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Four Loves
C.S. Lewis
Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963). Born on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland, to Albert and Florence Lewis, C.S. Lewis was a British scholar, author, and Christian apologist, not a traditional preacher, though his writings and broadcasts carried sermonic influence. Raised in a Protestant family, he became an atheist at 15 after his mother’s death, rediscovering faith at 32 in 1931, influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien and G.K. Chesterton. Educated at Oxford (BA, 1922), he taught at Magdalen College (1925–1954) and Cambridge (1954–1963). His “wartime sermons” included BBC talks (1941–1944), later published as Mere Christianity (1952), defending Christian truths with clarity, reaching millions. Lewis authored over 30 books, including The Screwtape Letters (1942), The Chronicles of Narnia (1950–1956), and The Problem of Pain (1940), blending theology and imagination. A lay Anglican, he spoke at churches and RAF bases, emphasizing reason and faith. Married to Joy Davidman in 1956, he had two stepsons, David and Douglas; Joy died in 1960. Lewis died on November 22, 1963, in Oxford, saying, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
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Sermon Summary
C.S. Lewis explores the concept of love through the lens of the four Greek words: Storge, which represents familial affection; Philia, the bond of friendship; Eros, the romantic love between partners; and Agape, the selfless, unconditional love that reflects God's love for humanity and the love Christians should have for one another. He emphasizes the importance of understanding these different types of love in our relationships and spiritual lives.
Sermon Transcription
In Greek they have four words for love. Storge, S-T-O-R-G-E, means affection, the sort of love there ought to be between their relations. Philia, P-H-I-L-I-A, means friendship. Eros, E-R-O-S, is of course the love between the sexes. And Agape, A-G-A-P-E, is love in the Christian sense, God's love for man and the Christian's love for the brethren.
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Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963). Born on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland, to Albert and Florence Lewis, C.S. Lewis was a British scholar, author, and Christian apologist, not a traditional preacher, though his writings and broadcasts carried sermonic influence. Raised in a Protestant family, he became an atheist at 15 after his mother’s death, rediscovering faith at 32 in 1931, influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien and G.K. Chesterton. Educated at Oxford (BA, 1922), he taught at Magdalen College (1925–1954) and Cambridge (1954–1963). His “wartime sermons” included BBC talks (1941–1944), later published as Mere Christianity (1952), defending Christian truths with clarity, reaching millions. Lewis authored over 30 books, including The Screwtape Letters (1942), The Chronicles of Narnia (1950–1956), and The Problem of Pain (1940), blending theology and imagination. A lay Anglican, he spoke at churches and RAF bases, emphasizing reason and faith. Married to Joy Davidman in 1956, he had two stepsons, David and Douglas; Joy died in 1960. Lewis died on November 22, 1963, in Oxford, saying, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”