The Affections of Christ Jesus: Love at the Heart of Paul’s Theology

Publisher's Description:

A new perspective on an often-overlooked aspect of Paul’s theology: love

Pauline scholars have long debated the so-called center of Paul’s theology, focusing on themes like justification by faith, reconciliation, union with Christ, and the apocalyptic triumph of God in Christ. In this innovative study, Nijay Gupta offers a new perspective that emphasizes Paul’s understanding of love at the heart of the gospel he preached.

Through careful examination of the historical, cultural, and linguistic milieu in which Paul was working, Gupta identifies what is unique and important in Paul’s theology of love. In so doing, Gupta helps readers develop a deeper appreciation for the extent to which love permeates Paul’s understanding of the triune God, the gospel, the community, and the mission and lifestyle of God’s people.

Endorsements:

“Here is a fulsome celebration of Paul’s central conviction that in Christ, God’s love is all in all. Wide-ranging and accessible, written with scholars, pastors, and laypeople in mind, Gupta’s study insistently reminds us that Paul was not a dry logician but a passionate emissary of the in-breaking love of God in every aspect of human life. This is a welcome gift indeed!”
—Susan Eastman, Duke Divinity School

“In this valuable volume, Nijay K. Gupta centers that which was central to Paul’s life and features in his letters—the love of God revealed in Christ Jesus. This love, to be embraced by believers and extended to one another and outsiders through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, far from being a fleeting feeling or a second-hand emotion, is, this book contends, part and parcel to the Apostle’s gospel and experience. Indeed, Gupta’s timely work helps scholars and students of Paul alike to consider with care how the Apostle thought and taught that ‘the greatest of these is love.’”
—Todd D. Still, Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University

“First Corinthians 13 is often referred to as the Apostle Paul’s love chapter. Yet in this book, Nijay Gupta demonstrates that love is the sine qua non of Paul’s gospel and permeates all of the apostle’s correspondence. The book is both an invitation and a journey to see love as the core of Paul’s theology, the center from which all of his theology flows.”
—Lisa Bowens, Princeton Theological Seminary

“Love is an emotional knot. Nijay Gupta disentangles love by using Scripture and other resources to tease out its beautiful strands. When we discover the quality of love that is at the heart of the gospel, not only is Paul’s theology clarified, but our affections are changed. Disciples who yearn for a greater love for God and neighbor will rejoice over The Affections of Christ Jesus.”
—Matthew W. Bates, Northern Seminary

“A very welcome summons to pay attention to the overwhelming presence of love language in Paul. Gupta makes a convincing case that love ‘is at the bull’s-eye center’ of Paul’s gospel and gives a sophisticated and impassioned description of Christocentric love. An important book.”
—Ann Jervis, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto

“Nijay Gupta is one of the premier Pauline scholars of our generation. In this book, he maps the theme of love, demonstrating how it lies at the heart of Paul’s theology; it is the center of the gospel and the truest mark of the church. With verve and clarity, Gupta shows us how Paul’s thinking is inspired by God’s love for us in Christ, and urges Christians to remember that of all virtues, the greatest of these is love.”
—Michael F. Bird, Ridley College

“Inviting readers to consider an idea that may have suffered from lack of attention due to its pervasiveness, Gupta provides a revitalizing analysis of love. Situating Paul in a variety of conversations modern and ancient, from the testament Old and New, The Affections of Christ Jesus provides research and admonition for the scholar and lay reader alike. Anyone can do a word study, but Gupta acts as a wise guide through the verbal and historical data as well as the theological import of that data. The Affections of Christ Jesus manages to both brim with information and be an enjoyable read. I will be recommending this to students and parishioners for years to come.”
—Jarvis J. Williams, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

About the Author:

Nijay K. Gupta is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary. He is the author of Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church and Paul and the Language of Faith, and coeditor of The State of New Testament Studies and The Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (2nd ed.).