Bold Love Discussion Guide

IF CHRIST HAD PRACTICED THE KIND OF LOVE WE ADVOCATE NOWADAYS, HE WOULD HAVE LIVED TO A RIPE OLD AGE.

We've come to view love as being nice. Forgiving and forgetting. Yielding to the desires of others. Yet the kind of love modeled by Jesus Christ has nothing to do with manners or unconditional acceptance. Rather, it is shrewd. Disruptive. Courageous. And, as a result, socially unacceptable.

In Bold Love, Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman III draw out the aggressive, unrelenting, passionate power of genuine love. Far from helping you "get along" with others, Bold Love introduces the outlandish possibility of making a significant, life-changing impact on family, friends, coworkers-even your enemies.

"Bold love is anything by passive," writes Dr. Allender. "It is unpredictable, cunning, and creative. It is a violation of the natural order of things. In many cases it will unnerve, offend, disturb, or even hurt those who are being loved. But in the end it will also compel them to deal with the internal disease that is robbing them (and others) of true beauty."

So if it feels like you've turned the other cheek so many times your head is spinning, it's probably time to take a second look at your practice of love. Because there's nothing redemptive about a love that just accepts people for who they are.

"Original, profound, and dazzling!"-Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel

"It will change your life."-Steve Brown, president, Key Life Network, and professor of preaching, Reformed Theological Seminary

"I'll read it again and again."-Dr. Raymond Dillard, professor of Old Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary

"The best modern book on love I've ever read."-Dr D. John Miller, director, World Harvest Mission, and author of Come Back, Barbara

"A feast!"-Mike Mason, author of The Mystery of Marriage

DR. DAN B. ALLENDER travels and speaks extensively to present his unique perspective on sexual abuse recovery, love and forgiveness, worship, and related topics. He is author of The Wounded Heart and has coauthored three other books with Dr. Tremper Longman: Intimate Allies (Tyndale House), The Cry of the Soul (NavPress), and Bold Purpose (Tyndale). Dan serves as professor of counseling at Western Seminary in Kirkland, Washington, and taught at Grace Theological Seminary and Colorado Christian University in a similar role. He lives in Seattle with his wife and three children.

TREMPER LONGMAN III in addition to the books authored with Dr. Allender, has also authored Reading the Bible with Heart and Mind (NavPress). He was one of the translators for the production of the New Living Translation. Tremper has been the professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary for over fifteen years. He lives with his wife and three sons near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.