Greek Love

Note – What is Love? The Greek language has many more words for love than just one. Three of them are “Agape”, “Phileo”, and “Eros”. Agape is God’s love for us – a genuine, sacrificial love that is unselfish and giving. Phileo is friendship love. Eros is love on a more physical, sexual level. Love is more than a feeling of infatuation or romance. It involves responsibility and commitment. It is a decision, an act of will.

Note – Unconditional Love Unconditional love is a type of love that has ‘no strings attached’; it is focused on the other. In the New Testament gospels, Jesus suggests a most remarkable thing—that we forgive each other, that we forgive everything, everyone. Even those who are our enemies; we should not only forgive, but we also should love.

Note – Unconditional Love He does not suggest that we act as if we forgive or act as if we love our most cruel enemies; according to the principles of this New Testament, we should actually forgive every terrible thing done to us, actually love the people who do those terrible things to us. "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." (Mark 11:26)

Note – Unconditional Love God’s Ways Human Ways God calls us to love our enemies Society tells us to hate our enemies God calls us to save sex until marriage Society tells us to do what feels good God calls us to live as servants Society tells us to focus on ourselves God calls us to love our neighbour Society tells us that you are the only important person.

Textbook Read pages 70 – 72 “One Fishtail Too Many” Answer the reflection questions: How did Rob’s understanding of love change during the story? If Rob believes that his father loves him unconditionally, why does he think that he will have to do a lot of extra chores to pay for the damage to the car? Based on this story, how would you define unconditional love? What parts of this story could you identify with?