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Book Review – Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies edited by Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt
Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies, a recently published anthology edited by Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt, is comprised of twenty-six essays by Unitarian Universalist (UU) ministers and laypeople. Dr. Betancourt, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), has curated a collection that celebrates and centers an ethic of love within UUism, informing some – and reminding others – that love is foundational to UUism, and crafting a roadmap to clarifying what UUs believe and what they are called to do in these turbulent times.
The diverse, relentlessly creative voices showcased in the assembled essays provide a significant contribution to clarifying UUs’ articulation of a theology of love, and demonstrating how foundational love is to UUism. The authors provide frameworks that demonstrate the link between humans and their connections to one another and humanity based on a shared ethic of love.
In a non-creedal faith tradition with no stated dogma, this anthology moves beyond the individualistic, all too familiar question, “What do I believe?” Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd asserts that this is the wrong question. Instead, a more compelling and universal question is, “Who am I in holy and accountable conversation and relationship?”[1] Then an even more provocative question emerges: “Who am I connected to?” She contends that posing such a question creates an expansion of thinking that compels a shift from an individual perspective to a more universal one.
The anthology represents a much-needed, theologically focused resource in the small but growing body of UU scholarship. While every major faith tradition may contend that their beliefs are grounded in love, it is not the declaration but the implementation of love into action that translates into a theology of love, according to the authors.
Rev. Rebecca Ann Parker posits that it is humankind’s disconnection from self that leads to disconnection from others, creating dissociation and alienation, and leading to the perception of anything outside of self as “other” or “not human.” It is in this space of disconnection that humans become capable of “evil,” i.e., harm to others.
Any disconnection from love disconnects humans from the ability to think humanely, act humanely, and embrace their humanity. It is then impossible to relate to and engage the humanity of others. Following this train of thought, one can recognize genocide (from the transatlantic slave trade, Auschwitz, Namibia, Rwanda, King Leopold’s massacre in the Congo to, more recently, the slaughtering of Palestinians in Gaza) as “evil.”
Christians label such actions as sin or “evil;” UUs must be more willing to claim the concept and language of evil. Rev. Ashley Horan points out: “…We struggle mightily to directly name evil and look its perpetrators squarely in the face…There is a moral imperative to name and counteract evil.”[2]
Rev. Parker reflects that a theology of love does not emerge from a singular revelation or a sacred text, rather, it “emerges slowly through a community of people who have shared a history of struggle and hope, who have resisted oppression, endured conflict and discouragement, and found blessings in the midst of it all.”[3]
An examination of the ethics of love and the application of intersectional theory may prompt further exploration into the intersectionality of love with colonialism, patriarchy, racism, sexism, ablism, classism, and heterosexism. This anthology strengthens UUism with such richly diverse and powerful essays. Along with the many stories and songs that emerge from UU congregations, they are evidence of a theology of love embedded in the culture and social action work of UUs.
One concrete example of the theology of love that is foundational to UUism is its commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression and multiculturalism. Its accomplishments, successes and failures are reminders that one’s intentions do not ensure successful outcomes or immediate results. Rev. Parker reminds readers that “Puritan forebears’ ambition to build a better world wasn’t enough to keep them from harming the people and the lands they colonized.”[4]
Hopefully, this collection is merely the beginning of such endeavors to critique UUs’ ethic of love and its foundational relationship to UUism. Future endeavors could provide additional case studies that reveal congregational community development and demonstrate examples of nurturing the ethic of love, revealing the processes of embedding these values deeply into the eight principles that guide UUs. Since so much of social justice work is motivated and inspired by an ethic of love, there is much to learn from such case studies. Further exploration can shed light on the spiritual discipline of love that stays engaged even when there is failure, as witnessed in the long-standing efforts of UUs to decenter whiteness in UUism, encouraging more racial and ethnic diversity.
Conclusion
While love is a popular and familiar topic in religious scholarship, what sets this anthology apart is that it fills a gap in UU scholarship – much-needed, theologically focused work. Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies holds great promise for opening new paths of inquiry into the theological foundations of UUism. I highly recommend this long overdue collection as a pathway to a spiritual deepening that can advance the growth and development of UUs in our understanding of love’s centrality to UUism and illuminate how the guiding light of love is reflected in UU principles. Perhaps UUs might engage and articulate this theology more clearly.
These assembled voices reflect some of the best and brightest thinkers, writers and scholars within UUism. May their efforts encourage continued endeavors in shaping UU theology, and result in producing seasoned and emerging theologians. And may this esteemed gathering of voices and writings inspire a renaissance of theological thinkers.
May the ethic of love continue to guide UUs toward Beloved Community.
May we overcome the barriers that lie ahead and stay grounded in this universal love that is fierce and strong. This love is profound and respectful; it wills us to be changed by our relationships with one another. May it be so and blessed be!
– Reviewed by Rev. Dr. Qiyamah A. Rahman
[1] Nancy McDonald Ladd. “The Theology of Love Was Never a Monologue” in Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies. Boston: Skinner House Books, 2024.
[2] Ashley Horan. “Death and Glory, Love and Evil” in Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies. Boston: Skinner House Books, 2024.
[3] Rebecca Ann Parker. “Love Is a Circle in Time” in Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies. Boston: Skinner House Books, 2024. 219.
[4] Rebecca Ann Parker. “Love Is a Circle in Time” in Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies. Boston: Skinner House Books, 2024.