7.21.2007

Vague Americans and Specific Greeks


Our problem when translating the word "love" from Ancient Greek to English is a big one. Anceint Greek has three words for love, while English only has one.



Philia

If I said I loved my family, I would probably mean Philia. If I said I loved my friend, I would probably be Philia. Philia is loyalty, trust, and friendships.



Eros

Wikipedia will tell you that Eros does not have to be a sexual love, but I disagree. Eros is similiar to the word "erotic," and has that type of feel. This love is required for you to marry a person, and even date them. It is the love that says, "I am attracted to you."



Agape

Agape is the all enduring love of God. But don't get confused; this love isn't perfect. It's how you use this love. When God says in the Bible for us to love our enemies, he means Agape. But when Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:10, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world...." he means Agape too (wikipedia.org). Agape is a love of total commitment and self-sacrifice.



Liquid Agape

Liquid Agape isn't just about Agape; it's about all three of the loves. They are not the same, and they are not interconnected, but they are fulfilling of each other. We are going to explore this is in the posts to come. We are going to explore how we really love people. And we're going to start where love is the most personal to me: between my girlfriend and me.

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