Why I Am Writing My Dissertation, no. 2

by Apr 14, 2009Dissertation, Piety, Theology2 comments

I’ve already shared one blatant denial of my dissertation’s thrust, courtesy of a high school Bible textbook.

Here are five somewhat less blatant ones from the same book:

Love is centered in the will, not the emotions; one who loves gives without reservation, for he places another’s well-being above his own.

….

Love is not an emotion, but an act of the will. Feelings may ebb and flow, but love remains constant.

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Biblical love….involves solemn commitment…and is most clearly evidenced by giving.

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Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love to one another” (John 13:35). He was not talking about mere human affection or whimsical sentimentality. He was talking about a carefully reasoned choice to sacrifice oneself in the best interest of others and for the glory of God.

….

Love: the Christians at Thyatira had done everything in a spirit of generosity and self-sacrifice, truly laboring for the glory of God not self-interest.

I hope to discuss these statements in a future post, but now I’m open to hear what you have to say. What do you think of the statements above?

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2 Comments
  1. DaveCrooks

    I’ve been guilty of making similar statements, particularly to men that I taught in the addiction program who would claim to “love” their families yet would sell the christmas presents to buy crack. I think statements like that, at least when I’ve made them, come out of frustration at people who throw the term around so loosely but who have never couple thier emotion with any sort of self-sacrifice. I’m interested to read your explanations, although I know I’ll need a dictionary…

  2. DaveCrooks

    haha, I just thought of your new title once you finish your dissertation: Mark L. Ward Jr., “The Love Dr.”

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