Term Love in Songs

The researchers conducted analytical research about Pope Francis’ idea of love in his Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia to achieve a better understanding and learn more about the topic. In analyzing the text, the researchers made use of discourse analysis with a descriptive type.

The term “love” is one of the most abused and misinterpreted words these days, a word that has an array of diverse meanings. In the scripture, the term “love” is defined as lenient and kind, does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, and is self-sacrificing.

This meaning is mostly associated with the term agape (love). Agape love is benevolent, conciliatory, unrestricted love. It stands atop among the four sorts of adoration in the Bible. This Greek word agape is often found all through the New Testament. It is utilized 106 times all through the New Testament. It reaches out beyond emotions in the sense that it shows love through actions. The term flawlessly portrays the sort of love Jesus Christ has for his Father and his adherents.

In simpler words, agape is God’s, celestial love. This is just one of the numerous definitions of the term “love.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est).

Another variation of love aside from agape is “eros”, a term in ancient Greeks associated with the love of man and woman. This term is portrayed in the Old Testament, from the Song of Solomon. It refers to the physical, arousing closeness between couples that communicates sexual, sentimental fascination. The Apostle Paul points out that it is astute for individuals to wed to satisfy their authentic desire for this kind of love.

Get quality help now

KarrieWrites

Verified

Proficient in: Song Of Solomon

5 (339)

“ KarrieWrites did such a phenomenal job on this assignment! He completed it prior to its deadline and was thorough and informative. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

[footnoteRef:3] In addition, eros love is to be celebrated only within the boundary of marriage. In numerous entries, the Song of Solomon commends the sentimental parts of Eros, verse composed communicating the passionate love of King Solomon for his new lady of the hour.

There are countless meanings for the term love. Many towering figures of the church have written numerous works, encyclicals, and other documents related to the phrase love. Pope Francis is one of the transcending figures who considered the overly used term love as a topic in his encyclical letters. He wrote his third Apostolic Exhortation entitled, Amoris Laetitia, addressing the love in the family. This encyclical is unlike his previous encyclicals as it contains his thoughts on the joy of love and addresses it using his unique definition of the said phrase.

To gain knowledge and a better understanding of how the concept of love is being perceived in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, the researchers conducted an analytical study about this to come up with an explicit answer. Amoris Laetitia. This research aims to discover and formulate answers specifically to the statements: what is the meaning of Amoris Laetitia and how the term “love” is being perceived in the text.

Review of Related Literature

Using various kinds of academic works with different perspectives is vital in research as it provides a strong foundation and further support the study. The following are some of the related books and articles that the researchers used in this analytical study to come up with decent research.

Betsy Johnson-Miller. Pope Francis on “Love in the Family” (2016)

An article containing a guide to what key points readers take away about marriage and family on Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia. In addition, this article also covers the necessary information of the said document.

The content of this article will help the researchers in analyzing Pope Francis’ encyclical letter, the Amoris Laetitia since it covers certain parts of the text. This also gives the researchers a glimpse of some of the content and major key points on the topic of this research.

Randall Smith. Love as a Virtueinto (2015)

In this article, the author covers the term “love” as a theological virtue. It focuses on the second theological virtue and based his article on Thomas Aquinas’ works. He argued about love as a virtue and not just a mere feeling. In addition, this contains various explanations about love as a virtue.

Furthermore, the researchers include it in this study as it gives insights into the different meanings of the term love.

Philippine Bible Society. The Holy Bible: Good News Translation, Catholic Edition (2013)

Contains a complete and detailed translation of the Biblical content (Deuterocanonicals, Old and New Testament). This translation does not pursue the conventional vocabulary and style found in the notable English Bible versions, rather, it uses simple words and forms that are widely used by the people to accurately deliver or state the meaning of the original text. This also contains explanations about love specifically in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians).

Thus, the researchers find this significant as it contains the full knowledge about love described and defined in the Bible which helps support this research.

Thomas Jay Oord. The Nature of Love: A Theology (2010)

This book was written by Thomas Oord in response to a specific perennial concern on theologians. Although this book is carved to address a concern, it still contains the meaning of love as a theological virtue. He did so by defining love based on the writings in the scripture.

Thus, the researchers find it substantial in this study as it contains the meaning of love philosophically from a different point of view other than Pope Francis’.

Pope Benedict XVI. Deus Caritas Est (2005)

This document is Pope Benedict XVI’s first encyclical letter. This document is separated into two main parts. First, he presented a theological and philosophical reflection on the different aspects of love and clarifies certain facts about God’s love for man. Second, this deals with the actual exercise of the commandment to love one’s neighbor. It gives the idea of Pope Benedict XVI’s definition of love which is substantial in analyzing Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia.

For that reason, it is important to include this book as it provides more information for the researchers to have a good and solid foundation in analyzing Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia.

Pope John Paul II. Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992)

This document approved by Pope John Paul II sums up the philosophies of the Christian faithful. The content of this is based on the Bible, encyclicals, a past version of the document, and other records from church councils.

The researchers included this as it contains the essential teachings and summary of the doctrine of the Catholic Church which helps them in their research. It also widens the researchers’ perspective on the topic.

D.A.Carson. The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God (1999)

It is stated in this book, The Doctrine of the Love of God was more understandable and simple. Conjured trying to understand other doctrines like the trinity of predestination.

The world still believes in God’s love is the only aspect of His character. God’s holiness, sovereignty, and wrath are often rejected as being incompatible with a ‘loving’ God. The things we’ve lost will restore by The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God.

The content of this book will help the researchers in their research, it contains the importance of God’s love and the people’s love for him. It is important and can be helpful to the researchers in their research. The researchers can relate to this research because it talks about God’s love and the people’s love of him. This helps people realize that loving God is the best way to do it and that being loved by God is the best feeling.

John Piper. A Metaphor of Christ and the Church (1984)

This article by Piper covers the association of man and lady in marriage. In this article, he argued the perfect reality covered up in the illustration of marriage is that God appointed a changeless joining between His Son and the congregation and that the human marriage is the natural picture of this celestial arrangement.

Thus, the researchers find it significant in this study since it contains useful information and is somewhat related to this research.