411 - Gospel Love: A Narrative Theology

Gospel Love: A Narrative Theology
By John Navone, S. J.
Wilmington, Michael Glazier, 1984. 159 pp. $7.95.

Navone understands "gospel love" as the four canonical stories of Jesus living, dying, and rising in God's love, and "narrative" theology as reflection on Jesus' story, as a revelation of God's love and a summons to participate in God's love. The longest chapter, "Jesus Dying in Gods Love," contains short theological commentaries on the passion narratives and is only loosely related to the topic of gospel love. The chapter "Reflections on Gospel Love" identifies "suffering out of love for others" as the essence of living in God's love and gospel love. This study should be approached as an instance of practical and systematic reflection on the Gospels. Readers familiar with literary criticism should remember that "story" takes on a special theological significance. A useful appendix outlines storytelling and God's story as told in Jesus' story.

Susan Marie Praeder
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, Mass.