Anders Nygren

Anders Theodor Samuel Nygren was a Swedish Lutheran theologian born on 15 November 1890 in Gothenburg. He passed away on 20 October 1978 in Lund. Nygren was a professor of systematic theology at Lund University from 1924 and was later elected Bishop of Lund in 1948, serving until 1958. His most significant contribution to theological and philosophical thought is his two-volume work, "Agape and Eros" (originally published in Swedish as Eros and Agape in 1930–1936). This seminal work extensively analyzes different concepts of love, particularly the distinction between eros (romantic or passionate love) and agape (unconditional, selfless love). Nygren's theological framework, alongside that of Gustaf Aulén, is fundamental to what is known as "Lundensian Theology." His ideas on love have been further discussed and analyzed by other scholars, such as M. C. D'Arcy in "The Mind And Heart Of Love: Lion And Unicorn, A Study In Eros And Agape."