How does God’s covenant with Abraham, and Israel as a whole, demonstrate his love?

God’s unwavering commitment and promises to Abraham and later to the nation of Israel serve as a powerful testament to His enduring love and faithfulness. 

How does Deuteronomy’s call to love God connect with caring for the orphan, widow, and immigrant?

The book of Deuteronomy inextricably links a deep love for God with tangible acts of compassion and justice for the most vulnerable in society: the orphan, widow, and immigrant. 

Why does Jesus place love for God and neighbor at the center of the law?

Jesus’ revolutionary teaching distilled the entirety of the law and prophets into the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love your neighbour. 

Why does Jesus extend the command to love neighbors even to enemies?

The radical concept of loving one’s enemies is a cornerstone of Jesus’ teachings that challenges conventional understanding of justice and mercy. 

Why did the New Testament authors adopt agape, an obscure word for love, and how did they redefine it?

Christian writers intentionally chose the word “agape” to describe a unique, self-sacrificial love, redefining its meaning through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 

How does the meaning of agape summarize the Christmas story?

The essence of agape is God’s ultimate self-giving love and this is perfectly embodied and dramatically revealed in the narrative of the Christmas story and the incarnation. 

How does John’s phrase “God is love” reshape our vision of God and ourselves?

“God is love” fundamentally alters our understanding of God’s character and our own identity and purpose. 

What is the overall message of love in the biblical narrative?