DIFFICULT DOCTRINE OF THE LOVE OF GOD (THE)

The theme of the love of God is inexhaustible, both in our experience and our theology. We will reflect on it and adore him for eternity. In today’s world, however, it is a theme that has been taken for granted and treated as easily understood. Many see God in sentimental ways : he is a kind old man in the sky who wouldn’t harm a fly, or an easy-going friend who gives them presents and helps them out of every difficult spot. ‘God loves me,’ cries one person, ‘so surely he won’t punish me.’ ‘God loves the whole world,’ cries another, ‘so we needn’t worry about who will be saved.’

But is it really that easy ? What does the Bible teach about God’s love ? What does it have to say about the wrath of the loving God, or about the loving God who is also sovereign Lord ?

In this book, Don Carson turns his attention to these vital questions. He wants us to get a new perspective - one that sees God as awesome and glorious as well as loving. He wants us to take seriously the need for justice to be done and for God to be Lord. But most of all, he wants us to understand that these things are included in God’s love, not opposed to it, and so to reach an even greater, richer, more ‘truth-full’ picture of the wonderful love of God.