God First Loved Us: The Challenge of Accepting Unconditional Love

Freed by love We "know" that God loves us, but if we were to be at all times consciously aware of this unconditional love, to accept it, and to act upon it, says the author, we would find our lives utterly transformed. An entire shift in attitude would be demanded. Accepting God's unconditional love eliminates fear of judgment and hell, as well as eliminates emotional distance from God. This in turn demands a new motivation for "being good," motivation that comes purely from within. At once challenging and liberating, God First Loved Us leads to an inevitable change in our faith. The book revises our understanding of such matters as original sin, the kingdom of God, and Jesus' incarnation, death, and resurrection. It sheds new light on human fear, limitation, and suffering. The book also shows how God's unconditional love leads naturally to the search for social justice. The final chapter is a meditation on Christ's passion from the varying points of view of the people present. Beautifully written and deeply moving, this book is inspirational reading for all times of the year but has extra meaning during Lent. It's a perfect choice for anyone wounded by life or in some way alienated from the church. It's a provocative title for adult ed classes, and a prayerful title for seasonal or ongoing small faith groups. In addition, it's a powerful resource and personal treasure for clergy and religious, preachers, spiritual directors, retreat directors, chaplains, and religious educators. †

Antony F. Campbell, S.J., is a well-known Old Testament scholar and a professor at the Jesuit Theological College in Parkville, Australia. He is also the author of Sources of the Pentateuch and The Study Companion to Old Testament Literature.