The God Who Loves

by John F. MacArthur Jr.

"God is love."

It's the most basic definition of God in Scriptures, but so profound that it's often misunderstood. In this probing book, a brilliant Bible expositor brings us into the very heart of God by answering such questions as:

▪If God is love, how could He send anyone to hell?
▪What's the difference between the loving God of the New Testament and the angry God of the Old Testament?
▪If God is love, why did He require His Son to die such a cruel death on the Cross?
▪How can God be both loving and jealous?

The author argues against the two polar views of God as a sentimental grandfather whose doting love could not bring him to punishment of the disobedient and God as an angry tyrant who would rule by threats. "Both extremes paint a distorted picture of God and further confuse the issue of understanding God's love," Dr. MacArthur writes. He insists that what God loves is actually defined by what He hates, and that neither His love nor His wrath can be understood in isolation from the other.

Is God a God of love or a God of wrath? The author of this affirmation of God's love assures you that you don't have to choose. God is one and undivided. Although the author is clearly aware of the way great men have grappled with these issues in the history of the Church, his doctrinal presentations arise more from the biblical text than from dogmatic theology. He examines in detail the way John - "the apostle of love" - treats love in his First Epistle, then fleshes out the doctrine of God's love in vivid representations of real people interacting with divine love.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christian Living, Religion, Love, Christianity, Nonfiction

251 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1995

About the author

John F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.

Reviews

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amazing how people confuse the Love of God: many assume Jesus is desperate to save Hitler (Judas?)-- but really Jesus is all about saving Poland (the Elect?). WE are all sinners, and God has a specific salvation plan - whether we like it or not.

(pg. 202)
"The plot to save humanity was conceived entirely without humanity's input. The world did not meet, and send someone to the court of heaven with a petition for a Savior. The Savior was not granted in response to sinners' earnest entreaties and supplications. Instead, the Father, purely out of free love, sent his Son to be the Savior of the world."

This MacArthur book is all about God's Love AND WRATH for humanity. His salvation plan for His Elect and his condemnation for his enemies. And there are 100's of Bible verses to justify John's every point.
It blows my mind how many people attempt to make Christian Doctrine while discarding HUGE FREAKIN' PORTIONS of scripture. First they dismiss Genesis and Revelation as just fables that hint at some abstract puppy-dog love metaphor. Then they dismiss almost all of the Moses history as a messy parable. Then they toss any verses that have the actual Working's of a Supernatural Universe creating deity. But they stop Boldly on a few Jesus verses that justify their Social Gospel love for humanity (not the miracle ones of course, just those that plead for social benefits and Eco-friendly political agendas for a liberal Heaven On Earth catering to man's freedom and liberty).

Thankfully, we have a full Bible and scholars like John MacArthur to say: Cut that crap out - God is in charge. We ALL deserve HELL, but a loving God chooses to save some for His good purposes.

Ephesians 5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

Jesus is the Savior of His Church? Hmmm... sounds perfectly Biblical.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough book on the Love of God and how God expresses that love toward us. I really enjoyed the 4 Appendixes in the rear of the book. MacArthur gave us four sermons of older Christian leaders that do a good job in explaining what is meant by the Love of God. Appendix 1 is from Thomas Chambers, a Glasgow pastor and professor at the University of Edinburgh. It is on Isaiah 27:4-5 titled 'Fury Not in God'. Appendix 2 is from Andrew Fuller, influential Baptist pastor in the late seventeen hundreds titled 'On the Love of God, and Whether It Extends to the Non-Elect' Appendix 3 is from Thomas Boston, Scottish pastor and author titled 'Christ the Savior of the World' on 1 John 4:14. Appendix 4 is from John Brown, titled 'The Love of God to the World' on John 3:16. The book also comes with a Scripture Index and a Subject Index. This enhances the use of the book for people who would like to research back to the book at later times.

[Isaac B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crucial to understand for all Believers

Knowing the love of God and the believers sanctification go hand in hand. We read:

In 2 Cor 5:14 "The love of Christ contraineth us.."

In Eph 3:19 "...to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

In 1 John 4:19 "We love Him because He first loved us."

and 1 John 5:2 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments."

The knowledge of God's love is a crucial element in the life of every believer. John Macarthur provides a scriptural and thorough treatment of it in its manifold manifestations.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A theology proper book. An exposition about what it means by the love of God, and its connection with soteriology.

[Caleb Nakhla · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid

[Earl Pestano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tightly written!

[Calvin]

Read 2015 or earlier

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the message of this book but I felt like it was repetitive. It could’ve been about 100 pages shorter.

[Ron Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about the love of God. One might expect it to be a meditation on the love of God; focusing on God’s mercy, grace, the cross, agape and the rest we normally associate with the love of God. And that would be right. However John expands upon the general notion of God’s love and attempts to give us a biblical and balanced view in order that we might fully grasp and understand the magnitude and magnificence of the love in the light of God’s holy righteousness. Worth a read.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book disappointing. When I finished the book, I couldn't think of anything that stood out in what he said -- except in the appendixes at the back of the book which featured what I felt were more meaty writings from other Christian preachers.

[Allen Haynie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, John MacArthur explores the biblical truth that God’s love is not sentimental or permissive but holy, sovereign, and purposeful. John emphasizes that true love is found in God’s plan of salvation through Christ, where mercy and righteousness meet.

[Gregory]

I have enjoyed this and hope to continue to read through but working on other things. The Love of God is at the very Heart of who He is 1 John 4:8

[Rose]

231.6 Mac

[Read1000books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough for me to read it twice (Jan. 2000 & Sept. 2009).

[Jt]

got it done

[Philip Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than the one on eschatology ;)