The Book of Love by Richard Beck

About the Book:

The Bible is a story of divine love, full of mercy, justice, and grace.

In The Book of Love, acclaimed author and psychologist Richard Beck offers a bold and compassionate reimagining of how we read the Bible. Drawing from personal experience, theological insight, and psychological depth, Beck challenges the fear-based, legalistic interpretations that have long dominated many Christian traditions. Instead, he invites us to approach Scripture through the lens of love--God's love for humanity and our call to love one another.

The book journeys from Beck's own faith journey to a sweeping exploration of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Gospels, and the writings of the early church. Along the way, Beck addresses pressing questions about biblical violence, human dignity, suffering, and salvation. He weaves together stories of historical figures like Dorothy Day and Maximilian Kolbe with theological reflections on figures such as Augustine and George MacDonald, all while grounding his insights in the radical teachings of Jesus.

The Bible is not a rulebook or a weapon, but a story of divine love that calls us to mercy, justice, and grace. The Book of Love is both a critique of harmful religious interpretations and a hopeful vision for a more loving, inclusive, and transformative faith.

My Review:

How Christians know God's character is from the Bible. Beck suggests we allow the Bible to unsettle and challenge us rather than confirm what we already believe. He wants us to see the Bible as a book of love. We need to have a secure attachment with God, believing he loves us no matter what. To read the Bible well, “We have no theological or doctrinal right to set limits on the loving-kindness of God.” (loc 1081/3345) We are to follow Jesus' example, “Choose mercy over sacrifice.” (loc 1639/3345) We choose love over the letter of the law. We see Revelation as psychological encouragement for early Christians rather than a blueprint for end times.

Beck is honest about the “unloving” parts of the Bible. While he by no means answers all of my questions, he has certainly given me lots of food for thought. This would be an interesting book to discuss in a reading group or Bible class. 

This book releases May 19, 2026.  My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Richard Beck (PhD) is an award-winning author, speaker, and blogger. Richard is Professor of Psychology and the Senior Fellow of the Saunders Center of Joy and Flourishing at Abilene Christian University.

Broadleaf Books, 270 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)