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Showing posts with the label Pentecostalism and science

Godly Love Impediments Possibilities

Godly Love:       Impediments  & Possibilities By Matthew Lee & Amos Yong Reviewed by Geoffrey W. Sutton The possibility of linking godly love to measurable outcomes intrigued me. As a psychological scientist teaching research methods and psychology of religion, I was eager to examine developments in this emerging field. The titles of two journals in my discipline ( Journal of Psychology and Christianity, Journal of Psychology and Theology ) focus on  ways that Christian faith and scientific knowledge can be integrated. In Godly Love: Impediments & Possibilities , Amos Yong’s introduction offers an historical context relevant to both volumes. The interest in godly love has been inspired by social scientists affiliated with the Institute for Research on Unlimited love. These scientists and affiliated colleagues trace at least part of their heritage to work on altruism by former Harvard University sociologist, Pitirim Sorokin. In recent y

Science and Theology of Godly Love - a Book Review by Sutton

The Science and Theology of Godly Love   By Matthew Lee & Amos Yong Reviewed  by Geoffrey W. Sutton The interest in godly love has been inspired by social scientists affiliated with the Institute for Research on Unlimited love. These scientists and affiliated colleagues trace at least part of their heritage to work on altruism by former Harvard University sociologist, Pitirim Sorokin. The Science and Theology of Godly Love includes an Introduction by Lee, Poloma, and Post followed by ten chapters. The first five chapters were written by theologians. Each presents challenges to dimensions of godly love. Stephen Post discusses universality; Michael McClymond explores mutuality and self-sacrifice; Peter Althouse proposes the importance of a Christological focus to understanding godly love; Paul Alexander critiques theologies that support violence and asserts that understanding godly love entails an active nonviolence. Finally, Thomas Oord offers two contributions: Consid