Uncovering the Eros of God

Abstract

Discussions of God's love focus on agape and rarely consider eros as a quality of love between God and human beings. This effacement of eros leaves theological thinking trying to articulate descriptions of unambiguous love. In fact, love is ambiguous and multiple; by thinking theologically about eros we find new ways to think and write about that ambiguity. This essay represents an attempt at such thinking and writing by describing the problems of ignoring eros by looking at the sexual theology and ethics of Karl Barth and Paul Tillich. It then points to alternatives in light of the apophatic theology of Pseudo-Dionysius.