Friendship: A Study in Theological Ethics

by Gilbert C. Meilaender

Certain relationships are of profound importance for the moral life. Gilbert C. Meilaender explores some of the tensions which Christian experience discovers in one such relationship, the bond of friendship. These tensions help to explain why friendship was a more important topic in the life and thought of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome than it has unusually been within Christendom. The bond of friendship (philia) involves special preference; Christian love (agape) is thought to be like the love of the heavenly Father who makes his sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust. Philia requires that love be returned; agape is to be shown even the enemy, who does not love in return. Friendships sometimes fade away; Christians are enjoined to be faithful in love. These tensions have permeated our lives and helped to shape our world. We think politics a more important sphere than the private friendship bond. We seek fulfillment in and identify ourselves with our vocations ― by which we now mean, work for pay ― not our friendships. And in a world where politics and vocation are all-important, lasting friendships become more difficult to sustain. Friendship examines the tension between philia and agape and probes its significance for Christian thought and experience.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Friendship

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Dakota · Rating 3 out of 5]

An incredibly wonderful and frustrating book

[Gwyndyllyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently re-read part of this book [2008] in preparation for a lecture. This is an excellent treatise on the various concepts of love, mostly tracing from the Greek through Christian theology. It is an interesting and thoughtful piece with a special emphasis on the important role of philia - friendship - in the Good. It also contains an important discussion about the problems that arise from vocation replacing friendship as our primary form of self-identification.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great study on one of the neglected loves in the Western world, i.e., the love of friendship. Great for a book discussion.