{"id":1234,"date":"2024-10-06T12:53:35","date_gmt":"2024-10-06T00:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.faithandpractice.nz\/?page_id=1234"},"modified":"2024-12-25T11:39:25","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T23:39:25","slug":"love-theology-chapter1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.faithandpractice.nz\/index.php\/books-by-brian-hight\/love-theology\/love-theology-chapter1\/","title":{"rendered":"LOVE Theology – Chapter 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> <\/sup>Whoever does not love does not know God,\"\"<\/a>
\nbecause God is love<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

1 John 4:8<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What if the essence of God is not found in infinite power, righteous judgment, or absolute control, but in an unrelenting, self-giving love? What if the Bible’s most profound revelation is not a list of rules to follow or doctrines to defend, but an invitation to experience the radical, transformative power of a God whose nature is LOVE?<\/p>\n

In these pages, we will explore a faith that redefines power through vulnerability, security through trust, and perfection through restoration. This is a journey into the heart of a God who is bigger than our fears, freer than our doctrines, and more inclusive than we dare imagine. Together, let\u2019s reimagine the God whose name is LOVE.<\/p>\n

\n

When the Gospel writer Luke began Acts,<\/em> he addressed his reader as Theophilus\u2014a name meaning ‘Loved by God’ or ‘Love of God.’ This greeting, rich in meaning, invited all who love God into a greater story: one of divine presence and unending love.<\/p>\n

While most scholars believe that Luke was writing to an individual, I cannot help but wonder if he was writing to all who love God, reminding them, and us, that we are loved by God and part of the unfolding story of God\u2019s presence in our world.<\/p>\n

Just as in Luke\u2019s time, we need to be reminded about God\u2019s profound love, so I invite you, as a modern-day Theophilus to join me as we take some time to remind ourselves of the depth of God\u2019s love, and the significance of why Jesus came.<\/p>\n

Theology is the study of God[1]<\/a>, and while I have no formal theological training, I think about God a lot.<\/p>\n

Given my lack of scholarly training, it should come as no surprise that this book does not aim to present a systematic theology or to tackle every doctrine of Christian faith. Instead, it offers my personal reflections on the nature of God.<\/p>\n

As a starting point, I believe God\u2019s character remains consistent wherever we encounter God\u2019s presence\u2014whether in the world or throughout scripture. The challenge lies in uniting the Bible\u2019s diverse perspectives and narratives into a coherent view of God\u2019s love, holiness, mercy, and justice, which I believe are most clearly displayed in the person of Jesus.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve come to describe this perspective as ‘the lens of LOVE’ \u2014 a metaphor I will use throughout this book to explore God\u2019s nature and character more deeply.<\/p>\n

The Bible describes God as the creative energy that permeates and sustains the universe[2]<\/a>. God is the force for good, working to draw all people into a shared experience of God\u2019s presence[3]<\/a>, and is more committed to our wellbeing than we can possibly imagine.[4]<\/a> In short, God IS<\/em> love.<\/p>\n

I believe that God cannot deviate from God\u2019s fundamental nature[5]<\/a>, therefore there is nothing that God does which is contrary to love. It is who God is at God\u2019s deepest core. Everything I believe about God is built on that foundation. God\u2019s grace, mercy, justice, and holiness are in perfect harmony with God\u2019s love and all equally contribute to the presence of God in our world.<\/p>\n

Our challenge as students of God is to discern God\u2019s true character as portrayed in the Bible. This is particularly important given the different portrayals of God\u2019s character and actions presented in the early Old Testament books and the person of Jesus revealed in the New Testament. Our goal is to find God in the words and actions of Jesus as told in the pages of scripture and use that perspective to be God\u2019s ambassadors in our world.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve learned to embrace the complexity and nuance of theological questions. There is a Jewish saying \u201cTen Jews, eleven opinions\u201d[6]<\/a> which epitomizes the different opinions that people hold about God, and that they will all hold some truth. This saying reflects the richness of theological diversity and the importance of asking questions\u2014a practice that has shaped my own journey of inquiry. Embracing this diversity of thought has helped me develop foundational beliefs about God and inspired the reflections I share in this book.<\/p>\n

From these reflections, I\u2019ve come to hold certain core beliefs about God:<\/p>\n