Digging into an International Adult Education Andragogy Epistemological Foundation: Four Variations of Caring Love (Dealing Bountifully)

This paper recaps Henschke's 2021 CIAE Pre-conference paper on the fact that the first 200 years of the epistemology and practice of adult education in the United States was almost exclusively sponsored by the Church. Even in ancient times from the Bible book of Ecclesiastes, third chapter, there are 14 sets of things [28 in number] that God set to occupy us in this life on earth; beside this He also placed 'eternity in our hearts.' Thus is identified an often-overlooked broad spectrum of adult education/ andragogical epistemology of religion, spirituality, and piety/devotion. My life has been mainly guided by what I declare as God's call(s) for me on earth and 'eternity in my heart' for the afterlife to come. This background will then be connected with this year's (2022) CIAE Pre-conference focus of the paper on a deeper probe into four major variations of caring and love exemplified and included in God's creation with elements, such as: Four sets of Greek, Hebrew words, and English explanations with supporting illustrations of caring and love; presented in the order mentioned above a. Eros, Yada, sublime intimate sexual love; b. Storge, Basar, the good news of 'I've got your back'; c. Philia, Rea, family relationships and common interests; and d. Agape, Ahav, God's eternal, divine love for humankind. All of this is set within this life on earth and in the afterlife (eternity) to come. [For the full proceedings, see ED628982.]