Lexington Books Godly Love: Impediments and Possibilities

Godly Love: Impediments and Possibilities examines the theory of "Godly Love," understood as including a vertical axis denoting the love of God and a horizontal axis involving the love of others, is at the core of a new field of research that studies how divine love influences the love of others and vice-versa. It is a multidisciplinary research program into the benevolent expressions of the Great Commandment of the Christian tradition involving the theological and social sciences. Theological and social scientific essays that ask why there is not more Godly Love in this world and what might be done to change the situation. This book focuses on the problems confronting, challenging, prohibiting, and perhaps even resisting the concrete expression of Godly Love in the world, utilizing a range of theological and especially social scientific methodologies. Review the book is highly informative and should interest religious leaders and sociologists who do sociology from a Christian perspective.--Religious Studies Review The diversity of perspectives integrate theology and science like hikers ascending a mountain from different paths, which offer unique challenges but eventually lead to an appreciation of the same phenomena, godly love.--Pneuma This collection of essays advances the academic study of Godly Love by addressing the thorny issue of impediments. As such, it is a bold, sophisticated and much needed contribution to the study of religion and benevolence. It is a 'must-read' text for scholars and students interested in this field of study.--Mark J. Cartledge, University of Birmingham, UK Jesus said that we are to love both God and neighbor but the connection between these two commands has not always been cultivated among those who regard themselves as his followers. This volume brings science and religion together in constructive dialogue to take a candid look at how Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians have managed to move from faith to altruistic behavior. The results grant numerous insights into both the advantages and ambiguities of faith as a force for the larger formation of a compassionate society.--Frank D. Macchia About the Author Matthew T. Lee is associate professor of sociology and conflict management fellow at the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. Amos Yong is the J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology and the director of the PhD program in Renewal Studies at Regent University School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, Virginia.