A Strange New World (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798864405444)

Assuming we believe in God, does he, she, both, or neither, motivate our devotion through love, or by inspiring fear? Does his character merely reflect our own self-oriented behaviour, one that is fraught with moral inadequacies, or is it of such a perfect and seemingly unattainable quality as commands our respect and admiration? Does he harbour resentment, keep a record of wrongs, and seek revenge; does he only reserve his rewards for those who obey him and reject the rest, consigning them to endless torment for acts or inactions in respect of which they were, in many instances, powerless to do anything about? Or is he the God of the highest quality of love that we can possibly conceive of?

During my lifelong search for answers, I have come to discover that although there are several big questions that doggedly resist resolution, there is one underlying theme, that is also the heart and soul of Jesus' teaching, that draws everything together to reveal a most extraordinary energy, viz., a love that is unconditional, constant, and timeless. Furthermore, I am now convinced that it is against this supreme, incomparable standard, and only against this standard, that all moral laws, rules, codes, and questions, from whatsoever source, whether religious or otherwise, be evaluated, and judged. This book does not pretend to have all the answers, but with respect to the proposition that it is love alone that defines the motivation and character of God, and importantly, the kind of love that celebrates the value it acknowledges in all people everywhere, class, culture, ethnicity, and religion notwithstanding, it is this fundamental premise that elevates my understanding of God, and consequently my faith, to levels of certainty I had not previously experienced, or considered possible.