Love

Love: Eros

First, the Lord has blessed me with a man that has a heart for Christ. Thus, my take on Lewis’ discussion of eros today was especially insightful. Also, I think any woman from age 15 to age 99 who says they do not think about, or want, an eros kind of love is either lying to others, or just lying to herself. Furthermore, the Scriptures have very explicit comments about the nature of a woman’s heart for a man. In Genesis, women are cursed with desire being for their husbands, and the husbands’ rule over them. Thankfully, Christ came and reconstructed the hierarchy of humanity.

In 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, many commentaries focus on the head covering aspect of Paul’s argument. However, Lewis touches on a much more crucial theme that enlightens Christ’s view of the relationship between husband and wife. Both Paul and Lewis teach that the hierarchy is “…the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” Granted, the church that this was written to had huge issues with women acting inappropriately in public, but the basic principle still applies today. It applies because the man should be following Christ’s headship. If not, then there is an unequal yoke, and the relationship may need to be left (not in all cases, but some). Under Christ’s headship, love, respect, and obedience naturally flow. And, this does not only apply to the relationship between a husband and a wife!

The last thing I thought was particularly insightful from Lewis’ take on eros was when he said, “to be in love is to intend…eternity.” Christ promises us eternal love, therefore we should promise eternal love to him back. Likewise, in our relationships with our loved ones we should willingly expect to give up our lives for each other because Christ gave up his life for us.