The Love That Satisfies: Reflections on Eros and Agape

by Christopher West

Building on the legacy of Pope John Paul II, it is significant that the first encyclical letter of Pope Benedict XVI is dedicated to the topic God is Love. The Holy Father demonstrates that it is agape, the self-sacrificial love of God that empowers romantic love, eros, with life-giving and meaningful existence. In The Love That Satisfies, Christopher West draws from the Pope s letter a series of insightful and inspiring reflections on the nature of eros, agape, and the relationship between the two. He shows that it is through recognizing and embracing the beauty of God s self-sacrificial love that a person is able to truly be satisfied. In uniting the love of God to the love of spouse, the nuptial bond is fulfilled. Perhaps even more profound is the reality that God and the Bridegroom of the Church has a personal love for his Bride that may certainly be called eros (Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, n. 9).

Genres: Catholic, Spirituality, Christian, Religion, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published May 6, 2007

About the author

Christopher West is a research fellow and faculty member of the Theology of the Body Institute. He is also one of the most sought after speakers in the Church today, having delivered more than 1000 public lectures on 4 continents, in more than a dozen countries, and in over 200 American cities. His books – Good News About Sex & Marriage, Theology of the Body Explained, and Theology of the Body for Beginners – have become Catholic best sellers.

Christopher has also lectured on a number of prestigious faculties, offering graduate and undergraduate courses at St John Vianney Seminary in Denver, the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and Creighton University’s Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha. Hundreds of thousands have heard him on national radio programs and even more have seen him defending the faith on programs such as Scarborough Country, Fox and Friends, and At Large with Geraldo Rivera. Of all his titles, Christopher is most proud to call himself a devoted husband and father. He and his wife Wendy have five children and live in Lancaster County, PA.

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a long read for what's basically a summary of an encyclical; however, West sheds some much-needed light on the Church's most essential teachings regarding chastity and marital love. Specifically, the discussion surrounding the marriage of eros and agape to achieve divine love is unlike any I've encountered before, and serves to correct any faulty mindset that love should be purely divine (some who have faith believe that the body is bad or sinful).

Would recommend to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of authentic love. 3/5 stars -- loses points for some repetitive notes, as well as dense theological discussions that left me a little glassy-eyed.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good so far. Connects human love to divine love... very accessible.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated—PG-13 (my personal opinion based on content)

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful commentary into Benedict's encyclical on love. Lots of good gems of wisdom here. Also, Christopher West, so of course it's worth reading!

[Lindsay Wilcox · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you don't know anything about the TOB (or at least Christopher West-style TOB), this might be a good intro. It'd be especially nice for people who are turned away by the word "theology". I don't fall into any of those categories, though, so I didn't get as much from it. I had also planned to read a different book entirely and had to settle for this.

Read my full review at Austin CNM.

[Riko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revolutionary!