mentioned in the Bible, but the name is often associated with Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr whose feast day is celebrated on February 14th. This day has become widely recognized as a celebration of love and affection, commonly known as Valentine's Day. The origins of this celebration are rooted in both Christian and ancient Roman traditions.

Historical Context

Saint Valentine is believed to have been a priest or bishop in the Roman Empire during the third century. According to tradition, he was martyred for his faith during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Claudius II. The emperor had banned marriages for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. Valentine defied this edict and continued to perform marriages for Christian couples. For this act of defiance, he was arrested and executed.

Christian Significance

The account of Saint Valentine highlights themes of love, sacrifice, and commitment, which are central to Christian teachings. The Bible emphasizes the importance of love in various passages. For instance, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 states, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

The sacrificial nature of love is further exemplified in John 15:13 , where Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." This verse resonates with the account of Saint Valentine, who is said to have laid down his life for the sake of upholding Christian marriage.

Cultural Influence

Valentine's Day has evolved over the centuries from a religious observance to a more secular celebration of romantic love. However, the underlying principles of love and commitment remain significant. The day serves as a reminder of the biblical call to love one another, as seen in 1 John 4:7 : "Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."

Biblical Love

The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on love that align with the spirit of Valentine's Day. Ephesians 5:25 instructs, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." This verse underscores the selfless and sacrificial nature of love that is celebrated on Valentine's Day.

While Valentine's Day is not a biblical holiday, its association with love and sacrifice can serve as an opportunity for Christians to reflect on the biblical teachings of love, both in marriage and in the broader context of Christian fellowship.

Topical Bible Verses

Romans 5:8
But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
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1 John 4:8
He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.
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1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
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Colossians 3:14
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection.
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1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.
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Library

Valentine's Day
... VALENTINE'S DAY. Oh! I wish I were a tiny browny bird from out the south,
Settled among the alder-holts, and twittering by the stream ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/valentines day.htm

Valentine Weigel and Nature Mysticism
... CHAPTER VIII VALENTINE WEIGEL AND NATURE MYSTICISM. ... Written in the German Language
by Valentine Weigelus." (London, Giles Calvert, 1648.). ...
/.../chapter viii valentine weigel and.htm

Valentinus, Ptolemy and Secundus, Heracleon.
... And Valentine's assertion, that it was the thirtieth ??on which strayed out from
the Pleroma, (as falling into despondency,) they deny; for the one which ...
/.../tertullian/against all heresies/chapter iv valentinus ptolemy and secundus.htm

Prelacy Begins in Rome.
... and to disturb its peace. Valentine, Cerdo, Marcion, and Marcus appeared
about this time in the Western capital. [540:1] Some of ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter vii prelacy begins in.htm

A Treatise on Rebuke and Grace. Extract from Augustin's " ...
... This book begins on this wise, "I have read your letters, dearly beloved
brother Valentine.". Footnotes: [3235] Valentine, to wit ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/a treatise on rebuke and.htm

Whether "Word" is the Son's Proper Name?
... Therefore if the Son is properly the word, He proceeds from the Father, by way only
of utterance; which is the heresy of Valentine; as appears from Augustine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether word is the sons.htm

The Story of one Furlough (1908-1910)
... On reaching home I was greeted at the door by a rush from the children, all trying
at once to tell me that a lovely valentine had just arrived. ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/vii the story of one.htm

The Gnostics, the Montanists, and the Manichaeans.
... [433:1] Valentine, who appeared somewhat later, and who is supposed to have first
excited attention at Rome about AD140, was still more celebrated. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the gnostics the.htm

Andromeda and Other Poems
... HYMN {338}. THE DELECTABLE DAY. JUVENTUS MUNDI. VALENTINE'S DAY. BALLAD: LORRAINE,
LORRAINE, LORREE. MARTIN LIGHTFOOT'S SONG {346}. Footnotes: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/

Marcus and Colarbasus.
... reading would refer to the views of a twofold Jesus Christ--a real and a phantasmal
one--held by docetic Gnostics, or to such views as Valentine's, in whose ...
/.../tertullian/against all heresies/chapter v marcus and colarbasus.htm