Love is the battle ground. But isn’t it always? However, is not a battle of whom to love or why to love them. Rather we fight now for the definition of “love”. The Word of God says one thing, while the heart and soul of our culture says another. And the question becomes what does “love” mean? Is it a personal choice how to love, as man, woman, or otherwise? Whom to love? What to love? And does the answer impact the dynamic of our society?
People claim that a personal choice doesn’t affect anyone, but a personal choice made public could change the perception of an ideal expression of love. Charles Taylor, a modern day philosopher, observes that we operate in an agreed upon space called the “public sphere” where knowledge is commonly agreed upon by means of several different medias: TV, Facebook, radio, social interactions, etc. A philosophical detail to our experience together, perhaps. But this public space now speaks about love: the meaning and the definition. And for a Christian, this redefinition has become a problem.
It is no big deal in itself — who cares if people misunderstand the meaning of love? Furthermore, if this dissension remains among the few, then it is not a problem. However, if a “misunderstanding” becomes an understood societal norm, then we will at least have consequences that will follow. These consequences that we are currently experiencing in popular discourse about the understanding of “love” is a loss of the Christian expression of “love” as defined by the Word of God.
Love is a foundational principle of the Christian Faith. How God so loved the world. How we love our neighbor. Where we anchor the meaning of feelings and actions of universal love. Different understandings of love can drastically change how we come in contact with God and how we relate to each other. It is at least worth considering, our understanding and our ideal love.
So what is love? First let’s begin with some observations from our current public sphere:
Today “love" reaches beyond boundaries of traditional expressions of marriage. More and more people are choosing to abstain from the marriage relationship as a modern expression of love. A recent study by pew research indicates that the number of 40 year olds that never have been married is steadily rising. Living together is still happening, of course, but marriage isn’t necessarily the end goal to express love in a relationship.
Today “love” reaches beyond the boundaries of gender: man and woman. Today, we see common expressions of love between same sex couples. Whereas this used to be hidden reality, today, it is celebrated and encouraged. To love someone means more than completing someone from the opposite gender.
Today “love” has reached new heights to mean tolerance. Complete acceptance, without any rules. So that means anything the heart desires, should be loved and accepted by everyone else. This contemporary understanding of love has not only impacted the public sphere, but has also impacted the understanding of God’s love, and therefore, Christian love.
The competing definitions for love come from one of two places. Either God speaks or so speaks the heart of man. What does the heart of man have to say? I do what I want, no matter what it is, and I deserve your love. Can you see where this attitude has permeated church teachings and Christian understandings? Can you see where the culture outside of the Christian faith has come to expect from those who should be “loving” people?
But what does the Word of God say?
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