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Christian Quote by Paul W. Kahn

“In the Judeo-Christian tradition, we carry forward the basic insight our fundamental relationship to the world is one of love. Christians say that “God is Love,” that God created the universe out of love. The source of God’s Creation is love, and our relationship to the possibility of meaning…” quote by Paul W. Kahn
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““In the Judeo-Christian tradition, we carry forward the basic insight our fundamental relationship to the world is one of love. Christians say that “God is Love,” that God created the universe out of love. The source of God’s Creation is love, and our relationship to the possibility of meaning within this created world is in and through love. The Christian community is a reciprocal relationship among subjects who love and are loved. The subject maintains the meaning of God’s Creation by taking up a Christ-like love toward others. The appearance of meaning in the world—love’s product—is always a manifestation of the divine. Liberalism turns away from this entire tradition of thought, in party because of its association with religion, and in part because this tradition resists the analytic form of reason. For liberalism, religion is individualized and privatized, and thus it cannot be used in the explanation or justification of a public space. If it does invade the public, it threatens irrationality. But religion is no less an effort to understand the character of our experience, and even a secular philosophy must not ignore that experience. We cannot simply deny what we cannot place within our categories of analysis. (221)””

Paul W. Kahn

About This Quote

Source Book: Liberalism and the Tradition of Love, 2015

The essay argues that love is central to Judeo‑Christian worldview and critiques liberalism’s tendency to marginalize religious perspectives in public discourse.

In simple terms: Love underpins religious meaning; liberalism often excludes it.

Key Takeaway

Recognize love’s role in public ethics.

Themes

theology philosophy liberalism public sphere

Mood

thoughtful critical inquisitive

Type

academic philosophical political

When to use this quote

  • public policy
  • social cohesion

Key Concepts

ethics community religious pluralism secularism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can public spaces respect both religious and secular values?
  • What are the risks of excluding love‑based ethics?
A Different Perspective

Liberalism may overlook the experiential dimension of religion.

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