THE WILL TO LOVE - Vital Christianity

20STORGEStorage is the word used in referring to “natural affection,” or “family love.” It is thelove of a child for the parent and parent for the child. Grandparents, uncles, aunts—relative ingeneral—would be embraced by this term. Though this word could also include love for countryetc., its primary usage has to do with family relationships.The negative form of this word astorgo as means “without natural affection” (Ro 1:31;2 Ti 3:3) indicating the lack of love between parents and children, husbands and wives etc.Although this particular word is not found in the Bible, its concept is. By condemning thenegative form of this word (astorgos) Paul, the apostle, was clearly exposing its original orpositive form (storge). While storge is natural and good, Christian love that we are examininggoes beyond this concept.It is significant that when the writers of Scripture refer to the Father’s love for the Sonthat they use the word agapetos (“beloved”—Mt 3:17; 17:5; Mk 9:7; etc.) and not storge.This emphasizes the fact that the Father’s love for the Son is a deeper love than just “natural” or“family/familiar” love.EROSDuring the fifth and fourth centuries before Christ, eros had broad usage meaning“aesthetic love.” Eros referred to “love of beauty,” “love of an adorable object,” “love of theworthy.” It is love directed toward the object which is worthy of affection.By the time of Jesus the meaning of the word had changed to “sexual love.” Eros refersto “romantic,” “passionate,” “affectionate” love. Although eros is more than just sexual experience,“the sex act is the fitting expression of eros.”Although I believe Swedish theologian Anders Nygren drew the contrast between erosand agape too sharply and did not give eros enough legitimacy, I believe Nels Ferre’s illustrationof Nygren’s own tabulation of these words for love effectively communicates their fundamentaldifferences:“Eros is a desire of good for self.Eros is man’s effort to ascend.Eros is man’s way to God.Agape is self-giving.Agape comes down from above.Agape is God’s way to man.