Rev. Gregory Love, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
Graduate School of Theology

Photo of Rev. Gregory Love, Ph.D.

Education

Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary

M.Div. Princeton Theological Seminary

B.A. Pacific Lutheran University

Contact

P: 415.451.2869
E: gregory_love@redlands.edu

Meet Gregory

The Rev. Dr. Gregory Love is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology. A native of Portland, Oregon, Dr. Love gained his M.Div. and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior to SFTS, he taught theology to undergraduates at Pacific Lutheran University, Gustavus Adolphus College, and St. Olaf College. Dr. Love is interested in understanding how God acts in the world and in our lives. He is currently working on a constructive theology of divine providence which tries to explain how God can act in a world which science believes works according to natural laws, chance and human free will, and in which horrific events of suffering happen. Related to this topic, Professor Love teaches courses on "God and Human Suffering," "Christian Theology and Human Existence," "Grade, Will and Spirit: Psychology and Christian Theology," and "Science and Christian Theology."

See below for his 6-part video series: "God and the Coronavirus: 4 Christian Perspectives"

Teaching Philosophy

The Reformed faith is a thinking faith. Presbyterians are content neither with a faith that is blind, nor with academic reflection that resists an encounter with the living God. Responding to the God who approaches us through the risen Christ and the Spirit, this faith asks questions of itself. In my teaching, I aim to train pastors who can think theologically, seeing the character of the biblical God and how that God is present in our day-to-day world. In my courses-God and Human Suffering, Barth and Feminist Theology, Science and Religion-we explore connections between the best of the classical theological tradition and our contemporary thought and experience.

My research centers around the question of divine agency. How does God act for good in your life and mine, while respecting the fact that our choices matter? How does God use chance events, natural laws, and free human choices to move the world toward God's inbreaking reign of peace? I believe helpful clues are found in the doctrines of Christ and the Spirit, and in pre-seventeenth century understandings of divine grace.

As a native Pacific Northwesterner, I love walks on the beach, and backpacking in the Olympics. I enjoy coffee with friends, running in the hills above the Seminary, and exploring new cities with my wife, Julie, who both encourages my thinking about the faith, and shows me how the living of life is itself the faith.

Courses Taught

Introduction to Systematic Theology

God and Human Suffering

Divine Power: Contemporary Views

Sin and Evolutionary Biology

Grace, Will and Spirit

Psychology, Spirituality and Christian Theology

The Theology of Paul Tillich.

 

Publications

Love, Violence and the Cross: How the Nonviolent God Saves Us through the Cross of Christ (Cascade, 2010)

VIDEOS

God and the Coronavirus: 4 Christian Perspectives—Introduction

How are Christians responding to a God that would allow such suffering with COVID-19? Rev. Dr. Gregory Love, takes us through four main models of Christian response to the COVID-19 pandemic: 10 God’s Governance, 2) Soul-Making, 3) God as “Horrified,” and 4) The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus the Son.

God and the Coronavirus: 4 Christian Perspectives—Model 1

How are Christians responding to a God that would allow such suffering? Rev. Dr. Gregory Love, takes us through four main models of Christian response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the second in a series of six videos (2/6). Model #1 explores "God’s Governance” as a classic and widespread Christian model.

God and the Coronavirus: 4 Christian Perspectives—Model 2

How are Christians responding to a God that would allow such suffering? Rev. Dr. Gregory Love takes us through four main models of Christian response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the third in a series of six videos (3/6). Model #2 explores “Soul-Making,” where God gives us challenges to overcome in order for us to learn compassion, strength and beauty.  

God and the Coronavirus: 4 Christian Perspectives—Model 3

How are Christians responding to a God that would allow such suffering? Rev. Dr. Gregory Love takes us through four main models of Christian response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the fourth in a series of six videos (4/6).  Model #3 explores the idea that God is “Horrified” at this suffering—God has given mankind free will, and there are laws of nature on planet earth—so God stands with us providing love and compassion in our suffering. 

God and the Coronavirus: 4 Christian Perspectives—Model 4

How are Christians responding to a God that would allow such suffering? Rev. Dr. Gregory Love takes us through four main models of Christian response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the fifth in a series of six videos (5/6). Model #4 explores the Trinity in “The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus the Son.”

God and the Coronavirus: 4 Christian Perspectives—Conclusion

How are Christians responding to a God that would allow such suffering? Rev. Dr. Gregory Love takes us through four main models of Christian response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the sixth in a series of six videos (6/6). Professor Love briefly reviews pros and cons of each model, and expresses his own personal beliefs.

"Love, Violence and The Cross" 

Explore how God acts in the world in ways that make sense with natural laws, chance, human free will, and our experiences of horrific suffering. His most recent book is Love, Violence and the Cross: Gospel and the promise of fullness of life. What does John mean by this "abundance of Life?" Is it related to happiness, or to joy? And how does Jesus give it to us? Presented at the Center for Faith Studies in Omaha, NB with Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes (3/9/16).