Does God HAVE to Love Us?
In my newly published book, A Systematic Theology of Love, I put love at the center of my theology. I argue that God is the ultimate lover. And I emphasize the Johannine claim, “God is Love” (1 John 4:8, 16). But how should we understand, “God is love?” God IS Love The biblical text is […]
I Need a Love Framework
My number one goal is to live a life of love. That goal gives purpose to my life. It’s my primary intention. Because love is central, I seek a framework to make sense of love and the world. In my new book, I argue that Open and Relational Theology provides the best overall framework to […]
What Does God’s Love Do?
If God’s love is uncontrolling, what does it actually do? Is God involved in our lives? Or is God like an object that inspires without directly affecting us? Something else? In a recent International Journal of Systematic Theology article, Kevin Vanhoozer offers a dialogue between John Webster’s views of love and my own. Kevin wonders […]
God’s Love is Relational in Three Forms
The theo-logic of God’s love says divine love is relationally full-orbed rather than one-dimensional. Three forms of love — agape, eros, and philia — demonstrate this theo-logic. And the Bible gives witness to them. AGAPE God expresses the agape form of love by responding to sin with forgiveness and healing. Those are activities that assume God relates with […]
Revenge is in God’s Hands? – The Revenant
The Revenant is in my opinion and the opinions of many, this year’s best picture. Revenge, a common plotline of action movies, drives the main character. But The Revenant’s storylines and conclusion raise questions about who properly takes revenge. The movie is based on the true struggle for survival of trapper-hunter Hugh Glass (played by […]