A Model for Marriage

ACTS Seminary PTH 616ABarry Neufeld

Beauty and the Beast

(Based on C.S. Lewis & the Four Loves)

Storgē: στοργή

• Familial Love is the first we experience• Affection• Nurture• As parents• Sisters• Brothers• Relatives• Childhood friends• “Big” Sister, “Big” Brothers

Storgē: στοργή

• Belle was loving and Supportive to her father Maurice

• Despite eccentricity (differences)

• When he was in trouble

• When He was ill

Storgē: στοργή

• Belle was loving and Supportive to her father Maurice

• Despite eccentricity (differences)

• When he was in trouble

• When He was ill

Downside of Storgē: στοργή

• Can be co-dependent• control• Power imbalance• Immature• Can interfere with

marriage• Role reversal

Storgē: στοργή

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I

became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

1 Corinthians 13:11

Philia: φιλία

• Friendship, brotherly love• I love you because you are like me• Similar:– Appearance– Values & opinions– Ethnicity“

• Puppy love”• Camaderie

Philia: φιλία

• The townsfolk admired Gaston• Wished they were like him• Parties & fun• Teamwork• Quick to label thoseConsidered “different”• Common goal:– “Protection of status”

Downside to Philia: φιλία

• Quick to “label” those considered different• Can’t adjust to gender differences• Forces roles on others• Suppress individualism• Can lead to:– Prejudice & Racism– Gangs– War and terrorism

Eros: Ἔρως

• A powerful force implanted by the Creator• I like the way you make me feel• Being “In love”• Sexual chemistry• Values physical beauty• Feels good

Eros: Ἔρως

• Gaston had athletic prowess & power

• No problem with self esteem– Irresistible–Was narcissistic

• Determination: Motivated to win his

“prize”: marriage toBelle

Downside of Eros: Ἔρως

• Overlooks inner beauty• It wears off• Self Seeking• Jealousy• Easily angered• Manipulation

Downside of Eros: Ἔρως

Gillette Razorblade Love

Agape: αγάπη

• I love you just the way you are• Is not put off by

differences• Self giving• A mature love

Agape: αγάπη

• Is willing to suffer• Protects• Seeks the best

for the beloved

Agape: αγάπη

• Is time sensitive• In the Story, the Beast is

running out of time to win Belle’s love

• The Petals of the Rose were falling

• Too many marriages have given up too soon, before Love can blossom into Agape

Agape: αγάπη

• Has Transformative Power

Agape: αγάπη

• Is worth the effort to achieve

Agape: αγάπη

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

The Martyr’s crown in an Orthodox Wedding

Modeled by God in giving us His Son

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Agape is patient, Agape is kind. Agape does not envy, Agape does not boast, Agape is

not proud. Agape does not dishonor others, Agape is not self-seeking, Agape is not easily angered, Agape keeps no record of wrongs. Agape does not delight in evil but rejoices

with the truth. Agape always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always

perseveres.

a Philosophy of Marriage: Beauty and the Beast

Barry L. Neufeld PTH 616-A ACTS Student # 112038 Barry.Neufeld@mytwu.ca Box 58