The Four Loves - the much beloved exploration of the nature of love

I loved this book. I delved deeply into the human sexual experience and the way we express ourselves

Wow. Always a favorite. CS Lewis always lends perspective and intuition to things that are so hard to articulate. The things that make us human.

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....more

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.   hide

Lewis writes as if there were a pen attached to the mouth of his brain. His raw thoughts are captured, and I believe his mind was captivated by God which is what makes reading his thoughts such a good usage of time.