Love Jesus 13

“Love Jesus 13” is shorthand for two of my favorite pursuits, Christianity (hence, “love Jesus,” and the early days of America (13 as in Thirteen Colonies. The United States began with 13 British colonies, which declared independence in 1776.)

Not every post will be theological and not every post will be history. These two interests may overlap at times.

Essentially, and I will post daily quotes and readings based on my own reading on any given day, as I’m moved by the Spirit, to provide digestible pieces that present Christ’s full gospel to believers in Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith and that show the acts of the early church in the United States. User generated ideas are welcomed with these caveat: AI content that’s presented as original work is welcomed. No plagiarism. AI should be cited in quotes whenever used (see below).

What to Expect

Expect more than just doctrinal facts about Christian theology, as important as that is. If you love someone, your feelings are involved. Love isn’t cold formalism, frozen/chosen, emotional-less nothing. Our feelings and emotions were created by God and they come into play in proper worship of the One Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Here’s how AI defines it:
“Affective theology often uses the biblical concept of the ‘heart’ as the center of a person’s being – where thoughts, will, and emotions are integrated. It suggests that genuine faith and spiritual transformation involve a change in our affections and desires, not just in our intellectual assent to doctrines. It doesn’t dismiss the importance of doctrine or rational thought, but it argues that a robust faith isn’t just about knowing facts about God, but also about experiencing and being affected by God. It moves beyond ‘theology from the neck up’ to encompass the full human person.”

It further notes, that “this approach has roots in various theological traditions, including Puritan thought (e.g., Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections), Pietism, and aspects of medieval mysticism (e.g., Julian of Norwich).”

In these cases, affective theology was viewed as “having implications for how faith is lived out. It encourages practices that cultivate a heartfelt love for God, such as worship, meditation on Scripture, prayer, and service, rather than just dutiful adherence to rules.”

In essence, affective theology argues that our relationship with God is–get this–deeply emotional and relational.

(You might prefer the term “affections,” over the word “emotions,” which is fine, too!)

The point is, our deepest desires and affections are often rooted in the things of this world, which is contrary to Scripture: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will,” Romans 12:2.

It’s both the mind and heart:

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your HEARTS on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your MINDS on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:1-2

Above all, we ought to love one another as Christ showed us. In Philippians 1:8 Paul says to the church, “For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

As John Piper further noted, “We are to feel an affection, a tender affection for each other.”

Hope you prosper from these readings!

To God be the glory.