Love as the Only Christian Principle

• The concept “Love as the only Christian Principle” plays a critical role in Christian moral theology. Central to understanding this is the notion that love should guide all actions and decisions.

• This principle is primarily based on Jesus Christ’s two commandments: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ and ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself.’

• These commands are found in Matthew 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-34, and Luke 10:25-28. They are seen as the summary of the entire moral law given to Moses.

• The idea is derived from Agape love, a Greek term which means unconditional love. This love seeks the best for others, it’s selfless and sacrificial. It’s the love God has for humans and the love Christians believe they are called to show to all people.

• The concept of ‘Love as the only Christian Principle’ is emphasised by Christian theologians such as Thomas Aquinas and Augustine of Hippo.

• Maurice Wiles, a theologian, proposed the ethic of love as the “presupposition” of Christian belief, meaning that love should be the initial and guiding principle of moral decision-making.

• However, the practicality and universal applicability of using love as the only moral principle has been questioned. Critics argue that ‘love’ is too vague and subjective a concept to serve as a reliable moral guide.

• Dilemmas have been pointed out, for example, how to love all equally in situations where love for one appears to conflict with love for another.

• The doctrine of double effect is one way that some theologians such as Thomas Aquinas have reconciled the principle of love with the need to sometimes cause harm.

• To truly understand the ‘Love as the only Christian Principle’ perspective, consider how it influences believers in their day-to-day lives, from interactions with others to significant moral decisions.