The Love That Is God

June 5, 2020

The subtitle accurately describes this book; it is, indeed, an invitation to Christian faith. Well versed in Christian literature, Roman Catholic deacon Bauerschmidt (theology, Loyola Univ., Maryland; Catholic Theology: An Introduction) offers a heartfelt introduction to his faith, directed to those who are "spiritual but not religious." Being a Christian is difficult, the author argues, but worth it. He admits that Christians do not always project a loving face to the world, and that pondering the crucifixion of Jesus can turn people off. He wants to emphasize the attractive elements that might draw someone to Christian belief. Using the phrase from 1 John, "God is love" as his starting point, Bauerschmidt moves from this idea to the love shown by Jesus to the Christian community of love. VERDICT This prolonged meditation on the God of love, written in a decidedly unpolemical manner, will appeal to those who have been hesitant to embrace Christianity because they misunderstand the role of the cross, as well as to those who are interested in hearing about the joy of being a Christian as explained by one whose life is dedicated to proclaiming the message of the God of love.--Augustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, NJ

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 22, 2020
Deacon and theology professor Bauerschmidt (The Deacon’s Ministry of the Liturgy) aims to reignite the “revolutionary notion” that God is love in this pleasant devotional work, based on a sermon he preached in Baltimore (which he includes as an epilogue). Bauerschmidt starts by contrasting the image of self-centered pagan gods with the Christian God’s existence as “the activity of loving.” He focuses on how this love is manifested in the crucifixion, because it shows not a particularly brutal death, he argues, but rather a life driven by and organized around love. Christians are invited to be friends of God, which they can only do by selflessly giving to other humans. Considering the decline of Christianity among young people, Bauerschmidt articulates a vision of “more habit, more ritual” as a way to reconnect with religious communities. Bauerschmidt draws from various eras of Catholic thought, with readings from Thomas Aquinas, Geoffrey Chaucer, Dorothy Day, and Julian of Norwich as he builds his view for a resurgence of demanding, communal love that will appeal across denominations. Christians looking to rekindle their commitments will enjoy this genial call to action.