This podcast explores the multifaceted perspectives on love, linking it to God and emphasizing intentional actions to enhance general well-being. It challenges traditional views on God's omnipotence in Christianity, advocating for prioritizing love over control. The speaker discusses enhancing love through understanding and relationships, promoting active listening and continuous learning in love.
Love is multifaceted: desire, relationality, commitment, energy, decision, attribute of God, promoting well-being.
Love shapes worldview: driven by personal journey, rekindled faith in God through importance of love.
Deep dives
Defining Love: Desire, Relationships, and Promoting Well-Being
Love can be viewed as desire, where loving something involves having positive desires promoting well-being. Another perspective considers love as relational, emphasizing mutuality in giving and receiving. Some equate love with warm emotions, but this can lead to actions that do not always promote well-being. Love can also be seen as a decision and commitment, while others view it as an energy or attribute it to God. Ultimately, love involves intentionally acting in response to God and others to promote overall well-being.
Challenges in Understanding Love: Theological Reflections and Personal Journey
The speaker, Thomas J. Ord, shares his journey towards understanding love, driven by influences from family, religious upbringing, and personal exploration. Having experienced periods of doubt, including atheism, his belief in God was rekindled through a realization of the importance of love in life. Love is described as a fundamental aspect influencing his worldview, not merely as an apologetic for God's existence, but as a guiding principle for personal growth and relational interactions.
Implications of Love in Society and Theology: Addressing Power Dynamics and Promoting Well-Being
In envisioning a world governed by love, the speaker highlights the need for societal structures rooted in listening, inclusivity, and promoting the common good. He critiques the Christian focus on power and control, proposing a shift towards love-centered actions to improve relationships and institutions. By reimagining theological concepts and emphasizing love's transformative potential, individuals can engage in daily interactions guided by the question of promoting well-being in diverse contexts.
Thomas Jay Oord is the Professor of Open and Relational Theology at Northwind Theological Seminary and the author of a number of books on love, and what this might mean when we talk about power and God.
You can find out more about Thomas Oord and his works HERE.
Has anything we make been interesting, useful or fruitful for you? You can support us by becoming a Fellow Traveller on our Patreon page HERE.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode