Saved by love only?

[silhouette]

Agape here is God’s love, not eros or philos. It is God’s love poured into the hearts of humans.

Agape IS God’s love, but so is eros and philos. I sense that you have a misunderstanding of just what eros and philos are.

Rather then try to correct you, I would encourage you to meditate on your verse (one of my favorites by the way).

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.

HOW do you love God with all your heart?
HOW do you love God with all your mind?
HOW do you love God with all your soul?
HOW do you love God with all your strength?

You understand how to love god with agape. Now how can you love him with philos? With eros?

I am still of the opinion that the passage teaches that one inherits eternal life by agape.

Yes, you inherit eternal life by agape, but agape, eros and philos are very tightly connected. They are three types of love, but they form ONE complete love. Agape by itself can be a full love, but without eros and philos… It is like loving your god with ALL of your soul, but not your mind or your heart or your strength. You might have a strong love with only agape, but it would not be a complete love.

I am not very good at explaining this. I would encourage you to read this (deus-caritas-est) to get the full truth.

 

[Jim_Baur]

silhouette

I agree with you totally.

I explain it this way to myself, agape is first in the cardinal sense, that is, agape directs or controls all. Agape is first and philos and eros are consequent of the power or influence of love.

Mother Theresa had all of them, but agape directed the other two. Agape also is in charge of faith, hope conscience and the entire person.

I also explain it to myself. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy et cetera. Fruit (karpos) is produce. The Holy Spirit produces love, joy and all of the rest. God produces it all in us–agape, philos, eros, faith, hope, courage, patience…

Cardinal in the sense that a motor is first is the automobile.

 

[Jim_Baur]

silhouette

I have a more biblical manner of explaining the relationship of agape, philos, and eros.

Agape gives life to Christian philos and eros.

Also, agape has maidservants–philos and eros.

God Bless,

Jim Baur

 

[Jim_Baur]

Any more help?

Thank you!