LOVE: SOME BASIC THEOLOGICAL AND EPISTEMOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS

Résumé

The theme of love is one that has always bewildered man, for love itself, as a Christian virtue (agape), is always an exteriorization – a going out of oneself for the sake of the other. Notably, this work, with the philosophical method of analysis, aims at examining the theological and epistemological foundations of the theme of love while taking special cognizance of the novel value which Archbishop Valerian Okeke has brought into this sphere in his The Measure of Love. Love, as the paper analyzes, is a Christian Vocation that we must possess to remain in relation with God, and to visibly express our discipleship. Furthermore, the paper discusses love in different aspects. As eros, love is a romantic attraction which is aimed at satisfying one’s needs. As philia, it is an affection based purely on friendship and is democratic in nature. As storge, love is a form of affection based on natural bond such as blood ties and family relationship. And ultimately, as agape, it is 'the love of God operating in the human heart’ which is sacrificial, redemptive, and seeks to give without being paid in return. Consequent upon this, the work enjoins us to take love as a weapon with which we will transform the world. Therefore, love must be a constant going out to others, a constant eviction of egotism, a constant searching for the formation of an “us.”