C.S. Lewis gave an interesting perspective of Eros in "The Four Loves." I usually think of eros as sexual desire. Lewis claims that eros is more complex than I consider it to be. Eros is not just sexual desire- sex is a result of Eros. Eros is romantic love- lovers are pretty much obsessed with each other. This love seems like the relationship depicted in the Song of Solomon. Lovers care not for themselves. They are concerned only with their lover.
Lewis cites benefits and dangers of eros love. Too often the church forgets that sex is a gift from God. We take sex too seriously. God has a sense of humor. There is a certain playfulness in romantic relationships. Lovers find laughter in all sorts of situations.
On the more serious side, Eros is a picture of Christ and the Church. A husband is to love his wife in the same way that Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. After that explanation, Ephesians 5:32 says"This is a great mystery- but I speak concerning Christ and the Church." We cannot understand the full depth of a true, loving, unconditional relationship. And somehow this is just the slightest picture of the love Christ has for us.
Like all things, eros can be distorted. Eros claims to be immortal, yet it is fleeting. This love does not last long, but lovers must learn to continue to love each other even when they don't feel like it. Eros can also be idolized. This is unhealthy for the lovers and for their relationship. Their love can be distorted into hatred and manipulation.
I agree mostly with what Lewis says. Two people in love often act on feelings and make rash decisions. It feels wrong not to act on their feelings. We would be wise to consider the warnings from the lovers in Song of Solomon 8:4-
"I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases."
1 comment:
Your mention of Song of Solomon made me pick up my Bible and read it again. It's kind of odd to me that this passionate poem is in the Bible. I googled to get different perspectives for a bit and I found this from http://www.gotquestions.org/Song-of-Solomon.html:
"This book combats two extremes: asceticism (the denial of all pleasure) and hedonism (the pursuit of only pleasure)."
It also talked about how marriage was to be reverred, as well as enjoyed and celebrated.
This song of Solomon shows the value that God has placed on the marriage institution, and since this is quite a common occurrence in life, I see why it is included in the "manual for life" ...aka the Bible.
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