Defining love

Book Description

In a world where scientific research often portrays humans as fundamentally self-centered beings, Thomas Jay Oord offers a compelling counter-narrative that bridges the gap between empirical evidence and spiritual truth. Drawing from cutting-edge research across multiple disciplines, this thoughtful exploration challenges the assumption that altruism and self-sacrifice are merely evolutionary illusions.

Oord skillfully weaves together findings from contemporary love and altruism studies with theological and philosophical insights, creating a comprehensive framework for understanding love's authentic nature. Rather than dismissing scientific discoveries, he demonstrates how rigorous research actually supports the deepest teachings of Christian faith about love's central role in human existence.

The book presents a nuanced doctrine of love that encompasses divine love for creation, human love for God, and our calling to love one another. Through accessible prose refined by the author's journalistic background, complex scientific concepts become understandable to general readers seeking to integrate faith and reason.

This integrative approach offers reassurance to those who have struggled with apparent conflicts between scientific materialism and spiritual beliefs about love's transformative power. Oord's work stands as both a scholarly survey of interdisciplinary research and a practical guide for those called to embody love more fully in their daily lives. The result is a fresh conversation that moves beyond both sentimental romanticism and cold reductionism toward a richer understanding of love's profound significance.