God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.
Having a coherent systematic theology is supremely important. Finding the correct system is more fundamental than forming particular beliefs within that system. If one hold two theological beliefs that do not fit well together, then he would be wise to reexamine one or both beliefs so that his system does not collapse into absurdities. Not being truly systematic in Christian belief is utterly devastating, and its effects are truly disastrous
What, then, is the system that fits best with the Christian story? What is the interpretive lens through which we should view Christianity? In a word, Love. Admittedly, this answer can seem like an oversimplification. However, where does the foundation for Christianity lie if not there? Where is the rationality of the system if not in Love? All Christian practice and belief, and, therefore, the entire system, finds its foundation in Love.
Why the Trinity? God is Love.
Why creation? God is Love.
Why the Incarnation? God is Love.
Why the Cross? God is Love.
Why the Resurrection? God is Love.
Why the Church? God is Love.
Why the entire Christian story? God is Love
If the entire Christian enterprise is not centered on the reality of Divine Love, then what the hell are we doing? If our theology becomes merely academic and divorces itself from the Christian ethos, then are we even doing theology anymore. Similarly, if our actions do not display the Love of God, then do we truly believe what we profess? Does this not just echo Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 13? If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
None of this is meant to degrade theology, but only to center it. Without a center, it will fall.
This is also not to say that we are already made perfect in love, but only that we should be striving towards that perfection. This is only a reminder of why we are here, where we are going, and a reassurance that Love wins in the end. We can rest safe knowing that we are not orphans and that nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ.
Love never fails, will always remain, and is the rationale for the whole of reality.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
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