The Nature of Love: A Theology

by Thomas Jay Oord

God is love. Consequently, shouldn't love exist at the center of Christian theology? When love is at the center, theology is understood differently than it has typically been understood.

Some theologians have placed faith at the center, others God's sovereignty, still others - the Church, but Oord places the emphasis on love. God's love for us, revealed in Christ, in the Church, and in creation, and our love for God and others must be afforded its rightful place.

Beginning with the foundation of "love" is what differentiates the Christian faith from others' loving God. Oord defines love as:

"To love is to act intentionally, in sympathetic/empathetic response to God and others, to promote overall well-being."