キリスト教教育

Julian is not in the Bible, but Julius, the name it comes from, is: the centurion who guarded Paul on his voyage to Rome in Acts 27.

Karen is not in the Bible. It is a Danish form of Katherine, and the meaning “pure” comes from an early Christian link between Katherine and the Greek word katharos.

Jason is in the Bible. A mob came to his house in Thessalonica looking for Paul, and he posted bond for men who left that night.

Donna is not in the Bible. It is Italian for “lady,” from Latin domina, and the nearest thing in Scripture is the “lady chosen by God” of 2 John.

Lawrence is not in the Bible. It means “from Laurentum,” and it became a Christian name through a deacon of Rome, martyred in 258, who presented the poor as the treasures of the Church.

Samantha is not in the Bible, but was probably built from Samuel — whose mother was mistaken for drunk while praying, and who needed help to recognise God’s voice.

Calvin is not in the Bible. It comes from Cauvin, the French surname of the Reformer John Calvin, from a word meaning “bald.”

Melanie is not in the Bible. It is Greek for “dark” — and the Song of Songs has a woman say “Dark am I, yet lovely” without apologising.