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The concept of Divine love in Christianity

Divine love, as interpreted in Christianity, refers to the profound and unconditional affection God holds for humanity. It represents the basis for the relationship between God and believers, emphasizing mutual love over coercion. This love is characterized by God's unwavering commitment to seek humanity's happiness and holiness, offering forgiveness regardless of human failings. Divine love is also the selfless and transformative essence of God that inspires individuals toward moral action and fosters a deep, personal connection with the divine.

Synonyms: Sacred love, Spiritual love, Heavenly love, Unconditional love, Transcendent love, Sacred affection, Holy love, Spiritual adoration, Godly love, Spiritual affection

In Dutch: Goddelijke liefde; In Finnish: Jumalallinen rakkaus; In Spanish: Amor divino; In German: Göttliche Liebe; In Malay: Cinta ilahi; In Swedish: Gudomlig kärlek; In French: L'amour divin

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Divine love'

Christianity Books

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) Divine love is a plain, clear, universal appeal of wisdom, which is asserted to be hers, and the crying which is denied to be His is ostentatious and noisy.[1] (2) This is the power of redeeming love which is demonstrated by the Church, which is the standing demonstration of the might of redeeming love.[2] (3) This phrase refers to a kind of love that is of God, which provides forgiveness and inspires imitation of it.[3] (4) The feeling that has no other restraints which it can impose, and is bankrupt of motives that it can adduce to prevent someone from their madness, and is also the truest kindness.[4] (5) This describes the profound affection and desire that is expressed in the parable, and the owner's longing for reverence and obedience.[5]

From: Hymns for Christian Devotion

(1) A profound and unconditional affection that connects individuals with the divine and nature.[6] (2) Characteristics of unconditional and selfless love embodied by Jesus Christ.[7]

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) God's desire for a reciprocal love from humanity, which is emphasized in Hebrew prophetic literature.[8] (2) The love of God that should guide and protect church members against falsehood.[9]

From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository

(1) The perfect and unconditional love of God, which humans are called to emulate in their relationships.[10]

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: Summa Theologica (English translation)

(1) This refers to the love of God, and the text states that serving one's neighbor for God's sake is an act of obedience to this love.[11] (2) This entity is the Holy Ghost, and is like the Father and Son, and it is a part of the divine nature, and it is not always considered an image.[12] (3) This phrase describes the intense affection for God, and it is associated with the concept of incontinence in a metaphorical sense, where the desire is so strong it can be considered a form of it.[13] (4) Divine love is the will of God to wish well to someone, and the text explores how it relates to election and predestination.[14] (5) Divine love, which is eternal and unchangeable, is considered on the part of God's act. The effect of this love in us is grace, and it is the reason why sin is remitted to us.[15]

From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis

(1) Divine love is the feeling that fills Friar Ruffino's soul when Christ appears to him, showing the transformation that comes with faith and salvation.[16] (2) Divine love is the fire that, once a person is enkindled with it, causes them to hate and abhor the sins that assail them more and more.[17] (3) This is an emotion experienced by many individuals who were present, indicating a deep spiritual connection and a sense of being overwhelmed by a profound religious experience, leading to a transformation in their lives.[18] (4) Divine love is the fire wherewith the souls of those holy friars and holy nuns were enkindled, according to the text.[19] (5) The intense sense of love felt by St. Francis as a result of his spiritual experiences.[20]

From: The city of God

(1) The text states that we are stirred up to worship and cleave to Him, being inflamed by His divine love, which is our advantage rather than His.[21] (2) The text describes a powerful feeling of affection, that leads to the desire to enter a well-ordered peace.[22] (3) Divine love, along with spiritual marriage, joins the Church to her so great Husband, of which it is said in these words.[23] (4) This is the affection that is shed abroad in the hearts of holy men and holy angels by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto them.[24]

From: The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi

(1) The text mentions this as the subject of the prayer, with the intention of obtaining this and is a key element of the spiritual objective described.[25] (2) The unconditional love of God which should be desired above all else.[26]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) Divine love is the affection or care bestowed by a divine being, and it is a concept that is explored in the text.[27] (2) This is a reference to God's compassion and affection, which is used in the text to explain why people are helped in times of need.[28] (3) The profound and sometimes painful experience of God's love, which can lead to emotional wounds, as illustrated by the metaphor of being wounded in love.[29] (4) The spiritual support and care that is supposedly denied to those who repent according to Marcianus’s extreme views.[30] (5) The loving essence and presence of God that fills the soul and transforms one's focus toward spiritual matters.[31]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Eastern Orthodoxy (or the Eastern Orthodox Church):
Eastern Orthodoxy Books

From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite

(1) This is the aspect of the divine nature that is expressed through goodness and mercy, overlooking the stains that have come through human infirmity.[32] (2) This is the unswerving love that the Heavenly Beings elevate themselves with the intensity of, and receive the primal illuminations without earthly stain, and ranging themselves to these, and having their whole life intellectual.[33] (3) This is the affection for spiritual knowledge, and individuals gradually mount to this love of their science through their elevating powers, as they progress in their understanding of divine matters.[34] (4) An expression of the highest and most sacred attachment to the divine, characterized by purity and a longing for spiritual communion.[35] (5) A profound and sacred love for all that is good.[36]

Eastern Orthodoxy, or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Christianity. It consists of independently governed churches with strong cultural ties to Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Eastern Orthodox theology focuses on the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Believers strive for theosis, or becoming closer to God, through grace and spiritual practices.  

Significance in Protestantism (Christian movement emphasizing faith and scripture):
Protestantism Books

From: The Existence and Attributes of God

(1) The unwavering and eternal love of God, which underpins the new covenant and provides assurance of grace, rather than condemnation.[37] (2) The unconditional and perfect love of God towards creation.[38] (3) The unconditional love God has for humanity, often rejected by the carnal self-love of individuals.[39]

Protestantism (or simply the protestant church) is a major branch of Christianity originating from the Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures like Martin Luther. It emphasizes salvation by faith alone and the Bible as the ultimate authority. Variants of Protestantism include Lutheranism, Calvinism, Anglicanism, Methodism and Presbyterianism, each with unique practices but generally united by these core principles.

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

From: The Book of the Bee

(1) The essence conveyed by the Seraphim, reflecting the nature of God's love towards creation.[40]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.

The concept of Divine love in local and regional sources

History Books

Divine love embodies the intense spiritual fervor exhibited by Mellitus, driving his actions and prayers amid challenges, reflecting an unwavering commitment to faith and compassion during crises.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) This refers to the spiritual love that human love can symbolize, illustrating the connection between the earthly and the divine.[41] (2) Divine Love is personified by Radha, and represents a key element in the Gita Govinda, where she is the personification of Divine Love and Beauty, representing the heavenly aspect.[42] (3) A heightened form of love that recognizes the sacredness and interconnectedness of all beings, elevating the devotee's relationship with the divine.[43] (4) The state when the heart is filled with love that is considered sacred and transcendent.[44] (5) The ultimate manifestation of love that Shelley equates with God, representing a deeper connection to the universe.[45]

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) This is the highest form of love, characterized by giving all and asking for nothing, without regret, and is the only kind of love that the text is concerned with.[46] (2) Divine Love is something everyone will be a sharer of in the Satya-Yuga, and it is associated with the teachings of Shri Ramakrishna.[47] (3) Divine love is something that the disciple shall attain, along with knowledge, by the blessings of Shri Ramakrishna, representing a desired spiritual state.[48] (4) Divine love is a high ideal that common people could not grasp and assimilate, and it is exemplified in the life of Shri Chaitanya, who was perfectly selfless and bereft of any vestige of lust.[49] (5) Divine love is an inexpressible concept that can be understood through human experiences, and it is often symbolized through various forms of human affection.[50]

From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England

(1) The fervent and spiritual passion in Mellitus that fueled his actions and prayers during the crisis.[51]