The model of love : a study in philosophical theology

Religious believers understand the meaning of their lives and of the world in terms of the way these are related to God. The conceptual models whereby this relationship is described therefore play a key role in the conceptual designs which theologians produce to express the faith of the community of believers. Vincent Brümmer examines the implications of using the model of love in this context and looks at a number of the most significant views of the nature of love: exclusive attention (Ortega y Gasset), ecstatic union (nuptial mysticism), passionate suffering (courtly love), need-love (Plato, Augustine), and gift-love (Nygren). All these views are shown to interpret love as an attitude rather than as a relation between persons. In the final chapters a relational concept of love is developed, and it is shown how all the various attitudes discussed in the previous chapters have a role to play. Finally, the implications are addressed of using the model of love as a key model in theology. Religious Believers Understand The Meaning Of Their Lives And Of The World In Terms Of The Way These Are Related To God. The Conceptual Models Whereby This Relationship Is Described Therefore Play A Key Role In The Conceptual Designs Which Are Produced By Systematic Theologians To Express The Faith Of The Community Of Believers. Vincent Brummer Examines The Implications Of Using The Model Of Love In This Context. After Discussing The Nature And Function Of Conceptual Models In Science And Theology, He Focuses On A Number Of The Most Significant Views Of The Nature Of Love: Exclusive Attention (ortega Y Gasset), Ecstatic Union (nuptial Mysticism), Passionate Suffering (courtly Love), Need-love (plato, Augustine) And Gift-love (nygren). All Of These Views Are Shown To Interpret Love As An Attitude Rather Than As A Relationship Between Persons. In His Closing Chapters The Author Develops A Relational Concept Of Love And Shows How The Various Attitudes Discussed In The Previous Chapters Have A Role To Play In The Relationship. Finally, The Differences And Similarities Between Human And Divine Love Are Traced And The Implications Of Using The Model Of Love As A Key Model In Theology Are Examined.--book Jacket. Pt. I. Choosing A Model -- 1. Models And Metaphors -- 1.1. Metaphorical Thinking -- 1.2. Models In Science -- 1.3. Models In Religion -- 1.4. Models In Systematic Theology -- 1.5. The Model Of Love -- Pt. Ii. Romantic Love -- 2. Exclusive Attention -- 2.1. Introduction: Romantic Love -- 2.2. Love And Attention -- 2.3. Love And Freedom -- 2.4. Love And Knowledge -- 2.5. Love And Sexuality -- 2.6. Love And God -- 3. Ecstatic Union -- 3.1. Love As Union With The Beloved -- 3.2. The Via Mystica -- 3.3. The Unio Mystica -- 4. Passionate Suffering -- 4.1. Mystic Love And Suffering -- 4.2. Courtly Love And The Suffering Of Tristan -- 4.3. Characteristic Features Of Courtly Love -- 4.4. The Effects Of Courtly Love -- 4.5. Courtly Love And God -- Pt. Iii. Neighbourly Love -- 5. Need-love -- 5.1. Introduction: Neighbourly Love -- 5.2. Plato And Eros For The Good -- 5.3. Augustine And Eros For God -- 6. Gift-love -- 6.1. Nygren: Agape Contra Eros -- 6.2. Nygren: The Dimensions Of Love -- 6.3. Friedrich Nietzsche -- 6.4. Max Scheler -- Pt. Iv. Love As A Relationship -- 7. Relationships -- 7.1. Introduction: Feelings, Attitudes And Relationships -- 7.2. Personal And Impersonal Relations -- 7.3. Agreements And Fellowship -- 7.4. Love, Sexuality, Freedom, And Knowledge -- 8. Breaking And Restoring Relationships -- 8.1. Restoring Human Relations -- 8.2. Atonement And Grace -- 8.3. Atonement And Satisfaction -- 8.4. Atonement And The Love Of God -- 9. The Attitudes Of Love -- 9.1. Exclusive Attention -- 9.2. The Union Of Love -- 9.3. The Suffering Of Love -- 9.4. Need-love -- 9.5. Gift-love. Vincent Brümmer. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Religious believers understand the meaning of their lives and of the world in terms of the way these are related to God. How, Vincent BrÜmmer asks, does the model of love apply to this relationship? He shows that most views on love take it to be an attitude rather than a relationship: exclusive attention (Ortega y Gasset), ecstatic union (nuptial mysticism), passionate suffering (courtly love), need-love (Plato, Augustine) and gift-love (Nygren). In discussing the issues, BrÜmmer inquires what role these attitudes play within the love-relationship and examines the implications of using the model of love as a key paradigm in theology. Religious believers understand the meaning of their lives and of the world in terms of the way these are related to God. How does this model of love apply to this relationship? Brummer shows that most views on love take it to be an attitude rather than a relationship--exclusive attention, ecstatic union, passionate suffering, etc.--and examines the implications of using the model as a key paradigm. This passage suggests that in the Christian faith, love is not merely an aspect of God's relation to us humans and to the world in which we live, but rather the very key to understanding what this relation is all about.