Oxford, 6/12/08

Don June 12th, 2008

Dr. Bauman finished his discussion of The Four Loves today.  For those who have not read that rich little book, Lewis takes the four basic Greek words translated “love” in English to stand for four types, or maybe four modes, of love.  They are STORGE, affection (for pets or family members), PHILIA, friendship, EROS, romantic love, and AGAPE, divine love.  STORGE is the humblest and least demanding of loves.  In PHILIA, we stand side by side looking out together at some common interest.  In EROS, the lovers stand face to face, absorbed in each other.  AGAPE is the love God has for us, not because we are loveable, but because he is loving.  It is thus sometimes called unconditional or sacrificial love.

All human loves are capable of corruption.  They can all try to become idols.  As Lewis puts it, they all cease to be demons only when they cease trying to be gods.  PHILIA is undervalued by moderns, who are obsessed with EROS (and confuse it wit sex, though it is much more).  All need to be completed by AGAPE to keep from going bad and turning their potential blessing into a curse. 

Bauman ended each section with practical questions for discussion:  What does this love look like when it goes bad?  How can we cooperate with grace to keep that from happening?  The young people took more time on EROS than any of the others, naturally.  They all want good marriages and they know by looking at their elders and their peers how dicey a proposition getting there (and staying there) is.  Some of these kids are thinking about these things in a more mature and wise way than I was at the same age, and I think Bauman’s discussion of Lewis will help too.  There might actually be some hope for some of them.  We shall see.

Then our hosts at OSAP (Oxford Studies Abroad Program) arranged a special treat for us:  a lecture and discussion session with Sir Roger Bannister, the Oxford student who first broke the four minute mile barrier in 1954.  Bannister went on to become a doctor of medicine and an accomplished researcher in neurophysiology; it was he who developed the first reliable test for steroid use by athletes.  He also served for many years as principal of Pembroke College, Oxford.  He spoke on the history of the ancient and modern Olympic games and his concerns over the corruption of international sport by drugs and politicization–this from a man who is a living reminder of a more innocent age.  The now elderly and very gentlemanly Bannister was as interested in the students as they were in him, questioning them closely about their own involvement with athletics and its relation to other areas of their lives.  Being surrounded by reminders of history is one of the chief benefits of studying in Oxford town.  Here was a chance to connect with another bit of history we weren’t so much expecting.

We had been scheduled to vist Blenheim Palace after class, but that trip was postponed, so about half of us trooped over to the Bird (the Eagle and Child, or “Bird and Baby” pub, famous haunt of the original Inklings) for lunch instead of grabbing a quick baguette on our dash to the coach.  There steak or chicken pie, or bangers and mash, or fish and chips were consumed with gusto as we re-enacted one of the classic Thursday lunch meetings, with conversation that rivaled Jack and Tollers in enthusiasm and enjoyment if not in brilliance.  Now in mid-afternoon, early clouds are breaking up into glorious sunlight, but with temperatures in the sixties.  We are trying to gin up some sympathy for the Yanks (i.e., Americans, including Southerners) languishing in ninety degree heat and humidity back home, but not with much success.  We are glad to be here for lots of reasons.  I feel a sudden need to remind you, gentle reader, once again, that Envy is one of the Seven Deadly Sins.  And now, back to basking in bliss, er, Oxford . . .

From the Dreaming Spires,

Don

Donald T. Williams, PhD, Co-Director
Summit Oxford Summer Studies Program
Chester House, George Street, Oxford, UK       

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