religion John chapter 21 (copy)

agape

• Sacrificial love

• unconditional love, the highest form of love. It's characterized by selflessness, sacrificial giving, and a desire for the well-being of others without expecting anything in return

Philia

• Friendship love

• This is the love between friends involves loyalty, and shared goodwill. Based on mutual respect, shared values, and companionship.

Storge

• familial love/affection

• the affection and bond shared between family members. It's the natural affection that exists between parents and children, siblings, or other relatives

Eros

• romantic or passionate love.

• It involves physical attraction, desire, and emotional connection between intimate partners. related with romantic relationships and the longing for union with another person

Is eros used in the Bible frequently?

• no

• only used twice in the Old Testament because the Jews did not did not want to be like Greeks

Is agape used in classical Greek frequently and why/why not?

• not used frequently

• because the gods don’t sacrifice naything for their creations, and instead are the ones who receive love

what word is used in John to describe the relationship of Jesus with his disciples

Phila

• Jesus + disciples as friends

what word is used in the New Testament for gods love

agape

The effects of ‘Ecstacy’

• causes our selves to look inwards on feelings rather than the benefits of love itself

• Must grow and mature as a person, learn to feel concern for others

can you live by giving alone

No

• “anyone who wishes to give love must receive it” (Benedict XVI)

C.S lewis image of friends as standing side by side

• Contrasts Eros where you’re looking at eachother

• Forces us to look outwards, focus on the bigger picture

• focus on the common interest/pursuit

ancient vs modern views on friendship

• much more valued in ancient times

how does friendship start?

• shared vision/common pursuit

“do you love me?” meaning in friendship

“do you see the same truth as I do?”

how is friendship an equalizer?

• does not focus on background of the person

• friendship = 2 way even road, no steep hills or drops to go on

can we make agape our own power

• no

• needed to come from god - Jesus dying on the cross

is needing to be loved bad/sinful

• no

• only when its not about the person but rather selfish purposes (not wanting the best for the other)

why do we not like to receive agape?

• makes people feel vulnerable, weak,

• means you ‘need’, forces you to rely on others

how does god show agape

• sacrifice of Jesus

• bends gown to our level (John 13)

  • Through the washing of the feet, Jesus bends down on one knee to be able to properly wash the feet of his disiples

are all the other loves sinful

• no

• but dangerous in the way they can become idolized

tolerating people + agape

• called to love not tolerate

• being able to achieve agape (love) requires us to ask for gods help

why is agape needed for all other love

• because were always made for more

• other forms of love would be shallow without agape

what the trademark of agape

sacrifice

common pursuit of friendship

• needed to make friendship virtuous + stable

• true friendship seeks- genuine good - not common goals alone = makes you into better person

• John = Jesus is model for friendship

Jesus + Peter dialogue

agape + Phila

• asks first 2 times with agape, Peter responds w Phil because Jesus hasn’t died yet