The Four Loves《C.S. Lewis’ ‘Four Loves’ Defines The Ultimate Love》

We all long to love and be loved. We’re made for it. But do we know what we ask when we ask for love? We toss around stretch beat and mold the word “love” into so many different square pegs which we then attempt to cram into the round holes of our hearts—that we’re not sure what this love which we so desire is anymore. To find what we seek we must know what we are seeking.

C.S. Lewis’ “The Four Loves” paints a vivid picture of the love for which we all long. He sketches the outlines of natural and supernatural love. Distinguishing between the general forms of “need” “gift” and “appreciative” love he also solidly establishes the distinctions motivations and dangers of the particular natural loves “affection” “friendship” and “eros.” He leads the reader to recognize the transforming power the supernatural love of caritas (Christian charity) has over the natural loves. We then more clearly understand and so are more likely to find accept and practice the love we seek.

Lewis claims the greatest gift of all far beyond the immortalization of our natural loves is the gift of a supernatural appreciative-love of God. With this love we are lost in awe and gaze in adoration of the God who created us delighting in the fulfillment of his everlasting and most tender embrace.