Costly Love
The Way to True Unity for All the Followers of Jesus
John Armstrong knows from personal experience how easy it is to put too much emphasis on correct teaching in our experience of church—and how easily we lose sight of the love on which Christ built his church when we do so. In Costly Love, Armstrong acknowledges the importance of doctrine and theological discussion in the church, but he urges Christians to focus first on whether we are following Jesus’ new commandment: to love as he loved. Our actions of love will begin to bring us closer to unity with one another and with God.
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Short thoughts: In some ways Costly Love could be a short article or talk. But this is not a short article or talk because the Church as a whole really seems to have misunderstood what love is and why it is important. That requires a ground up inspection of what love means, why love is not just some aspect of theology or God's character, but a central concern. And then the implications of that love. John's perspective is strongly shaped by his work in what he calls ‘missional ecumenism'. That work is drawing the broad church into greater relationship, understanding, and appreciation of itself.
Like many others good books on aspects of Christianity, Costly Love is a book about discipleship. Discipleship is about transformation long term, not data processing. Information and theology can help us understand God and others and love more deeply, but theology without praxis is never really full Christianity. Love is not something that can only be thought about, it has to be practiced with actual people.
I listened to the audiobook and there were three small audio editing issues that were each only a few seconds long. They were not significant, but they were present.
My slightly longer thoughts are on my blog at http://bookwi.se/costly-love/