The Four Loves

This afternoon I finished my fourth CS Lewis book of the summer. As you can tell from the title of this entry, it was "The Four Loves".

I found this to be a very interesting read, and one that should almost be required. It clears up so many of the misunderstandings that can occur when recognition isn't given to the different types of love and their proper functions. My book is, once again, covered in Post-It notes, and far more than I will take the time to list (it would just be better if you read it for yourself). His discussions range from "Likings and Loves for the Sub-Human", to Affection, Friendship, Eros, Venus and Charity. Lewis takes the time to carefully define what he means by each term, and what he does not mean. He also pushes through many of the popular misconceptions surrounding the types of love (not surprising, the same misconceptions are around even after almost 50 years). And true to form, Lewis draws in examples of the ancients which is something I particularly enjoy. But I think the most important part is his final section on Charity, relating the natural loves to Love Himself. In it, Lewis cautions the reader against taking the Augustinian approach and deciding that the risks of pain are not worth love. "The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell". Lewis also suggests "If I am sure of anything I am sure that His teaching was never meant to confirm my congenital preference for safe investments and limited liabilities. I doubt whether there is anything in me that pleases Him less." In a world where we too easily decide to run away from the pain in our lives, especially the pain of a broken heart, this is advice well-heeded.

While I continue to work through "Miracles", the next book by Lewis I will be starting is "Surprised by Joy".