Love: Decision or Emotion?

[Veritas248]

Love is not an emotion, or a feeling, nor a decision. Love is a way of being. God IS Love. IS is a form of the verb “to be.” It is a state. Yes it may involve decisions, or feelings, or emotions, but it is more an ontological state in conformity to God. When we Love, we are simply being what God intends us to be…imago Dei, and that image IS LOVE.

That is true. God is love, but according to the Catechism, this means that God is the **source **of love. Since God is a Trinity, He exists in a perfect exchange of love.

I’ll even put the quote: 221: “But St. John goes even further when he affirms that “God is Love”. God’s very being is love. By sending his only son and the Spirit of Love in the fullness of time, God has revealed his innermost secret: God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and he has called us to share in that exchange.” - Catechism of the Catholic Church-pg 67.

 

[Veritas248]

Sorry if it was already suggested but read Pope Benedict the 16encylcical on “God is Love” Deus Caritas Est.

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est_en.html

It changed my life.

God Bless,
John Anthony

I’ve already read it.
Thanks though.

 

[IrishAm]

I don’t know if it is a “decision”, but I do believe love, like faith, is ultimately a choice.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

Did you not read my post about Eros and Agape?

Sorry, missed that one. (I did go back and read it).

Veritas:

About Jesus, I’m sure his emotions did influence him. He went through with his sacrifice regardless of his emotions - He did not allow his emotions to overcome his Father’s will.

Fair enough.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

First I would like to apologize if something like this has been brought up already. If it has, I can’t find the thread. Anyway I hate lust. It is just appaling to me. As a result of both my hatred for lust and uncontrollable desire to know the truth, I have searched the depths of Catholic Theology in search of answers. Love is an interesting topic for me. I find that if I can know the truth about Love, then I can reccognize lust more efficiently. After three and a half years, I think I finally have a definitive answer on what love truly is. With that said, what are some of your views on this subject? Why do you think this? Do you have any tradition to back these thoughts up? I want to see if any other Catholic may have reached the same conclusion as me. I also want to know what other Catholics think of my conclusion. If I am to pass on my knowledge to my religion students, I need to know if it is true. I have prayed on this issue and feel that this is the best course of action. Hopefully, this will give me the closure I need so I can move on in my faith enrichment. I’ll post my conclusion after I see some votes.

Both and then some. Some is logical (Decision), some is illogical (Emotion), some is undefinable (everything inbetween).