NN

To SM (183)
On one point let me make sure that I am absolutely clear – ‘eros’ should NEVER supercede ‘agape.’ As I stated on my site

The operation of eros within the marital relationship leads to an natural and God-made asymmetry of the relationship; but, the love of Christ – agape – is of FIRST IMPORTANCE. When you are married you are FIRST a christian, then a spouse. Just as in any other aspect of life; Christ is to be central and our other actions a corollary of this most fundamental truth. It is an issue of first and second things. Submission is enjoined within marriage, true; but if this interferes with christian interaction then you have done it wrong. And you will lose not only the good of the christian interaction but will destroy the good of submission in the the marital interaction. And when this plays out is it any wonder that so many people question the apostle’s instructions.

As to your question about eros – I am happy to discuss it but hopping back and forth between blogs is confusing. Given the ever growing number of comments here I ask if we can have the discussion at my site for simplicity where your questions are already posed?

Lastly, I would note that the master-slave relationship, while hierarchical, is not expressed to be patriarchal and such assumption should not be imported without cause.